"But the Feast of Esther brings more sport," said Solomon.
"You are just like every other boy, Solomon. You like noise and fun," said his father.
"But, think a moment, children. Must not the Feast of the Passover have been the greatest one of all?"
"It was then that the father repeated the whole history of the Children of Israel to his listening children. They loved to hear it. It seemed to them as though they were really following the Chosen People in their wanderings. They looked upon Moses receiving the commandments from Heaven. As they shut their eyes, they saw in their minds the waters of the Red Sea parting to let the Children of Israel pass across in safety. Then, again coming together, the waves closed over their enemies and destroyed them."
"Father, you tell us the stories as well as any one possibly could," said Solomon.
"I do my best, Solomon. But in the olden days the children were brought nearer to heaven by their visits to the temple.
"Think of that glorious building and its walls shining with gold! It seems as though I could see the throng of white-robed priests and hear the blasts they sounded on their silver trumpets.
"Listen! A chant from the Psalms rings through the great building. It sounds like heavenly voices." Esther's father closed his eyes and became silent. The children were filled with awe as they sat quietly beside him.
"I wish I could have lived in the long ago," thought Esther. "The temple must have seemed like a part of heaven brought to earth."
"Now we will repeat the night prayer and go to rest," said the father.