He Came to Her

*A retelling for children, based on **Mahmúd's Diary** (entry of 14 July 1912).*

1 / 8

There was an old woman who wanted, more than anything, to meet 'Abdu'l-Bahá.

2 / 8

But there was a problem. Her foot was hurt, and she could not walk. All around the city, crowds of people were going to see 'Abdu'l-Bahá — filling the rooms where He spoke, lining up at His door. She could only stay home and wish she could be one of them. It made her very sad.

3 / 8

'Abdu'l-Bahá was busier than almost anyone you could imagine. From morning until night, more and more people came to see Him. He had so little time, and so many visitors.

4 / 8

But when He heard about the old woman who could not come to Him, He did not make her wait for a better day, and He did not leave it for someone to carry her to Him. Instead, He decided to go to *her*.

5 / 8

And so, one day, there was a knock at the old woman's own front door — and when it opened, there stood 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Imagine her joy! The very person she had given up hope of ever seeing had come all the way across the city, just for her.

6 / 8

It would have been so easy for one old woman to be forgotten in such a big, busy crowd. But 'Abdu'l-Bahá never forgot the ones other people overlooked. She could not come to Him — so He came to her. That is what love does: it goes the extra distance, especially for the people who need it most.

7 / 8

*This is a retelling for children. For the fuller account, see ["He Came to Her"](/stories/md-he-came-to-her).*

8 / 8