Brilliant Star/Volume 17/Issue 1/Text

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(TO EVERYTHING THERE

ISA SEASON & A TIME

TO EVERY PURPOSE#AIN: atime tobeborn,and atime to die; a time to plant,anda time to pluck Mp

that which is planted; a time to kill

/

down, at eto build up; atime to weep,and a time tolaugh;atime to mourn,and atimeto dance; a timeto cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; atime to embrace, er atime to refmin from embracing; aL

time to get,and atime tolose;atime —

to keep,and a time to cast away;a time to rend, and atime to sew; atime tokeep silence,and atime to speak; atime to love, and atime to hate; atime of war, xcoesstes and atime of ?

[Page 0]

volume 17 number 1

rilliant Star

march-april 1985

Baha Splendor e Jalal Glory « Jamal Beauty 142

Dear Children,

Spring is on its way! The days are getting longer and warmer, and perhaps where you live, little shoots are poking their heads out of the ground, seeking the sun, glad for a new year.

In these days, you might be stretching and poking your head out from under the covers a bit earlier, watching for the sunrise These are the days of the Fast! Can you hear Mother cooking in the kitchen, the house still dark? Do you awaken to wonderful breakfast smells, and creep out of bed to join your family for special prayers for the Fast? Doesn't the world feel like it holds its breath just before dawn?

All around the world, thousands of other Bahai children are also getting up early with their families to eat before the sun rises. It is a time that draws us all closer to our Baha’ brothers and sisters everywhere when we think about them doing the same things as we are doing, and saying the same prayers as we are saying at this blessed time of the year. Mothers and dads, and older brothers and sisters will not eat or drink again until the sun goes down. This time of fasting and praying is a way we get ourselves clean of heart and ready for the new year— Naw-Riz!

This issue is on prayer and fasting, and we hope

that you will write us and tell us how you polish the bright mirror of your soul!

Love, gu cat __

About the cover

The calligraphic work that graces our cover is from the hands of Michael Hughey, a Bahai from Asheville,

North Carolina. Mr. Hughey’s appreciation of other religions is reflected in this work of a famous Biblical quote. Mr. Hughey, as a craftsman and artist in letterforms, has had a love affair with the alphabet since childhood. Working in a variety of materials, Mr Hughey carves, etches,

writes and gilds beautiful letters suitable to their task and requirements. He feels that in the age of the computer print-out, “there is, indeed, an important place in our society for the warmth, beauty and grace that calligraphy can bring to our lives.”

Brilliant Star is a publication of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahais of the United States. It is published six times each year, in January, March, May, July, September and November. Copyright © 1985 National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahaiis of the United States. World rights reserved.

Address manuscripts and other editorial contributions to Brilliant Star/Radpour, Suburban Office Park, 5010 Austin Rd., Hixson, Tn. 37343. Manuscripts should be typewritten and double-spaced throughout. Brilliant Star does not offer monetary compensation to its contributors. Return postage should be included if manuscript is to be returned. Single copy $2.50; 6 issues (ons year) $12.00; 12 issues (two years) $23.00; foreign, surface mail, one year $15.00, two years $28.00; foreign, air mail, one year $25.00, two years $47.50. An index for the preceding year’s issues is available for $2.00. For subscriptions, change of address and adjustments write to Brilliant Star Subscriber Service, Suburban Office Park, 5010 Austin Rd., Hixson, Tn. 37343. All other correspondence should be addressed to Brilliant Star/Richards, 4 Village Dr, Yardville, N.J. 08620. Printed in the U.S.A.

Brilliant Star is intended for children of all ages and

strives to:

e develop the child's awareness of the oneness of humanity

e increase the child’s conscious awareness of his spiritual nature and the need for its development

¢ develop the child’s reasoning power and stimulate his love for the order of the universe

provide a standard by which the child may learn to relate to others with love and justice

assist parents and teachers in developing all of the child's hidden talents and virtues

Brilliant Star Editorial Board

Mary K. Radpour Managing Director

Mary K. Radpour Editor-in-Chief

Deborah Bley Assistant Editor

Mimi McClellan Music Editor

Rita Leydon Art Director

Rita Leydon Production

Janet Richards Secretary

Keith Boehme Consultant

[Page 1]

whats inside

Letters from Our Friends

2

Conversation Between

Two Angels 4 a story by George Wilson

Spirit and Matter a science article by Kit Osborn

Aren't You Glad You Get Hungry? by Kay Haugaard

10

We Are Baha'is!

