Paws & Tales

Ned: Hey, Joel, look at me! I'm in the control room.

Joel: Hey, Ned, I'm just setting up the mics, and then we'll be ready, okay?

Ned: Okay, I'm going to check the levels. Give me some of that script, WF-23, number five.

Joel: Okay. Hi, folks, this is Ned the Beaver. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

Ned: No, with feelings, Joel. We're professionals. Respect the script. Always respect the script.

Joel: Okay. Hi, folks, this is Ned the Beaver. There's a lot of Wildwood to explore here on pawsandtales.org.

Ned: Yeah, no, sorry. Again, please, with feeling this time.

Joel: Hi, folks, this is Ned the Beaver. There's a lot of Wildwood to explore here on pawsandtales.org.

Ned: Okay, good. So good. But with more energy, please. I need more.

Joel: Hi, folks, this is Ned the Beaver. There's a lot of Wildwood to explore here on pawsandtales.org!

Ned: That's perfect, Joel. Now, say "pawsandtales.org" like your pants are just like a little bit on fire.

Joel: Ned, get out of my chair.

Ned: Signing off from Paws & Tales Studios! I'll see you at pawsandtales.org!

Insight for Living: Welcome to the world of Paws & Tales. Wild mountain can be a pretty dangerous place. If you stay on the trails and stick with me, there's adventure to be had there, too.

Guest (Female): Come on, C.J., jump!

Guest (Male): It's too far!

Guest (Female): It wasn't too far for me!

Insight for Living: Insight for Living is proud to present *Paws & Tales*. Last time on *Paws & Tales*.

Guest (Male): Esther, you are the most beautiful woman in Persia. You could be the next queen.

Esther: I don't want to be the next queen.

Insight for Living: The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she found favor and kindness with him more than all the girls.

Guest (Male): Behold the new Queen of Persia, Queen Esther!

Mordecai: What is it?

Guest (Male): It is the edict that Haman has made to destroy all the Jews on one day. You must tell Esther to go and plead with the king. Tell her to beg for the lives of her people.

Esther: I will go into the king, which is not according to the law. And if I perish, then I perish. I am going into the king.

Guest (Male): My queen, you have not been called for.

Esther: I am aware of that.

Guest (Male): Do you know what will happen?

Esther: I am going into the king. Please, open the door.

Guest (Male): Please, my queen.

Esther: I'm going in.

King Ahasuerus: Esther.

Esther: My king.

Guest (Male): Oh, no. Queen Esther!

Insight for Living: The king gazed at this uninvited guest, and his fingers tightened on his golden scepter.

King Ahasuerus: My queen.

Insight for Living: So Esther came near and touched the top of the scepter.

King Ahasuerus: Oh, I am too old for this sort of thing. What is troubling you, Queen Esther? What can I do for you? Even if it is half the kingdom, it shall be given to you.

Esther: If it pleases the king, I would like for you and Haman to come tonight to the banquet that I have prepared.

King Ahasuerus: Bring Haman quickly that we may do as Esther desires!

Haman: Prince Haman. I am quite sure that there is no longer any way for anyone to connect Bigthan to you.

Satan: I think you fail to realize that even if they could, it wouldn't matter now. There is no one who can stand against me.

Haman: I do not think it wise to be so confident.

Satan: Things have turned out better this way. He is still king, and I act in his name.

Guest (Male): Prince Haman!

Satan: What is it?

Guest (Male): A message from the king. Queen Esther has requested the presence of the king and Prince Haman at a banquet today that the queen will prepare.

Satan: The queen? Yes, of course, I will be there. That will be all.

Guest (Male): My prince.

Haman: The queen. Oh, this is perfect. The queen recognizes my position. She knows where the power rests.

Satan: Or in whom the power rests.

Haman: Indeed, in whom. I must go and prepare for the banquet.

Insight for Living: So the king and Haman came to the banquet which Esther had prepared.

King Ahasuerus: The statues were all cast in solid gold. He asked me if I wanted one, and I said I do. He asked me which one, and I told him all of them, you fool, all of them! Esther, Esther, it is time. My curiosity will give me no relief. What is your request? Even to half of the kingdom.

