The Servant of God

When His Father was alive and dwelt outside the city of Akka among the mountains, 'Abdu'l-Baha frequently visited Him. Though the journey was rather long, He usually walked. His friends asked Him why He did not save time and effort and go on horseback. "Over these mountains, Jesus walked on foot," He said, "and who am I that I should ride where the Lord Christ walked?"

Once when He was older and rode in an ordinary stagecoach to return to His home, the driver thought that one of His appearance and bearing should be riding in a private carriage. 'Abdu’l-Baha insisted on using the stagecoach. At the end of His ride, He was stopped by a poor man who pleaded for a few coins. Turning to the driver, He said, "Why should I travel in a carriage when such as he need money?"

(Adapted from the Baha’i World, Vol. IV; ‘The Child’s Way’ magazine, July-August 1971)

Source: George Townshend, "The Way of the Master", The Bahá'í World, vol. IV (1930–1932), p. 340, via Baha'i Stories for Children (https://bahaistoriesforchildren.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-servant-of-god.html). Both incidents are also recorded in Honnold, Vignettes from the Life of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, pp. 14 and 16.

Various. *Baha'i Stories for Children*. https://bahaistoriesforchildren.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-servant-of-god.html