a picture story by Cathy Drinkwater

IZ

Invitation to the World

16

~s

The Unicorn 17 a poem by Amber Smith

Eva's New Glasses 18 a story by Ellen Walker

Layli Discovers the

Three P’s 24 a story by Dawn E. Garrott

Pilgrimage a game by John W. Behrens

See Sound?

an experiment to try by Rita Leydon

29

Alike and Different 30 beastly fun by Rita Leydon

Book Nook

Prayer and Fasting 22 a song by Mimi McClellan

33

Parents’ Page [Page 2]

Letters from our friends

| = |

Mandy Morgan is 6 years old, and lives in Lufkin, Texas. She sent a picture and a story from Baha’ history.

This is a picture of Louise Mathias and Hand of the Cause Dorothy Baker. They are on a train in Spain. They noticed a woman had stolen Louise’s purse. Louise decided the woman could keep it. Her mother, Dorothy, wanted the poor woman to keep the purse as a gift, not as a thief. Louise sang out the window to the woman who had already left the train, “T hope you enjoy the purse as much as I have.” Dorothy Baker gave her a handkerchief and taught her to say Baha’u’llah.

Dodie Freeman is Dorothy Baker’s granddaughter. Dodie has just finished writing a book about her grandmother called From Copper to Gold. Dodie and Bobby Freeman taught my mother the Baha'i Faith.

Love, Mandy

[Page 3]

We received news from a children’s class in Chad, Africa! Here is a photograph of the class. Two of the students, Quddus and Maxim, wrote to us in French, which is the language of their country. Quddus’s mom sent along a translation in English:

Maxim Yenchemagé, who is 7, writes: “J’]aime de manger les pois de terre et le paypaya et les banans et les manges et la viande et les poissons et les sourris,’ which means “I like to eat peanuts, papaya, bananas, mangos, meat, fish and bush-rats”!

Quddus Nasseri sent us this picture of a village house and papaya tree. At the bottom, what he has written says, “Quddus went to Boro with Father. Quddus went to the Center with Father. We sang. I played with the children in the village.”

Ann-Maxwell Searcy, who in the story. attends the North Fulton Little time passed before

C G ia) Bahai the world was aware of the ibn eorene) Bane Baha'i Faith. There was not

one person who had not heard of the great news.

School, wrote this story: The Fulfillment of a Goal

It is the early spring. The whole world is awakening from the deep sleep of winter.

As Alex wakes Sharon, they begin their day, preparing for the town assembly they have arranged.

Arriving at the speaking grounds, Alex and Sharon work together to get everything set for their speech about the Baha’i Faith. They open with a good natured smile and a warm welcome.

Soon the whole town was

avenge it dashes ana) ana These drawings are from the Billington children of that people came from miles Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Galadriel, who is 6, has around to learn of their drawn a picture of herself comforting a friend who has a

happiness. All sources of broken leg. Gabriel, 8 years old, has sent us his design for

media became interested a House of Worship.

[Page 4] [Page 5]

~ Conversation ~ Between

& NASON -_

Two Angels

ee .* by George Wilson

ingle was sitting in deep thought when her friend Breeze floated by.

“Hi, Tingle! Why are you so gloomy? Everyone else is excited about the Master’s new creations.”

“I’m excited too, Breeze. But one of those new creations has made me . kind of unhappy.’ <2 . . “That sounds serious,’ said Breeze. ate ee “What happened?”

“Well, I missed the beginning epochs of this cycle? answered Tingle.

“That’s too bad. I hear the light and sound effects were terrific.”

“I bet they were;’ said Tingle, with a sigh. “Anyway, when I got there, the Master was at work on some really serious projects. Everyone was very quiet.”

“What was the Master making?” Breeze asked.

“The first project was very strange,” Tingle began. “It looked sort of like a cherub, but without wings or hair, and all wrinkly.”

“My goodness!” said Breeze. “What does it do?” please turn the page D

[Page 6]

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“At first, it doesn’t do much of anything,’ replied Tingle. “It can’t talk or walk, or even take care of itself. It does make a strange noise however.”

“What kind of noise?” Breeze asked, really curious now about this new creature.

“Remember the sound High Pitch made when C Note accidentally stepped on his wing?” _

“Do I ever!” said Breeze. “It took the

$ choir a whole eon to get back on key!”

“Well, this creature makes the same kind of sound,’ said Tingle. “Oh my! What is this creature

called?”