Esther: If I have found favor in the sight of the king.

King Ahasuerus: You have, my queen, like no other before you.

Esther: If it pleases you to grant my petition, I would like you and Haman to come to another banquet tomorrow that I will prepare for you. And then I will make my request.

King Ahasuerus: We will be there, of course. Haman, you will join us.

Haman: It would be the greatest of honors. I thank you, my queen.

Guest (Male): Make way for Haman the Magnificent!

Haman: Why would she do a thing like that? Why two banquets in two days?

Satan: Is it too much to imagine that I am a charming guest?

Haman: No, not at all.

Satan: Is it too much to imagine that she knows the power behind the king?

Haman: Well, I suppose not. But something seems odd.

Satan: There is nothing odd in the world. I have risen to the level of the king. There is nothing in the world that I cannot obtain.

Guest (Male): Make way for Haman the Magnificent! The king's most favored prince!

Satan: There is no one who can stand against me. This is the most perfect day.

Haman: Look, there he is. Mordecai.

Satan: He is still not bowing. I don't think he will bow to you as long as he lives.

Haman: Which won't be too long now. I want you to go right this minute and tell my advisors to meet at my house.

Satan: Yes, Haman. But when?

Haman: Within the hour! I don't care what they're doing. I want them there.

Satan: Yes, my prince.

Insight for Living: Haman recounted to his friends and his wife, Zeresh, just how rich and powerful he had become.

Satan: When I was growing up right here in Persia, I always had to follow all the rules. But deep down, I knew someday things would be different. Now I make demands of all the other fools.

Zeresh: My dear, it's clear you're like a charging camel. You've got strength and voice. Has anyone ever seen such a man? Glad to see you understand that my wish is your command. For I am second only to the king.

Guest (Male): Perfect! Perfect! It's a guy thing.

Haman: Haman, you've really got some power. Haman, it is grown by the hour. Now everyone's honored you on bended knee, and nobody would ever dare complain to me. Haman, you're some mighty. You're controlling. Haman, you're the Persian cat's meow. No wonders, you are upper crust. Haman, you're perfect now.

Satan: Did you know that the queen invited me to come and dine with his and her majesty? Isn't that a thing? He can't make wine over grapes and a falafel, and I'll go down in history!

Haman: Haman, you're riding high up in the saddle. Haman, he's got more sons than you have cattle. His statues now are on a power trip. I got the Jewish people on a sinking ship. Haman, you are Mr. Influential. I'm a fan, can I just tell you why? You have made it big, wish we had your gift. Haman, your life is perfect now.

Satan: Wait a minute. Though my world's so bright, something's still not right, and I don't quite know why. Since it can't be imperfection, could it just be indigestion, bad complexion, an infection? No, it's Mordecai! Mordecai, Mordecai! He's the one who never bowed when you walked by. Yes, bullseye! It's Mordecai! I've really got to find a way to kill that guy.

Guest (Male): So build for him a gallows dear, make it 20 feet, 50, 75 feet tall. And for the king's eye, break his okay.

Haman: Mordecai will die! Yes! What a perfect way to end this perfect, perfect, perfect day. And we rule and we know it, Haman is here. Don't blow it! We know that it's around you that the world revolves. If not, some nails, a little wood, problem solved. Haman, you will make a perfect hanging man. That's the plan, then there'll be no one who won't bow. You're in control and you're on a roll. The king convinced I'm his favored prince. And your plan no doubt will be carried out. Let me shake your hand because you the man. You can say goodbye to old Mordecai. Where would Persia be if it weren't for me? Haman, our life is perfect now!

Satan: Tomorrow, Mordecai dies!

Guest (Female): Hi, I'm Leka from Calgary. One of the many reasons I love Paws & Tales is Ned the Beaver. He just cracks me up.

Dave Carl: Hello, Dave Carl here. Where does your kid listen to Paws & Tales? We'd love to know. You can upload a photo of your kids listening to Paws & Tales in the car, buried in pillows while coloring or doing a puzzle. So many ways to listen. We will be posting a bunch of these photos on pawsandtales.org. Just think, your kid's photo could be on the wall of the clubhouse in Wildwood.

