All are qualified to read the Megillah except one who is deaf, an imbecile, or a minor. R’ Yehudah declares a minor qualified.  We may not read the Megillah, nor circumcise, nor perform ritual immersion, nor sprinkle [purification water] —- similarly, a woman who counts a day corresponding to a day may not immerse herself until the sun has risen. However, [if] any of them did so after the [first] ray of dawn appeared, the act is valid.