Brilliant Star/Volume 21/Issue 1/Text

Brilliant Star

Volume 21, Number 1 March-April 1989

Baha Splendor/Jalal Glory/Jamal Beauty 145-146 B.E.

Dear Children,

One of the most exciting (and sometimes scary) things about growing and growing up is how we must change. ‘Abdu’l-Baha says that growth and change take place when matter and spirit come together. What brings them together?

One thing that brings matter and spirit together is challenge. Each day we are faced with hard things to decide, things to face inside ourselves that we may not like the way they are, and our wishes to become even better and happier.

Our biggest challenge is to become who we truly are: noble children of God, ready to serve each other and all mankind. This is helped by our prayers, studying the Writings of our faith, and by being obedient to the laws of God. We can also help with growing to be our best selves by encouraging each other.

In this issue of BRILLIANT STAR you'll read about many different kinds of challenges. Talk to your parents and teachers about what challenges you are facing, and what their struggles are, too. You’ll find that grown-ups are still busy with “growing up” to be what God intends us to be! Enjoy meeting challenges! Growing is the work of ALL humans while we’re here in this world.

Your Edu wre

Love,

About the Cover

This colored pencil drawing by Sue Rose was inspired by the Peace statement written by the Universal House of Justice. The title is “Independent Investigation of Truth”, which is one of the principles leading to world peace.

P. 30 Answers to Sisters of the Light: 1. Navvab, 2. Lua, 3. Martha Root, 4. Keith R. Kehler, 5. Ruhiyyih Khanum, 6. May Maxwell, 7. Amelia Collins, 8. Tahirih, 9. Marion Jack, 10. Khadijih Bagum, 11. Agnes Alexander, 12. Zaynab, 13. Munirih, 14. Marie, Down Bahiyyih Khanum

Brilliant Star Editorial Board

Deborah Bley Editor-in-Chief Mimi McClellan Music Editor Pepper P. Oldziey Art Director Production Janet Richards Secretary Manager Keith Boehme Consultant Terri L. Earl Consultant Rita Leydon Consultant

Subscriber Service Candace Moore Hill

Brilliant Staris a publication of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'i of the United States. It is published six times each year, in January, March, May, July, September and November. Copyright © 1989 National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'i of the United States. World rights reserved.

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 (one year) $12.00; 12 issues (two years) $20.00; foreign, surface mail, one year $15.00, two years $28.00; foreign, air mail, one year $25.00, two years $47.00. an index for the preceding year’s issues is available for $2.00.

Address manuscripts and other editorial contributions to: Brilliant Star/Bley

2512 Allegheny Dr.

___ Chattanooga, TN 37421

For subscriptions, change of address and adjustments write to: Brilliant Star

Baha'i Subscriber Service

Baha'i National Center

Wilmette, IL 60091 All other correspondence should be addressed to:

Brilliant Star/Richards,

4 Village Dr.

Yardville, NJ 08620

Brilliant Star is intended for children of all ages and

strives to:

develop the child’s awareness of the oneness of

humanity

increase the child’s conscious awareness of his

spiritual nature and the need for its development

¢ provide practical approaches to viewing life’s difficulties

¢ 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

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

Printed in the U.S.A. ISSN 0884-3635 [Page 1]

whats inside

Letters From 2 | The Happy Our Friends Face Snack a recipe by Kids On The 4. Kathy Zakri Block in the Arctic | a puppet report The Fas by Jeanne Bushey a picture story

uLDry ) +

by Deborah Bley and Cindy Pacileo

The Persians” om c a story by 2 Ny 0 Susan Allen s

HereIs A 9 Secret Message!

YQ

coemne

The New 10 H Daybook

a computer calendar by R. Gregory Shaw

Firelighter c by Sue Maxey Eliot’s 12 Baseball Family a story by Neal Lipschutz

Brilliant Star March-April 1989

15

16

18

The Gnat’s 22 Challenge

a poem by Susan Engle

“Farewell to 24 Baghdad”

a play by

Janice Czerniejewski

Lost on the

Moon by Deborah Bley

Childhood 28

Memories by Helen Underhill

Badi 29

a song by R. Gregory Shaw

Sisters of the 30 Light a puzzle by Elyce Nasseri Profile 31 Book Nook 82 Parents’ Page 33 1 [Page 2]

Letters from our friends

Tahirih Ekpe lives in Baha’i children in the Canary Islands sent us letters and Calabar, in the Cross River drawings. The children are Iuvi and Badi Bolanos and State in Nigeria. She is go to children’s classes in Santa Maria de Guia.

twelve years old and sends

Badi writes: “My name is Badi. I hope you like the The Sweet Shop elephant whose name is

Galiba. The Canary The sweet shop that stood —_[g]ands are near Africa

this poem:

A mile from the school and there are elephants in Sold chocolates, toffees Africa.” Badi is seven and lollipops too. years old. We do like his The children would go _—_—‘beautiful elephant!

BD!

