Waiting for the Master

One day, behind the hot stone walls of the prison city of 'Akká, Bahá'u'lláh said, "I have not gazed on verdure for nine years." It had been nine years since He had rested His eyes on green and growing things. 'Abdu'l-Bahá knew how much His Father longed for the countryside. He was determined to gain for Him His heart's desire.

First, it seemed impossible to get permission for a prisoner to leave the city. However, Bahá'u'lláh had lived among the inhabitants of 'Akká for nine years. He had already won them over with His love and good will. Even the governor longed to see Bahá'u'lláh happy and comfortable. Eventually, he said that Bahá'u'lláh was free to pass beyond the prison walls whenever He wished, but Bahá'u'lláh declined.

The best wishes of the people of 'Akká were in hand. 'Abdu'l-Bahá set to work immediately to find a suitable place. First, He rented Mazra'ih, a lovely home surrounded by gardens, with a stream of running water. At 'Abdu'l-Bahá's suggestion, the Muftí of 'Akká pleaded with Bahá'u'lláh until He consented to leave the city. But by 1879, two years later, that beautiful house was no longer big enough. Bahá'u'lláh’s family was large, and there were many pilgrims. 'Abdu'l-Bahá set out to find a bigger home. He rented Bahjí, the beautiful palace that Bahá'u'lláh called the Lofty Mansion. At Bahjí, Bahá'u'lláh met with the believers and revealed His Writings. 'Abdu'l-Bahá continued to live in 'Akká. There He met with the many city officials and countless other people. He made sure that no one interfered with His Father's Revelation. No one was allowed to disrupt His peace and comfort. 'Abdu'l-Bahá was ever His Father's Shield.

Bahá'u'lláh and 'Abdu'l-Bahá were often separated by the miles between 'Akká and Bahjí and Their many tasks. But nothing could interfere with the love between the Lord of the Age and His eldest Son. Mírzá Maḥmúd-i-Káshání had been with Bahá'u'lláh for many years. He knew about this love. He wrote in his memoirs: "Many a time I was in the presence of Bahá'u'lláh when the Master was also present. Because of His presence Bahá'u'lláh would be filled with the utmost joy and gladness. One could see His blessed countenance beaming with delight and exultation so lovingly that no words can adequately describe it."

One day Bahá'u'lláh made plans to visit the Garden of Junaynih on the plain north of ‘Akká. All the pilgrims and the resident Bahá'ís were invited to go along. Naturally, they rushed to accept the invitation. A picnic in the garden in the presence of the Blessed Beauty was the greatest of all delights.

At dawn, the pilgrims faced His blessed room. They began their prayers and devotions. Before sunrise they gathered outside the gate of the Mansion. Within the hour, His steps could be heard on the stairs. At once He appeared, blessing them with the gift of His presence.

A gentle white donkey carried the Lord of the Age along the road to the garden, while His followers walked beside Him. Hájí Khávar was a tall man. Thus he won the privilege of holding the umbrella over the Blessed Beauty. This way he could protect Him from the heat of the sun.

The air was refreshing when they arrived in the garden. Bahá'u'lláh was extremely happy that day, and each of the friends received a share of the bounties of His presence. They had lunch in the garden, and afterwards they gathered together in His presence.

It was then that 'Abdu'l-Bahá arrived from 'Akká. "The Master is coming," said the Blessed Beauty, "hasten to attend Him."

The pilgrims hurried to obey. Attended by everyone, 'Abdu'l-Bahá came with great humility into the presence of His Father.

Then the Blessed Beauty said, "From morning until now this garden was not pleasant but now with the presence of the Master it has become truly most delightful."

Turning to the Master, He said, "You should have come in the morning." 'Abdu'l-Bahá explained that the Governor of 'Akká and some of the residents had asked to meet with Him, and He had had to receive them.

Bahá'u'lláh smiled and said, "The Master is our shield. Everybody here lives in the utmost comfort and peace. Association with the outside people such as these is very, very difficult. It is the Master who stands up to everything and prepares the means of comfort for all the friends."

(by Jean Gould; Core Curriculum for Spiritual Education – Stories)

Source: the garden visit and the words of Bahá'u'lláh and Mírzá Maḥmúd-i-Káshání are from Adib Taherzadeh, The Child of the Covenant, pp. 233–234, summarizing the memoirs of Mírzá Maḥmúd and of the 1891 pilgrim Ḥájí Mírzá Ḥabíbu'lláh Afnán (Taherzadeh notes these are not to be taken as the exact words spoken); "I have not gazed on verdure for nine years" is from 'Abdu'l-Bahá's account in J. E. Esslemont, Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era, ch. 3; Mazra'ih is described in the same account; the governor's offer, the Muftí's plea and the "lofty mansion" are from Shoghi Effendi, God Passes By, ch. XI. Jean Gould's retelling has been shortened here where it added details not found in these sources.

Source: Baha'i Stories for Children (https://bahaistoriesforchildren.blogspot.com/2015/07/waiting-for-master.html).

Various. *Baha'i Stories for Children*. https://bahaistoriesforchildren.blogspot.com/2015/07/waiting-for-master.html