A Gift for Every Servant
Mírzá Maḥmúd-i-Zarqání, Mahmúd's Diary, (1998), George Ronald · Read original
When in Bahá'í history
A retelling for children, based on Mahmúd's Diary (entry of 16 October 1912).
In October 1912 'Abdu'l-Bahá stayed for a few days at the home of Mrs Phoebe Hearst, near the town of Pleasanton in California. It was a very large house, and some of Mrs Hearst's relatives were staying there as guests.
When it was time to leave, 'Abdu'l-Bahá said goodbye to the guests. Then He called for all the people who worked in the house. The maids, the cooks, the butler and the other helpers came and stood in a line in front of Him.
'Abdu'l-Bahá told them to be truthful and honest and to do their work with care. He thanked them for their service. Then He said:
As I am like a father to you, I wish to leave a memento with you.
A memento is something to remember a person by. He gave each one of them a gift of money.
The guests stood by and watched. Mírzá Maḥmúd, who wrote down what happened, says they were astonished at how generous He was.
This is a retelling for children. For the fuller account, see "Honoring the Servants".
Cite this story
Maḥmúd-i-Zarqání, M.. (1998). *Mahmúd's Diary*. George Ronald. https://bahai-library.com/zarqani_mahmuds_diary
This story shares quotes with 1 other story
“As I am like a father to you, I wish to leave a memento with you.”
Also in
- Honoring the Servants— Mírzá Maḥmúd-i-Zarqání, Mahmúd's Diary
Record yourself reading this story
Recording stays on this device only. Nothing is uploaded.
Related stories
Honoring the Servants
Taking leave of Phoebe Hearst's house near Pleasanton, California, 'Abdu'l-Bahá called for the maids, orderlies, cooks and butler, thanked them, and gave each a gift, while the guests stood by, astonished.
The Streetcar Fare and the Servants
In Montreal ‘Abdu’l-Bahá took the streetcar to save a dollar, then gave each of the Maxwells’ servants a pound; at Phoebe Hearst’s estate each servant received ten dollars.
The Master Arrives in Denver
After a sleepless night on the train, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá reached Denver on 23 September 1912. Within hours He was meeting reporters, and that evening He spoke to a crowded gathering at the home of Mrs. Roberts.
Let Them Come Now
Worn out after seeing a hundred and forty people and speaking at the Mortens’ home in New York, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá went up to rest, but crowds followed. When Juliet Thompson asked to shut the door, He gently said to let them come.