Brave Queen Esther

In the land of Persia, long ago, there lived a girl named Esther, who became a very brave queen.

Esther had no father or mother, so her cousin Mordecai raised her like his own daughter. When she grew up, the king chose Esther to be his queen, and he set a royal crown on her head. But Esther kept a secret. Mordecai had told her not to tell anyone that she was Jewish, one of God's people.

The king's most important leader was a proud man named Haman, and everyone had to bow down to him. Everyone bowed, except Mordecai. And that made Haman very, very angry. So Haman made a wicked plan. He talked the king into making a law to get rid of all the Jewish people in the kingdom. When Mordecai heard, he tore his clothes and cried out loud. All over the land, God's people were sad and afraid.

He sent a message asking Queen Esther to go to the king and beg him to save her people. But Esther was scared. Nobody was allowed to go to the king unless he called for them, and he had not called for Esther in thirty days! Anyone who went without being called could be in terrible danger, unless the king held out his golden scepter, a special golden rod. Mordecai sent back these words. "Who knows if you haven't come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

Maybe God had made Esther queen for this very moment, to help her people. Esther thought about it. And then she made a brave choice. She asked God's people in the city to fast for her for three days, going without food to show how much they needed God's help. Esther would fast too. And then she would go to the king, even though it was against the rule.

On the third day, Esther put on her royal robes. She took a deep breath, and she stepped into the king's court. The king looked up from his throne and saw her standing there. Would he be angry?

No! The king was pleased to see her, and he held out his golden scepter. Esther came near and touched the top of it. The king said, "What would you like, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given you even to the half of the kingdom." Half of the kingdom! But Esther just invited the king and Haman to a special dinner, and then to a second dinner the next day.

That night, the king couldn't sleep, so he had the royal records read to him. He learned that Mordecai had once saved his life, and had never been thanked! So the next morning, the king made Haman lead Mordecai through the city on the king's own horse. Haman did not enjoy that one bit! At the second dinner, the king asked Esther again what she wanted. This time, Esther was ready. She asked the king to save her life, and the lives of her people. Someone had planned to destroy them all!

The king was shocked. He asked who would dare to do such a thing. Esther pointed and said, "An adversary and an enemy, even this wicked Haman!"

The king was very angry, and Haman's wicked plan was stopped. Then the king let Esther and Mordecai write a new law, sealed with the king's ring, so God's people could stand together and protect themselves. Riders on swift royal horses raced off to carry the good news to every city. And God's people had "light, gladness, joy, and honor."

Their sadness turned into a celebration! Even today, Jewish families remember it with a happy feast called Purim.

This story teaches us that God can help us be brave enough to speak up for what is right. Esther was afraid, but she did the right thing anyway. God can use us too, right where we are.