“Roya and Lanie," Mama called, "The treasure hunt is ready. I'm really excited about starting our Baha'i lesson for today."
"Treasure hunt? Are we looking for diamonds and rubies and pearls?" Lanie squeaked as her eyes widened with surprise.
"No, Honey. We're going to do some investigating," answered Mama.
"Hey, Sherlock Holmes investigated all the time!" Roya said as she went to find her detective hat in the costume box.
Lanie ran to the box and put on her plastic hard hat. "This will be my investigating hat!"
"You two certainly look ready to get started," said Mama. "Here's how the treasure hunt goes. In each room we enter, you'll find a letter card hidden. After we've found all five letters in five different rooms, we'll see what they spell."
"Will they spell g-o-l-d?" Lanie asked.
Mama laughed and gave her a hug. "You do love jewelry, don't you? You'll be looking for a treasure that is more precious than the biggest diamond in the world!"
After some more investigating' Lanie opened the cover of a prayer book and called out, "I found it! It's the letter R!"
"My turn now!" called Roya as she raced into the den. "This one's easy! I see the letter T resting on top of the globe."
The girls searched everywhere for more letters, and Mama helped them investigate by giving clues when Roya and Lanie weren't sure where to look. At the end of their search, the girls looked at the cards.
"Hmm," mumbled Roya to herself, "R-U-T-H-T. . . That doesn't spell anything, Mama."
"Try moving the letters around until they make sense," hinted Mama.
"I see it!" cried Lanie. "It spells truth!"
"That's very good, Lanie," complimented Mama. "Baha'u'llah teaches us that all people must search for spiritual truth by themselves. We call it 'independent investigation of truth.' And when we teach others about the Baha'i Faith, we are helping them to search for the truth by sharing our beliefs. This search is the most important treasure hunt of a person's life."
"Mama, " said Roya, who knew that Mama always kept a trick up her sleeve, "I suppose there's a special reason that we found the letters in a prayer book, by our picture of 'Abdu'l-Baha, on the globe, under the telephone, and in an empty jar."
"Of course," said Mama, with a sly smile. "People can search for the truth about God by praying, reading the Holy Writings of the different religions, learning about people around the world and talking to other people ... "
"But, what about the empty jar, Mama?" interrupted Roya, "What's that for?"
"Well, sometimes when we investigate the truth, we need to spend time alone, away from things that distract us. We need to meditate. The empty jar reminded me of being alone and tranquil," explained Mama.
"Okay, Sherlock," Lanie playfully teased Roya, "Any other questions?"
"Nope, Watson, this case is solved," laughed Roya as she put her detective cap back in the costume box. "Mama, next time we play this game, may we invite John and Nancy to search for truth with us?"
Mama put her hand gently on Roya's cheek and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead. "Roya," said Mama, with a twinkle in her eye, "I like the way you think." (Brilliant Star, January-February 1999)
(by Nura Amerson, Illustrations by C. Aron Kreader; Brilliant Star magazine, January-February 1999)
