After the meeting He went up to rest in Mr Morten’s room
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When in Bahá'í history
After the meeting He went up to rest in Mr Morten’s room. He had seen a hundred and forty people that morning and was so worn out at the end of His talk that He looked almost ill. His fatigue was apparent to everyoneand yet the people had no pity. When I returned from an errand to the kitchen, literally hundreds were streaming toward His room; a dozen were in the room; in the hall were many peering faces, and climbing up the stairsa procession!
“Oh can’t we shut the door?” I asked Dr Faríd. But the Master heard me.
“Let them come now,” He said gently.
Source: Diary of Juliet Thompson, 13 April 1912
Collected from bahaistories.com (Subject: exhaustion).
Discuss this story
For adults
- Read the closing lines once more. What single phrase stays with you?
- What does the setting of this account contribute to its meaning?
- If you were to share this story aloud at a devotional gathering, which sentence would you read first?
For teens
- If you were in Juliet Thompson's place, what might you have done?
- What does this story teach about devotion?
Reflection
- How does devotion show up in your life right now — and where is it being asked of you?
- Read the passage a second time, slowly. What did you notice that you missed the first time?
- Sit quietly for a moment after reading. What does this story stir in you?
Comprehension quiz
Which source is "After the meeting He went up to rest in Mr Morten’s room" drawn from?
What period of Bahá'í history does this story belong to?
Which historical figure is featured most prominently in this story?
Cite this story
Various. *bahaistories.com archive*. https://bahaistories.com/subject/exhaustion
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