A Coin for Every Hand

*A retelling for children, based on **The Diary of Juliet Thompson** (diary entry, 19 April 1912).*

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In the poorest part of New York City, in a big hall, three hundred men without homes had gathered. Some had not had a good meal in days. They had come to hear a special visitor — 'Abdu'l-Bahá — and He had come carrying bags heavy with coins.

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First He spoke to them, and He did not speak down to them, the way some people did. He told them that the poor are dear to God, and He reminded them that Jesus too had been poor. The men listened to every word.

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Then 'Abdu'l-Bahá stood by the door. One by one, all three hundred men walked past Him. To each one He gave a coin, pressing it into his hand — and to the men who looked the most ragged and tired, He gave the most of all.

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But His friend Juliet, who was watching, noticed something even more wonderful than the coins. As each man passed, 'Abdu'l-Bahá looked right into his eyes — really looked at him, with love — the way these men were almost never looked at. For just a moment, each tired man felt truly seen.

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The coins would soon be spent. But the kindness in those eyes was a gift that lasted much longer. Everyone wants to feel that they matter — and when we truly see people, and treat them with love, we give them something more valuable than money.

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*This is a retelling for children. For the fuller account, see ["Blessed Are the Poor"](/stories/jt-blessed-are-the-poor-bowery).*

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