Secondary Retelling4 min●●○○○'Abdu'l-Bahá's ministry (1892–1921)
The Proud Helper
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)
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
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. "Do you want
to serve God?" He asked her. Then, He said, she must serve others. 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?
So Lua
returned to the sick man's house. And this time she was ready to serve him. She
did all the things that 'Abdu'l-Baha had asked her to do. She cared for the man
and fed him and cleaned his house. In this way, she was helping 'Abdu'l-Baha
and she was serving God as well.
(by Anthony Lee, adapted from ‘Portals to
Freedom’, by Howard Colby Ives)
Source: Baha'i Stories for Children (https://bahaistoriesforchildren.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-proud-helper.html).
Discuss this story
For adults
- What stands out about Howard Colby Ives's response in this account?
- What might Howard Colby Ives's example ask of us in our own circumstances?
- If you were to share this story aloud at a devotional gathering, which sentence would you read first?
For teens
- Who is someone you know who lives out faith the way this story describes?
- If you were going to tell a friend this story in two sentences, what would you say?
For children
- Who is the most important person in this story? Why?
- If you met Howard Colby Ives, what would you ask?
Reflection
- Where in your own life are you being asked to practice faith?
- Take one line from this story and let it stay with you today.
- What in this account feels timely? What feels timeless?
Comprehension quiz
Which source is "The Proud Helper" 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/2015/04/the-proud-helper.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
“clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;”
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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