“It’s called a ‘baby’.”

“Well? said Breeze, “I can understand why you are upset. But you will just have to have faith in the Master. I’m sure this baby will develop into something useful.”

“Tm not upset about the baby,’

replied Tingle. “The Master explained

that if this baby is properly nurtured, it will grow into a marvelous being, and perform such wondrous deeds that will make us all very proud.”

“How does this nurturing process take place?” asked Breeze. “Is it planted, or what?” [Page 7]the infant matures it will be a being of—let me see if I can remember the

~~ words the Master used—a being of

“stainless character”. That’s what the

“. Master said, and it will perform such -= praiseworthy deeds that even we

< would sing of them.”

By now, Breeze was completely

speechless and could only sit

- ~ and listen.

Tingle went on to say, “And finally, when the child reaches maturity, this marvelous being allows it to leave

~. and become independent of her’

“No, nothing like that!” said Tingle. “The Master explained that it needs a very special kind of guardian.”

“Oh, oh!” said Breeze. “I hope it’s not us angels! We have enough to do just keeping the firmament neat and orderly.’

Tingle nodded her head in agreement. “That’s what I was thinking, when the Master began a new project—a most amazing creation.”

“Tell me about it!” Breeze said, with excitement.

“The Master began by mixing full portions of Love, Joy, Sacrifice, Steadfastness, and Wisdom.”

“Wow!” said a thoroughly awed Breeze.

“Then the Master added a final touch: an extra large dose of Hope,’ Tingle continued. “The Master then described the functions of this creature. She will be the first teacher, guide, and counselor of the creation called ‘baby’. Not only will she love and nurture the infant, and protect it—if necessary, at the cost of her life—but she will teach the infant the Laws of the Universe and the Right Path of Living, so that when

Breeze could no longer contain himself. “Do you mean she gives it up after all that work?”

“Yes,” replied Tingle. “She gives it up willingly, even though it causes her much pain and sorrow in her heart. The Master says that the tears she sheds at this parting are of more value than all the riches in the celestial world. She would do this willingly and with only one regret. She will always feel that no matter how well her child turns out, that there could have been something she could have done better or something more she could have given.” |

Breeze was deeply moved by now. “What does the Master call this creation?”

Tingle replied, “It is called a ‘mother’.”

“How beautiful,’ thought Breeze. “Tingle!” he said. “This is a time for a celebration! Why are you so solemn?”

“Breeze, I’ve been thinking about it all. Deep down inside I wish I had one”

“What? You wish you had a baby?”

“No, answered Tingle. “I wish I had a mother”

Breeze sat down next to Tingle and was silent for a while. Finally he looked at her and said, “Me, too.” H [Page 8]ave you ever thought about what the world is made of? If so,

you are not the first person to have thought about it. Through the years, people have come up with many answers to that question, and every answer leads us to new questions. For instance, the wise men of ancient Greece said that the world was made of four distinct things: earth, air, fire and water. That seemed like a good answer, but then someone noticed that water didn’t always seem to be water. When water boils, it becomes steam and disappears into the air. And even the earth could become fire, as when coal taken from the earth is set aflame and becomes hot air, fire and a pile of powdery ashes.

So another thinking man suggested

SPIRIT G MATTER

by Kit Osborn

that everything in the world is made out of a kind of stuff or matter If we break everything down into tiny pieces, he suggested, sooner or later we will come to matter, which is the tiny pieces of stuff which make up every stone, every tree, and even every human being. The tiniest of these pieces he called atoms. For centuries, this explanation was the most widely believed. But there were some puzzles left. If everything was made of atoms, then what was fire? And what about lightning? Or light? It was clear that the world was made of something more than matter.

In only the last two centuries have we begun to know that the world is a mixture of matter and spirit, or ina more scientific word, energy. When matter moves, it is because it has become combined with spirit. Tiny particles of matter are like little magnets, and it is their attraction to one another which causes the world to hold together. If this spirit of attraction, which is a very simple kind of love, were not there, there would be nothing in the universe.

So if matter did not move, there would be nothing. It is because there

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[Page 9]6 f EN

is motion, which is a kind of spirit, that things exist. And not only do things exist, but they are very complicated. It is difficult to understand all the forces which hold a simple atom together. How much more difficult it must be to understand human beings, who are the most complicated beings in the entire universe!

