Chapter 7 - the End

Having been married to a prosperous landowner and brought up the children that she had born to her Babylonian husband it was much easier for both she and her brother to converse in the language of those who were seeking to force them all to use the language of their captors, but her brother reasoned with her.

Have you forgotten the words our grandfather gave his life to bring to us? Or the name with which he named you?'

It was a long time before his sister answered, and this time it was in their Egyptian language.

You are right, my Brother. It is the God of the Hebrew people who ordained that we people of Egypt would be taken to a foreign nation ...'

'And?' He was waiting for more, but by the time his sister felt she could answer, he had been called away.

Starlight had much to think about, and much time to think too, for there were decisions to be made. Her husband had been a man of wealth and being an educated woman, since his death she could be sold on now as of considerable worth.

She had taken out the precious manuscript that her brother had not only taught her to read but had left in her possession.

Precious possession indeed. 'Who is this man who had so faithfully copied out this message and at risk of great daring to his own life, seen that it should have been faithfully delivered to their beloved Grandfather and the other faithful scribes there in Egypt, and other lands too.

Where is this prophet, doubtless an old man now, she asked herself. Had he too suffered for his faithfulness in writing these messages to other nations?

 

Not many had been words of hope and blessing as had been his words to Egypt.

Amid the hubbub of a heathen household Starlight sat quietly rereading these precious words of promise, not silently but not intended for any other to here.

However, suddenly she was aware of the presence of one who was taking an interest.

Embarrassed, she went to hide her precious manuscript, but the assessor, apologising for disturbing her, explained that he was seeking out the worth of the items that might be of value to the estate.

'Please, please. Do not be disturbed by my intrusion. It is good to find some corner, where there is not the sound of wailing - although of course this is a token of the respect we all had for your lord and husband.'

The Assessor did not seem in a hurry to leave her, but his assistants, by subtle hints were suggesting that they needed to be moving on.

Respectfully, he assured the widow that he was not unmindful of her need to find a different security for her, for she no longer had any authority over the training of her sons, and indeed very little over her daughters. She was welcomed into the nursery where her youngest daughters played, but only as a visitor.

It is no wonder she found refuge in reading the precious manuscripts, not only as consolation for her last months in her own land, for they had been bleak indeed, but because these, words which her grandfather had risked his life to send to their scribes, but because there was hidden in those pages promises of a future and a hope.

Yes, she had settled fairly happily in the land of Babylon, for she had been fortunate to have been bought by a prosperous merchant who had taken her as one of his many wives and been able to bring up her children as part of his household.

But now, would she be taken to the market to be sold off as part of her husband's assets?

 

She was so grateful that she still was permitted the occasional visits of her brother, and indeed she had cause to be even more grateful when she heard of an opportunity that was a possibility that might be opening up for her.

At first she could not believe that it might be even a possibility for her.

'What'me?' she asked, 'Little Mouse?' 'Me, keeping house for the new Queen?'

'No, not Little Mouse,' her brother spoke strongly, 'but Starlight, one of the guardians of the words from the God of Heaven.

'The Assessor was talking about you' he continued. 'He was so impressed at the way you were able to find comfort in your manuscripts, and then he told me how they had been asked to keep an outlook for women who might be suitable to be women of the Queen's household.

You are past child-bearing, so would bring very little in the marketplace, and would not be of much use as a labourer after being pampered as a favoured wife.'

Starlight began to argue but her brother silenced her.

Yes, of course you are still a handsome woman, but they are not looking for anyone who will stand in the beauty competition, but those who will make a comfortable home where the Queen will not have to compete in beauty but rather have those motherly figures who will always be there to reassure her that she is the fairest of the fair.

They do say that the Queen herself is of an ethnic minority. That she is not likely to deal cruelly with her servants!

Such a thought as an employment that would take a little Egyptian slave girl right within the palace walls seemed an impossibility to Starlight. What a transformation of a Little Mouse, but this Little Mouse had also been named Starlight and put her trust in the God of Heaven and Earth, the God of Ezekiel, and the God of her grandfather.

 

Chapter 8 within palace walls

How strange and yet what a wonder! Wonder of wonders indeed, that her home was now within the great palace of Nebuchadnezzar, within the walls of Shushan in the land of Babylon, the greatest kingdom in the then known world.

Starlight had little reason to leave the safety of those walls. Her children had long been removed from the family home where they had grown up together.

