One day, behind the hot stone walls of the prison city of 'Akká, Bahá'u'lláh said,
"I have not gazed on verdure for nine years." It had been nine years since He had rested His eyes on green and growing
things. 'Abdu'l-Baha knew how much His Father longed for the countryside. He
was determined to gain for Him His heart's desire.
First, it seemed
impossible to get permission for a prisoner to leave the city. However, Bahá'u'lláh
had lived among the inhabitants of 'Akká for nine years. He had already won them
over with His love and good will. Even the governor, longed to see Bahá'u'lláh happy
and comfortable. Eventually, he said that Baha'u'liah was free to pass beyond the
prison walls whenever He wished. He could find a home in the countryside nearby.
The best wishes of the people of' Aká were in hand. 'Abdu'l-Bahá
set to work immediately to find a suitable place. First. He was able to arrange
for the Blessed Beauty to live at Mazra'ih, a lovely home surrounded by vegetable
gardens and orange groves. But by 1879, two years later, that beautiful house was
no longer big enough. Bahá'u'lláh’s family was large, and there were many
pilgrims. 'Abdu'l-Bahá set out to find a bigger home. He discovered Bahjí, the beautiful
palace that Bahá'u'lláh called the Lofty Mansion. At Bahjí, Bahá'u'lláh met
with the believers and revealed His Writings. ‘Abdu'l-Bahá continued to live in
'Akktá. There He met with the many city officials and countless other people. He
made sure that no one interfered with His Father's Revelation. No one was allowed
to disrupt His peace and comfort. 'Abdu'l-Bahá was ever His Father's Shield.
Bahá'u'lláh often said,"It is the Master who is able to endure all of these
demands and still see to the comfort of the believers."