Iuvi says, “Hello, I’m Iuvi. I’m sending this picture of the Canary Islands to The sweet seller wouldstand BRILLIANT STAR because I like it and

Down to the sweet shop To buy those nice sweets And some pasteries too.

by the wooden counter want you to continue making it...” g He would collect the pennies Iuvi is 10 years old. and give them the sweet. Sa, Pebma esl FucrteunLisee Ruhiyyih Sherril Tufts oo

lives in Alsea, Oregon and

sent us this poem just in (-) ge cn Connie.

time for spring:

Spring Theme f inn

Green grass ie yellow flowers Here is a photograph of the Baha’i children’s class picnic and just think at Thacher Park, in Berne, New York. There are Baha’i that they’re children in the photo from the Schenectady, Troy and

all ours. Albany areas. What a nice-looking bunch of Baha’is! The wind is blowing <= ORe Ae eee

the trees are swishing and all the children are all wishing that they could fly like the birdies high.

Brilliant Star March-April 1989 [Page 3]Dwight Lane is nine years old and lives in Atwater, Cali- Here is a photo of Maryam fornia. He sent us this story and drawing: Billington, age 7, of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, and a drawing she did, showing love to her mother. Maryam wants a penpal! She says, “I'd like to be penpals with somebody, but I don’t have anybody to be it. Why not you?”

Once upon a time there was a little baby dinosaur. It was a plant eater. Its mother was killed by a meat eater. Another plant eater took care of it and fed it. It grew up to be nine years old and had its own babies.

Danny Berkman of Norwalk, Connecticut sent us this drawing. Danny is six. He tells us, “I have drawn a picture for your magazine. | call it ‘Happy Day’. The people have their hands raised because they are happy .. . I hope everyone is happy.”

ee ON, Byer og >

y & é

Ve NAA

Penpals, Please!

ft Maryam Billington, age 7

60 Quail Lane

Jesse Fredericks is 14 and wrote this poem at the Day- ke Beach, FL

spring Baha’i School in the Maryland/DC area.

It is not an object to touch or to be, Tr = oe - aoe 6

Ti is not invisible that cannot be seen, Casa Grande, AZ 85222 It is not a person, a he or a she,

. ik likes art, reading, swimBut no one believes in it more than me. ( ’ 8

ming and Baha’ class) You can say that man is the creator of all,

That they build every building, big and tall, ar Med Me is _ And you can say that you’re here because of your mom, Hobbs. NM 88240 :

But if that were true, you would be but gone. flibes pidros bibiniccoiiin:

Because not seen or not heard, do not be awed, ming, and loves to write It is one, the all powerful, and the name is God. letters)

Brilliant Star March-April 1989

[Page 4]Melody, Brenda, and Ellen Jane.

3 7 i 7 ee a . ; , + t | - c ae Sali : : ‘= f : q hi , BF a . i 4 Vay; 3 a. * 1 Pua —_, iB a ree : j ey |

a Seas

Yellowknife Puppet Players 1. to r. Sue Howarth, Esther Tennen

he:

“hi Pa

house, Cheryl Fennell, Jan Wilson holding (1. to r.) Mark,

Kids on the Block

adapted from a report by Jeanne Bushey

“How can you hear with those plugs in your ears?” “Were you retarded when you were born?” “How do you read when you’re blind?” “Does cerebral palsy make you die?”

These were some of the important questions asked by children living in the far north when the KIDS ON THE BLOCK puppets toured Canada’s Arctic recently.

KIDS ON THE BLOCK and its puppets are a way to help children begin to know more about other children with special needs. It began in the United States about 10 years ago. You may have even seen a KIDS ON THE BLOCK: program in your school or scout troop.

Baha’ puppeteer Cheryl Fennell became a part of the KIDS ON THE BLOCK PROGRAM when she was asked by the Northwest Territories Council for Disabled Persons to bring the program to the children in that province in Canada. Cheryl is a Chipweyan Indian and brought to the program her own native culture, as well as her ideas about helping children feel united with others with special needs.

Cheryl had been working with three other puppeteers, creating and performing shadow plays about Dene Indian legends. The seven KIDS ON THE BLOCK puppets arrived in Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest

in the Arctic

Territories. Imagine how exciting it must have been to take each puppet from the box!

There were two puppets of children without special needs. Their names are Melody and Brenda. The other five puppets are children with different challenges to face. Mark Riley has cerebral palsy. Renaldo Rodriguez is blind. Mandy Puccini is deaf. Ellen Jane Peterson is mentally retarded. Jennifer Hauser had a learning disability.

As Cheryl and her fellow puppeteers began to learn the six skits they would present, they made an important decision. Most of the children who would be seeing these puppets were

Brilliant Star March-April 1989 [Page 5]Dene Indian children in the western Arctic. In the eastern Arctic, most of the children would be Inuit (Eskimo). It was time for a change of dress for the puppets! They needed to be “northernized”. By consulting, the puppeteers decided that the children of those cold lands would be better able to enjoy the puppets and listen to the stories they would tell if the KIDS were dressed in traditional native clothing.