And yet there are only a few ideas we need to understand in order to know how human beings are like the rest of the universe. First of all, human beings are a combination of matter and spirit, like all the rest of creation. Second, these combinations form patterns. Third, certain patterns attract a new kind of spirit, which causes them to grow. Fourth, growth leads to new patterns.

Let us see how that applies to us. We know that we are both matter and spirit for Baha’u’llah calls us “O moving form of dust!” And there are certain patterns which He wishes for us. The most important of these are 1) knowing God’s Teachers at the time They come; and 2) obeying Their teachings. Both of these patterns are ways in which we show our love for

God, and ways in which God can show His love for us. After all, if we do not love God, there is no way for His love to come back to us. Our loving God is a pattern which attracts His love, or spirit, and leads to our growth.

A very important pattern is prayer. Prayer is not just saying words to God. Prayer is a kind of loving, not a kind of magic. When we think about God and how much He loves us and how we want to be like Him, this prayer attracts God’s love like a magnet. And something else happens, something truly amazing. When we feel God’s love, we are changed and begin to grow, as though inside of us there is a cup which is becoming deeper so that it can hold more love.

Now you know a little more about what the world is made of. It is not a new idea that people should love God and pray to Him; this is an ancient teaching. But how human beings are like the rest of the universe and how the universe is full of spirit—these are new ideas which the world is only just beginning to understand. Perhaps you will be one of the great teachers who help people to understand this new idea.

Illustrated by Rita Leydon.

[Page 10]

—~—* —_— er —

arent you glad you get hungry?

rent you glad you get hungry?

Then it’s such fun to eat; Mustardy hot dogs that bite your tongue; Steaming soup that makes you sniff; Sweet peaches dripping sticky juice Running clear down to your elbow; Jello, wiggly alive in your mouth. Being hungry makes it fun to eat.

Ss

Aren't you glad you get cold?

, Then a wooly cap feels cuddly warm To pull over your stinging cold ears. With your hands in your sleeves Stamp through the snow

Into your bright, warm house | Then back up to the heater :

\ To toast your bottom and hands.

Hot cocoa tastes especially good When you are cold. [Page 11]

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é

Aren't you glad you get hot Then you can take off your coat and your shoes To lie in the shade by a tree. You can open the window to let the breeze Blow your hair from your sticky neck Or spray a hose straight in the air Letting it rain on your head

Then melt an ice cube in your mouth £\ Till it shivers down your throat ING Making your eyes jump wide. It’s fun when you are hot.

eS

Aren't you glad you get thirsty? Then cold milk tastes so good Or water from the drinking fountain Running down your chin onto your chest. You can bite a hole in a big, round orange And suck out its sweet juice.

Root beer is good in a cold wet can When you are thirsty.

Aren't you glad you get tired?

Then it’s fun to sleep in the car

Leaning your head on your mother’s arm And feeling the motor hum

As you think of the fun you had

While Mom and Dad drive home.

Daddy slips you into your soft, quiet bed Your eyes closed in the dark

Dreaming of what fun tomorrow will be When you see your very best friend

You haven't seen for so long.

All the things you like so much Are even better when You go without them for a while. @

[Page 12]12

we are Baha’is!

by Cathy Drinkwater

We are Baha'is!

no

LE

We go to Feast.

[Page 13]

We celebrate Holy Days.

We read the writings of Baha’u’llah and ’Abdu’l-Baha.

please turn the page

13 [Page 14]14

We love others.

We sing Baha'i songs.

[Page 15]

We say prayers.

We are proud to be Baha’is!

15 [Page 16]16

Invitation to the World

by Joan Taylor

earth one city, people one body.

It is time to celebrate, clean house, gather flowers, \ tune up the violins—

for the world is being made one and mankind is listening Se

for the sounds of the future

Tonight I'll bake a cake with plenty of room for candles, A tomorrow I'll invite the world! ;

. A> ” ENS 4 Fy KS

Units,

by Amber Smith, age

he high flying birds

is its starry road.

The crescent moon is his glowing bed

And his head rests upon a cloud.

ee

SIN “§ p fad OU i tS) SURE OS Conia’ © ten nana sti De EE ae

Evanston, Illinois

are the Unicorn’s playmates. 3

2 The Milky Way

12

17 [Page 18]18

by Ellen Walker

mpf! thought Eva. Glasses!

She could see well enough.

It wasn't as if she bumped into walls, or couldn't see the blackboard.

She could see well enough.

But people were never happy with enough.

They always wanted more

Like in school. As soon as you learned one thing, they moved you up to something harder. Like all the states, or twelve times tables. More Ugh!

