The dignitaries of the British crown from Jerusalem were gathered in Haifa,…
bahaistories.com archive · Read original
Studio narration for this story is coming — it’ll be generated by the cloud-TTS pipeline (voice: auto-selected from the source author).
When in Bahá'í history
Haifa (today: Haifa, Israel)
The dignitaries of the British crown from Jerusalem were gathered in Haifa, eager to do honour to the Master, Whom everyone had come to love and reverence for His life of unselfish service. An imposing motor-car had been sent to bring ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to the ceremony. The Master, however, could not be found. People were sent in every direction to look for Him, when suddenly from an unexpected side He appeared, alone, walking His kingly walk, with that simplicity of greatness which always enfolded Him.
The faithful servant, Isfandiyar, whose joy it had been for many years to drive the Master on errands of mercy, stood sadly looking on at the elegant motor-car which awaited the honoured guest. "No longer am I needed."
At a sign from Him, Who knew the sorrow, old Isfandiyar rushed off to harness the horse, and brought the carriage out at the lower gate, whence ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was driven to a side entrance of the garden of the Governorate of Phoenicia.
So Isfandiyar was needed and happy.
Source: Lady Blomfield, The Chosen Highway
Collected from bahaistories.com (Subject: knighthood-abdul-baha).
Discuss this story
For adults
- Where do you see faith appearing — visibly or quietly — in this passage?
- How does this story complicate or deepen your understanding of knighthood abdul baha?
- Read the closing lines once more. What single phrase stays with you?
For teens
- How could the spirit of faith show up in your week?
- What does this story say about how to face hard moments?
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 faith?
- Take one line from this story and let it stay with you today.
Comprehension quiz
Which source is "The dignitaries of the British crown from Jerusalem were gathered in Haifa,…" 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/knighthood-abdul-baha
Record yourself reading this story
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