Your youngest children certainly will hear a different version of this
animated tale than the older kids and the congregation listening to the
M'gillah. At the nursery school and early elementary school age, we
focus on the characters. Just like the characters in a classic Disney
movie, they are silly and extreme, either very good or very evil.

• Vashti doesn't want to be a clown for King Achashverosh. She says, "No!"
• Haman has a bad temper and wants everything done his way.
• The king sometimes doesn't pay attention to what's going on in his kingdom.
• Queen Esther is brave, and even though she is very afraid, she stands up for her people.

In addition to getting to know these fun characters, a particularly meaningful Purim tradition is the giving of gifts. When I was a child, I remember delivering small baskets of goodies to my neighbors. What fun!

• We celebrate the happy ending of this story by giving gifts to our friends and helping out those who don't have enough.