The Guardian's Worn Boots

Throughout our pilgrimage [1941] we visited the Shrines of the Báb and 'Abdu'l-Bahá in the company of the beloved Guardian. He would chant the Tablet of Visitation in the Shrine of the Báb and then in the Shrine of 'Abdu'l-Bahá.

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He always removed his half-boots outside the doors of the Shrines. One day I noticed that the right wrist of the Guardian was in a white bandage and he had difficulty in moving it. I immediately thought that I should help remove his shoes. I bent down on my knees and started to undo the knots of his bootlaces.

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He was just bending down, and said very quietly, "Don't go to the trouble." I said, "Beloved Guardian, this is my honor." I removed his shoes, took my handkerchief from my pocket, and cleaned them. As I was cleaning his boots I noticed that one of them had a hole in it and the other one was repaired.

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I was truly saddened. I knew that the Guardian lived frugally and simply, but I had not been aware of its extent.

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- ‘Alí-Akbar Furútan (from ‘Hand of the Cause of God Furútan’, by Iran Furútan Muhájir)

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