The Question That Came Back

A retelling for children, based on Portals to Freedom by Howard Colby Ives (George Ronald, 1937).

Howard Colby Ives had a question he could not stop thinking about. In a prayer he had found the word renunciation. It is a big word. It means giving things up, letting go of what we hold on to. Howard wanted to understand it.

So one cold, windy spring day in New York, he went to ask 'Abdu'l-Bahá about it. 'Abdu'l-Bahá was about to walk back to the house where He was staying, and He said Howard could walk with Him and they would talk on the way.

A group of friends walked along with them. Howard was cold and buttoned up his coat, while the wind blew 'Abdu'l-Bahá's cloak about. As they walked, 'Abdu'l-Bahá talked about the sun: how it rises in different places, yet it is always the same sun. Once or twice He stopped and drew a line on the sidewalk with His walking stick to show where the sun comes up.

But He did not talk about renunciation at all. Howard was very disappointed. Then, as they got close to the house, he began to feel happy just to be with 'Abdu'l-Bahá. Maybe, he thought, the way to learn about letting go was to do it. He could start by letting go of wanting an answer.

At the front steps, 'Abdu'l-Bahá turned to Howard and told him that this was a day for great things, very great things. He started up the steps, then turned and said it again. Then He said it a third time, so strongly that Howard never forgot it.

'Abdu'l-Bahá went up the stairs to His room on the third floor, and Howard followed. At the door, 'Abdu'l-Bahá waved him in. The room was very quiet. Then 'Abdu'l-Bahá asked him:

Are you interested in renunciation?

Howard did not know what to say. He had forgotten all about his question. 'Abdu'l-Bahá put His arm around him and walked him to the door.

Howard left feeling as if he were walking on the heights. He remembered that afternoon for the rest of his life. Many years later he wrote that he had never dreamed that renunciation, giving things up, could be so glorious.

This is a retelling for children. For the fuller account, see "Are You Interested in Renunciation?".

Ives, H. C.. (1937). *Portals to Freedom*. George Ronald. https://bahai-library.com/ives_portals_freedom