The Young 'Abdu'l-Bahá Gives Away the Sheep

One lovely day 'Abdu'l-Bahá was enjoying riding His pony over the green fields and up the mountainside. He was on His way to visit some shepherds in the hills. The shepherds lived in a village owned by His Father, Bahá'u'lláh. All the houses, the fields and the sheep belonged to Bahá'u'lláh too. The farmers grew the corn and looked after the animals and Bahá'u'lláh gave them money and food and medicine when they were ill. They all loved Him very much.

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'Abdu'l-Bahá was only seven years old and so a servant was looking after Him on His long ride to the hills. They soon saw the shepherds with the sheep and the servant told 'Abdu'l-Bahá that when the owner, or his son, came to visit the shepherds he should thank them for looking after the sheep by giving them a present.

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'Abdu'l-Bahá thought hard. He had no money or food to give them. Then He had a lovely idea and smiled at the shepherds. "I'll give to each shepherd all the sheep in his flock," He said.

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The shepherds were very surprised at such a generous gift. Later, when Bahá'u'lláh heard what His Son had done, He laughed and said, "We will have to protect 'Abdu'l-Bahá from Himself—some day He will give Himself away."

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