_Boaz:_ On the day that thou buyest the field from the hand of Naomi, thou also takest Ruth, the Moabitess, for thy wife, according to our custom and law. _Kinsman:_ Then I will not redeem the land, for I cannot take Ruth for my wife. Take thou my right to redeem it and buy it for thyself. _Boaz_ [_taking off his shoe and giving it to the_ KINSMAN, _he says to the witnesses_]: Ye are witnesses this day that I have bought this parcel of land from Naomi and that I buy also, as my wife, Ruth, the daughter-in-law of Naomi. Of all this ye are witnesses. _Citizens:_ We are witnesses. [_Bow._] [KINSMAN _returns shoe to_ BOAZ _and walks off._ RUTH _and_ NAOMI _come through the street._] _Boaz:_ Ye are well met, Naomi, my kinswoman, and Ruth. I have good news for you; I have bought your land and I can now take Ruth for my wife. Come, all ye fellow-citizens, for the wedding feast is prepared at my house! [_Takes_ RUTH _by the hand._] _Naomi:_ Blessed am I that I should live to see this good thing come to pass! The Lord hath been most gracious unto me! END CHAPTER VII THE DRAMATIZATION OF _QUEEN ESTHER_ The story of Esther involves a much more complicated situation than any of the others here described. It is not too difficult for dramatization, however, if it is taken after such stories have been worked out as _David and Goliath_ and _Joseph._ In the case of this dramatic club the story of Esther was told to the children after they had had much experience with other plays. The interesting plot and the beauty and richness of the court made so great an appeal to them that they were eager to begin the dramatization. The story was first simplified and adapted by the leader, and then told in such a manner as to emphasize the main events. The method of procedure followed that described in chapter iii in connection with the story of Joseph. After the telling of the story the scenes were selected. These were acted out very freely at first, little thought being given to the words. Many pictures were brought in, and descriptions of the court of King Ahasuerus were read by the children from the Bible and from books of Bible stories. In the second scene the children decided to have the maidens dance before the King. Several little girls who were trying out the part of Esther made up dances for themselves. This feature made this scene especially attractive. This play was longer than those that had previously been dramatized, and it therefore took a longer period of time to bring it into final shape. There is no reason to hurry a dramatization. If the aim of this kind of work is kept in mind, there will be growth on the part of the children at each meeting. The value lies, not in how many stories can be dramatized during a year, but in how thoroughly the children are reliving a few good stories.