Glasses.

Ho-hum! As if there wasnt enough to see already.

But if the doctor had purple ones, like Betty Turnover’s, she might get interested...

Illustrated by Suzette Ruys.

Eva felt very important. No one had ever treated her quite like this before.

Dr. Graham asked her questions, and a nurse wrote down her answers.

Mother was not even in the room!

Dr. Graham fiddled with the dials on the big machine that hung in the air in front of Eva’s face, and told her to look through the lenses again. [Page 19]“I see it now!” said Eva. “It’s an ‘E.”

“Right,” said Dr. Graham. He clicked a switch. “What now?”

“An ‘R!” Eva cried happily.

“Very good!”

Dr. Graham pulled the machine away and fussed over a box of instruments. After a while he pulled out a strange object and handed it to Eva. It looked like something Uncle Joe had brought back from the army. It was almost like a pair of glasses, but bigger and heavier and uglier. Dr. Graham helped Eva fit them over her ears.

“Now look over there and read me the chart, Eva?

The nurse clicked off the lights until the room was dark, and just the chart was lit.

Proudly Eva called out the big letters on the top rows.

“Good!” said Dr. Graham. “Now read the little ones”

Amazed at her new powers, Eva read each line all the way to the tiny letters at the bottom of the chart. She had never been able to see them before! Now they were sharp and clear.

“Excellent!” said Dr.

Graham. He removed the big, heavy glasses from her nose. The nurse switched the lights back on. “Now you go pick out a pair of pretty ones,’

he said.

Eva wiggled off the chair. “Are there purple ones?” she asked hopefully. “I want a pair of purple ones.”

“Of course; said Dr. Graham. “As purple as you want.”

To her delight Eva found a pair even purpler than Betty Turnover’s.

It took a whole week before they were ready.

“Be sure to wear them

please turn the page

19 [Page 20]

all the time; said Dr. Graham.

He didn’t have to tell va that.

She never wanted to take them off.

By the time she got home Eva was very, very tired. She had never seen so many things before in her whole life. Telephone poles and wires, airplanes in the sky, cows in the fields, houses along the road, leaves in the trees! They had always been shadows and blurs. Now they were sharp and clear! There was so much to see!

“My, my!” said Eva's father. “Your new glasses are very pretty!”

Eva smiled. “Thank you,’ she said.

“She picked them out herself? said Mother. Eva squeezed her hand proudly, and did not see

6 EO

er mother roll her eyes.

That evening Eva and her parents sat on the porch where it was cool. After a while Eva dropped out of the conversation and became very quiet. She took off her purple glasses and put them on again. She took them off and put them on again several times.

“Are you okay, honey?” said her mother.

“Yas”

“Do your eyes hurt?”

“N a

“Maybe the glasses are too tight,” said Father. “Or too purple.”

“Na” Eva shook her head and stared out over the hills. A big tear fell from her eye. “It’s gone!” she sobbed.

Eva's mother reached for her hand.

“What's gone, honey?”

Eva's father stood up [Page 21]and looked out over the hills.

“What's gone? Where?”

Eva bit her lip. “The House of Worship!” she cried.

Her parents looked out at the hills, then at Eva. “What House of Wor ship?” they exclaimed. There wasn't a House of Worship for a thousand miles.

“Not the real one; Eva said impatiently. “The barn. Over there. On that hill”

She put on her glasses and pointed to the big white barn far away.

“That old thing!’ said her father.

“Before I had my glasses, it looked like a House of Worship,’ Eva explained. “I used to pretend sometimes it was. But now it’s just an old barn!” She buried her head in her mother’s arms.

Her parents looked hard at the distant barn, squinting and squeezing their eyes.

“It does look a little like a House of Worship,’ said Mother.

“It would be a lovely spot for one? her father agreed. He stroked her hair gently. “Eva, that’s a beautiful thought!”

“Yes!” her mother exclaimed. “Our own House of Worship, right

there on the hill!” She smiled and hugged Eva tight.

“Someday, said her father, “maybe that’s where they'll put it.”

“A House of Worship?” said Eva. “A real one?”

“Sure,” said mother. “Someday when the town is full of Bahd‘is, there will be a Baha’ House of Worship here”

“In Hinkletown?” said Eva.

“Of course!” said her father. “Even in Hinkle 1?

town Eva smiled and closed her eyes tight, trying hard to fix it in her mind. After all, when

she grew up and the

297

town was full of Bah@a’is, someone would have to suggest it to the Local Spiritual Assembly.

