Secondary Retelling3 min●●○○○'Abdu'l-Bahá's ministry (1892–1921)

‘Abdu’l-Baha and the Poor Man

Baha'i Stories for Children · Read original

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When in Bahá'í history

1844'Abdu'l-Bahá (1892–1921)2026

During ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s visit to America, one of the Baha'i friends who was staying in the same hotel as ‘Abdu'l-Baha, narrated this story:

I had a room in the same guest-house where Abdu'l-Baha was staying. Once, when I was looking out of my window, I saw Him pacing and dictating to His secretary. At that moment a poor man in shabby clothes passed the guest-house. No sooner had ‘Abdu'l-Baha seen him, than he sent his secretary to bring the man to Him.

‘Abdu'l-Baha stretched His arms out and welcomed him most warmly. The man was very poor and his clothes were very dirty. Nevertheless ‘Abdu'l-Baha turning His shining face to the man, talked to him for a long time, trying to make him happy. In the end the poor man smiled and his face beamed with pleasure.

Then ‘Abdu'l-Baha gave the man a searching look and said something I did not quite hear. It must have been something like "This man's clothes are old and shabby - we must do something!"

It was early in the morning and the street was still empty of people. ‘Abdu'l-Baha took off His cloak and gave the garment to the poor man saying, "God be with you." Then He returned to His secretary and continued dictating, as if nothing had happened.

I don't know what the man was thinking as he just continued on his way. But I think after seeing so much loving kindness, in ‘Abdu'l-Baha, and His generosity in giving him His own clothes, he must have been surprised and moved. He must have caught a glimpse of a world full of love and kindness, which was new to him.

During the years ‘Abdu'l-Baha was in prison, He thought always of others and not of Himself and would even offer His own bed to someone who had nowhere to sleep. And He was not happy to own two sets of clothing, knowing that some people had none.

So we can see that ‘Abdu'l-Baha always did just what He told others to do. He taught us to be kind to the poor, and this story shows how He did this Himself.

He was the great Exemplar who always remembered and acted on Baha'u'llah's holy words: "The poor in your midst are My trust; guard ye My trust, and be not intent only on your own ease.” (Baha’u’llah)

(Adapted from ‘The Portals to Freedom”, by Howard Colby Ives; ‘Varqa Children Magazine’, vol. 1, no, 2, May-June 1981)

Source: Baha'i Stories for Children (https://bahaistoriesforchildren.blogspot.com/2015/01/abdul-baha-and-poor-man.html).

Discuss this story

For adults

How does this story illustrate the practice of generosity?
Read the closing lines once more. What single phrase stays with you?
What might Howard Colby Ives's example ask of us in our own circumstances?

For teens

If you were going to tell a friend this story in two sentences, what would you say?
If you were in Howard Colby Ives's place, what might you have done?

For children

How do you think the people in this story felt at the end?
What did Howard Colby Ives do that was kind?

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 generosity?

Comprehension quiz

Which source is "‘Abdu’l-Baha and the Poor Man" drawn from?
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 for Children*. https://bahaistoriesforchildren.blogspot.com/2015/01/abdul-baha-and-poor-man.html

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This story shares quotes with 94 other stories

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Also in
- 1844: A lonely youth’s encounter with Bahá’u’lláh by a roadside in Mazindaran and his amazing recognition of His station— Various, Baha'i Stories Blog
- 1848: Baha’u’llah describes the consternation that seized the Bábís when Tahirih suddenly appeared unveiled at the conference of Badasht— Various, Baha'i Stories Blog
- 1851 Karbilá, Iraq: A disciple of the Báb becomes the first person to whom Baha'u'llah confided His Divine Mission – as was prophesied by the Báb in 1848— Various, Baha'i Stories Blog
- A believer’s eagerness to provide financial assistance to Baha’u’llah – but chose a wrong method— Various, Baha'i Stories Blog
- A funny incident while in the company of the Master— Various, Baha'i Stories Blog
- …and 89 more

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‘Abdu’l-Baha and the Poor Man

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