Soon the KIDS had a large northern wardrobe. When the group left for their first presentation, the puppets made a wonderful picture. Mark Riley rode in his wheelchair in a blue parka. Melody also had a parka and beautiful beaded moccasins. Brenda Dembroski wore a long parka with fur around the hood, and her mukluks were made of canvas and smoked moosehide.

The KIDS ON THE BLOCK puppets made a big success in their native dress. After skits, children would often come up and ask about the clothing and

Brilliant Star March-April 1989

who made it for the KIDS.

The whole puppet troupe flew thousands of miles as they criss-crossed the Arctic in the first six months of the program. Even the Baha’ children’s classes in Yellowknife got to see the KIDS! The troupe also visited some Baha’ pioneers living on the shores of Great Bear Lake, and while there Mandy taught the audience some sign language. Mark popped “wheelies” with his wheelchair and made everyone laugh.

There were some nice surprises in store for the puppeteers, too. In an Inuit community on Victoria Island, Mandy began to teach sign language to the children. How happy everyone was to discover that the audience already knew how to sign! The whole school, from the children to the teachers to the janitor, were learning sign language so that they could speak to two deaf children who go to their school. The children and elders in that town felt proud that they were al Sue Howarth with “Mark” and children in Yellowknife.

ready putting the message brought by KIDS ON THE BLOCK into practice.

At the end of this first happy tour of the Arctic regions of Canada, Cheryl and the puppeteers talked about how to make the program even better. The troupe has suggested that the skits be translated so that all children and adults can understand, even if English is not the language they speak. Native puppeteers and teachers are also going to learn to operate the puppets. Then KIDS ON THE BLOCK can speak to all of the peoples of the Arctic.

Cheryl Fennell and her hard-working puppeteers are, as Abdu’l-Bahd wishes us to be, “.. . devoted to the love and unity of mankind.” With KIDS ON THE BLOCK, they are helping people to become comfortable with their differences, and helping them to understand each other’s needs. That’s what building a better world is all about! [Page 6]There is one day in my childhood e which will remain forever fixed in my memory. I was ten years old and my father took me to see a Shaykh—a Muslim 66 religous leader. My father loved and O O admired this man but at the time I was rather taken aback. He was incredibly old and bent and looked as if he might topple over at any moment. We approached e cautiously and stood a moment before him before he noticed us. Suddenly, he raised @ 99 his head and fixed me severely with his re rs 1ans eyes. “You!” he said. Being rather young and not accustomed to being addressed by respected men, I took a quick peek behind by Susan Allen ©1989 me to see if he were speaking to someone adapted from THE REVELATION else. But there was no one except my OF BAHA’U'LLAH, volume 3, father beside me and he WASN’T looking by Adib Taherzadeh at my father. So, I bravely returned his gaze. “You...” he repeated, “will see the Illustrated by Linda Orlando Promised One.” I stood quietly, trying to take in this idea. He continued, “You will be a grown man and your father and I will long be

dead.”

Brilliant Star March-April 1989 [Page 7]This was too much for me. “Dead?” I asked timidly.

“Dead!” he thundered. “This Holy One, sent by God, will come to our city of ’*Akka as a prisoner. He will speak the Persian tongue and He will live in an upper room at the top of a long flight of stairs.”

Not that I want to make excuses for myself, but he DID seem to be a dottering old man and my gaze had slipped down and fixed itself firmly on his shoes.

“Mahmud!” My eyes whipped up and met his. Now I could not fail to see the light that seemed to shine from his being. “You must watch for your Lord. He will come to ’Akka!”

Neither my father nor I spoke after leaving his presence, but that strange experience stayed with me for many years. I never really forgot it but with the occupations of daily life, it seemed to lose importance.

In the meantime, I grew up. Having devoted myself to my studies and having tried to live the life of a good Muslim, I became known as Shaykh Mahmud. I was very much concerned about the purity of the Muslim teachings in ’Akka and disturbed at the least sign of unfaithfulness in the Muslim community. This is why I was deeply worried when I heard that the government was sending an infidel by the name of Baha’u’llah to ’Akka. The authorities said he was an evil man and the “God of the Persians”. I was somewhat satisfied when I saw that there were restrictions on these prisoners, known as Baha’is, and that they were strictly carried out. But as time passed, the restrictions were relaxed a bit. For example, some of the Baha’is were allowed to do daily shopping in the city. Worst of all, the very son of this infidel, Abdu’l-Baha, was permitted to wander around free.

My anger reached its peak when one day ’Abdu’l-Baha appeared in our mosque. This was an outrage! In my anger, I went to Him and grabbed His hand, thinking to shame Him and expose His evil beliefs.

“Are you the son of God?” I demanded.

Brilliant Star March-April 1989

I had expected shame or at least a haughty answer. But instead, I was met with a penetrating look, a compassionate yet amused smile. With a charm I could not resist, He asked me if it were I and not He who claimed that He was the son of God. I was not able to reply. He then gently reminded me of a verse from the Muslim traditions: “Be charitable toward the guest, even though he be an infidel.”