By then Eva might have a pair of bifocals They would be purple, of course. Just like Mrs. Ringer, the teacher's.

After that night, sometimes, when things went bad at work, or it had been a hard day, Eva’s mother and father would look out over the hill at the old white barn and squint and squeeze their eyes until, for a tiny moment, they could almost see the House of Worship that Eva had put there for them.

21 [Page 22]22

Prayer (® Fasting

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words and music by Mimi McClellan

What are two things we can _ do? Morn and even- ing’ we should pray. When were fif- teen, we shall fast. What are two things we can do?

Prayer and fasting, prayer and fasting. Morn and evening, morn and evening. Sun- rise to sunset, sun- rise to sunset. Prayer and fasting, prayer and fasting.

Why are they good for us to do? Work and wor- ship every day. Nine- teen days our fast will last. Why are they good for us _ to do?

Life ever- lasting, life ever- lasting. Morn and evening, morn and_ evening. Sun- rise to sunset, sun- rise to sunset. Life ever- lasting, life ever- lasting.

Illustrated by Stefani Galaday. [Page 23] [Page 24]

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B we , PER ee Layli discovers ; .. 3, the three Ps |) | (44)

by Dawn E. Garrott he 5 « 4 \

e¢ Or. groaned Layli. “How far do we have left to dig?”

Her mother stopped shoveling and studied the snow-covered driveway. “It’s about 110 feet to the state road from here; she answered.

“How can we get it done in time for fireside Friday, Mom? School buses will be running by tomorrow, so I won't be able to help as much.” Layli a felt discouraged. In the three hours Te ae ee since the no-school announcement, ed they had moved a small mountain of snow, but they were only a car length from the garage.

“Let’s walk to the road before we stop for lunch; suggested Mom. They stuck their shovels into a snowbank and, holding hands, slogged along the driveway.

“Hey!” shouted Layli. “It isn’t as deep here...or here!”

“Good,” said Mom, relieved. “We'll only have to clear three stretches where the wind piled drifts. And the biggest drift is the one by the garage’

As they returned, Layli was quiet while Mom counted. “That will be about 40 feet to shovel?’ Mom ate announced as they went into the oe house. “Frankly, Layli, I don’t know if we can do it by Friday, but we'll never know if we don’t try. I think we should act as if the fireside will go

24 as usual . please turn the page

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Illustrated by Keith Kresge. | a | [Page 26]26

They prepared lunch together. Since Layli was nine and careful around the stove, she made grilled cheese sandwiches while Mom fixed carrot and celery sticks, opened a can of fruit, and set the table.

“I wish Daddy were here;’ said Layli as they sat down to eat.

“I miss him, too,’ replied Mom. “There's no flight scheduled after he finishes his business Friday, so he'll come home Saturday. It’s good for us to manage by ourselves occasionally, and it’s Wednesday already.”

They ate quietly. Layli noticed a blister on her right hand. “I wonder if were wasting our time,’ she said.

“That’s because you haven't learned the three P’s yet,” said Mom with a mysterious smile.

“What do you mean?”

“Whenever you teach the Cause, three things are necessary and each begins with the letter P. The three

P’s are especially important for isolated believers like us,’ Mom said. Layli thought awhile, then said,

“OK, what are the three P’s?”

“You'll remember better if you discover them yourself; said Mom. Even though Layli teased her to tell, she wouldn't say another word.

Until dark, which came early at that time of year, they repeatedly shoveled and rested. Their progress pleased them, but both had sore hands and muscles when they stopped. Before prayers and bed, Layli soaked her aching body in a hot bath. Suddenly, she shouted: “Prayer! Prayer has to be one of the three P’s!”

“Right!” Mom shouted back, laughing. “One down, two to go.”

In the morning, Layli got onto the school bus under a gray sky. The wind began to blow, even as Mom leaned on her shovel and waved good-bye. When Layli returned, her [Page 27]mother was in the drive, but she hadn’t accomplished much.

As they went into the house, Mom explained what had happened. “It hardly snowed, but the wind was strong enough to grab the snow off my shovel and blow it everywhere. So I cleaned the house and made fruit bars for tomorrow night.”

“There's no wind now,’ said Layli. “Tll change and shovel. Guess what! I discovered another P in school”

“Oh?” said Mom. “Have a snack and tell me about it.”

