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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Much Ado about Nothing (not about the play) (07/28/11)
Best Laid Plans of Mice and Men

King Xerxes threw a banquet for his friends and officials. When spirits were high he decided to show off his beautiful Queen Vashti, but she couldn’t be bothered. The King thought this violated royal protocol so he searched for another, beautiful queen who was more submissive.

Esther, the adopted daughter of Mordecai, was among the candidates. After 12 months of beauty treatments, the women competed for the coveted title. Esther was chosen as the new Queen.

Mordecai was stationed at the King’s gate and overheard Bigthana and Teresh, two officers of the King, planning an assassination. Quickly he told Queen Esther who in turn told the King. The information was validated and the 2 officers were hanged.

Haman was King Xerxes’ favorite noble. The royal officials were ordered to bow down before him. They had no problem with the decree, but Mordecai chose to disobey. Haman became angry and demanded that he follow the order, but he refused.

Apparently Haman wasn’t familiar with Proverbs 16:18, NIV. Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. He was looking for revenge and discovered that Mordecai was Jewish. What better plan than to wipe out all the Jewish people in the King’s 127 provinces!

Haman told the King there was a certain group of people with different customs scattered through out his kingdom. Alas, these people did not obey the King’s laws. Haman was willing to contribute $55,000,000 to wipe out all the Jewish people. This was a heavy penalty considering it was just Mordecai who refused to pay him homage! Of course King Xerxes went along with the politically, correct plan of his highest, ranking noble.

When Mordecai heard of the plan he appealed to Queen Esther, a Jewess, to approach the King on behalf of her people. The Jewish people prayed and fasted for 3 days because it was dangerous to approach the King without an invitation. At his discretion he could extend his golden scepter which meant welcome or he could reject her visit which meant death!

Queen Esther spurred on by her mission, approached the King. He was surprised to see her, nevertheless his golden scepter was extended! Queen Esther breathed easier! She invited the King and Haman to a banquet she had prepared. While dining the King asked for her request. She said she would tell him at another banquet scheduled for the next day. Again she invited Haman to join the festivities.

Of course Haman was happy and told his wife and friends Queen Esther and King Xerxes were going to honor him at the second banquet. However he was still enraged that Mordecai would not bow down in his presence. His friends persuaded him to build a gallows and hang the ungracious subject in the morning.

Meanwhile that night the King had insomnia, and lacking television, he called for the record of his reign and had it read. It mentioned that Mordecai exposed the assassination plot of Bigthana and Teresh and saved his life. He was distressed to hear that Mordecai wasn’t given any recognition or honor.

The next morning a sleepless King was mulling over his discovery of the previous night, when it was announced that Haman was in the court. The King received him and asked what should be done for a man the King wants to honor. Of course prideful Haman thought he was referring to him! He suggested that the honored man wear a royal robe previously worn by the King and ride a horse previously used by the King. Also have a noble official lead the horse through the city in a parade like fashion shouting, “This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!” (Esther 6:9C, NIV)

Then the King dropped the bombshell and said, “Go and get Mordecai and do as you have recommended.” Of course Haman turned as white as a ghost!

As Haman was sharing this horrible news with his confidants, the King’s eunuchs came and escorted him to Queen Esther’s second banquet where she finally revealed her request. She asked that the King would save her and the Jewish people from annihilation. When the unbelieving, enraged King heard this he asked who was responsible for the edict, and Queen Esther pointed to Haman. The gallows that were reserved and planned for Mordecai, hanged Haman instead! The Jewish people were exonerated from the dreadful edict, and Mordecai was second in rank to King Xerxes.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Kathleen Langridge
08/04/11
Love the story of Esther. Perhaps if you focused on more show vs tell it would live again for the reader. Have your characters speak rather than just tell about them.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
08/05/11
I respect your courage to retell a story from the Bible. It's difficult to do.

It felt like you were talking to me on the phone. Try painting a picture for your reader. Adding details that would paint that picture will help with the show vs tell issue. For example: Esther closed her eyes and held her breath while she waited to hear the announcement of who would be the new Queen.

Keep writing you have a good idea in using this story. It really fits the topic. Near the end you started to do some more showing Hamann turned white as a ghost is a nice description. Nicely done.