Throughout his journey through the West, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá steadfastly refused to…
bahaistories.com archive · Read original
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When in Bahá'í history
Throughout his journey through the West, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá steadfastly refused to accept money or expensive gifts from anyone, though he greatly enjoyed small gifts such as a box of bon-bons, fruit or flowers. In this scene reenacted time after time on his travels, Lady Blomfield writes of one attempt to give money to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá: "One day in my presence a lady said to Him: I have here a check from a friend, who begs its acceptance to buy a good motorcar for your work in England and Europe." The Master replied: "I accept with grateful thanks the gift of your friend." He took the check into both his hands, as though blessing it, and said "I return it to be used for gifts to the poor."
Source: Earl Redman, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Their Midst, p.35
Collected from bahaistories.com (Subject: gifts).
Discuss this story
For adults
- Where do you see gratitude appearing — visibly or quietly — in this passage?
- How does this story illustrate the practice of gratitude?
- Read the closing lines once more. What single phrase stays with you?
For teens
- What is one quality you'd want to carry forward from this account?
- Which line in this story surprised you the most?
Reflection
- What single image from this story will stay with you?
- Where in your own life are you being asked to practice gratitude?
- Read the passage a second time, slowly. What did you notice that you missed the first time?
Comprehension quiz
Which source is "Throughout his journey through the West, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá steadfastly refused to…" 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/gifts
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