Problems in Purimville: A Purim Story

Title: Problems in Purimville: A Purim Story
Author: Karen Fisman
Category: Juvenile Fiction, Ages 4-8

It was a snowy, grey morning in February and Jacob was still in bed.  He opened his eyes, waking from a dream of brave fighters and evil goblins – a dream of the magical adventure that he had been on last Hanukkah with a girl named Sarah. 

He and Sarah had traveled to a strange place called Latkaland, which they had saved from an army of nasty goblins.  The little creatures of Latkaland were very grateful for the help and Jacob and Sarah had each received a large gold coin as a gift of thanks.

Jacob’s coin was hidden at the back of the sweater shelf in his closet.  Once in a while, he would take it out.  He would stare at the coin’s shining golden surface and wonder if he and Sarah would ever find themselves on another crazy adventure.  Maybe next Hanukkah, Jacob thought to himself.  But that was almost a whole year away.  He didn’t really mind though, as Purim, another of his favourite holidays, was just around the corner. 

 Each year, at Purim time, Jacob would dress up in costume and go to synagogue with his parents.  There, they would listen as the story of Purim was told.  Jacob loved hearing about how, a long time ago in the faraway land of Persia, brave Queen Esther and her Uncle Mordecai had saved the Jewish people from a wicked man named Haman.  

 During the story, when Haman’s name was spoken, all the children would spin their graggers (also known as noisemakers), stamp their feet and boo as loudly as they could to drown out the evil sound of Haman’s name.  It was really noisy, but lots of fun!

 This year for Purim, Jacob planned to dress up as a king.  He and his mom visited the costume store yesterday, where he had made his choice, and now his costume lay neatly folded in a bag in his bedroom closet.  

 Jacob suddenly felt like trying on his costume again.  He took the bag out of the closet and opened it.  But as he shook out its contents, he grew puzzled.  There was something terribly wrong here.  The bag he brought home yesterday was supposed to contain a jewel studded golden crown and blue velvet cloak.  But instead, out of the bag came a raggedy black tunic, a pair of rainbow-striped flippers and a big round clown’s nose!  What on earth was going on?

 Jacob took the bag downstairs to the kitchen.  He thought maybe his mom or dad was playing a silly trick on him.  There was a note on the kitchen counter.  It was from his mom.  Jacob read the note: 

“I am next door at Mrs. Steinberg’s house.  I will be back soon. If you need anything, ask dad – he’s still upstairs.  There are some hamantashen for you on the kitchen counter.  Since Purim is coming soon, you can have them for breakfast, for a treat.  They’re your favourite – poppy seed.  Love, Mom”

 “Excellent,” thought Jacob, as he spied the hamantashen on the kitchen counter.  Hamantashen were delicious, triangle shaped Purim cookies filled with all sorts of different, delectable things.  Jacob forgot for the moment about his mixed-up Purim costume and helped himself to one of the hamantashen.  He took a bite…and spat it out!  Yuck!  Disgusting!  The hamantash tasted like it was filled with brussels sprouts and hot chili sauce.  He ran to the fridge for some juice to take the horrid taste away.  Something was very wrong, he thought to himself.  First the mixed-up costume, and now the mixed-up hamantashen…what would be next?

Are you curious?  What’s going on?  Join Jacob and Sarah as they solve this mystery in their next adventure, “Problems in Purimville”.