Would they even know their mother if they were to see her? And would they even remember any of what their mother had taught them of her homeland, and most of all, of the faith she and their uncle had learned from their grandfather, dear old Asim, and the messages that had reached them from the lonely prophet Ezekiel, long ago now but also in exile by the great river Euphrates, though in another region in the vast outreaches of Babylon.

Starlight wore the distinctive uniform of the staff of the new queen, though it had needed to be specially adapted to her shapeless body, for she had given birth to handsome children, to the satisfaction of her husband and of course others in the Queen's household were virgins, and nothing of excess flesh to enhance their beauty. Starlight was certainly one apart, but she soon found she was a favourite among the maidens, for she no longer was mourning the life she had left for the husband she had eventually learned to love and to honour, was dead and her children departed to fresh situations. No, for many of her companions had left lovers, maybe, as well as loving parents behind and must learn to be satisfied by the honour given to their mistress. It is no wonder they were happy to have the older woman to turn to for understanding and consolation - a mother figure among these poor, frustrated beauties.

Queen Esther, recently brought to favour, out of all the beautiful virgins, many of whom perhaps willing hopefuls of being chosen as his new queen, but others maybe like Esther herself, dragged unwillingly from those who loved and cherished her to meet the king's demands to find the fairest of them all. She was at liberty to wander at liberty through the beautiful gardens within the palace, but she knew she was wise not to stray too far from the protection of Hagai. whose responsibility was to keep their new Queen and her staff well cared for and protected in every way.

It was a wonderful starlit night when the lonely Queen Esther, came across this motherly but nevertheless lonely figure, for yes, their's was still a lonely life for all Hegai's care of them all. It must have been a night such as the one on which our Little Mouse had been born and prophetically named by her beloved grandfather, Starlight.

The older woman stood, hoping to slip discretely out of sight, for she feared she had intruded on the privacy of her queen, but by a gesture from this gracious lady, she found she was invited to stay.

Queen Esther was standing, gazing up into the miracle of the star-studded heavens. This was not a time for words, but eventually the footsteps of a passing guard faded away and the older woman was startled when she realised she was being addressed.

'Forgive me, dear lady, I believe you are on my staff, but I do not even know your name,' she began.

'Oh my Lady, indeed you should have no reason to know my name, for I have been graciously included to live here among all your maidens, perhaps as a motherly figure to help them to live in harmony and always for your pleasure.'

Here Queen Esther interrupted. 'You have been doing well, for truly I have been amazed at the ministry of love that I always feel once I am safe here within these walls of my own domain here within this vast palace.

'But, but...' and here she hesitated. 'Do you not have some influence in the kitchen, as to what food should be prepared for me?'

Starlight was anxious. 'Oh, I trust I have not intruded beyond my .....

But the queen stretched out to reassure her.

'Do not fear, gracious lady. Here, in my own apartment, I have no complaints. All is to my pleasing. I only ask that I may know your name that I may address you as a friend.'

Then Starlight, set at ease, went on to tell of her roots in the land of Egypt, of the implications of 'little Mouse' but of the very special name which had been given her by her grandfather - Starlight.

The Queen was visibly moved, but just then her dear Hegai appeared.

 

She rose obediently when he expressed his concern about her absence from her chambers, but she did not go without first reassuring her new friend that she wished to spend more time in conversing with her.

She too followed at a distance until she also was within the special place of safety designed for the Queen and her maidens.

A place of safety? But was there any place that could be safe enough to keep this beautiful young woman secure from the evil powers that were plotting against her?

Chapter 9 A GARDEN OF PEACE

The Lady Starlight, as the Queen had chosen to call her, became a mother figure now to the beautiful Esther, and Hegai, the undoubted authority when it came to the care of her majesty, had arranged that she be relieved from every other duty when the queen was reclining in her gardens.

'Did you know that my family had given me a special name? It is Hadassah, and that means, Star. Maybe, my beautiful Lady Starlight, it is not by chance that you have been brought here to the palace, to be a consolation to me at this time.

If it is not too painful for you, I would love to hear something of the circumstances that have brought us together at this time.'

Esther, or Hadassah, was the crowned Queen, but that did not mean that she could wave away those who came now to intrude on her privacy. Her beauty treatment was all important.

