ANCIENT STATES
Ancient states were different. Some states, for example, were ruled by
all wealthy and free citizens. Important questions were voted on
(referendums were held).

Other states were ruled by kings, keisers or pharaohs. In such countries
the ruler was often considered to be a god. It was deemed a great honour
to be useful to the king.

There were also slaves in ancient states...................................................

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THEBA AND SARAH

Mihkel Pilv
Queen Sheba and the slave girl Sarah lived at the same time and in the
same country. Their lives were very different, although they had one
thing in common - they both gave birth to boys on the same day.

Everyone congratulated Queen Sheba. When the palace and local farmers
heard the news that their ruler had given birth to a son, they rejoiced.
They stopped working and rushed to hail their queen. They sent her
offerings and sang beautiful songs.
The King also came to greet his wife and son. The queens son was
presented with clothing sewn with golden thread and a down hat.

The slave girl Sarah sat in a corner of her hut and cleaned her son with
straw, because she had no soft cloth. Sarahs husband, the boys father,
was sitting in another corner and demanded silence, since he had just
been whipped by his master. Sarah tried not to disturb him. She rose and
left the hut.

Now both Queen Theba and the slave girl Sarah stood outside in the sun
and held their babies gently on their breasts.

Who loved her son more, Theba or Sarah? Or did they both love their sons
equally much? .....................................................................................................

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What does a mothers love depend on?

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