“It was in science,’ said Layli, crunching an apple. “We planted different kinds of vegetable seeds days ago. The thing is, you have to take care of them even when they take forever to germinate. Mrs. Yoder says to keep doing something when you cant see results is perse... perse...”

“Perseverance?” asked Mom.

“Yeah, that’s it. Perseverance is the second P, isn’t it?”

“Yes,” said Mom, hugging Layli.

“I wasn’t sure you'd discover that hard one!”

They persevered with the shoveling until dark. That night, Layli dreamed six radishes and three string beans came to their fireside. She woke up happy because even a fireside for vegetables was fun.

They did manage to finish clearing the driveway Friday, but just barely. After wolfing down sandwiches, they carried extra chairs to the living room, turned on the outside lights, and set out refreshments.

While Mom was taking a superquick shower, the telephone rang. The fireside speaker couldn't come after all and hadn't found a substi tute. Would Layli please tell her mother how sorry he was?

Mom wasn’t upset. When Layli finished showering and dressing, she found her mother in the living room with a stack of Baha’i books, planning a talk.

Layli pressed her nose to the picture window and watched for car headlights. She fidgeted while she waited. And waited. And waited. “It’s hard to believe in spring and summer with all this snow,’ she said.

“True,” responded Mom, finally finishing with the books. “But they always show up, don’t they?”

“Yeah, seasons do. But people who promise to come to firesides don’t! Does that mean Bahéa’u'llah’s not happy with us?”

“Actually,” said Mom, “I believe Baha’w1lah is very pleased with us. We try to live His teachings. We tell people about the Faith and we've worked hard to give them an opportunity to learn more. It’s time for the third P. Think about your science project some more.”

Layli thought so hard about seeds that she forgot her disappointment. “Well, she said, “you stick seeds into soil and you have to wait. Different seeds take different times to come up. You have to have patience. Patience! The third P! I guessed it!”

“Right again,’ Mom said. “How would we learn if God made everything easy for us?”

“I guess we wouldn't,” said Layli with a sigh. “But do you think we'll ever have a Baha'i community here?”

“With prayer, perseverance and patience, it will come as surely as spring follows winter,’ said Mom, smiling. Hf

27 [Page 28]

HOLY-—LAND

by John W. Behrens

Lee Baha'i history can be most interesting! This board game will challenge you to learn, will challenge you to find out, may even challenge you to do further reading!

Any number of people may play together. Each player must have a game piece to advance on the board, such as a coin. Cut out the nine numbered place pieces and put them face down in a pile. Take turns selecting one of these and telling what happened there. Advance your coin if you are correct. If you don't know, don’t move your coin, but listen carefully when others share their answers. Put the numbered pieces back in the pile after your turn.

Don't be in a hurry with just a few simple answers. After all, the true GOAL of this game is to awaken your innate spark of Spiritual Consciousness!

Enjoy yourselves as you learn, comprehend and understand why Baha’u’llah journeyed to these places. m

‘s | ow |

oc

G ! i

mn Op

2

1, Shira x Tabriz Tihran

[Page 29]

an we see sound? Well, not usually.

A sound happens when something vibrates (like vocal chords, guitar strings, motors), this in turn vibrates the air around it and if youre close enough the air will vibrate your ear drums and you hear sound!

Here is a simple experiment to help you understand.

You will need a mixing bowl or a big empty coffee can, a big rubber band, a plastic bag or plastic wrap,

by Rita Leydon de

/

small bits of paper, a wooden spoon, a roasting pan and sugar. Stretch the plastic tightly over the bowl or can and secure with the rubber band (like a drum). Put bits of paper on the plastic and tap with the spoon. Are the bits of paper jumping? Next, put some sugar (very little) on the plastic and holding the roasting pan close to your drum, hit it hard with the spoon and make a loud noise! Look SS XS

at the sugar...whatisit AKdQg xX> doing? Why? @ EZ ; és [Page 30]

Alike & DiffeRenT

by Rita Leydon

Res your eyes on these earthly creatures! See if you can discover which ones are the same, which ones are similar and which ones aren't like any others. @

ACU EO Rt

Lp ene Oe. IPA BAH DA [Page 31] [Page 32]

Book Nook

DAWN

Words and Pictures by URI SHULEVITZ

Farrar, Straus and Giroux New York

32

Illustrated by Winifred Barnum Newman

I? these days of the Fast, we realize all over again what a special time dawn is! Here is a beautiful picture book that brings the dawn to you in its lovely watercolor pages and simple story. From the still time just before the sky begins to turn from black to gray, to the first glimpse of the sun, you can be with a boy and his grandfather, sleeping out, snuggled down in sleeping bags covered with dew, and greeting the new day.