The Lady Starlight had heard her other attendants, all younger and maybe of far greater beauty than the queen, gossiping among themselves, but of course such news could not be hidden for long.

'Every night we bathe and dress the queen so that there is none so beautiful or alluring, but the king has not sent for her. Such treatment! It is shameful! '

'She tries to hide her disappointment and to make excuses for the king, but she struggles to hide her tears.'

 

Starlight knew that she must hide her knowledge of anything of this and somehow seek to make these times in the garden to be special times of comfort to her majesty.

They had begun to share something of their childhood, and somehow the quech had delighted in hearing of Starlight's godly grandfather, and the manuscripts which had come from the Hebrew captives, there by the great river of Babylon.

It was after Starlight had been sold to be a lesser wife in this Babylonian household that she had been named Mendip, and this was the name she had carried with her how that she was acknowledged as a member of the Queen's household, but there had grown a special bond between them since she had told the beautiful Queen Esther of the name her grandfather had given her.

Starlight, she repeated the name softly. Starlight." She sat quietly, then quietly began again to speak.

"I too have a special name. I had almost forgotten. I so rarely think of my parents and the terrible tragedy that brought me eventually to the home of my uncle Mordecai to be cared for, but yes, I'm remembering now.

Hadassah! That is what she would call me. She had a little song. She would take me in her arms and sing to me about Hadassah, her little Star, shining through the darkness."

Starlight so longed to reach out to the beautiful young woman, losing her parents so tragically when she had been so desperately in need of their love.

It was realising the bond there was between them, even in this coincidence of their names which lifted their thoughts and hopes to the miracle of their star-studded heavens, that evidently brought great comfort to them both.

All of the Queen's household had become aware that it was Mordecai, who was the uncle who had become as a parent to their beautiful Queen, and was permitted to come and enquire of his adopted daughter for was he not holding a position of some importance? Importance indeed, for yes, did he not have a place where he sat at the palace gate as one of the High King's counsellors?

It was not always a blessing to hold a position of prominence. She was sure it had not been by his desire that his beautiful, adopted daughter, Esther, had been among those who were taken to the palace to be placed among those for possible inclusion as a hopeful to take the disgraced Queen Vashti's place.

But he had not been admitted for some days and rumours were going around that there had been some trouble involving the godly old man. Apart from the pain to her majesty of being deprived of this link with family and home, it must have been of great concern to his loving daughter, however high her position in the land.

CHAPTER 10 - GATHERING DARKNESS

Queen Esther had her maidens gathered around her. Starlight was there, of course, though standing behind the lithe beauties draped over the floor at the feet of their ever more beautiful mistress.

She was still in awe of that special moment she had shared with her majesty, so recently, as together they had been drinking in the glory of the star-studded night. How overwhelmed she had been to learn from their lovely queen, that each one had its own name. Such an awesome revelation it had been to her, as queen Esther had explained to her that each one had been a special creation of an almighty Creator, and even as each of his creatures too, are known by him and special.

But she could not but be aware of the fast they had been asked to share with their beautiful queen. She had been handed a warming drink, but the demands of an empty stomach were not pleasant. However, she was well aware that Queen Esther would not have asked it of them, indeed, would not be undergoing its rigours herself if she did not think it necessary. They all knew that her very life would be at risk if she should go, uninvited into the presence of yes, her husband, but the mighty monarch of the ever-spreading kingdom of Babylon, Babylon the Great. But now she had gathered her household around her to explain to them the necessity she felt to take this terrible risk.

'I am so grateful to you, each one, who is willing to support me now in this time of trouble,' she had begun to speak, hesitantly at first, until Starlight it was who had stepped forward to kneel at her feet and taking her hand assured her of their mutual love and willingness to live or even to die for her. There was a murmur of assent, and in the tide of their support Esther had continued more boldly.

'You all know my beloved Uncle, Mordecai, how he comes diligently each morning to enquire of me, for since the tragic death of my parents, he has cared for me as if I were his own.

He had no desire for me to be brought among those selected to appear before the king, but when, against all possibility I was chosen, Mordecai counselled me not to acquaint anyone with my origins. But now, because he has dared to refuse to bow to the wicked Haman - yes, I too dare to say it. He is wicked, wicked indeed, and once he knew the reason why Mordecai would not bow down to him he has made this a pretext that all of his - our people should be killed.'

Starlight felt she could not breathe, and it was as if all of her listeners were the same until at last Esther continued.

