JB Bahá’í Children Class Story of Abdu'l-Bahá

LESSON 1 ((Summarized version of story from Ruhi Book 3,p. 38)

There was a merchant in Akka who, like his fellow

citizens did not respect the Bahá’ís. This was because
they did not understand the good teachings of the
Bahá'í Faith.
One day, this merchant saw a
camel-load of charcoal that
belonged to the Bahá’ís. He
took the charcoal and did not
pay for it.

When Abdu’l-Bahá heard this,

he went to the merchant’s shop and asked for the
return of the charcoal. The merchant did not pay
Abdu’l-Bahá any attention. Abdu’l-Bahá patiently sat
there and waited. After three hours, the merchant
asked Abdu’l-Bahá, what He had done that He was
kept in the prison. Abdu’l-Bahá replied that His crime
was the same one for which Christ was persecuted.
The merchant was very surprised that Abdu’l-Bahá
knows so much about Christ and His Teachings. This
made him very happy. He was very impressed and he
became very respectful to Abdu’l-Bahá. Though the
charcoal was gone, he agreed to pay for it.
 As Abdu’l-Bahá rose to leave, the merchant walked
with him into the street with great respect
and honour.

Dear Children, Abdu’l-Bahá showed

kindness to the people of all religions
and helped them to become united.

Quotation for Lesson 1

“So powerful is the light of unity that it can illumine
the whole earth.” -Bahá’u’llah
178 / 277 words.
JB Bahá’í Children Class Story of Abdu'l-Bahá
LESSON 2 ((Summarized version of story from Ruhi Book 3,p. 41)

Abdu’l-Bahá could always tell what was in a

person’s heart.

Once, there was a lady who was Abdu’l-

Bahá guest at dinner. As she was listening
to Abdu’l-Bahá’s wise words and looking
at a glass of water in front of her, she
thought…

“Oh! If only Abdu’l-Bahá would take my heart and

empty it of every desire and then refill it with divine
love and understanding, just as you would do with this
glass of water.”

Abdu’l-Bahá knows what was in the lady’s

heart. He called for a servant and said a few
words to him. This servant quietly went to the
lady’s place, took her glass, emptied it and put it back
in front of her.

Shortly, Abdu’l-Bahá while

continuing His talk, took a pitcher of
water and in the most natural way, slowly refilled the
lady’s empty glass.

The lady was filled with joy. She was so happy

that Abdu’l-Bahá had answered her heart’s desire.

You see dear children, hearts and minds

are like open books to Abdu’l-Bahá. He
reads them with great love and
kindliness.

Quotation for Lesson 2

“O Son of Spirit! My first counsel is this: Possess
a pure, kindly and radiant heart,
that thine may be a sovereignty ancient,
imperishable and everlasting.”

-Bahá’u’llah-
155 / 244 words

JB Bahá’í Children Class Story of Abdu'l-Bahá

LESSON 3 ((Summarized version of story from Ruhi Book 3,p. 43)

One day, Abdu’l-Bahá wanted to

go from Akka to Haifa. He went to
take an inexpensive seat in a regular
coach.

The driver was

surprised and must have asked
himself why Abdu'l-Bahá was so
frugal as to ride in this cheap coach.
“Surely, Your Excellency would
prefer to travel
in a private carriage,” he
exclaimed. “No,” replied the
Master, and He traveled in the
crowded coach all the way to
Haifa.

As He stepped down from the

coach in Haifa a distressed
fisherwoman came to Him and asked for His help. All
day she had caught nothing and now had to return to
her hungry family.
 Abdu'l-Bahá gave her a good sum of money, turned
to the driver and said, “Why should I ride in luxury
while so many are starving?”
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Quotation for Lesson 3

“Tread ye the path of justice, for this,
verily, is the straight path.” -Bahá’u’llah-
LESSON 4 (p. 45)
While Abdu'l-Baha was a prisoner in Akka there was a
man in that city who hated Abdu'l-Baha very much. He
behaved very badly towards Abdu'l-Baha. He was not kind
to Abdu'l-Baha and said bad things about Him. When he
passed by Abdu'l-Baha he would be so rude and unkind that
he would cover his own face so that he would not see Abdu'l-
Baha’s face.