The story was inspired by a poem written in China, over 1,000 years ago! Mr. Shulevitz’s story and paintings help us find the miracle again of the everyday happening of the sun rising.

[Page 33]

Parents’ page

A Joyful Noise: Music and our Children ........... by Mimi McClellan and Deborah Bley

ee ake a joyful noise unto the | \V | Lord, all ye lands...”1

The tradition of music as an expression of our praise and love of God reaches far back in history, and touches the roots of our religious heritage. In this dispensation, music is no less important. Its potential to speak to the hearts of men with an eloquence that disregards language and national barriers make it a vital instrument in assisting us in uniting mankind.

We are enjoined to “intone...the verses of God”? and to teach our children to “in the sweetest of voices, chant and recite”3 Prayer and music are closely knit within our Faith.

‘Abdu ’l-Bahéa tells us, “... Baha’u’llah, in this glorious period, has revealed in holy tablets that singing and music are the spiritual food of the hearts and souls.”4 In a world in which the range of music available to all of us is as diverse as the world’s peoples, we have a wealth of choices from which we can select music to introduce to our children. In our western society, music ranges literally from the sacred and uplifting, to the profane. We owe it to ourselves and to our children to balance the inevitable exposure they will have to music which perhaps does not call upon their spiritual natures, with the variety of music which is indeed “a ladder by which souls may ascend to the realm on high.”’5

This is not to take a puritanical or narrow stance. It would seem to be in keeping with the teachings of our Faith to assure that our children, at home and in school, are exposed to a wide range of musical material over their growing years. In this way, it may prevent them from becoming victims of over-stimulation (thereby making them insensitive to more subtle, gentle kinds of music) by the pervasive, addictive, sensational sounds and rhythms of rock super stars, or stupified and bored to death by the inane, mindless music piped at them in every super market, bus station and dentist’s office.

What we would aspire to for our children, and for our Baha’i communities, is twofold: that each child will become musically literate, and that he or she will have an appreciation for a wide range of music. Abdu’l-Baha is explicit on this point: “...The art of music is divine and effective. It is the food of the soul and spirit. Through the power and charm of music, the spirit of man is uplifted. It has wonderful sway and effect in the hearts of children, for their hearts are pure and melodies have great influence in them. The latent talents with which the hearts of these children are endowed will find expression through the medium of music. Therefore you must exert yourselves to make them proficient; teach them to sing with excellence and effect. It is incumbent upon each child to know something of music, for without knowledge of their art, the melodies of instrument and voice cannot be rightly enjoyed. Likewise, it is necessary that the schools teach it in order that the souls and hearts of the pupils may become vivified and exhilarated and their lives be brightened with enjoyment.”6

Local assemblies, parents, teachers, and musicians must become more aware of their responsibilities in this matter of musical training and begin now to help our children benefit from the profound effects beautiful music will have on their souls and in the development of their characters, as well as the recognition of music as a form of worship. This is an attracting force in our teaching work and consolidation work, and a source of joy and a sense of community within our Baha'i family.

Because its foundations are in close harmony and agreement with the principles of Baha’u’llah, the musical system and philosophy of Zoltan Kodaly, a Hungarian composer and educator, offers a method which bears looking into. Kodaly has said, “We must look forward to the time when people in all lands are brought together through singing, and when there

is universal harmony,’ and “It is our firm conviction that mankind will live the happier when it has learned to live with music more worthily. Whoever works to promote this end, in one way or another, has not lived in vain.”

As we instill in our children a feeling of proficiency and confidence with regard to music, we shall indeed witness the truth of the verses of Baha’u’llah: “...that the sweetness of thy melody may kindle thine own soul, and attract the hearts of all men.”

Footnotes

1Psalm 100

2Gleaning from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, CXXXVI, p 295 3Selections from the Writings of Abdu'lBahd, No. 115, p. 139

4Baha’t World Faith, p. 378 5Compilation of Extracts from the Baha’ Writings on Music, p 1 6Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 49-50

7Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, CXXXVI, p. 295

Editor’s Note:

For more information on the Kodaly approach to musical training of children, write:

Kodaly Center of America 295 Adams Street Newton, MA 02158

or Mimi McClellan

Rt. 2, Box 328 Danville, KY 40422

33

[Page 34]

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