Insight for Living: Later that night, King Ahasuerus could not sleep.

King Ahasuerus: Stop. Stop the music. I hate that song. Something else. I am exhausted and yet sleep will not come.

Memucan: My king, you must lay back and not excite yourself.

King Ahasuerus: This is so infuriating. We need something to lull you to sleep. We could just have Memucan make a speech that puts me to sleep during the day.

Memucan: Indeed. I have it. Bring in the book of records. The most boring book in the whole kingdom. That is genius.

King Ahasuerus: I thank you, my king. Please lay back and try to relax.

Insight for Living: So the book of records was brought in. And as it was read, the king began to drift off to sleep.

Memucan: The following day, Mordecai alerted the king through Queen Esther that Bigthan and Teresh were plotting to kill the king.

King Ahasuerus: I remember that.

Memucan: The plot was investigated and found to be true. Bigthan and Teresh were taken out and hanged on a gallows.

King Ahasuerus: They very nearly did, too.

Memucan: Later that day, the council met to discuss the new tapestries to be hung in the Summer Palace.

King Ahasuerus: Wait, wait, wait. What about Mordecai? He saved my life. I can't remember what we did to reward him.

Memucan: Well, it seems that there is nothing in the book of records. We apparently did nothing to reward him.

King Ahasuerus: The life of the king is saved, and the man who saved it is forgotten?

Memucan: Oh, please, please, don't excite yourself.

King Ahasuerus: I am excited! How could this have happened? I can't think, I'm so angry. How could we have forgotten Mordecai?

Memucan: It is a terrible oversight, my king.

King Ahasuerus: I want Who is in the palace? I need someone to help me with this.

Memucan: I saw Haman a few minutes ago. I think he is still here.

King Ahasuerus: Bring him to me at once. We need to make this right.

Memucan: Yes, my king.

Satan: Prince Haman. The guard told me that you would not let me see the king. I have access to the king night and day, you sniveling little man. How dare you make me wait? If you ever do anything like this again, I will—

Guest (Male): If you'll allow me, I—

Satan: If you ever make me wait out here like that again, I will see to it that you and your family will never see another day. Your whole family! Do you understand?

Guest (Male): The king would like to see you now.

Satan: He would? He called for me at this hour. This is perfect.

Guest (Male): Please, come this way.

Satan: My king, I have a request to make of you.

King Ahasuerus: Haman, come in, come in. I'm groggy from lack of sleep and I can't think straight. What should I do for the man that I want to honor? It needs to be big, very big.

Satan: For the man you want to honor? Who in the world would he want to honor more than me? Well, for the man the king wants to honor, let him wear a royal robe that you yourself have worn.

King Ahasuerus: I love it. Go on.

Satan: And and bring him a horse that you yourself have ridden, and place on his head a royal crown.

King Ahasuerus: Oh, Haman, this is good.

Satan: You should have one of your royal princes, your most noble prince, lead the man through the city and have him shout, "This is what is done for the man the king wants to honor!"

King Ahasuerus: That is perfect! Yes, it is. Did you get all of that?

Guest (Male): Yes, my king, every word.

King Ahasuerus: Haman, I want you to take this list.

Satan: Yes, my king.

King Ahasuerus: And do everything on it for Mordecai the Jew who sits at the king's gate.

Satan: Who?

King Ahasuerus: Mordecai. You know him. And the noble prince. Now who could— Prince? You! You will do it.

Satan: Me?

King Ahasuerus: Who is more noble than you, Prince Haman? Well, the sun is coming up just now. Do it all at once. This is perfect!

Insight for Living: So, by the king's order, Haman gave the royal robe, the royal horse, and the crown to Mordecai, and then led him through the streets of Susa.

Satan: This is what is done for the man whom the king desires to honor!

Guest (Male): It is a miracle. It is a miracle of God.

Guest (Male): I would have to agree.

Guest (Male): Blessings on Mordecai! Blessings on Mordecai!

