The Food Spiritual

Julia Grundy's *Ten Days in the Light of 'Akká* is made up mostly of short notes of what 'Abdu'l-Bahá said at table and in conversation during her pilgrimage. One of them begins with a plain observation: during dinner, she writes, 'Abdu'l-Bahá ate entirely with His fingers.

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After a while He spoke about it. Grundy records His words:

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> In the East there are many peoples who never use a knife or > fork. To eat with their fingers is custom among them, just as > the Western nations have their own peculiar customs. We must > each view with respect the customs of the other. There is a > kind of food which needs neither knife nor fork and of which > every one may partake with perfect ease and benefit. It is the > food spiritual.

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This food brings life and stimulation instead > of indolence and apathy. It brings peace and content to the > one who partakes of it; the more food, the more joy and peace. > For the Spirit is always eager to furnish sustenance to the > soul.

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*A retelling based on **Ten Days in the Light of Akka** by Julia M. Grundy. For the fuller account, see the original.*

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