Week 3 Story: Moses

Princess Bathia was bathing in the East Nile River when she happened upon a baby floating in a basket. Being the widow she was, she was delighted. She named him Moses. He was a great little boy that loved to run around and play. Even the cruel Pharaoh liked him. However, his counselors and magicians grew worried that this Hebrew boy would eventually be his demise. Bilam, the chief magician was especially worried. On Moses’ third birthday, Princess Bathia threw him a huge party with all the royalty in attendance. He was playing and running around and even tried to climb on the table.

Bilam warns the Pharaoh saying, “Beware, O king; this is not play”. The princess denies this claim and tells the pharaoh too play with him.

The Pharaoh does and Moses points at his royal crown saying “that is a funny hat”.

Bilam chimes in saying “Beware”.

Moses reaches up and tries to grab the hat saying “let me put the hat on”.

Looking very grave, Bilam cries out “Your majesty, this child is Hebrew and is already trying to steal your crown”.

The Pharaoh looking concerned asked “what sayeth Reuel?” turning to his second chief magician.

“I say the child is just child and this action means nothing,” answered Reuel

I, Bilam, am the chief of thy counselors,” he said, “and I think we should let him be judged”.

The Pharaoh agrees and the rules are set to see if baby Moses knows the difference between fire and gold.

Baby Moses is seated in front of the fire and gold and is reaching for the fiery coals.

Bilam thinking that Moses is out to get the Pharaoh uses his magical powers to persuade Moses into grabbing the gold.

Moses is there by sentenced to death and is killed on the spot.

Crying over the loss of her child, Princess Bathia takes her own life by drinking poison.

Princess Drinking Poison Pixabay

Author's Note

I started with The Water-Babe, a Jewish Fairy Tale and Legend by Gertrude Landa (1919), kept the story very similar to the original with a sad twist at the ending.