'Yes, my uncle had told me that I must not mention my ethnic origin when I was brought to the palace, but now, because of Mordecai being in such trouble there is no possibility of it being hid.'

But why? Starlight had wanted to shout her complaint. He must have known that his refusal to bow to this trumped up dictator as he had become, would have spelt trouble for his adopted daughter, now Queen of the realm. But she continued.

'1 know this is very hard for you to understand. Surely he could have bowed down to this nasty little man for the sake of all his people. But you see, the Hebrew people, Jews as they call us now, are a people who worship the God who created the heavens and earth. He it is who set the stars in the heavens and who knows the name of each one...'

Starlight was back to the revelation they had shared out in the garden, that there was a god so great that he had not only made each of those wonderful twinkling stars but set each one in its appointed place and yes, had a name for each one.

She pondered a moment to remember when, with their ever growing family there had been disputes over the naming of their children and even now she struggled to remember the names of their so many grandchildren. How could there be a god so great, not only to create but to know and care for each of his creation.

But her queen was continuing with her story; telling them how God, preparing a very special garden had created animals and then, last of all, the very first man who became the father of all this teeming family that now swarmed over the many lands and nations.

But why was she telling them all this? And why now?

At last, it was as though there was a glimmer of understanding for dear Starlight as she went on to tell them how, of all the many languages and tribes and nations God had called the Hebrews to be his special people, to love and worship him so that they in turn would be able to make him known to all the other nations in the world.

Starlight had a flashback in her memory to the prophet Ezekiel, in exile, a hostage in the land of Babylon, yet writing special words to her own people, the Egyptians.

But back to the present, for now it seemed, she was beginning to understand. Mordecai, troublemaker as it seemed, putting the life of their Queen herself, as well as all the Jewish people at risk, was one of these very special people called to not only worship this great God, Creator of the heavens as well as earth, but to teach others of him. Then how could he, how dare he prostrate himself before this wicked Haman, who represented everything that was evil?

He must worship his god, whatever the cost.

But now she was about to explain how they must all be involved in the cost, yes, even within these palace walls. What could it be?

CHAPTER 11 THE FAST

Starlight had been so well aware that it had not been an easy thing for Queen Esther to respond to her uncle's demand that all the Jewish people should unite in three days of prayer and fasting. Oh dear! And yet now, at last it seemed that Queen Esther had been given the boldness and yes, the opportunity to speak to her household of her background and her faith in her living God and that she, Starlight, at least was being given a revelation of the great and holy one who had, it seemed, been in her life throughout every day of all her long years.

But all the same, to demand that her household should join with her in these three days of fasting. Surely this was too much to ask? Only three days, but three days can seem a very long time to go without solid food,- perhaps not so much for us who have so many other distractions to help to pass the time, - though may we not be put to the test, - but for these young women?

Why, how could they endure their lives of imprisonment? Yes, even though their lives were ones of the greatest indulgence, it was, all the same, imprisonment. And yes, they did so look forward to meals specially prepared for her Majesty as well as her staff.

But now, the long three days, and nights of fasting were coming to a conclusion. Starlight had to admit that she was looking forward to something more than the warming drinks they had been allowed, but her Queen definitely had other matters on her mind than that of appeasing her hunger.

It seemed she had already sent for some of the king's own chefs, and Starlight was also invited to the consultation while the maidens had been called to bathe and dress her majesty. Gradually it dawned on her that their beautiful Queen, and yes, to her, a dearest friend, was preparing with confidence to approach her husband, yes, but also the great emperor over many lands, who, held the power of life or death by a glance of approval or disapproval.

It was the beloved Mordecai who had demanded this of his adopted daughter; indeed this was the reason of their communal fast, knowing that it was only by intervention from the great God of heaven and earth that she could receive favour from the emperor. Husband he might be and she his chosen wife, but there were no laws that held him accountable for the predictability or otherwise of his behaviour. No one might approach his majesty without first being called.

 

No, she had not donned her most magnificent apparel, Starlight noted, but with Hegai alone to escort her, she was walking through these corridors of power to stand as a suppliant before the great King, knowing that his pleasure or disapproval held life or death for her.

