Brave Queen Esther

Esther was a beautiful Jewish girl. She didn't have a mom or dad, so her cousin Mordecai took care of her.

One day, the king of Persia needed a new queen. Lots of young women came to the palace, and guess who the king chose? Esther! She became the queen!

Mordecai told Esther to keep a secret—don't tell anyone you're Jewish. So she didn't.

There was a mean man named Haman who worked for the king. Haman wanted everyone to bow down to him. But Mordecai wouldn't bow because he only bowed to God.

This made Haman SO angry! He made a terrible plan to hurt ALL the Jewish people in the whole kingdom. He even tricked the king into agreeing!

When Mordecai heard about this, he was very worried. He sent a message to Esther: 'You have to help! Maybe God made you queen for THIS reason!'

Esther was scared. If she went to the king without being invited, she could be in big trouble! But she was brave. She said, 'Tell everyone to pray for me. I will go to the king. And if I die, I die.'

Esther put on her prettiest clothes and went to see the king. The king was happy to see her! He held out his golden stick, which meant she was safe.

Esther invited the king and mean Haman to a special dinner. At the dinner, she told the king the truth: 'I'm Jewish, and Haman wants to hurt me and all my people!'

The king was SO angry at Haman! He had Haman taken away and punished. Then the king made a new rule that protected all the Jewish people.

Esther saved everyone because she was brave and trusted God! God put her in the right place at the right time.