On the first afternoon, while driving, he expressed much interest in rural…
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When in Bahá'í history
London (today: London, UK)
On the first afternoon, while driving, he expressed much interest in rural England, marvelling at the century-old trees, and the vivid green of the woods and downs, so unlike the arid East. "Though it is autumn it seems like spring," he said. The houses with their little plots of ground, suggested a quotation which ‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave from Bahá’u’lláh's writings in which the latter alludes to each family having a house with a piece of land. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá likened the country to the soul and the city to the body of man, saying, "The body without the soul cannot live. It is good," he remarked, "to live under the sky, in the sunshine and fresh air."
Source: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in London, p. 81
Collected from bahaistories.com (Subject: country).
Discuss this story
For adults
- Where do devotion and patience meet in this story?
- What does the setting of this account contribute to its meaning?
- What stands out about Bahá'u'lláh's response in this account?
For teens
- If you were in Bahá'u'lláh's place, what might you have done?
- What does this story teach about devotion?
Reflection
- How does devotion show up in your life right now — and where is it being asked of you?
- 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 devotion?
Comprehension quiz
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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?
Cite this story
Various. *bahaistories.com archive*. https://bahaistories.com/subject/country
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