True Beauty
By Miriam Levi

As Portia neared Delta Quarter, she saw Macky walking towards her. At first, she wondered why Macky had not yet recognized her.

Portia waved at Macky and said, "Macky, it's me, Portia."

Macky looked at Portia and said, "Oh, I didn't see you. Anyway, Mother's waiting inside. She just made some Purim biscuits."

Suddenly, Portia blurted out, "See? That's the problem with me. I look like mud. I'm nothing but a pig!"

Diana, being very surprised, spoke softly to Portia, "You don't look like mud. You don't even look like a pig. In fact, you look very nice today." Diana continued, "You should look nice, but it doesn't matter if you are attractive or not. Do you remember the story of Esther?"

"Yes," Portia answered.

Diana continued, "Esther never boasted about her outer beauty. She didn't ever boast and say, 'Look at me. look at my beauty.' Esther had true beauty."

Portia, not knowing what true beauty was, asked, "Diana, what is true beauty?"

Diana answered, "True beauty is not what you look or smell like after being pampered in perfumes or oils. True beauty is not what you look like after putting on the finest garments in the palace. True beauty is being brave and having courage. True beauty is loving your enemies. True beauty is when you help someone in need; you sacrifice your time and effort. But most of all, believing in Jesus gives us all true beauty; it shows inside your heart and in turn outside with your actions."

Portia concluded, "You know, Diana, you're right. It doesn't matter if I've been pampered with perfumes and oils, or if I have the finest garments on. But I should look nice, too. I want to believe in Jesus. I've heard you all tell stories about Him. I know that Jesus gives true beauty."

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