He was a poor man. In spite of what he had done to

Abdu'l-Baha, Abdu'l-Baha would still send him food and
clothes. Once, he felt sick. Abdu'l-Baha sent a doctor to
help him and even paid for his medicine and gave him some
money. Yet he was very ungrateful. He took the gifts and
did not even thank Abdu'l-Baha. So ungrateful was he that
he will give one hand to the doctor to check his pulse and use
his other hand to cover his face so that he will not see
Abdu'l-Baha’s face.

This went on for many years. Abdu'l-Baha continued to

be kind. Then one day, he went to Abdu'l-Baha, fell at
Abdu'l-Baha’s feet and cried,

“Forgive me, Sir! For twenty-four years I have done evil

to you. For twenty-four years, You have shown only
goodness to me. Now I know that I have been wrong. Please
forgive me.” Dear children, you see, love is greater than
hate and forgiveness is a virtue. 213/349
LESSON 5 (p. 46)

Lua Getsinger, an American Bahai lady went to Akka

to see Abdu'l-Baha. One day, He said He was busy and
asked Lua to visit His poor and sick friend and to bring
some food to him.

Lua felt very proud that Abdu'l-Baha had asked her

to do something for Him. So she went but soon came
running back. She told Abdu'l-Baha how dirty and smelly
the man and his place was.

Abdu'l-Baha sadly and sternly looked at her and told

her that if she wanted to serve God, she must also serve
her fellow men, because in every person she should see
the image and likeness of God.

He asked Lua to go back to the house and clean it and

feed the man too and she must not come back until all
this was done. He told her that He had done it many
times and she can definitely do it once. Lua Getsinger
obeyed Abdu'l-Baha and learned about service.

Dear Children, this is how Abdu'l-Baha taught Lua

Getsinger to serve her fellow men.
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LESSON 6 (p. 50)

A young shepherd taking care of his family’s

sheep, was bored one day and decided to play a trick
on his neighbours. Suddenly, he shouted “Wolf, Wolf,
The wolf is eating the sheep.” All of his friends came
to help but they found him laughing. They went back
to work saying that the boy had behaved very badly.

The following day, the boy again cried out, “Wolf,

Wolf! Help me! Help me!” Some came to help him only
to find out he has played a trick on them again.

On the third day, the neighbours again heard him

shouting, Wolf! Wolf! The wolf is eating the sheep!
Please come, help! No one paid attention as they
thought he was playing a trick again. But this time, he
was not playing a trick. The wolf did come and ate the
sheep. He lost his sheep and his friends because he
had lied.

Dear Children, if we tell lies, the day will come when

nobody will believe (or trust) us even when we tell the
truth. This is because they have lost trust in us.

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LESSON 7 (p. 52)

When Ruhullah was twelve years old, he and his

father travelled to Akka to see Abdu'l-Baha. He was
so happy to see Abdu'l-Baha and to spend time with
Him.

Soon they left Akka and returned to Persia.

Together he and his father told people the Teachings
of the Bahai Faith. Ruhullah could recite prayers
beautifully.

One day, some people captured Ruhullah and his

father and sent them to a prison in Tehran. Life was
very difficult in the horrible prison.

One day, they killed Ruhullah’s father and then

Ruhullah. They did this because they did not
understand the Bahai Teachings that Ruhullah and his
father loved.

Dear Children, Ruhullah and his father loved the Bahai

Faith and even when their lives were difficult, they
were very, very brave and steadfast.

106 / 634
LESSON 8 (p. 55)

Abdu'l-Baha was a humble man. Friends wanted to

give him great titles but he only wanted to be called
Abdu'l-Baha which means ‘Servant of the Glory’.

One day, some rich friends who respected Abdu'l-

Baha very much arranged for a specially dressed boy
to carry a fancy bowl with crystal water and a
perfumed towel for Abdu'l-Baha to wash His hands
before a meal.

Abdu'l-Baha understood that they wanted to do it

for Him. He quickly washed His hands with some
water nearby and dried them with a piece of cloth
(which a gardener had). With a radiant face, He
turned to meet His guests and invited them to use the
crystal water and perfumed towel to wash their hands.