Again I was speechless. I could only stand as His straight and noble figure moved away. In the face of His loving reply, I found I could no longer hate ‘Abdu’l-Baha, though I tried hard!

Even so, since I was a respected religious leader, I could not let these infidels corrupt our community. I decided that I would put an end to all this myself. One day, I took up a weapon, hid it carefully in my cloak, and arrived at the prison barracks. I was going to kill Baha’u’llah.

I was stopped at the prison gates and I told the guards that I wished to see Baha’u'llah. They went to give my message while I stood looking up at the long flight of stairs that led to the cell of this “Persian God”. At last came Baha’u’llah’s reply:

“Tell him to cast away the weapon and then he may come in.”

I was dumbstruck. I was sure that no one had seen the weapon I had hidden in my cloak. In great confusion, I returned home. But my mind was not at rest. I continued in this confused state for some time until I decided to go to the barracks again, this time with no weapon. I was a strong man. I knew I could kill Baha’u’llah with my own hands.

Again, I presented myself at the prison gates. Again I looked up at the long flight of steps while waiting for his reply. It came very quickly:

“Tell him to purify his heart first and then he may come in.”

I trembled violently. I was so upset I do not even know how I found my way home. No, I could not bring myself to visit Baha’u llah again that day.

That night, I lay on my bed a long time, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

please turn the page [Page 8]When finally sleep came I seemed to find myself in a haze. Familiar voices came to me. I recognized that they were the voices of the old shaykh and my father. Slowly

the haze cleared and they were before me.

My father spoke first. “My son, why have you forgotten?”

“Mahmud!” cried the old shaykh, exactly as he had so many years ago. “This Holy One, sent by God, will come to our city of ’Akka as a prisoner. He will speak the Persian tongue and He will live at the top of a long flight of stairs. Mahmud, you must watch for your Lord. He will come to ’Akka.”

These words thundered in my head long after I had awakened. Over and over again the image of the long flight of steps leading to Baha’u’llah’s cell flashed in my mind.

The next day, soon after dawn, I was again at that prison gate. This time I went into the presence of ‘Abdu’l-Baha. I was exhausted but soon found myself bathed in the light of His presence. His words penetrated my heart and restored my spirit.

Then came the moment when ‘Abdu’11Baha ushered me into the presence of Baha’u llah. No one has been able to describe this experience and I could not hope to. First of all, consider the gloominess of that dark prison. One would expect to find its prisoners sad and in a sorry state. But by the way ’Abdu’l-Baha reverently led me to the door of Baha’u’llah’s cell, I felt that I was being presented to a king.

Entering that cell overwhelmed me. Here I was surrounded by four stark dirty walls and such poverty! But instead I felt as though I were in the perfumed gardens of a palace, with riches around me. And there by the window was the Object of my desire—the King of Kings. I will not say that I looked upon His face. I simply could not. I have since heard from others that this was usually the case. The sun which shone from His face was too brilliant. I bowed down. To this day, I cannot tell you the words He said to me. Perhaps He said nothing. It was enough that at that moment, I gave myself wholly to Him.

This was the crowning glory of my life. Whatever small services I was able to give to His Cause were nothing compared to that moment.

From that day on, of course, my life was changed. I was greatly saddened that some of the believers who came so far on foot from Persia were not allowed to enter the prison. The least I could do was to find some way for them to attain the presence of Baha’u llah.

I thought of two ways I could do this. One was to have ropes lowered so that the Baha’i friends could be pulled up the walls that surrounded the prison city. The other method I especially enjoyed. I would leave the city in the day. It was customary at night that the important men of the city have a servant walk before them with a lantern to light the way. So, upon returning at night, I would have a Baha’i carry my lantern. In this way they could enter the city without suspicion, and leave in the same manner.

I often thought that as my Lord had so patiently revealed to me His Truth, there was never too much I could do for His Cause. To be able to serve the greatest Manifestation of God on earth and His servant Abdu’l-Baha was a privilege future Baha’is would yearn for. I only wish that I could place my lantern in the hand of each and every one of you, and bring you into the presence of the King of Gloryx

Brilliant Star March-April 1989 [Page 9]O ere is a Secret lessage: Color all of the shapes with 1’s in them blue. Color all of a shapes y p s in

with 2’s in them with yellow. Color all of the shapes with

[Page 10]

“The New Daybook |

,@* Make a Baha’i Calendar : a &

Sav

@. on Your Own Computer yx. crc Shaw 2 8: : & : Every great religion has brought the 19. Each cycle is called a “vahid,” and s

world a new calendar. In the United States, we are most familiar with the Gregorian calendar. We say that our new president was elected in the year 1988. But if we use the Jewish calendar, it was the year 5750. By the Islamic calendar, it was 1410. By the Chinese lunar calendar, it was the year of the dragon, 4686.

