The Merchant Who Wanted to Become a Bahá’í
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When in Bahá'í history
The Master once told a pilgrim the following story. He was concluding an interview by telling of the time when He was travelling with a party which included a merchant. When the caravan halted in a certain village, quite a few people gathered around to meet ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. The travellers later continued their journey and when they stopped in another town the same thing happened, and then it happened again. The merchant noticed this very obvious love and respect, which were showered on the Master. He then took Him aside and told Him he wished to become a Bahá’í. When the Master asked him why he desired this, he replied, without apparent shame, ‘You are a Bahá’í, and wherever you go, great crowds of people flock out to meet you, while no one comes to meet me; so I wish to become a Bahá’í.’ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá probed deeper. He asked him if that was the real reason. Whereupon the merchant replied with candour, ‘I also think it will help my business, as I will have all these people come to meet me.’ It was then that he was told very frankly, ‘Do not become a Bahá’í. It is better for you to remain as you are.’
Source: Honnold, Annamarie, Vignettes from the Life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, pp. 36–37
Collected from bahaistories.com (Subject: teaching).
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