Later, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá encountered a group of young people, to whom he told this…
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When in Bahá'í history
Later, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá encountered a group of young people, to whom he told this story in relation to the effects of the Peace Conference: Once the rats and mice held an important conference on the subject of which was how to make peace with the cat. After a long and heated discussion it was decided that the best thing to do would be to tie a bow around the neck of the cat, so that the rats and mice would be warned of his movements and have time to get Out of his way. This seemed an excellent plan until the question arose as to who should undertake the dangerous job of belling the cat. None of the rats liked the idea and the mice thought they were altogether too weak. So the conference broke up in confusion. Everyone laughed, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá with them. After a short pause He added that this is much like these Peace Conferences. Many words, but no one is likely to approach the question of who will bell the Czar of Prussia, the Emperor of Germany, the President of France and the Emperor of Japan. Faces were now more grave. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá laughed again: "There is a Divine Club", He said, "which shall break their power in pieces."
Source: Earl Redman, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Their Midst, p. 131
Collected from bahaistories.com (Subject: peace).
Discuss this story
For adults
- Where do you see devotion appearing — visibly or quietly — in this passage?
- How does this story complicate or deepen your understanding of peace?
- Where do devotion and patience meet in this story?
For teens
- If you were in 'Abdu'l-Bahá's place, what might you have done?
- What does this story teach about devotion?
Reflection
- What in this account feels timely? What feels timeless?
- If you could bring one quality from this story into your next conversation, what would it be?
- What single image from this story will stay with you?
Comprehension quiz
Which source is "Later, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá encountered a group of young people, to whom he told this…" drawn from?
What period of Bahá'í history does this story belong to?
Which historical figure is featured most prominently in this story?
Cite this story
Various. *bahaistories.com archive*. https://bahaistories.com/subject/peace
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