The Bahai Faith also brought a new calendar. It is the Badi calendar which began with the Bab’s Declaration, 145 years ago.

The Bdb made our New Year’s Day fall on the first day of spring. Bahda’is know this holy day as Naw-Ruz. Our year is divided into 19 months of 19 days each. Every month has been given a name to remind us of spiritual qualities. The Days of Ayydm-i-Ha come just before the last month, making a complete solar year.

Years, POO}: are gathered into cycles of

FOR COMMODORE 64

every year in that cycle is given a name.

If we compare calendars, we find that the Gregorian date of 1 January 1989, on the Badi calendar is 2 Sharaf (Honor) 145. This year would be the 12th (Javab, or Answer) in the current vahid.

Does it sound complicated? If you have a computer in your home, it’s easy to find the Baha’i date. Just type in the BASIC program that follows, and your computer will put the Badi calendar on the monitor screen or printer. You can make a calendar for this year, or any time you choose in the past or future.

Enter the computer program very carefully. Use the version that fits your machine—IBM compatible or Commodore 64. Be sure to save the program to disk. If you find any “bugs,” write the author c/o Brilliant Star, and we'll try. to # solve the problem. a

Rae) 2 TYPE IN THE FOLLOWING IBM PROGRAM ON PAGE 11 . & i BUT CHANGE THE LINES LISTED BELOW: . &

i . 20 PRINT"[SHIFT CLR/HOME]":PRINT TAB(10)"**THE NEW DAYBOOK**":CLR # ae 194 OPEN1,4,0:CMD 1 ‘@ # wos 200 PRINT"[SHIFT CLR/HOME]":V=BY

+ 280 “2 376 - 400

REM: OUTPUT CALCULATION IF PEEK(197)<>60THEN376

IF P$="Y" THEN PRINT CHR$(15):PRINT#1:CLOSE1 . otk

Note: when running the program, press the space bar to continue the listing to screen or printer.

Brilliant Star March-April 1989 [Page 11]eRe eT ht Sieegs ert esse ts

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10 20 a2 24 30 32 40 80 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 192 194 196 200 202 210 220 230 280 290 300 301 302 304 306 320 330 332 334 340 350 352 354 355 356 358 360 370 372 374 380 400 500 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107

aeeeee******The New Daybook / Copyright 1987 by R. Gregory Shaw CLS:PRINT TAB (20)"*** THE NEW DAYBOOK***" PRINT TAB(13)"Create A Baha'i Calendar For Any Year":PRINT:PRINT PRINT"USE SPACE BAR TO CONTROL LISTING" DIM G$(12), D(12), B$(20), V$(19), R$(28) PAGE=1 PRINT " Gregorian Year?":PRINT:INPUT GY:BY=GY-1843:PRINT R=BY:IF GY>1899 THEN R=BY+16 FOR X=1 TO 12: READ G$(X):NEXT FOR X=1 TO 12: READ D(X):NEXT FOR X=1 TO 20:READ B$(X):NEXT FOR X=1 TO 19:READ V$(X):NEXT FOR X=1 TO 28:READ R$(X):NEXT IF R>28 THEN R=R-28:GOTO 150 W=VAL(R§$(R)) IF (GY+1)/4=INT((GY+1)/4 THEN D(2)=29 GD=21: Y=3: BD=1 INPUT "IS PRINTER ON? y/n";P$:IF P$<>"y"THEN 200 PRINT:INPUT " Double-size print? (y/n)";DS$ OPEN "LPT1:" FOR OUTPUT AS 1 IF DS$="y" THEN PRINT CHR$(14) CLS:V=BY IF V>19 THEN V=V-19: GOTO 202 VL=LEN(V$(V)):PRINT:PRINT SPC(6)V$(V) PRINT:PRINT SPC(5)BY'"B.E. "SPC(9)GY"-"GY+1:PRINT:PRINT IF P$<>"y"THEN FOR WT=1 TO 1500:NEXT IKKKEKEEKEEEEKRKKKKKEK Out Put Cals KKRKKKEKKEKREEKEEEKKKK FOR BM=1 TO 20:L=LEN(B$(BM)):S=(36-L)/2 PRINT:PRINT:PRINT SPC(S)"* "B$(BM)" *":PRINT:PRINT PRINT" "; IF W>1 THEN PRINT SPC((W-1)*5);: IF BM=19 THEN BD=BD+14 IF GD>31 THEN Y=Y+1:GOTO 354 FOR GD=GD TO D(Y) IF GD>9 THEN PRINT"™:"GD; IF GD<10 THEN PRINT":"GD" "; W=W+1:IF W>7 THEN W=1:PRINT":":PRINT:PRINT" "; BD=BD+1: IF BD>=20 THEN GOTO 360 NEXT GD Y=Y+1 2 IF Y>12 THEN Y=1: IF W=7 THEN W+1:PRINT":":PRINT PRINT": "G$(Y);:;GD=2:W=W-+1 :BD=BD+1 IF W>7 THEN W=1 :PRINT":":PRINT:PRINT" "; IF BM=19 THEN PRINT":"; :BD=1 :PRINT:PRINT:GOTO 380 GOTO 320 GD=GD+1 :BD=1 : IF W>1 THEN PRINT":" PRINT:IF P$<>"y" THEN FOR WT=1 TO 200:NEXT WT PAGE=PA+1: IF P$="y" AND PA<5 THEN 380 PA=0 NEXT BM IF P$="y" THEN PRINT CHR$(15): CLOSE 1 END 0 DATA JAN,FEB,MAR,APR,MAY,JUN,JUL,AUG,SEP,OCT,NOV,DEC 0 DATA 31,28,31,30,31,30,31,31,30,31,30,31

