The Mysterious Guests
A Sukkot Story
by
Eric A. Kimmel
Illustrated by Katya Krenina
Summary
This is the tale of three unusual guests who appear at the tables of two brothers. One is poor, but generous, kind and welcoming to all. The other is rich, and selfish with all that he has.
Ideas for Classroom Use
Discussion questions - encourage children to find examples from the story
to document their answers.
How could two brothers come to be so different from one another?
Describe the differences between the sukkot the brothers built and their Sukkot celebrations. Were they alike at all?
Was Eben really charitable with those in need? How would it feel to accept food from Eben?
Why did so many people prefer to celebrate at Ezra’s Sukkot celebration?
Why did Abraham, Isaac and Jacob punish Eben and reward Ezra?
Responding to the Text
Religion and Art
Creating a simple classroom sukkah
Learn more about sukkahs – their history, and why and how to build one.
With the help of parents and other adults, fashion a simple sukkah using large, donated appliance boxes. Encourage children to decorate the sukkah using paint, artificial vines, fruits and vegetables. Perhaps put a blanket down for the floor, or if the sukkah is large enough, place a table and chairs within the space. When the sukkah is finished, bless it and use it for a classroom Sukkot Celebration and leave it up for at least the eight days of the Sukkot holiday.
Family Activities
Host a Sukkot Celebration
Invite parents to send in harvest fruits, vegetables and bread for a simple celebration of thanks. While the children share in the generosity of all of those who sent in the bounty of the harvest, talk about Eben and Ezra and their differing celebrations. Take time to give thanks to all who helped build the sukkah, those who sent in food, and those who helped prepare the simple Sukkot Celebration.
Sharing the harvest
Those who are welcomed to Sukkot celebrations have blessings bestowed upon them by Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Encourage your children and families to bring in food at this time for a local food bank or for families in need. Remind them to be generous like Ezra, and to give with joy.
Another sharing idea
Share the world hunger problem with children and raise money to help out one of the many world-wide organizations trying to make a difference. Two you might begin with are:
The Hunger Project and
The Heifer International