Maria Ioas longed to be the recipient of a flower from 'Abdu-l-Bahá
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When in Bahá'í history
'Akká (today: Acre, Israel)
Maria Ioas longed to be the recipient of a flower from 'Abdu-l-Bahá. She hade been tempted to ask pilgrims going to 'Akka to bring one to her, if at all possible. Yet, somehow, she felt she would receive one if the Master so desired. When He came to Chicago, she took one of her children and headed towards the Plaza Hotel on His first day there. He was away, so they waited the entire afternoon. As He stepped out of the elevator, He saw them and greeted them kindly. He then headed for His room and bade them follow. She hesitated and He again urged, 'Come, come.' Then they felt free to accompany Him into His reception room. Shortly after, He emerged from His private room carrying roses and graciously handed one to her.
Source: Honnold, Annamarie, Vignettes from the Life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 55
Collected from bahaistories.com (Subject: intuition).
Discuss this story
For adults
- Where do kindness and patience meet in this story?
- How does this story illustrate the practice of kindness?
- Read the closing lines once more. What single phrase stays with you?
For teens
- What is one quality you'd want to carry forward from this account?
- Which line in this story surprised you the most?
Reflection
- Is there someone in your life who would be helped by hearing this story?
- Where in your own life are you being asked to practice kindness?
- Read the passage a second time, slowly. What did you notice that you missed the first time?
Comprehension quiz
Which source is "Maria Ioas longed to be the recipient of a flower from 'Abdu-l-Bahá" drawn from?
Where does this story take place?
What period of Bahá'í history does this story belong to?
Which historical figure is featured most prominently in this story?
Which virtue does this story most clearly illustrate?
Cite this story
Various. *bahaistories.com archive*. https://bahaistories.com/subject/intuition
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