Tears for His Father

*A retelling for children, based on **Mahmúd's Diary** by Mírzá Maḥmúd-i-Zarqání (George Ronald), from the entry for 4 June 1912.*

1 / 8

In June 1912, 'Abdu'l-Bahá spent a day and a night at a big country house in Milford, Pennsylvania, not far from New York. Many important people came to meet Him there and listened to Him talk.

2 / 8

When it was time to leave, He called the people who worked in the house to come to Him. He thanked them, and He gave each of them two gold coins. They were very touched. They bowed their heads, and then they turned to watch Him as He went.

3 / 8

As He was leaving, 'Abdu'l-Bahá turned to look at the lush green countryside all around. Suddenly tears poured from His eyes.

4 / 8

Mírzá Maḥmúd, who travelled with 'Abdu'l-Bahá and wrote down what happened, tells us the reason. 'Abdu'l-Bahá was thinking of His Father, Bahá'u'lláh. He was remembering all the hardships and sufferings Bahá'u'lláh had been through, and it made Him very sad.

5 / 8

For many years Bahá'u'lláh had been sent from place to place, far from His home, and kept as a prisoner. 'Abdu'l-Bahá had been with Him through all those years, ever since He was a boy.

6 / 8

That evening, 'Abdu'l-Bahá went back to New York.

7 / 8

*This is a retelling for children. For the fuller account, see ["Tears on Leaving Milford"](/stories/md-tears-in-the-garden).*

8 / 8