0 DATA BAHA,JALAL,JAMAL,'AZAMAT,NUR,RAHMAT,KALIMAT,KAMAL,ASMA','IZZAT .

0 DATA MASHIYYAT,'ILM,QUDRAT,QAWL,MASA'IL,SHARAF,SULTAN,MULK

0 DATA AYYAM-I-HA,'ALA

0 DATA ALIF,BA',AB,DAL,BAB, VAV,ABAD,JAD,BAHA, HUBB,BAHHAd,JAVAB,AHAD 0 DATA VAHHAB, VIDAD,BAD'I,BAHI,ABHA,VAHID

0 DATA 5,6,7,1,3,4,5,6,1,2,3,4,6,7,1,2,4,5,6,7,2,3,4,5,7,1,2,3

Brilliant Star March-April 1989

Illustrated by Pepper P. Oldziey

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SPERIET ISERIES [Page 12]12

Illustrated by Keith Kresge

The phone rang. It had to be Stu. Every Saturday morning Stu called Eliot to make arrangements to go to the game. The two were Little League teammates as well as best friends. The plan was always the same. Stu and his father would come by to pick Eliot up, and the three of them would drive to the game.

But this time Eliot had a different message for his friend.

“Thanks, Stu, but I don’t need a ride today,” he said. “My father’s going to the

Eliot's Baseball

game, so he'll take me. I’ll meet you there.”

There was silence on Stu’s end of the phone. Eliot’s father had never attended a Spiffy Cleaners’ Panther baseball game. “Okay,” Stu finally said. “T’ll see you at the field at 11 o’clock.”

“Tm pitching today,” Eliot needlessly reminded his friend.

The Little League park was only a five minute drive from Eliot’s house, but he was set to go a little after 10. He paced in his

O00 Q

Family

by Neal Lipschutz bedroom, pounding a baseball into his well-oiled glove. Eliot was always uneasy on a day he was pitching—after all, the whole team would be relying on him. Today, though, Eliot knew that wasn’t it. He was worried about his father. Not that Eliot’s father would be upset or embarrassed if Eliot pitched poorly. Oh no, he wasn’t like that at all. He wouldn’t care how well Eliot pitched.

In a way, that was the problem. Eliot’s father

Brilliant Star March-April 1989 [Page 13]didn’t have the same kinds of reactions as other dads, or the same interests. Eliot

never talked about it to any one, but he knew it was true.

Just about every one of the Panthers’ fathers was involved in the baseball league. Richie’s and Frank’s fathers didn’t live with them, so they weren’t coaches or umpires or league administrators. But even the divorced fathers made it to some of the games. But three-quarters through the season, Eliot’s father would be attending his first game.

The reasons for his dad’s absences had been explained to Eliot many times. His father, a lawyer, worked very long hours and often brought work home to do over the weekend. Sometimes, even if there was no weekend work, Eliot’s father was so tired out from the week that he’d still be asleep when Eliot left for one of his Saturday morning games.

Eliot also knew his father just didn’t like baseball, or any other sport. He’d rather sit in his easy chair and read fat books, strange as that seemed to Eliot and his friends. Eliot’s mother didn’t care for sports either, and she spent most Saturdays visiting friends or doing the week’s grocery shopping. A couple of Saturdays when Eliot’s father was working, his mother asked if he wanted her to come to the game. Eliot turned her down,

Brilliant Star March-April 1989

figuring she really didn’t want to go and was just trying to be nice.

At 10:45, Eliot walked into the living room.

“Dad, where are you?”

“T’m almost ready, I’ll be out in a second,” Eliot’s father called from his bedroom.

When his father appeared, Eliot was glad to see he was wearing a polo shirt and blue jeans. He had half-expected a suit and tie. Eliot noticed his father’s jeans were stiff and dark blue, evidence of how rarely they were worn.

There was little talk in the car, except for Eliot’s directions to the ballpark. When they arrived, Eliot headed for the field entrance while his father moved toward the grandstand.

“Good luck,” Eliot’s father called. Eliot felt like saying, “same to you,” but he didn’t. He just waved.

Soon it was time to take the field, and Eliot trotted out to the pitching mound. He looked to the stands and quickly located the Panther cheering section. The regular group of players’ mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers had assembled in the middle of the rows of wooden benches.

