‘Abdu’l-Baha’s meeting with children in Esslingen, Germany, April 4th, 1913

The believers had secured a very pretty hall, which was most beautifully decorated with greens, plants and flowers, with large and small tables near the walls and round tables in the center. About fifty children and eighty adults were present. In a smaller room adjoining the hall the children had been assembled holding flowers in their hands, forming two lines for ‘Abdu’l-Baha to pass through. It looked most beautiful as ‘Abdu’l-Baha came upstairs. He passed through a short hall and looked so pleased and delighted to see the dear children.

One of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s Easter attendants was overcome with feelings: "I was overcome with surprise, emotion and joy, and could not contain myself; the tears filled my eyes. It was the most beautiful, the most heavenly, the most artistic picture that I have ever seen in all my life. It was so beautiful! I cannot describe these things; one must feel them, see them. It was a glorious day for these believers, in a far-away town in Germany, to see with their own eyes the Beloved of all nations. What love! What attraction! What enkindlement these German believers have!”

The children handed ‘Abdu’l-Baha their flowers as He came to them and greeted them. When ‘Abdu’l-Baha's hands were full, He handed the flowers to one of His Persians attendants, and went up one side and down the other. Then He gave them small boxes of chocolates and bon-bons. They were radiantly happy. Then He spoke to them, saying:

“These children are of the Kingdom, they are illumined with the Light of God. They have pure hearts, clear as crystal, wherein the rays are reflected. I love them very much. They are mine. I hope they will receive divine education, that they may receive heavenly training; become fragrant plants in the Garden of Abha. They are very dear to me. May God guide and protect them, make of them useful men and women for the advancement of the Kingdom on earth.”

‘Abdu’l-Baha then entered the hall. There were a lot of people who had come to the door to see what was happening. He seemed greatly pleased, as He entered the hall, to see the decorated tables and the green background. After a little while, He gave an address. Tea was then served, and cake and chocolate were on the table. A photograph was then taken of the entire group.

After this ‘Abdu’l-Baha got into the automobile, the children crowding around and waving their flowers. Then one after another stepped up and handed their fragrant tokens. O, it looked really beautiful; impossible to describe, so wonderfully sweet! The children waving their dear little hands, and ‘Abdu’l-Baha in the auto, covered with flowers, waving His blessed hands to them.

‘Abdu’l-Baha said that this event would go down in history.

The following were His words spoken, next day, on the morning of April 5th, at Hotel Marquardt, Stuttgart:

“The effect of last night's meeting will be put on record in the world of eternity. The mentioning of it will be throughout centuries and will be recorded in the countries of the Orient. Because these children are tender plants, their hearts are clear and transparent. They have not yet come to the dross of the world; that is why Christ said: ‘Blessed are the children, for they are of the Heavenly Kingdom, being pure of heart.’ That was a spiritual meeting, a heavenly meeting, the Light of the Kingdom was shining upon it. The Confirmation of the Spirit surrounded that meeting.'"

(Adapted from a report by Alma S. Knobloch; Star of the West, vol. 4, no. 9, August 20, 1913)

Source: Baha'i Stories for Children (https://bahaistoriesforchildren.blogspot.com/2023/09/abdul-bahas-meeting-with-children-in.html).

Various. *Baha'i Stories for Children*. https://bahaistoriesforchildren.blogspot.com/2023/09/abdul-bahas-meeting-with-children-in.html