The Proud Helper

For many years of His life, 'Abdu'l-Baha lived in the Holy Land, in the city of Akka. For much of this time He was a prisoner and could not leave the city. But still, He did all that He could to help others.

'Abdu'l-Baha often visited the poor people in 'Akka. If they needed food or clothes, He would bring them these things.

If they needed money, He would give it to them.

If they were sick, He would call a doctor or care for them Himself.

Almost every day, poor people in tattered clothes were seen around ‘Abdu'l-Baha's house. They waited to see ‘Abdu'l-Baha and ask for His help. He would always listen to their problems and try to help them. He was like a father to all the poor.

Many Baha'is from Europe and America came to visit 'Abdu'l-Baha in ‘Akka while He was a prisoner. They came to listen to Him and to ask questions. ‘Abdu’l-Baha taught them many things about the Baha’i Faith.

One lady who came to 'Akka was Lua Getsinger. She came to see 'Abdu'l-Baha with some Baha'i friends. She loved 'Abdu'l-Baha very much and she would do anything He asked.

Lua came to see 'Abdu'l-Baha one day when He was very busy. He had so many things to do that He couldn't do them all. He told her that He wanted to see a poor friend of His who was very sick, but He did not have enough time. So He asked her to go in His place.

'Abdu'l-Baha told her to take some food to His friend and to care for him, as He had been doing. He told her where to find the man, and Lua started out.

She was happy as she walked through the streets of 'Akka, because she was helping 'Abdu'l-Baha. She was also proud that 'Abdu'l-Baha had sent her in His place to help His friend.

But as she came to the sick man's house, she could see that it was dirty and poor. There was a terrible smell from garbage and filth.

When she went into the house, she couldn't believe her eyes. The man was very sick and could not get out of bed. He looked terrible. The whole house was dirty and messy.

Lua became afraid. She almost fainted. She thought that she might catch some terrible disease, so she ran from the house as fast as she could. She returned to ‘Abdu’l-Baha.

“Oh, Master!” she cried. “Surely you cannot realize to what a terrible place you sent me.”

She told 'Abdu'l-Baha about the dirty house and the sick man. 'Abdu'l-Baha looked at her sadly. Then He spoke sternly: "Dost thou desire to serve God, serve thy fellow man for in him dost thou see the image and likeness of God." He told her that she must go back to the man's house. If it was dirty, she must clean it. If he was sick, she must care for him. If he was hungry, she must feed him. 'Abdu'l-Baha had done this for him many times. Could not she serve him once?

(by Anthony Lee, adapted from ‘Portals to Freedom’, by Howard Colby Ives)

Source: Howard Colby Ives, Portals to Freedom, ch. 6 (the story as Lua Getsinger told it), adapted by Anthony Lee, via Baha'i Stories for Children (https://bahaistoriesforchildren.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-proud-helper.html).

Various. *Baha'i Stories for Children*. https://bahaistoriesforchildren.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-proud-helper.html