Insight for Living: Mordecai rode on the back of that horse as surprised and amazed as everyone else, but with a dignity and humility that Haman had never seen before.

Satan: This is what is done for the man whom the king desires to honor!

Insight for Living: After it was over, Mordecai went back to the king's gate. But Haman hurried home, mourning and weeping with his head covered.

Haman: Zeresh! Zeresh, where are you?

Zeresh: Haman, is it over? Are you all right?

Haman: It was horrible.

Zeresh: I know, they told me.

Insight for Living: Haman told his wife and his friends everything that had happened to him. Then they told him.

Zeresh: Mordecai is gaining power. Why would the king let this happen? You cannot hang him now. It would be suicide. He's become too powerful.

Satan: How can everything have gone so wrong? All that I have done to make things perfect.

Guest (Male): Haman, my prince. The king's men are here to take you to the banquet that the queen has prepared.

Satan: I'm coming.

Guest (Male): Well, good day, Haman.

Satan: You all stay here! You stay here and think up some way out of this!

Zeresh: If Mordecai is indeed a Jew.

Guest (Male): Oh, he is.

Zeresh: Then you will not overcome him, but you will fall before him!

Satan: Zeresh!

King Ahasuerus: Esther, everything is just spectacular. Everything.

Esther: Thank you.

King Ahasuerus: Haman, you are not yourself today.

Satan: I am just is everything not perfect? No, well, no. I am sorry. Everything is wonderful. The dinner was just perfect, my queen.

King Ahasuerus: It was indeed. If I could just get a minute with you, my king, I have a request. Request? The request, my queen! Let us get to your request. I can wait no longer for this mystery to be resolved. What is your request, even if it is half of my kingdom? It shall be yours.

Esther: My king, if I have found favor in her eyes, and if it pleases the king, I would ask for my life to be saved and for my people to not be destroyed.

King Ahasuerus: What? Incredible.

Esther: If we were only to be sold into slavery, then I would not have even bothered you with that. But we are going to be murdered.

King Ahasuerus: Who would dare to threaten the queen? Name him and he will be arrested.

Esther: The enemy of me and my people is this wicked Haman.

King Ahasuerus: Haman?

Haman: Haman? Me? What what did I do?

Esther: Haman, I am a Jew. You wrote a law that will kill my queen? No, I didn't. You're a Jew! Out of his hatred and wickedness, he has used his position to convince you to slaughter all of the Jews. Did you not explain the details of your plan to the king? The Jews? You did this? How could you have done something like this? There has been a grievous error, Esther. Queen Esther, please listen to me. My life is at stake.

Esther: You have done this to yourself.

Haman: Queen Esther, please! Haman, release me! Please, you must help me. He will have me killed. Let me go! Please! No! Haman, get off of me! I didn't know you were a Jew!

King Ahasuerus: What is going on? Get off of me! Haman, would you attack the queen with me in the house? No. Take him. No! You misunderstand! No! What do I do with a viper like this?

Memucan: My king, Haman has built the gallows 75 feet high in his own yard. With it, he planned to hang Mordecai, who saved your life from the assassins.

King Ahasuerus: Mordecai? Oh, Haman. Hang him on his own gallows now! Wait! Take the king's signet ring off of him first. No!

Esther: My king, I beg of you. Stop the destruction of my people.

King Ahasuerus: Haman has sealed his edict with my signet ring. Once a law is sealed, not even the king can stop it from happening.

Guest (Male): Hi, I'm Milo from Michigan. Don't go away, there's more Paws & Tales coming right up.

Guest (Female): Hey, everyone, Stacy here from Paws & Tales. What if you could help kids around the world hear about the great love of God for his children? We do it in a fun way that is full of music, laughter, and storytelling that makes kids want to listen. This is exactly what we do here at Paws & Tales. To help out with a donation of any size, just jump over to pawsandtales.org and click the donate button. Thank you so much for the help.

Insight for Living: After Haman had been hanged on his own gallows, the king's anger subsided. He gave all of Haman's property and possessions to Queen Esther. Esther then told the king that Mordecai was her cousin.