Eliot considered these faithful rooters his baseball family, living in a different world from his real family. They knew everything about the way he played baseball, how his fastball wasn’t the greatest and how he almost always hit

to left field, while his own mom and dad didn’t have the slightest idea. But Eliot wasn’t sure if his baseball family would accept his father.

Just before things got under way, Eliot glanced at the Panther cheering section and couldn’t locate his father. Momentarily panicked, he scanned the rest of the bleachers. There, alone in the very top row, sat Eliot’s father. Well, at least he hasn’t gone home, Eliot thought.

Eliot started the game badly. He had trouble getting the ball over the plate, and good control was his best pitching quality. He walked three batters and gave up one hit in the top half of the first inning. Gary’s Service Station Lions took a 1-0 lead.

When he got to the bench, Eliot was still thinking about his father. He was afraid the other players would notice how far he was sitting from the other fans. Any moment he expected to hear someone whisper, “Hey, who’s that strange guy sitting all the way up in the stands? I’ve never seen him here before.”

But Eliot heard nothing of the kind. His teammates were concentrating on the game. They got to the Lions’ pitcher with a leadoff double, followed by a single and then a triple. By the time Eliot had to go out and pitch again, his team was ahead, 3-1.

Eliot managed to find his control in the second inning.

13

please turn the page [Page 14]14

giving up a double, he struck out the next three Lions. When he trotted back to the dugout, the Panther coaches and players were clapping and shouting encouragement. The Panther rooters also were up and clapping. Out of the corner of his eye, Eliot saw that his father also was up and applauding.

Eliot relaxed and pitched a very good game. But he still kept looking up at the stands. As the game wore on, it seemed to Eliot that his father was inching closer to the other Panther families. One time while his team was batting and he was sitting in the dugout, Eliot heard Stu’s father, the team’s biggest

yours is some pitcher.”

“Thanks,” Eliot heard his father reply. “Your son is quite a good player, too.”

Eliot was amazed that Stu’s dad even knew who Eliot’s father was. Later, Freddie’s mother, a heavy woman who always wore baggy plaid pants to the game, stood up and said, “You’ve got some pitcher there!” Eliot’s father smiled at the compliment.

When the game ended and Eliot led his victorious team off the field for the last time, a big cheer went up from the stands. Eliot’s father was among those happily celebrating the win. As Eliot gathered his gear on the bench, he saw his father shake hands with Stu’s dad and then

et Ay 3 { ) ° @ g i x sits ” e ie ot & > 2 @e ~ A cK we [_Y ey \ WV, Cs } Though he started by rooter, call, “That son of wave good-bye to some of

the other parents.

Eliot ran to meet his father outside the field. He tried not to show how happy he was.

“You were good luck for me today,” Eliot said.

“You were great,” his father said.

For the first time, Eliot wanted his father to come to all the Panther games, but he wouldn’t ask. He knew it would be very difficult to arrange. So he was content to enjoy the moment, soaking in all the good things that had happened. His team won, he pitched well, and most important, his father had been accepted into his baseball family. Maybe later, Eliot thought, he’d ask about next Saturday.*

Brilliant Star March-April 1989 [Page 15]The Happy Face Snack

By Kathy Zakri

Ingredients: 1 cup raisins 1 whole, peeled banana 2 orange sections

2 grapes

Illustrated by Steve Boksenbaum

This snack is easy to make and will

bring a smile to your face.

2 slices of an unpeeled apple (have adult cut apple)

1 whole strawberry one-half cup of cottage cheese one cup of shredded coconut

Utensils: medium size plate and tablespoon

Steps:

1. Wash your hands.

2. Make the face. Place the raisins ina circle around the plate.

3. Make the nose. Place a strawberry in the center of the circle of raisins.

4. Make the smile. Place the banana horizontally, ends pointing up under the strawberry.

Brilliant Star March-April 1989

5.

2.

10. 11.

Make the cheeks. Place 2 tablespoons of cottage cheese above each side of the banana.

Make the ears. Place an orange section across each mound of cottage cheese. Make the eyes. Place the grapes above the strawberry.

Make the eyebrows. Place the apple slices horizontally, ends pointing down above each grape.

Make the hair. Sprinkle the coconut above the apples, covering the raisins. Enjoy eating your creation.

Clean up!

15 [Page 16]

VIN YN TEN VITN 4, KAS 2 LJ A 2 2 by Deborah Bley

Illustrated by Cindy Pacileo

The sky is dark. But it is near Daddy comes in. “Allah’u’Abha! dawn. I wake up and hear Please get your face and hands Mommy in the kitchen. Some- washed. Time for prayers.”

thing smells good!

eS egies eee

I put on my warm robe. I wash My brother sits on the sofa. He up then join my brother. looks sleepy. We share a book of

16 prayers.