Dear Children, Abdu'l-Baha was a very humble man.

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LESSON 9 (p. 57)

Abdu'l-Baha was going to entertain the

Governor of Akka. Before the day arrived,
his wife went to the tailor and ordered a fine
coat for Him.

When the day came, His wife laid out the

new coat for Abdu'l-Baha but He asked for
His old coat. He could not accept the new
coat that His wife had ordered for Him. He
said there was no reason to spend so much
money on a coat just for Him. He said with
the money He could buy five simple ones like
the one He normally wore. Then He would
have a new coat and still have four coats to
give to others.

Dear Children, Abdu'l-Baha was always

thinking of others. He was a selfless man
indeed.
110 / 231
LESSON 10 (p. 59)

Mulla Bahram was very sad one day because

his cousin’s small child had died. The child was
given a Bahai burial. This made some people angry
and they put his cousin into jail. These people did
this because they did not understand and did not
agree with the Bahai Teachings.

Mulla Bahram tried to save his cousin. He

went to seek the help of a high government
official. That day, the official was hosting a
feast. All the guests were very surprised that
their host treated Mulla Bahram with great
respect and they asked him why.

The official said that it was because Mulla

Bahram was a righteous and honest man. He
explained that once when he was in trouble he
tried to bribe Mulla Bahram with money but Mulla
Bahram did not accept the money but carried out
his work honestly.
Dear Children, we must always be honest and
righteous in whatever we do. 135/518

LESSON 10 (p. 59) (A simpler version)

Mulla bahram was sad because his cousin’s

small child had died. The child was given a Bahai
burial. For this, his cousin was put to jail.

He went to a high government official for

help. That day, the official was hosting a feast.
All the guests were surprised that the host
treated Mulla Bahram with great respect. When
asked why, the official said it was because Mulla
Bahram was a righteous and honest man.

He explained that at one time he had tried to

bribe Mulla Bahram but Mulla Bahram did not
accept it. He had carried out his work honestly.

Dear Children, we must always be honest and

righteous in whatever we do.
96/553
LESSON 11 (p. 62)

One day, Baha’u’llah asked Abdu'l-Baha to inspect the

work of the shepherds who were taking care of His sheep.
Abdu'l-Baha was very young then. When the inspection was
over and as Abdu'l-Baha was about to leave, the man who
had accompanied Him said,

“It is your father’s custom to leave a gift for each

shepherd.”

Abdu'l-Baha was quiet for a while. He did not know so

He was not prepared. Then He had an idea! He would give
the shepherds the sheep they were taking care of!

When Baha’u’llah heard about Abdu'l-Baha’s actions, He

was much pleased that Abdu'l-Baha had such generous
thoughts. He jokingly (humorously) remarked that everyone
had better take good care of Abdu'l-Baha because someday
He would give Himself away.

Truly, Abdu'l-Baha had spent His entire life, giving His

time and His service to humanity.

Dear Children, let us always be as generous and giving (and

magnanimous) as Abdu'l-Baha.

134/202
LESSON 12 (p. 63)

Muhammad Baqar’s wife fell sick. Hakim Aqa Jan, a Jewish

doctor, treated her. But she did not get better, instead she got
worse the next day. Muhammad Baqir rushed and asked Hakim Aqa
Jan to go to his house to check on his wife again.

Alas, Hakim Aqa Jan realized his mistake. He had given her the
wrong medicine (instead of the quinine pills he had given her
strychnine, a powerful poison) and that was why she became worse
and could possibly die. He was frantic, if his mistake was found out,
he and his entire family could be killed. He confessed his grave
mistake to Muhammad Baqir. He was so surprised when Muhammad
Baqir answered,

“Everyone can make a mistake. You have not done so on

purpose. Even if my wife dies, no one will blame you.”

