A Red Rose for Leroy Ioas

Leroy Ioas, a young boy in 1912, was blessed to meet the Master on His visit to Chicago. One day, on the way to the Plaza Hotel to hear ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, he decided to buy Him some flowers. Though he had but little money, he managed to find a large bouquet of flowers which he himself especially liked—white carnations!

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But in approaching the hotel, he had a change of heart: he would not give ‘Abdu’l-Bahá those flowers after all, he told his father. His dad was genuinely perplexed. Why, when the Master so loved flowers? Young Leroy gave his answer: “I come to the Master offering Him my heart, and I do not want Him to think I want any favours. He knows what’s in a person’s heart, and that is all I have to offer.”

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With that for an answer Leroy’s father went upstairs and presented the flowers to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. How the Master enjoyed them! Their fragrance delighted Him and He buried His face in their midst, as He was inclined to do.

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During the talk, Leroy sat at the feet of this great Teacher, completely fascinated. Those dynamic, ever changing eyes! Those ‘majestic movements’! That charm!

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After the talk, the Master stood up and shook hands with each guest. To each He gave one white carnation. Finally only a few remained. Leroy, standing behind ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, thought, “Gee, I wish He would turn around and shake hands with me before they are all gone!” With that thought, the Master turned and saw him. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wore a lovely, red rose, which He then pulled from His coat and gave to the boy. Leroy knew the Master was aware that it was actually he who had brought those carnations.

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