King Ahasuerus: Mordecai, come closer. You have saved my life and proved yourself to be a friend to this throne. Take my signet ring. You now will take the place of Haman.

Mordecai: Me? I I thank you, my king. I will not fail you.

King Ahasuerus: I know you will not. Now, as to the edict of Haman.

Esther: My king, can you do nothing? How can I stand by and watch the destruction of my people?

King Ahasuerus: Haman's edict to attack the Jews cannot be revoked. God help us. But, Mordecai, you can, with my signet ring, write another edict.

Mordecai: Yes.

King Ahasuerus: You understand?

Mordecai: I think I do. Write it as you see fit.

Esther: What what can it do?

Mordecai: Haman's edict stated that anyone who attacked and killed a Jew could then take all of his possessions and keep it as plunder. There could be a new edict that said anyone who attacks a Jew can be attacked in return.

King Ahasuerus: Perhaps then the Jews could take the property and possessions of their attackers. That would make them think twice. Stamp it with my signet ring and it will become law.

Esther: Will this work?

Mordecai: I think it just might. Thank you, my king.

Insight for Living: Mordecai's edict went out to the 127 provinces of the kingdom. It said that the Jews could gather together to defend themselves and attack those who attacked them. Then the Jews, God's chosen people, were delivered. In fact, the Jews were very much better off at the end of the story than they were at the beginning. God blessed them, not just with a victory over the evil plans of Haman. God used the dark times to show his children just how much he loved them.

Guest (Male): It's later than I thought. Let's call it a day, shall we, Madhavi?

Guest (Female): That was amazing. God was there even in the dark times. This is amazing.

Haman: Like stars that ever shine through the night, the Lord has watched over his people, and through the dark we shine in his light. On earth there is nothing his equal. For so many years we have struggled, making our way in this land. But though we've seen times of trouble, we trust the Almighty's hand. And now it's clear why God brought me here. It always was his plan for our nation. And he kept you from harm, my Esther dear. Let's sing our adoration.

Praise be to Yahweh on high! He has delivered his people! Praise we shall shout to the sky! We give thanks to our Lord and our God! Praise be to Yahweh on high! He has delivered his people! Praise we shall shout to the sky! We give thanks to our Lord and our God! In shadows we stood and no seemed lost to the hand of our enemy, but Jehovah was working out his plan to bring us to victory. Praise be to Yahweh on high! He has delivered his people! Praise we shall shout to the sky! We give thanks to our Lord and our God! Praise be to Yahweh on high! He has delivered his people! Praise we shall shout to the sky! We give thanks to our Lord and our God!

Insight for Living: We love you, our God! Holy, holy is your name!

Haman: Praise be to Yahweh on high! He has delivered us! Hallelujah, sing praise! You have not forgotten us, Lord! Hallelujah, sing praise! We give you shouts of praise, Father! Hallelujah, sing praise! Praise to you, Jehovah! Hallelujah, sing praise! We celebrate your love! Hallelujah, sing praise! Praise be to your name, God! You have been faithful! We shout your highness! Our hearts were surely made to trust you and your grace. Our future's unafraid! All your wisdom and your love for us we never will dismiss. You have set us free! We lift our praise to thee! All your wisdom and your love for us we never will dismiss. You have set us free! We lift our praise to thee! For such a time as this!

Insight for Living: Amazing. We got to tell someone. We found the player. This is big, C.J.

Guest (Male): How many other stories are just lying around like this?

Insight for Living: Hundreds. Got to be hundreds. Let's find some more.

Guest (Male): Professor Madhavi! They did it. This is the beginning for them. If they continue to listen to the cylinders. Think of the stories they'll hear, the things they'll learn.

Guest (Female): I'm thinking of what will happen when they find the cylinder about Shadow Valley.

Insight for Living: To order a copy of today's program, *The Story of Esther*, just log on to pawsandtales.org. "The Story of Esther, Part 3" was written and directed by David Carl. "Haman, Your Life is Perfect Now" and "Praise Be to Yahweh" were written by Sandy Howell and Mark Edward Lewis. Music was by Tim Hosman, and our sound designer was Eric Basel. *Paws & Tales* is an Insight for Living production.