Howard Colby Ives recalled one meal at which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá served me with His…
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When in Bahá'í history
Howard Colby Ives recalled one meal at which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá served me with His own hands most bountifully, urging me to eat, eat, be happy. He Himself did not eat but paced regally around the table, talking, smiling, serving.’ Later he wrote that ‘He has been known to go into the kitchen and prepare a meal for His guests. He never failed in such small attentions as seeing that the room where His visitors were entertained contained every possible comfort.’ His response when He was at one time asked to act as honorary chairman of a Bahá’í Assembly was simply, ‘‘Abdu’l-Bahá is a servant.’
Source: Honnold, Annamarie, Vignettes from the Life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 104
Collected from bahaistories.com (Subject: hospitality).
Discuss this story
For adults
- Read the closing lines once more. What single phrase stays with you?
- What does the setting of this account contribute to its meaning?
- What stands out about Howard Colby Ives's response in this account?
For teens
- How could the spirit of service show up in your week?
- What does this story say about how to face hard moments?
Reflection
- What in this account feels timely? What feels timeless?
- If you could bring one quality from this story into your next conversation, what would it be?
- What single image from this story will stay with you?
Comprehension quiz
Which source is "Howard Colby Ives recalled one meal at which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá served me with His…" drawn from?
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/hospitality
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