Roses from ‘Abdu’l-Baha
Baha'i Stories Blog · Read original
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When in Bahá'í history
'Akká (today: Acre, Israel)
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The next morning while I [Ali Kuli Khan] was in our room
with my family [in Akka, during their pilgrimage in 1906], a gentle rapping
attracted me to the door. There I found 'Abdu'l-Bahá standing with a large
white handkerchief full of flowers. He said, "Give these flowers to
Florence Khanum [American wife of Ali Kuli Khan] and bring me back the
handkerchief." This I obeyed instantly. To our joy and delight, we found
the flowers to be no other than a bridal bouquet of white roses. In them I
found another small bouquet. It was easy to see its significance! All can
imagine our joy upon receiving that blessing! My wife burst into tears of joy;
for in this lovely act of 'Abdu'l-Bahá's she found the fulfilment of a prayer
she had offered for a long time. The prayer was that she might receive a rose
from the hand of 'Abdu'l-Bahá.
Source: Baha'i Stories Blog (https://bahaistories.blogspot.com/2018/10/roses-from-abdul-baha.html).
Discuss this story
For adults
- Where do you see gentleness appearing — visibly or quietly — in this passage?
- How does this story complicate or deepen your understanding of stories?
- Read the closing lines once more. What single phrase stays with you?
For teens
- How could the spirit of gentleness show up in your week?
- What does this story say about how to face hard moments?
Reflection
- If you could bring one quality from this story into your next conversation, what would it be?
- Is there someone in your life who would be helped by hearing this story?
- Where in your own life are you being asked to practice gentleness?
Comprehension quiz
Which source is "Roses from ‘Abdu’l-Baha" drawn from?
Where does this story take place?
What period of Bahá'í history does this story belong to?
Which historical figure is featured most prominently in this story?
Which virtue does this story most clearly illustrate?
Cite this story
Various. *Baha'i Stories Blog*. https://bahaistories.blogspot.com/2018/10/roses-from-abdul-baha.html
This story shares quotes with 74 other stories
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Also in
- A pilgrim reports in 1920 how busy ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was replying to numerous letters from around the world— Various, Baha'i Stories Blog
- An example of how man is unable to prevent God from executing His will— Various, Baha'i Stories Blog
- An example of love and compassion shown by Munirih Khanum (‘Abdu’l-Baha’s wife)— Various, Baha'i Stories Blog
- Bahá’u’lláh’s departure for the Garden of Ridván— Various, Baha'i Stories Blog
- Baha’u’llah visits Mulla Husayn and his companions at Fort Tabarsi— Various, Baha'i Stories Blog
- …and 69 more
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