Elizabeth Gibson Cheyne, poetess, and her husband, Dr T
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When in Bahá'í history
London (today: London, UK)
Elizabeth Gibson Cheyne, poetess, and her husband, Dr T. K. Cheyne, esteemed critic, lived in Oxford, England, when ‘Abdu’l-Bahá visited them. Dr Cheyne’s health and strength were waning. ‘The beautiful loving care of the devoted wife for her gifted, invalid husband touched the heart of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. With tears in His kind eyes He spoke of them’ to His companions on their way back to London, ‘”She is an angelic woman, an example to all in her unselfish love. Yes, she is a perfect woman. An angel.”’
Source: Honnold, Annamarie, Vignettes from the Life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 107
Collected from bahaistories.com (Subject: sick-caring).
Discuss this story
For adults
- What stands out about 'Abdu'l-Bahá's response in this account?
- What in your own life does this story bring to mind?
- Where do you see devotion appearing — visibly or quietly — in this passage?
For teens
- What is one quality you'd want to carry forward from this account?
- Which line in this story surprised you the most?
Reflection
- What single image from this story will stay with you?
- How does devotion 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 "Elizabeth Gibson Cheyne, poetess, and her husband, Dr T" 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. *bahaistories.com archive*. https://bahaistories.com/subject/sick-caring
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