But there had been no shaking or trembling in fear for the beautiful Esther, though it was until much later that she had been able to share these moments with her dear Starlight, now her closest confidante. 'Had I not knelt in the presence of the high King of Heaven, aware that he had created every star in the canopy of heaven? Had he not given me the assurance that I too was a star in his purposes and that it was he who had ordained that I should have access to the great King ........for such a time as this......and yet.....and yet, oh my dear Starlight, I did fear, but I knew even there that my fear and love of our wonderful God was greater, and my fear of Him would make me stronger than any fear of man.

Chapter 12- the feasting

As Starlight heard the story, of how she, Esther, adopted daughter of Mordecai, a Jew, had stood in the antechamber of the throne room, not with fear and dread. She knew that the whole nation of her Hebrew people had been praying and fasting, not to some lesser god, but to the High King of heaven, the creator of the vast universe, he who had set the stars each on its own course and the Father of their great Father Abraham and each of their forefathers.

She knew she had this access, not because of the favour of her husband, the high king of Babylon, though she was trusting for this. No, she stood, erect and confident that she had been brought to this position through the favour of the great Creator God who had placed her here for such a time as this.

Yes, and though she had no idea of this at the time, but it was this same God of the Hebrew people who had also brought one 'Little Mouse' to learn through her of the great Creator God who not only knows each of us by name and purposes and who for even the benighted people of Egypt that his prophet Ezekiel had written to all those years ago.

 

'Your Majesty!'

Esther had stood in the anti-room, trusting to be given access to her husband, yes, but knowing that in his hand was the possibility for her of life or death.

She had approached with confidence, yes, for had not the whole Hebrew nation been in prayer for her, but even so, when she saw the royal sceptre stretched out towards her it seemed a wonder as glorious and beautiful as the star studded heavens that she had been enjoying so recently.

'Esther, my beautiful Queen.' She understood that his heart was filled with longing to open his arms and embrace her, but his look of adoration was enough.

'What is your request, my Beloved?'

Her heart was trembling, but nevertheless her words came out strong and firm.

'Your Majesty, I have come to invite you, My Lord, to come to dine with me in my apartment. Even now we are making preparations for this honour - you and the honourable ........' She almost choked as she mentioned his name, for she had had a glimpse of that hated face, as always not far from the royal presence.

Her mission successful, Queen Esther managed to maintain her dignity as she returned with Hegai to her own apartments. Oh, Starlight would never forget the rejoicing of her maidens, and of dear Starlight in particular, but there was no time for rejoicing.

A team was already at work, adorning the royal apartments with wonderful drapes of gauze, adorned with symbols of the heavens while in the kitchens the chefs had been preparing the favourite foods of his majesty.

Yes, there was time for them to sustain the whole of the Queen's household with special soups and sweetmeats so that there should be no rumbling of stomachs to betray the secret of her Majesty's triumph when the oh so special guests arrived.

Their hunger was satisfied, the most delectable wines served.

The high king of Babylon extended his arm, preparing to embrace his beloved Esther. But as a suppliant she knelt at a distance. Why did she hesitate? Surely he could refuse her nothing?

But she felt a whisper as from heaven. It was the words of her beloved guardian, 'for such a time as this.' Is this the time?

Now with confidence, she knew the answer still was, 'Wait! Wait! My daughter.'

'My husband,' she approached nearer, so that he was able to reach out and draw her close.

'What is your wish, my Beloved. You shall have it, be it to t he half of my kingdom.'

She withdrew a little, as if to tease him. 'Anything, your Majesty?' she asked.

'Anything! Anything!'

'Then please, come again. Let us have a feast together tomorrow.' Oh why, why was she still delaying? But then Starlight heard her add, as if an afterthought, 'Oh yes, and our friend too.'

Chapter thirteen - the man the king delights to honour

They were all gathered round as a special messenger had entered and was now knelt before Queen Esther. Gradually they all began to understand the significance of his message. This was something they must not miss.

Calling a guard to protect her majesty, she, with her ladies around her, was taken to a special promontory outside where she could see, yes, her own beloved guardian, Mordecai, robed in the most splendid of garments. (splendid indeed, for they had been previously worn by the great King Ahasuerus himself) and seated on the charger which was reserved for his majesty himself, while it was the wicked Haman who, desiring above all else that he should be promoted, was there, leading the procession and making a proclamation. 

It must be confessed that he did not seem to be enjoying this duty, nor could every word be heard. It was as if his mouth had been filled with grit and ashes, but there were other heralds accompanying them and repeated the proclamation, clearly pronouncing every word.