Hakim Aqa Jan was so touched. That night with Muhammad

Baqir’s help, he did all he could to save Muhammad Baqir’s wife.
When morning came, Muhammad Baqir’s wife became better. Hakim
Aqa Jan could not believe the courtesy and kindness that
Muhammad Baqir had shown and asked him why he had treated him
so well, despite the serious mistake he had made. Muhammad Baqir
answered,

“The reason is that my wife and I are Baha’is and we love

people of all religions.” Dear Children, this is how Hakim Aqa Jan
was attracted to the Bahai Faith and later became a Bahai.
Muhammad Baqir was truly a Bahai.
191/378
LESSON 13 (p. 66)

Haji Muhammad was a very good

hunter. He could shoot very well. One
day, he saw Baha’u’llah and a group of
Baha’is on an outing. Baha’u’llah told him
not to kill innocent birds. He did not
listen and he continued to shoot at any
bird he saw. Strangely, whether the
birds were far or new, he just was not
able to hit any bird. He was very
surprised because he was always able to.

Then he realized he had not obeyed

Baha’u’llah’s clear command. That day he
decided that he will obey the commands
of God at all times.
99/298
LESSON 14 (p. 68)
Three Little Fish
Once there lived three little fish who lived happily
and safely in a lake with their family and friends.
They ran races and played games.

One day, the three little fish swam to a part of

the lake, they have never been before. They were
happily swimming and jumping in and out of the water.
On one jump, one of the little fishes saw a very large
wall, something he had never seen before. Excitedly,
he told his two brothers what he saw. They laughed at
him but they too wanted to find out what it was. Both
of them took a big jump and indeed saw the wall.

Quickly, they swam back to their home and woke

their grandfather up. They told him that the wall
goes from shore to shore and also to the bottom of
the lake. Their grandfather told them the wall is a
dam, that keeps them safe from crocodiles and other
hungry fish and animals. It also protects them from
the strong currents and it makes the water stay in the
lake. It is their stronghold.
Three Little Fish continued…

The three little fish accepted their grandfather’s

explanation but soon they became very curious. They
wanted to know what it was like on the outside. So one
day, they decided to jump over the dam. They swam
at full speed and jumped as high as they could.
Suddenly they realized that the water was lower and
they fell hard into the water. Their bodies ached and
the swift current threw them against the rocks and
scraped their noses into the sand. Quickly they swam
to some smooth stones to rest. Their bodies truly
ached.

Suddenly a crocodile swam by. They ran to hide.

Another fish was passing by. They saw the crocodile
swallowed up the fish in one bite! By now, they were
really scared. They wanted to go home. Just then a
very huge fish swam close by. They were so
frightened that without thinking, they jumped. The
three of them jumped so high that they went over the
dam and landed on the lake. Fright had given them the
strength to jump so high.
They promised that they will never leave their
stronghold again and with great speed swam back to
their mother.
378/1033
LESSON 15 (p. 72)

Sina and His Son, Habib

Sina was an old man. For many years he travelled far

and near to tell people about the Baha’i Faith.

Today he was going teaching again. His son, Habib will

go with him. It was snowing and was very cold. For the first
night, they had to sleep in an old stable that was leaking.

The next day they travelled the whole day without

resting. They also had a sleepless night in an old hotel full
of bugs. Both of them know that such trips are very
difficult and uncomfortable. But they are happy to do it so
they can meet Baha’is and encourage them and help them to
understand the teachings better.

One day, Sina said they are already very near to the
town of a great Baha’i friend. They only have to pass by one
village to get there.

By the time, they had just passed this village, it rained

very heavily. The area became very badly floaded. They got
lost and worse, Sina fell sick and became paralyzed and could
not even speak. It was such a difficult time for Sina and
Habib.
Sina and His Son, Habib continued…

Habib decided to take his sick father back to the village

they had just passed through. Luckily, the people received
them warmly and helped them. An elderly woman took good
care of Sina. She was weeping constantly.

The next day, Sina became better and could now speak.
They conversed (talk) and the elderly woman said she had
dreamt of Sina and his son, three nights ago. She saw Sina
lying unconscious in her dream. She knew his visit must have
a special meaning.

She asked Sina where he was going. He told her he was

going to visit a Baha’i friend living in the next town. It was
so amazing that this friend of his was actually her grandson
and she too was a Baha’i. She said all the inhabitants of that
village were also Baha’is. What a happy ending!

Dear Children, can you see how Sina and his son, Habib were
assisted by God’s power and guidance. Have faith, Children.
God will guide and assist you.
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