Hello boys and girls, this is Aunt Frenita
Today's story is called
An unusual competition.
The memory verse is from Matthew, Chapter 5, Verse 16.
It says
Let your light shine before others
That they may see your good deeds, and glorify Your Father in heaven
The message is:
God can use my life, to influence others for good.
Have you ever entered a competition?
Did you win?
Today's story is about a beauty
competition with a very special prize.
It may have happened like this
"Cousin Mordecai" said Esther.
"Did you hear?"
"King Xerxes in sending his men to
bring unmarried girls to the palace."
"He's looking for a new queen."
"I heard." Said Esther's cousin, Mordecai.
"But he's not sending for all the unmarried girls."
"Just the pretty ones."
"I'm sure you'll be chosen."
He smiled.
"Oh Cousin Mordecai." Said Esther.
"I can't leave you.
You've taken such good care of me since my parents died."
"Don't worry about me Esther." Said Cousin Mordecai
"It will be a good opportunity for you.
Remember everything I've taught you.
But no matter what happens,
Don't let anyone know you are a Jew, or that you are my cousin."
But why Cousin Mordecai?"
Asked Esther, looking puzzled.
"Because this is not our home, we are Hebrews."
"Although our people have lived in Persia for a long time,
a lot of people don't like us."
"They want to get rid of us." Said Cousin Mordecai quietly.
"I will do as you say." Esther nodded.
"Don't look so sad Esther." Said Cousin Mordecai.
"A lot of other beautiful girls will be at the palace.
But remember beauty, is as beauty does."
"Be kind to everyone, that's the best kind of beauty."
When Esther was taken to King Xerxes' palace,
She remembered what her cousin, Mordecai, had told her.
There were a lot of beautiful girls at the palace.
Some of them were not very nice, but Esther was kind to everyone
The king's helper, Hegai, noticed Esther.
Hegai noticed Esther's kindness to others.
He quickly chose her to begin beauty treatments.
He also gave her special food.
Then he gave her seven servant girls
and moved them all to the best part of the women's quarters.
For a whole year,
Esther received beauty treatments at the palace.
She was bathed,
oiled, and perfumed, everyday.
Beauticians fixed her hair
The designers made new clothes and shoes for her.
Hegai gave her anything she asked for.
Meanwhile, Esther's cousin, Mordecai,
walked back and forth near her rooms everyday.
He couldn't talk to Esther, and she couldn't talk to him.
But they could see each other from far away.
Cousin Mordecai wanted to make sure she was alright
But he didn't want anyone to know that they were related.
If they did, they would know Esther was a Jew.
One day, Hegai came to Esther smiling.
"Esther." He said. "The king wants to see you."
"Really? What should I do?" Asked Esther.
"Just be yourself." Said Hgai, smiling.
"I'm so nervous!" Said Esther excitedly.
"I can't even think right now!"
"Esther don't worry." Said Hegai.
"I think the palace people and the king are going to really like you."
Hegai was right.
Everyone liked Esther, especially the king.
He liked Esther more than any of the other young women he had seen.
So he made her his queen.
This podcast is read by Frenita Buddy
for gracelink.net
Created and produced by Falvo Fowler
Post produced by Faith Toh at Studio Elpizo
The theme music is by Clayton Kinney
Animation and artwork by Diogo Godoy
The audio engineer was Karel Holness
For more information, please visit gracelink.net