'THIS IS WHAT IS DONE TO THE MAN WHOM THE KING DELIGHTS TO HONOUR!

Starlight saw straight away that her lovely Queen Esther was prostrate with tears, but tears of joy, not of grief. Quickly she arranged for her to be escorted to her own chamber where the tears continued to flow.

'Oh Starlight!' she gasped at last. 'How has this happened? Surely the great God who created the stars too, is fighting on our behalf. I know now that I will be able to go with confidence into the presence of the King tonight, to plead for my people.

Oh! Oh! My dear Starlight, whatever can have happened to make such a sudden reversal for my dear uncle?'

Yes, this story is surely deserving of a fresh chapter, for it is one which has been faithfully transcribed in the records of the Jewish race as well as in the Babylonian language, while in years to come Starlight and her brother made sure that Esther and her maidens had been fasting and praying. But not just this little enclave in the palace, for throughout the great city of Susa, and beyond to every Jewish community throughout the vast empire of Babylon the people of God were praying. Haman had made sure that every Jewish community were aware of the terrible edict of doom and annihilation that had been proclaimed by the king -though all through his terrible scheming- were now praying and fasting.

 Yes, Queen Esther and her ladies were joining them, and well they might, for on the Queen's shoulders had been placed the terrible responsibility of going into the presence of the mighty King Ahasuerus to plead the cause of herself and yes, all her people.

Yes, that night God's people were praying, but it can be read in the ancient records, 'that night could not the king sleep.'

And so there was unfolded the present drama which was causing Queen Esther's heart and eyes to overflow - a story that was repeated over and over so that even as an old woman Starlight would tell the story to her family and people over and over again. 'That night could not the King sleep.'

The king, sleepless, must be entertained. But instead of soft music as his attendants might have expected, he asks for them to bring the diaries that are written up each day, recording any special events or happenings. And so it was he 'just happened' to hear a story in which his beautiful Queen, her relative and guardian, Mordecai and yes, he, the great Sovereign himself were all involved, which of course is why it was recorded.

He hears how his own life had been saved because Esther's dear Mordecai had overheard some rogues plotting to assassinate the king. Through his link with Esther the plot had been uncovered and the life of the king saved.

'And how was this man rewarded?' asks the now wide-awake monarch.

Hearing that there was no record of any acknowledgement he must put it right straight away. He has a wonderful idea.

'Who is in the antechamber?' he asks.

'Why, your friend Haman,' he is told. So why is he not in his bed, fast asleep, as all good citizens should have been, we may ask?

Haman's whole being is being eaten up by hatred, hatred of one man so all-consuming that he is intent on annihilating an entire nation. Yes, he has allowed this hatred to so possess him that he has almost forgotten his previous mission, to make himself indispensable to his sovereign.

Unable to sleep, he had made his way to the palace determined to be first to have access to the king. How delighted then he was to be called earlier than he had dared to hope. We can imagine him fawning upon this great emperor, convinced that he is his favourite, his chosen companion.

 

Now the King asked him, ‘Tell me, Haman, what do you think should be a suitable reward for a man whom the king wishes to honour?‘

Someone the King wished to honour? Who could that be but himself? Why, it was obvious that he was a special friend of the high king himself. Not content with all the honours he had been allowed, - everyone already having to bow down to him - all except that wretched Mordecai that is, such a fly in his ointment, a wretched black spot in his vision - but never mind him now, for has he not become an excuse for him to exterminate a nation?

Haman has no trouble in planning the highest of honours, so confident that it was all to be for himself, only to be told to go and carry out these instructions, all to honour the, to him, hated Mordecai.

And so now a message has arrived in the palace. 'Come and see! Come and see.'

Were they dreaming? Could it be true? Was it really their beloved Mordecai, seated on the king's own horse and in his robes, while his avowed enemy, Haman, is the one proclaiming the honours?

But had anyone noticed the great scaffolding that had been erected in front of Haman's mansion?

But the household was busy, oh such a joyful busyness as Queen Esther herself was supervising all the arrangements for this further banquet for the King himself, and yes, of course his right hand man, Haman.

Oh, he had been so delighted to find that yet again he was included in Queen Esther's invitation, but when the evening came and he again passed through the palace gate, no matter how many people prostrated themselves before him, there was Mordecai refusing to bow.

