The Best Bite at the Table

A retelling for children, based on The Priceless Pearl by Rúḥíyyih Khánum.

In a long, low room in the old city of 'Akká, the family gathered for their meals. There was bread, and rice, and whatever simple stew had been made that day. The grandchildren sat at the table — and they watched.

What were they watching for? They were watching one special person: Bahíyyih Khánum. She was the most beloved sister of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, and the family called her the Greatest Holy Leaf. She was the calm, kind heart of the whole household.

Bahíyyih Khánum would eat from her own plate. But every now and then, between her own bites, she would lift up a little spoonful of her food and hand it across to one of the children. Maybe it was a bit of rice. Maybe a piece of bread. Maybe a small bite of meat.

In that family, this little spoonful had its very own name. They called it the mouthful of Khánum.

And here is the funny thing. That one bite always tasted better than anything else on the whole table — better than a child's own full plate! But it was not made of anything special. It tasted best for one simple reason: because it had been given. A gift from someone who loves you carries the flavour of their love.

So all through the meal the grandchildren would watch and wonder: Whose turn will it be today? Will it be mine?

The grandchildren used to watch for a mouthful of Khánum's food that she would give to this or that one as it always tasted best.

There was one child who often received it. His name was Shoghi Effendi, and one day he would grow up to be the Guardian of the Faith. Bahíyyih Khánum loved him dearly, and she did not hide it. The little mouthful usually went to him.

You might think the other children would feel jealous. But they did not. They could see that Bahíyyih Khánum had plenty of love for all of them. A love that is shown openly to one child does not leave the others out — it warms the whole house, and makes everyone feel held.

It is such a small story that it could easily have been forgotten. But it teaches something big: that the kindest gifts are not always the largest ones. Sometimes the very best thing you can share is one small spoonful, handed over with love — and one bite given that way can taste better than a feast.

This is a retelling for children. For the fuller account, see "The Mouthful of Khánum: A Childhood Privilege at the Family Table".

Khánum, R.. (1969). *The Priceless Pearl*. Bahá'í Publishing Trust.