The animals expected to see Lily the following morning to tell them all about the Banquet, everyone was there - sparrows, pigeons, rabbits, mice, Owl even, and Patch and others.
But, where was Lily? Not a lizard was in sight! Jeremy frowned and pawed the ground in frustration.
‘I’ll see if I can find her’ said Lydia and she zoomed off.
The animals waited, trying their best to be patient, but it wasn’t easy. They were longing to hear Lily’s news.
Lydia returned - ‘Sorry’ she said. ‘I can’t see her anywhere, nor any of her family.’
The animals sighed, they were so disappointed so they chatted for a while until one by one they left, and, again, only Jeremy and Patch remained.
"Gecko-o, Gecko-o!" It was Lily who hurried into the stable the following day. ‘Such news, such news’ she said, and she laughed and she laughed and she laughed.
The other animals, hearing Lily’s excited voice and laughter quickly hurried into the stable.
'Oh, Jeremy' Lily said when they had all gathered. 'Your grooms will be here very soon to get you dressed in all your best finery.’
Jeremy looked at her in surprise.
'Why?' they all wanted to know. But Lily was laughing so much it took her all her time to give them the latest news.
'The King was reading the History Book of the Kingdom last night' she began. 'And he read about Mordecai saving his life - remember?' Yes, they all remembered.
'What reward did we give Mordecai?' I heard the King ask.
'Nothing' his servant said.
'SO' and again she giggled. 'The King asked Haman how he could honour a man he was really pleased with. And you should have seen Haman's face - he thought the honour was for him, of course! And you will never guess what Haman asked for!'
No-one had any idea.
'Haman said "Put your royal robe on the man, and your Crown, and let him ride on your favourite horse ....."
'NEVER!' roared Jeremy, and he looked as if he was going to run out of the stable, so Lily quickly said 'Wait, Jeremy, you haven't heard the end of the story. The King said - "Good idea, we will do just that - FOR MORDECAI!!!"
Well! Lily got no further with her story. The animals shrieked with laughter. The mice rolled on the floor holding their tummies; Patch ran round and round; the birds flapped their wings and chirped and chirped; and Jeremy threw back his head and laughed and laughed.
And even when Haman led Mordecai through the City, Jeremy was still laughing.
'You seem to be in a very happy mood, Jeremy' said Mordecai, patting him.
'Oh, I am, I am' Jeremy answered, and even when Haman slapped him and growled ‘Be quiet, and walk properly’ it still didn't make him feel any the less happy! In fact he felt as proud and as happy with Mordecai on his back as he did when he carried the King!
And what a party they all had when they heard how Esther had told the King all about Haman's evil plan to kill her; Mordecai; and all their people. How angry the King had been, and how quickly he sent letters to everyone telling them not to carry out Haman's wicked scheme.
'And then' Lily told them. 'The King called for Mordecai and made him Prime Minister.'
What a cheer went up when the animals heard this.
'I told you, didn't I?' said Jeremy when the party was finally over. 'I told you that God had a plan and that He knows best. All we have to do is trust Him.’ 'Yes, you did.'
'That's right.'
'God knows best.'
Voices came from all around, and Jeremy's coat shone like silver as the moon's radiance filled the stable. It's gentle glow seemed to bring a feeling of peace and joy as the friends quietly thought of Queen Esther; the King; Mordecai, their new Prime Minister, and most of all - their Heavenly Father

Elizabeth Aynsley ©

THE BOOK OF ESTHER.