Secondary Retelling6 min●●○○○'Abdu'l-Bahá's ministry (1892–1921)
The Black Rose
Baha'i Stories for Children · Read original
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When in Bahá'í history
1844'Abdu'l-Bahá (1892–1921)2026
New York (today: New York, USA)
Do you know who ‘Abdu'l-Baha was? He was a very important
person. ‘Abdu'l-Baha was the Son of Baha'u'llah. He was always very kind and
good to others. He was a perfect example of what a Baha'i should be. This is a
true story about ‘Abdu'l-Baha.
A long time ago, long before you were born, ‘Abdu'l-Baha
came to America. While He was on His trip to America, He spoke to many
different people ... men and women and children.
He went to many cities - to churches and temples and parks
and meetings and houses to tell people about the Baha'i Faith. He spoke to young people and old people and black people and
white people and tall people and short people and rich people and poor people...
He told them all about Baha'u'llah.
Wherever 'Abdu'l-Baha went, many Baha'is went with Him. They were Baha'is of all kinds - Persians in Persian clothes, and Americans in American clothes, tall Baha'is and short Baha'is and rich Baha'is and poor Baha'is and old Baha'is and young Baha'is. And all colors - white and yellow and tan and brown and black.
Once, while 'Abdu'l-Baha was in New York, He went to a place
where many poor people lived, to tell them about Baha'u'llah. This place was
called the Bowery.
Many Baha'is went to the Bowery with 'Abdu'l-Baha. As they
walked down the streets, some people stared at them because they were so
different.
Soon some of the children started shouting and laughing.
They thought that it was funny to see so many different kinds of people together.
And, of course, they didn't know who 'Abdu'l-Baha was.
Some of the boys called names and some even threw sticks at
‘Abdu'l-Baha and the Baha'is as they walked down the streets.
Mrs. Kinney was one of the Baha'is with 'Abdu'l-Baha.
'Abdu'l-Baha was staying at her house in New York. It made her sad to see the
boys laughing and shouting at 'Abdu'l-Baha. So, she went over to speak to the
children.
She told the boys who 'Abdu'l-Baha was. She said that He was
a very Holy Man. He had spent many years in prison and had suffered very much,
just because He told the Truth and loved all men. Now He was going to a meeting
to tell poor people about Baha'u'llah.
The boys were sorry for what they had done. "Can't we
go to the meeting, too?" they asked.
"No," Mrs. Kinney said that was impossible. But,
since 'Abdu'l-Baha was staying at her house, they could come there on Sunday to
meet Him. She gave the boys her address, but she didn't really think that they
would come.
When Sunday came, the children arrived at Mrs. Kinney's
house dressed up in their very best clothes. She was very surprised to see
them. But, she was very happy that they had come to meet ‘Abdu'l-Baha.
All the boys came into the house. They went up the stairs
and walked into a large room.
'Abdu'l-Baha was standing at the door. He was smiling and
laughing because He liked children very much. He met each one of the boys as
they came into His room. He shook their hands and put his arm around their
shoulders. His smiles and laughter made them all very happy.
The last child to come into the room was a little black boy.
When Abdu'l-Baha saw him, He was even happier than before. In a loud voice He
said that here was a black rose.
‘Abdu'l-Baha said these words because he was so happy to see
the last little boy. And, this made the little boy very happy, too.
Now, there is really no such thing as a black rose. Most
roses are red or yellow or pink or white. But, people say that if there ever were
a black rose that it would be the most beautiful flower of all.
You know that some children are red or yellow or pink or
white, too. And, some children are brown or tan or black. All of them are like
beautiful flowers.
'Abdu'l-Baha loved to be with children of different colors.
That is why He was so happy to see the last little boy who came into the room -
because he was different from all the others.
Now, while the children were in His room, 'Abdu'l-Baha
brought in a large box of chocolate candy. He knew that most little children
love candy. He gave every child as many chocolate candies as he could hold in
his hands.
The little boys surely never forgot their visit with ‘Abdu'l-Baha.
And they surely never forgot what 'Abdu'l-Baha had shown them - people of all kinds
and colors are beautiful.
(Adapted for children by Anthony A. Lee, Illustrated
by Rex John Irvine)
Source: Baha'i Stories for Children (https://bahaistoriesforchildren.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-black-rose.html).
Discuss this story
For adults
- Where do faith and justice meet in this story?
- What does the setting of this account contribute to its meaning?
- What stands out about this person's response in this account?
For teens
- What is one quality you'd want to carry forward from this account?
- Which line in this story surprised you the most?
For children
- How do you think the people in this story felt at the end?
- What did this person do that was kind?
Reflection
- What single image from this story will stay with you?
- How does faith show up in your life right now — and where is it being asked of you?
- Read the passage a second time, slowly. What did you notice that you missed the first time?
Comprehension quiz
Which source is "The Black Rose" drawn from?
Where does this story take place?
What period of Bahá'í history does this story belong to?
Which virtue does this story most clearly illustrate?
Cite this story
Various. *Baha'i Stories for Children*. https://bahaistoriesforchildren.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-black-rose.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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