One day the Maser, with one of His daughters, approached a native woman, dirty…
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When in Bahá'í history
One day the Maser, with one of His daughters, approached a native woman, dirty and almost savage-looking. Hers had been a hard life as the daughter of a desert chief. Though she was not a Bahá’í, she quite naturally loved the Master, who was so genuinely kind. Lingering a moment, she bowed and greeted the Master. Kindly He made reply and, somehow knowing her need, 'pressed a coin into her hand' as He passed by. Obviously, she was filled with appreciation. One of the Master's daughters told an observer that this woman had, in that brief encounter, said to the Master that 'she would pray for Him', and graciously He had thanked her.
Source: Honnold, Annamarie, Vignettes from the Life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 91
Collected from bahaistories.com (Subject: kindness).
Discuss this story
For adults
- Where do kindness and love meet in this story?
- How does this story illustrate the practice of kindness?
- What stands out about 'Abdu'l-Bahá's response in this account?
For teens
- If you were in 'Abdu'l-Bahá's place, what might you have done?
- What does this story teach about kindness?
Reflection
- Take one line from this story and let it stay with you today.
- What single image from this story will stay with you?
- How does kindness show up in your life right now — and where is it being asked of you?
Comprehension quiz
Which source is "One day the Maser, with one of His daughters, approached a native woman, dirty…" drawn from?
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/kindness
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