The Dramatization of Bible Stories Part 11

The story of Esther involves a much more complicated situation than any of the others here described. It is not too difficult for dramatization, however, if it is taken after such stories have been worked out as _David and Goliath_ and _Joseph._

In the case of this dramatic club the story of Esther was told to the children after they had had much experience with other plays. The interesting plot and the beauty and richness of the court made so great an appeal to them that they were eager to begin the dramatization. The story was first simplified and adapted by the leader, and then told in such a manner as to emphasize the main events. The method of procedure followed that described in chapter iii in connection with the story of Joseph. After the telling of the story the scenes were selected. These were acted out very freely at first, little thought being given to the words. Many pictures were brought in, and descriptions of the court of King Ahasuerus were read by the children from the Bible and from books of Bible stories.

In the second scene the children decided to have the maidens dance before the King. Several little girls who were trying out the part of Esther made up dances for themselves. This feature made this scene especially attractive.

This play was longer than those that had previously been dramatized, and it therefore took a longer period of time to bring it into final shape. There is no reason to hurry a dramatization. If the aim of this kind of work is kept in mind, there will be growth on the part of the children at each meeting. The value lies, not in how many stories can be dramatized during a year, but in how thoroughly the children are reliving a few good stories.

The play of _Queen Esther_ made it necessary to construct several articles. Gold dishes of various kinds were made by covering cardboard with gold paper. These were used at the Queen's banquet. From the many scepters that were submitted the King chose the one for final use.

Elaborate gowns and headdresses were gathered; beads and jewels of all descriptions were made from brilliantly colored papers.

The children took the responsibility of the costuming. The majority of them planned their own garments and either brought things from home or selected some suitable costume from those which the club had on hand.

Two of the older girls took entire charge of the younger ones and saw to it that each had some simple slip to wear in the play.

The play follows as it was finally worked out by the children.

THE STORY OF QUEEN ESTHER

SCENE I

PLACE: The King's palace--Shushan.

CHARACTERS: King Ahasuerus (king of Media and Persia), Haman (chief counselor), Persian Princes, Servants.

[_The_ KING _is seated on his throne, princes seated before the_ KING, _and_ HAMAN _is seated by the_ KING'S _side. Servants are bringing drinks in golden vessels._]

_King:_ The seventh day of this feast hath come, and on this day will I bring my beautiful Queen, Vashti, before you. The princes of my land must depart, bearing a good report of my fair Queen as well as of the great riches of my court.

Chamberlains, come forth! [_The servants come before the_ KING _and bow._] I command you to bring Vashti, the Queen, before my presence. [_Servants withdraw._]

_First Prince:_ O King, this is a great honor that thou bestowest upon us!

_Second Prince:_ Yea, Vashti, the Queen, is already known over the land for her wondrous beauty. We are most happy that thou wilt allow thy servants to behold her.

_Third Prince:_ What wonderful tidings we will spread over thy provinces, O King. Thy people do not know the half of thy riches and thy wonderful greatness and generosity.

[_Enter servants. They bow low._]

_King:_ Rise; what is thy message?

[_They do not rise._]

_First Servant:_ O King, be merciful unto us!

[_They bow lower._]

_King:_ What meaneth this? Speak! [_in astonishment_] I command thee. Where is the Queen?

_Second Servant:_ O great King, we delivered thy message as thou didst command, but the Queen has refused to come before thy presence.

[_All the princes and the_ KING _show surprise and anger._]

_King:_ Refused to obey me? This is impossible! Are ye certain that she understood the meaning of my command?

_Servants:_ We are, O King.

_King:_ She hath refused! It cannot be! [_He looks absently away._] She must be punished.

_Haman:_ What shall we do to Queen Vashti according to the law, because she hath not performed the commandment of King Ahasuerus?

_First Prince:_ She hath not done wrong to the King only, but also to all the princes of the land, for this deed of the Queen shall become known unto all the women of Media and Persia and they shall despise the command of their husbands: "Because," they shall say, "King Ahasuerus commanded Vashti, the Queen, to be brought before him and she came not."

_Second Prince:_ What shall we do? This will cause great trouble and disobedience.

_King:_ What thinkest thou, Haman, my chief counselor?

_Haman:_ If it please the King, let there go forth a royal commandment and let it be written among the laws of the Medes and Persians that Vashti come no more before Ahasuerus, and let the King give her royal estate to another that is better than she. Then when this decree shall become known all wives shall give honor unto their husbands.

_King:_ This saying pleaseth me greatly. I shall do accordingly. [_To servants_]: Send letters unto every province to every people, which shall state this decree, so that every man shall know it.

_Haman:_ O King, I pray thee, let there be fair maidens brought before thee from which thou shalt choose another which shall be thy Queen.

_King:_ So be it! See that fair maidens from every province be brought here to my palace; and the one that pleaseth me best, I will take her for my Queen.

[_All bow._]

SCENE II

PLACE: At Shushan, the palace.

CHARACTERS: King Ahasuerus, Mordecai, Maidens, Haman, Servants, Courtiers.

[_Two servants are standing in the court room of the palace. Enter a messenger followed by_ ESTHER _and_ MORDECAI.]

_Messenger_ [_announces to the servants in the room_]: This maiden has come to see the King.

[_He goes out._]

_First Servant:_ This is the place. Wait thou here. [_To_ MORDECAI]: What art thou here for? Thou wilt have to depart.

_Mordecai:_ I only brought this maiden. I beg of thee let me have a few words with her; then I will withdraw.

_First Servant:_ Speak then quickly, before the King cometh.

[_Servants withdraw to another part of the room._]

[Ill.u.s.tration: FIG. 3.--Esther and Mordecai]

_Mordecai_ [_taking_ ESTHER'S _hand_]: Esther, my child, thou art like my very child, for although I am but thy uncle I have been as a father to thee. I bid thee farewell now, for it seemeth to me that the King will surely choose thee to be his Queen--thou art so fair. This one thing remember, tell him not that thou art a Jewess. Fare thee well, Esther!