One lovely day ‘Abdu’l-Baha was enjoying riding His pony
over the green fields and up the mountainside. He was on His way to visit some
shepherds in the hills. The shepherds lived in a village owned by His Father, Baha'u'llah.
All the houses, the fields and the sheep belonged to Baha'u'llah too. The
farmers grew the corn and looked after the animals and Baha'u'llah gave them
money and food and medicine when they were ill. They all loved Him very much.
‘Abdu’l-Baha was only seven years old and so a servant was
looking after Him on His long ride to the hills. They soon saw the shepherds
with the sheep and the servant told ‘Abdu’l-Baha that when the owner, or his
son, came to visit the shepherds he should thank them for looking after the
sheep by giving them a present.
‘Abdu’l-Baha thought hard. He had no money or food to give
them. Then He had a lovely idea and smiled at the shepherds. "I'll give to
each shepherd all the sheep in his flock," he said.
The shepherds were very surprised at such a generous gift.
Later, when Baha'u'llah heard what His Son had done He was very pleased and
said that one day ‘Abdu’l-Baha would give Himself away as well.
(Adapted from ‘Stories
of ‘Abdu’l-Baha’, by Jacqueline Mehrabi)
