The glowing white Arab stallion stood regally whilst his grooms brushed him until his coat shone as snow on the mountains in sunlight.
'Well Jeremy' they said as they stood back and admired him 'As handsome as ever.' Jeremy tossed his head in pride, he knew he was the 'king' of the stables which, of course, was only right as he was the King of Persia's favourite horse.
The king and Jeremy had a great affection for each other, in fact the King often chuckled saying 'Jeremy seems to know exactly what I want him to do before I even tell him.' This always pleased Jeremy as it was exactly what he tried to do. And today he was being prepared to take Ahasuerus, which was the King's name, on a tour of the city of Babylon. The King had decided he would like a wife so whilst his courtiers were searching his kingdom for the most beautiful girl, Ahasuerus also decided to show his people what a fine fellow he was especially when riding his glorious horse 'Jeremy.'
All this Jeremy knew because of the constant visits of his many friends such as the sparrows; the lizards; the pigeons and other animals who lived in and around the Palace. It was amazing what they heard, and Jeremy was always interested in their news. And this is what he was thinking about as the grooms saddled him and put on his head the fine plumes of snowy white feathers with tiny silver bells which made a lovely tinkling sound whenever Jeremy tossed his head.
When all was ready the grooms led him out, and the King climbed on his back. As they made their way out of the Courtyard Jeremy was well aware that he and the King made a very fine sight as they walked through the City - the King in his gorgeous robes of gold and crimson and he, Jeremy, in all his finery. He also noticed how the people would stop and stare, and then bow as they passed by, and Jeremy loved every minute of it.
At last their tour was over, and as they entered the large stable yard and the grooms helped the King to dismount, he patted Jeremy and said, 'Thank you, that was a good ride. I think we did very well.' Jeremy agreed, and said so in a loud voice.
'Ssh!' said a rather nervous young groom. 'Not so loud.' But the King just laughed and said 'I know what he means' and gave him a final pat before he turned to go.
As the grooms led Jeremy back to his very large stable he could see a number of sparrows and pigeons sitting waiting for him on the half-opened door. 'Ah!' he thought as he listened to their excited chirrupings. 'It looks as if they have news and can hardly wait to tell me.'
'What a noise those birds are making' said one groom to the others as they rubbed Jeremy down.
'Yes, I don't know why they are always in here - Shoosh! Get out' he shouted as one pigeon flew very close over his head.
The birds flew out and settled on the stable roof prepared to wait patiently until the grooms had gone.
'That's it then' said the Head Groom as he gave Jeremy a final rub. 'How do you feel now?'
Jeremy nuzzled him in appreciation. He felt fine! The grooms then picked up their combs, cloths and brushes, but before they could even get out of the door in zoomed the sparrows and pigeons. Jeremy chuckled as he saw the expressions on the grooms' faces.
'We have some news for you' chirped up one of the sparrows immediately.
'Well, what is it?' asked Jeremy smiling at their obvious excitement.
'You know Mordecai who works at the Palace?' broke in Peter, one of the pigeons in an effort to quieten the sparrows' twitterings.
'Yes, I do' answered Jeremy 'A fine fellow.'
'Well, his cousin, Esther, has been brought to the Palace as she is so beautiful, to see if the King would like her for his Queen' interrupted Lydia all in one breath as she rushed to be the first to tell the news.
The others all laughed at the little sparrow's eagerness.
'I've seen her' Jeremy told them. 'And she is beautiful, very beautiful. I wouldn't be surprised if the King did choose her.'
'Oh, that would be lovely' said Lydia. 'I'd like that!' And off she flew to tell her news to all her other friends.
Some time later the grooms came to the stables and began to give Jeremy an extra good grooming, and he saw that they had brought his very best saddle and harness. He looked enquiringly at the grooms. 'Oh, you are wondering "Why all the special preparations" aren't you?' they asked. Jeremy nodded his head.
'It's because you are taking the King on a special parade through the City today' they told him. He has chosen his new Queen and wants the people to see her so she will be riding beside you on Pirie.'
Jeremy was pleased. Pirie was a particular friend of his.
'The King has chosen Esther. Yes he’s chosen Esther’ chirped Lydia who had just flown in. ‘Isn’t that good news?’ and she hopped from one leg to the other in her excitement.
'It is indeed’ agreed Jeremy. 'I am so pleased.’
‘You are ready for the parade now’ said the Head Groom at last as he gave a final rub.
And what a magnificent parade it was - Jeremy, snowy white and silver; Pirie a glowing gold; and the King and Queen in the most beautiful of robes - crimson, gold, royal blue, and crowns whose jewels sparkled and flashed in the sunshine.
Afterwards there was a wonderful party, and the horses and other animals, too, shared in the feasting with extra nice things to eat.
Their lives then settled down to ordinary duties until one day Peter and the others came in.
'Lily has something special to tell you' Peter said.
'Oh, hello, Lily' said Jeremy. 'It's a while since I last saw you. How are you?'
'I'm fine, thank you Jeremy' Lily answered. 'We all are.' By this she meant her brothers and sisters and cousins who all lived in the Palace and helped by keeping the flies away - Lizards like flies, they think they are very tasty!
'You'll never guess her news' said Lydia, hopping from one foot to the other. Jeremy laughed. 'Then perhaps we had better ask Lily to tell us!'
So Lily began. 'You know those two bad-tempered guards at the Palace gates?' she asked.
Jeremy nodded. 'Oh, yes' he said. 'I know them very well.'
'Tell him, tell him' interrupted Lydia.
Peter frowned at her. 'You shall have to sit on the roof if you can't be quiet' he said sternly.
Lydia hopped into the corner, but her bright eyes still sparkled with excitement.
'Mordecai heard them plotting to kill the King' continued Lily, not at all offended by cheery little Lydia's interruption.
'Plotting to kill our King' roared Jeremy. 'How dare they - what happened?'
'Mordecai went straight to Queen Esther and told her, so, of course, Esther told the King.'
'Good' growled Jeremy.
'Yes' said Lily, 'and I saw the Secretary write it all down in the History Book of the Kingdom.'
'Everyone will know now what a good man Mordecai is' piped up a little voice from the corner - it was Lydia, of course, she just couldn't be quiet!
Jeremy laughed. 'Quite right too' he said, 'and thank you for coming to tell me the news, but now it's late and I must get some rest' and he yawned.
'See you tomorrow' the others called, as they flew out into the golden red rays of the sunset.
Elizabeth Aynsley ©

Ch.2