Secondary Retelling5 min●●○○○'Abdu'l-Bahá's ministry (1892–1921)
Flowers for the Ancient King
Baha'i Stories for Children · Read original
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When in Bahá'í history
1844'Abdu'l-Bahá (1892–1921)2026
'Akká (today: Acre, Israel)
Once Baha'u'llah had passed from this earthly realm, there
remained at least one special way to honor Him. 'Abdu'l-Baha grieved for His
Father. He was burdened by the affairs of the infant Baha'i Faith as well. Yet,
He found a way to beautify His Father's Shrine outside of ‘Akka. It was not
easy in that semi-arid land where the desert always lurks, waiting for a chance
to reclaim the land.
Focused and determined, ‘Abdu'l-Baha made a flower garden
for Baha'u'llah.It adorned the path to the Shrine next to the mansion of Bahji.
Many, many times He filled His cloak with fresh, fertile soil. Then He gathered
up its corners, swung it onto His strong shoulder, and paced steadily to the
appointed place. There He dropped His heavy load and spread the precious soil
into place.
Then ‘Abdu'l-Baha carefully planted the flowers in a perfect
arrangement of color and fragrance. It was a good way to honor the spirit of
the Ancient King Who so loved the natural world, particularly flowers.
Of course, a garden has to be continually watered. Water is
especially important in a land where dry rock and sand are the order of things.
For this task, the Master collected 100 large copper pots. The many pilgrims in
the Holy Land were delighted to be of service. They often formed a human stream,
carrying water from the nearby spring to the garden. The Master could often be
seen among His army of water carriers, His copper vessel perched on His
shoulder. Eventually He, too, emptied it slowly and gently at the base of the
thirsty plants.
'Abdu'l-Baha carefully supervised the distribution of the
precious water. He knew that flowers are like people - you have to watch them
closely. Sometimes a drop will suffice them. Usually a regular and moderate
drink will do. Occasionally, only an immediate and thorough soaking will
sustain them.
On one Holy Day, ‘Abdu'l-Baha decided that flowers on the
pathway to His Father's Shrine were not enough. There must be more. Some of the
believers in ‘Akka filled many pots with colorful blooms and brought them to
the Master's house. At two hours before sunset, the savage heat of the sun had
been defeated for the day. It was then that the pilgrims came. Each one took up
his burden of love. Two by two, they formed a procession and began their
four-mile march to the resting place of the Ancient King.
‘Abdu'l-Baha, their commander-in-chief, strode in front of
His army of flower-bearers. His own pot of blooms resting on His broad
shoulders. Often he dropped back to issue commands to a few lucky believers
blessed with heavenly voices: "Sing! Chant!"
Slowly, their hearts filling with an incomprable joy, the
procession made its way to the Shrine of Baha'u'llah. When the Shrine came into
view, the Master halted His Holy Day soldiers. He chose from out of the ranks
one special voice to represent them all. They stood with bowed heads and in
absolute silence. Soon the chosen voice soared into the waiting air and
reverberated in their hearts.
Once the procession resumed its forward motion, it wasn't
long before the company reached the holy place. There they handed over their
precious flowers to those who would place them within the Shrine. Then the army
of pilgrims stepped into a separate room. There they were refreshed by food and
a little rest after their long, hot march. There they prepared themselves to
cross the Holy Threshold.
One by one, in complete silence, they passed into the
Shrine. ‘Abdu'l-Baha waited to pour rose water into their palms. The heady
scent flowed over their hands and faces while they waited patiently for all to
enter.
When all was ready, the Master took His place. He stood tall
and straight. His clear voice enchanted His listeners with the music of His
Father's words from The Tablet of Visitation:
"The praise which hath dawned from Thy most august Self,
and the glory which hath shone forth from Thy most effulgent Beauty, rest upon
Thee, O Thou Who art the Manifestation of Grandeur, and the King of Eternity,
and the Lord of all who are in heaven and on earth!"
Once again the much-loved Son honored His Father. Those who
were assembled with Him were transported, for the moment, to another realm.
(Written by Jean Gould and illustrated by Ed Phillips; ‘Baha’u’llah’, Core
Curriculum for Spiritual Education)
Source: Baha'i Stories for Children (https://bahaistoriesforchildren.blogspot.com/2017/03/flowers-for-ancient-king.html).
Discuss this story
For adults
- If you were to share this story aloud at a devotional gathering, which sentence would you read first?
- What in your own life does this story bring to mind?
- Where do you see faith appearing — visibly or quietly — in this passage?
For teens
- If you were in 'Abdu'l-Bahá's place, what might you have done?
- What does this story teach about faith?
For children
- Who is the most important person in this story? Why?
- Can you draw a picture of what happens in this story?
Reflection
- What in this account feels timely? What feels timeless?
- If you could bring one quality from this story into your next conversation, what would it be?
- What single image from this story will stay with you?
Comprehension quiz
Which source is "Flowers for the Ancient King" 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 for Children*. https://bahaistoriesforchildren.blogspot.com/2017/03/flowers-for-ancient-king.html
This story shares quotes with 145 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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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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