An Afternoon in the Middle of America

A retelling for children, based on Mahmúd's Diary (entry for the Kansas City stop, October–November 1912).

There was a train rolling west across America, and on board was 'Abdu'l-Bahá.

In a city called Kansas City, a small group of friends had heard the news. The Master was traveling through their part of the country! But there was a problem. His train was not planned to stop where they lived — it was only meant to pass on by, south to the next place.

So the friends did a brave thing. They sent a message ahead, asking a bold question: Could the train wait? Just for one afternoon? Just long enough for a small gathering at the station?

It was a lot to ask. 'Abdu'l-Bahá had a long journey and so many places to be. But when He heard their wish, He said yes.

The friends had only a few days to get ready. Quickly, quickly, they rented a little meeting room downtown. They cleaned it and prepared it the best they could. By the time the train pulled in, about twenty-five believers and a few curious newcomers had gathered, hardly daring to believe it was really happening.

Now, Kansas City sits right in the middle of America — halfway across the whole country. Beyond it stretched wide, open lands where very few people lived yet. 'Abdu'l-Bahá talked to the friends about this very thing. He told them not to feel small or far away or left out. Instead, He said their little gathering was like a forward camp — a tiny camp at the edge of a great adventure, from which something wonderful would one day set out.

Being out in the new lands, far from the big old cities, was not a problem at all, He told them. It was a gift! Here, in fresh soil, the love and teachings of the Faith could take root and grow.

Then 'Abdu'l-Bahá did something the friends would never forget. He did not just speak to the whole room at once. He turned to each person, one by one, and asked about them — how their family was doing, what their work was like, the kind little acts of service they had been quietly doing. He knew them. He saw each one. Some of the friends began to cry, right there, simply because the Master cared enough to ask.

When evening came, the train south rolled on, and 'Abdu'l-Bahá continued His journey. But the friends of Kansas City walked home carrying a treasure: one whole afternoon they had hardly dared to hope for.

When you long for something good with all your heart, it is worth asking, even if the answer might be no. The Kansas City friends asked — and because they did, a passing train became an afternoon they remembered forever.

This is a retelling for children. For the fuller account, see "Kansas City: A Plains Reception".

Maḥmúd-i-Zarqání, M.. (1998). *Mahmúd's Diary: The Diary of Mírzá Maḥmúd-i-Zarqání*. George Ronald.