Once upon a time, long ago, there was a baby named Moses. The land where Moses lived was very hard for his family. The king, called Pharaoh, was not kind to the people of Moses’ family. He was afraid they might become too strong. So, he made very hard rules for them.
Baby Moses’ mother loved him very much. She wanted to keep him safe from the king’s soldiers. She had a very special idea. She took a small basket made from reeds. It was soft and light, like a little boat for a baby.
She put Moses gently inside the basket. Then, she made sure the basket was strong and safe. The basket was covered with soft cloths to keep Moses warm. She whispered to him, “God will watch over you, my little one.”
The river was big and wide. The water sparkled like tiny stars in the sun. Moses’ mother carefully placed the basket in the water. The basket floated gently, like a leaf on the river. She hoped and prayed that God would keep Moses safe.
Moses’ sister, Miriam, stood nearby. She watched the basket float away. She felt worried but also hopeful. Miriam asked softly, “Will God keep my brother safe?” She decided to follow the basket quietly to see what would happen.
Farther down the river, the princess of Egypt came to the water to take a bath. She saw the basket floating. The basket looked like a little boat made just for a baby. The princess was curious and called her helpers to bring the basket to her.
When the princess opened the basket, she saw baby Moses. He was crying softly, but he was safe. The princess felt happy and surprised. She said, “This baby must be special. I will take care of him.”
Miriam stepped forward and asked the princess, “Do you want me to find a nurse for the baby?” The princess said yes. Miriam quickly ran to get her mother, Moses’ real mother. She was happy to take care of Moses while the princess watched.
Moses grew up in the palace, safe and loved. God had a big plan for him, even when he was just a tiny baby. God’s love kept Moses safe in the river, like a shining light in the dark.
Isn’t it amazing how God watches over us, even when we are small? Just like Moses, God loves you very much and keeps you safe every day.
Questions to think about
- Why did Moses’ mother put him in a basket?
- Who watched the basket float on the river?
- How did the princess feel when she found baby Moses?
- What did Miriam do to help Moses?
- How does God take care of us like He took care of Moses?
Message of the story
God loves us and watches over us, even when we feel small or scared. He has a special plan for each of us and keeps us safe with His great love.
Bible passage
Exodus 2:1-10 (World English Bible)
1 Now a man from the house of Levi went and took a Levite woman as wife.
2 The woman conceived and bore a son. When she saw that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.
3 But when she could no longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch. She put the child in it and laid it in the reeds by the river’s brink.
4 And his sister stood afar off, to know what would be done to him.
5 Then the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river. Her maidens walked along by the river’s side. She saw the ark among the reeds and sent her maid to get it.
6 When she opened it, she saw the child. The baby
