What White Teeth It Has

*A retelling based on **Mahmúd's Diary** by Mírzá Maḥmúd-i-Zarqání (George Ronald), from the entry for 1 November 1912. The narrative is in our own words; the words in quotation marks are as the diary records them. Read the [full text](https://bahai-library.com/zarqani_mahmuds_diary) for the original entry.*

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On Friday, 1 November 1912, in Chicago, a man from Russia came to see 'Abdu'l-Bahá for the first time. As soon as he was shown into the Master's room, he began to complain about Russia.

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The Master said to him:

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> Do not speak ill of Russia. Render good to friend and foe alike. Say that > you are one with all. Be a true well-wisher of people. Give up your evil > thoughts and pray for all. Be at peace and make peace with all. Do not > express hatred or resentment toward anyone.

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Be a proclaimer of peace and > say, "Now I feel no enmity toward anyone." Praise all and be mindful of > the story of Christ. When everyone expressed disgust on seeing the body of > a dead dog, Christ said, "What white teeth it has!"

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The visitor was so overwhelmed that he cried out, "Today I have found the way to salvation and safety."

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The Master replied, "If you follow these teachings you will see things greater than this."

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*This account is retold for the Bahá'í Story Library; the narrative is a paraphrase, and the quoted words are from Mahmúd's Diary (Mírzá Maḥmúd-i-Zarqání, tr. Mohi Sobhani, George Ronald, 1998), entry for 1 November 1912.*

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