It could be seen clearly, even from the courts of the Queen, the scaffolding that he had erected. Steaming with rage, it was his family who had suggested it, trying to calm him a little and concentrate on the great honour facing him of yet again dining with the lovely Queen Esther.

Oh, Starlight would never forget every detail of the story, for had it not been repeated in the furthest towns and villages of the whole known empire, wherever the Jewish people were living. But to be able to tell it first hand as it were?

It had been a different Haman who had accompanied the high King to his Queen's apartment. Everything was of the same, or, even greater opulence than the previous day. The Queen's apparel was as dazzling, her hair falling in jewelled tresses, and the chef's had exceeded themselves in tempting morsels to delight their guests.

But these were not the details Starlight loved to relate. Her fr
iends had heard it all before, but even so, they hung on her every word.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN - CAN THE EVIL BE REVERSED?

Yes, the King had taken in every delight prepared for him, but he was not without wisdom. He had been made well aware that he had neglected his beautiful Esther and was more than ready to make it up to her, but what could be her request?

She had been given the opportunity the previous day, but surely she must be ready now to make it known.

The staff were all dismissed, Starlight among them, but it would not be long now before everyone in the whole palace would know, the story told over and over again.- how the King demanded that she make her request known, only to be dumbstruck to find that she was pleading for her life and those of her people, the entire Jewish nation -

How the king, horrified that he had been so led astray by Haman, this one who, making out himself to be one of his most loyal advisors had been plotting all to his own ends. Going out into the garden in order to calm himself to know how to deal with this terrible situation, King Ahasuerus had returned to find Haman throwing himself at Queen Esther's feet, hoping that somehow his life might be spared, but for the King this was the last straw.

It wasn't long before the whole of the population were aware of the awful end of one who hald held such hight hopes. The scaffolding he had erected for Mordecai, this honest Jew, whose only sin was to worship his God, had now been used to hang the villainous Haman on high as an example of those who would plot in evil against the righteous.

That wasn't the end of the story, of course, for Haman's evil plans had been spread far and wide, but now the Queen, and her uncle Mordecai were able to plead with the King so that much of the evil he had planned could be reversed.

Now to say that you were a Jew was something to be regarded as an honour, and Starlight was long welcomed as a teller of this wonderful story, until there was a special feast day set aside and the story told over and over again.

So, is this the end of the story?

Chapter fifteen - endings or beginnings

The next time her beloved brother came to visit he became aware that his sister's position in the Queen's househeld was changing, and that she too needed to face up to the situation, for Esther was not only requested to attend his majesty for rare moments of delight, but alse she, and Mordecai too would often be seated in his council chamber to bring wisdom from a higher realm.

'It has undoubtedly been for your good that you have lived these many years here in Babylon and especially to have been in the confidence of our beautiful Queen, but dearest Starlight, open your heart, for there is a road opening up for us and we need to be prepared.'

Starlight, aghast, rose and walked away from her brother. She had become so settled, an honoured companion to their beautiful queen. She didn't want to know what her brother might be suggesting.

When he had left her she returned to make sure that the maidens were all usefully employed in their various tasks and no squabbling among them, for she so often found an important role in which she functioned as a peace-maker. Not an easy task, for they had all been snatched from their natural environment where they would have been married and home makers by now.

She had been expressing her concern for them with Queen Esther who so well understood the frustration of these young women, but now, finding all at peace was able to escape to a favourite nook in one of the gardens and try to grasp the implications of all her brother had been suggesting.

Surely he could not wish her to be uprooted from her safe environment here in Babylon? Yes, she was Egyptian by birth, but what a broken cradle it had been to her. No security for her, 'Little Mouse,' just a life of drudgery and as it were slave labour, though in her own home.

But here in Babylon, instead of the oppression of slavery and abuse she had found herself valued and respected as a slave yes, but one of worth. And now, was she not respected as one of her Majesty's companions and even advisors:'

The Queen, realising that her beloved Starlight seemed troubled, suggested that it might help if she shared with this gracious lady her concerns. The tears welled up in her eyes but though she longed to share her burden somehow she could not find a beginning or an end to that which pressed so heavily on her heart.

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This is not the end, but it is enough of the story l believe God is prompting me to share with you. Thank you for sharing with me and encouraging me to enjoy the privilege of old age, as I share in supporting God's church in Egypt today.