The Seat Beside Him

A retelling for children, based on Mahmúd's Diary (entry of 23 April 1912).

One spring morning in the city of Washington, 'Abdu'l-Bahá stood before a room full of students at a school called Howard University. In those days in that city, people with different colors of skin were kept apart — but in that very room, both Black and white students sat together to listen. 'Abdu'l-Bahá looked out at them and said it was the most beautiful thing in the room.

That same afternoon, a fancy luncheon was being prepared in His honor. A man named Ali-Kuli Khan, who came from Persia like 'Abdu'l-Bahá, was the host. Important guests were invited — officials, and friends from the city, and Bahá'ís too. But every single one of them was white. There was a kind and respected Bahá'í named Louis Gregory, who had dark skin, and his name was not on the list. In that city, at that time, no one expected a man like him to be there at all.

But just one hour before the luncheon, 'Abdu'l-Bahá sent a message to the house. He asked that someone go and bring Mr. Gregory at once, because He wished to speak with him.

So Louis Gregory came. And 'Abdu'l-Bahá sat and talked with him for a long, unhurried while, as if there were nowhere else in the world He needed to be.

Then it was time to eat. Everyone began to find their places at the long table. But 'Abdu'l-Bahá stood up and said the seats would need to be changed. Mr. Gregory was going to stay and dine with them after all.

And not just anywhere at the table. 'Abdu'l-Bahá gave Louis Gregory the place of honor — the very best seat of all — right beside Himself.

Imagine the surprise around that table! Some of the guests had never seen such a thing in all their lives. But Ali-Kuli Khan kindly made room, and everyone took their seats, and the luncheon went on just like any happy meal among friends. Once they were all sitting together, it did not seem strange at all. It only seemed right.

Later, the man who wrote down this story noticed something. He said that whenever both Black and white people were together with 'Abdu'l-Bahá, He "seemed happiest." That was what made His heart glad — seeing people who were supposed to stay apart sitting side by side instead.

Louis Gregory never forgot that day. When he was older, he served the Faith in a very special way, and he often said that the seat at that table had shown him what his whole life was for.

It would have been easy to leave one good man off a list and never think of it again. But 'Abdu'l-Bahá did not just speak about people being equal — He pulled out the finest chair and sat someone right beside Him to show it. Real love does not only say kind words; it makes a place at the table.

This is a retelling for children. For the fuller account, see "The Place of Honor: Louis Gregory at the Persian Legation Luncheon".

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