Compare versions: The Master Serves Supper in ‘Akká

The same event, told by different sources. The canonical version below is what we publish; the alternate accounts are preserved for scholarly comparison and for noticing where retellings differ.

Canonical version

The Master Serves Supper in ‘Akká

Secondary RetellingVarious · bahaistories.com archive

Julia Grundy, an early pilgrim, described a beautiful supper at which many friends were welcomed by the Master Himself in ‘Akká. He passed out napkins, embraced and found places for each. All were individually anointed with attar of rose. He served pilau, a Persian rice dish, to each guest. There were also oranges and rice pudding. “Throughout the supper, which was very simple in its character and appointment, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was the Servant of the believers. This was indeed a spiritual feast where Love reigned. The whole atmosphere was Love, Joy, and Peace.”

Source: Annamarie Honnold, Vignettes from the Life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 24; from Julia M. Grundy, Ten Days in the Light of ‘Akká.

Collected from bahaistories.com (Subject: simple-life).

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Alternate account · 93% similar

Julia Gundy, an early pilgrim, described a beautiful supper at which

Various · bahaistories.com archive

Julia Gundy, an early pilgrim, described a beautiful supper at which many friends were welcomed by the Master Himself in Akka. He passed out napkins, embraced and found plates for each. All were individually anointed with attar of rose. He served pilau, a Persian rice dish, to each guest. There were also oranges and rice pudding. ‘Throughout the supper, which was very simple in its character and appointment, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was the Servant of the believers. This was indeed a spiritual feast where Love reigned. The whole atmosphere was Love, Joy, and Peace.

Source: Honnold, Annamarie, Vignettes from the Life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Collected from bahaistories.com (Subject: hospitality).

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Why are alternate accounts kept? Different retellings of the same event often vary in emphasis, detail, and tone. Scholars and devotional readers can notice these differences and trace the trustworthiness of each retelling.