1. Miss Persia 400 B.C.
The Book of Esther

2. The Persian Empire
The Persian Empire was doing really well. The King at the time was named Xerxes.
He had a large banquet at his palace to show off his wealth and power.
There were separate banquets for the men and the women. Queen Vashti hosted the banquet for the women.

3. Ugh, guard duty!
This party is awesome!
Man, this guy is rich!

4. Let’s paint our toenails!
Smell my new perfume!
Let’s paint our toenails!
Oooh, chocolate fondue!

5. Let’s bring out my wife, Queen Vashti, in her crown
Let’s bring out my wife, Queen Vashti, in her crown. She’s super pretty and nice to look at! That’ll make this party really exciting!

6. No way. I’m not going out there. Are you crazy
No way! I’m not going out there! Are you crazy! If my husband thinks he can just boss me around…

7. Some Biblical Scholars and Historians think that the order for Queen Vashti to appear in her crown might have meant, only her crown.

8. I’ll be taking this back! At least I can keep my clothes this time
Queen Vashti was removed from the position of Queen. We don’t know what happened to her after that
I’ll be taking this back!
At least I can keep my clothes this time

9. I’m lonely. Let’s find a beautiful new Queen to take Vashti’s place!

10. The King’s officials searched all over the Empire for the most beautiful women

11. They brought them all together in the capital, prepared them, and entered them into a contest for MISS PERSIA

12. You are the prettiest of them all! I crown you Miss Persia!

13. Nobody knew that Esther was a Jewess.
So Esther, where are you from? What’s your religion?
Well…oh, look! A cat!

14. Esther had a cousin named Mordecai
Esther had a cousin named Mordecai. He had taken care of her since she was a little girl. He would stop by the palace gates to check on Esther.

15. One day, Mordecai overheard a plot to assassinate the King
One day, Mordecai overheard a plot to assassinate the King. He told Esther who then told the King. Mordecai was honored in the King’s book.

16. There was a man named Haman, and he was an important official in the King’s court.
He hated the Jewish people, especially Mordecai. He wanted to have all the Jews killed

17. Mordecai goes to Esther to beg for her help
Mordecai goes to Esther to beg for her help. He wants Esther to ask the King to stop Haman’s plot to kill the Jews

18. If I perish, I perish…
Esther asked Mordecai and the Jews to fast and pray for three days. Afterward, she would go to the King uninvited. She could be killed for doing such a thing

19. Esther went before the King. He held out his scepter and pardoned her
Esther went before the King. He held out his scepter and pardoned her. Esther asked the King to a special banquet

20. Ugh, I’m tired. Somebody, read me a story!

21. Dear Diary,
Today there was a man named Mordecai who really did me a big favor. He overheard some bad people talking about killing me. He told the guards and saved my life. That was supper cool of him.
Love,
Xerxes
The King had his servant read the Empire’s annals and record books. The Servant read the part about Mordecai saving his life.
Suddenly, he remember that nothing had been done for Mordecai as a reward.

22. The King asked Haman how a special man should be rewarded in the King
The King asked Haman how a special man should be rewarded in the King. Haman thought he was the special man so he told the King what he’d like.

23. The reward was not for Haman! It was for Mordecai!

24. It was time for Esther’s banquet
It was time for Esther’s banquet. She only invited two people—the King and Haman.

25. The King asked Esther what she wanted
The King asked Esther what she wanted. She asked for the King to save the Jews. She pointed at Haman and said that it was Haman who wanted to kill the Jews

26. Haman’s power was taken away, and he was hanged
Haman’s power was taken away, and he was hanged. Mordecai was given Haman’s position and plans were made to save the Jews.

27. The Jews fought against those loyal to Haman and protected themselves.

28. The Jews still celebrate this event with a day called Purim.