Brilliant Star March-April 1989 [Page 17]

wi {CU tag y)" ~/

f we

“Good morning! Allah’u’Abha.” Daddy chants next. My brother

Mommy joins us. Her prayer reads his prayer after Daddy.

fills the room with its song. Now it is my turn. “O God, cuide me...” I begin.

nn re WT “ . lag)

Our prayers are over. The sky is getting gray. We eat before the children. I feel happy. I love the sun comes up. In these days, so Fast!

do Baha’i families all over the

world. 17

Brilliant Star March-April 1989

[Page 18]18

SOAy Pe

TONE AAS)

SRR

SASS

os

SLASS SSS

S SASS SSSA La et SS ERE mS

22 SSS _— c

F BEAVER LODGE =

ey

$$

Sos

me

ad Gare ty 4 Ap IPI AIED: Ye =

p) | Ree, | |

2 WV; lege”

ROSE-&8

Illustrated by Sue Rose

Firelighter.........

Sarah Graham sat back and let the sweetness of relief flow through her. She had solved her problem.

To repay her parents for sending her to camp (Sarah’s favorite place in the whole world), she would earn the Firelighter trophy from Beaver Lodge. It was so simple. She could do it (couldn’t she?).

When Sarah watched her father pay bills, dreading the one from Western Life Girls Camp that she was responsible for, she always yearned for some grand, glorious thing she could do to thank him. He had been paying it for three years

now. Without a complaint, just a sigh as he put several others back in the drawer.

Sarah knew that camp cost a lot of money. Money was scarce in the Graham household. She guessed there wasn’t much money anywhere in the Texas Panhandle town where they lived. No one had enough to buy window blinds and pretty tiles for their bathrooms and kit chens, which was what Mr.

Graham sold.

But still, the Grahams saw to it that Sarah went to camp. Her fourth summer—and her chance to

thank them properly—was almost here. If only she could pull it off.

At the end of the sixweek session, the girls in each of the three cabins would vote by secret ballot for “the best camper” in their group. The three chosen girls must be good at all camping activities, like horseback riding and hiking, and popular with their fellow campers. Each Firelighter earned the honor of lighting a special evening campfire, and received a beautiful plaque with her name engraved on a golden circle, surrounded by a wreath of real pine

Brilliant Star March-April 1989 [Page 19]cones and dried flowers. In Sarah’s three years at Western Life, she had never received one. It was time.

But Sarah, a doubting voice nagged, you know you're scared of water and horses. How on earth can you do well in swimming and riding classes? I can beat these silly fears, a braver voice answered. I'll try harder. I must.

She smiled, seeing in her mind the pleasure that would fill her parents’ faces when she showed them her plaque. Mother and Dad would look at each other as if to say, “See, it was worth every penny we spent.”

The ringing of the telephone interrupted Sarah’s daydreams. It was her best friend, Leslie Thompson. Leslie had gone to Western Life one summer more than Sarah. In fact, it was the Thompsons who had convinced the Grahams that summer camp was a good idea for their daughter as well.

“Come over Saturday,” Leslie invited Sarah. “It’s time to get our stuff ready for camp! I can’t wait, can you?”

Brilliant Star March-April 1989

Mid-July arrived at last. Flying high with freedom, Sarah and Leslie raced into Beaver Lodge and claimed upper bunks next to each other. Doreen Nettleton, whom they didn’t like very much, was sleeping below Sarah, but Leslie’s bunkmate was okay. Her name was Althea Swenson.

The first night Althea let herself be talked into telling a ghost story. The girls huddled close together with blankets around their shoulders, needing warmth and each other’s nearness.

The next day, serious camping activities began. Sarah’s first challenge in meeting Firelighter standards came in the swimming pool. Sarah could not swim. She had to face it: she was still scared of water. Sarah brushed this fact aside. Oh, pooh, I’m a whole year older now. I’ll get over this childishness.

Now, up to her waist in cold water, she realized it was not going to be so easy.

Linda, the instructor, was pulling each girl through the water. They were supposed to relax and put their faces down. When Sarah’s turn came, she forced her face beneath the surface. Water surged up her nose. Opening her clenched eyes, Sarah saw that they were heading for the deep end of the pool. Her head popped up in panic.

“Stop!” she shouted, gulping water. But Linda just smiled and kept pulling.

Sarah threw her arms around Linda’s neck, struggling against her instructor, forcing both down deeper into the heavy, silent water.

“Oh, Les, I'll never be able to swim!” cried Sarah that evening. “How can I face Linda again? I nearly drowned the poor thing.”

“What happened, Sarah?” Leslie asked, putting her arm around her friend’s drooping shoulders.

“T just panicked. I can’t stand the feeling of water up my nose or in my eyes. Especially over my head!”

Leslie thought for a few minutes.

“T have an idea, Sarah. After supper, get your swim suit on and let’s go to the pool.”

That was the last thing that Sarah wanted to do, but trusting Leslie, she did it. The two girls waded into the shallow end of the pool. Leslie handed Sarah a pair of goggles.

“Put these on.” Sarah did.

“Now squat down and put your head under the water. Keep your eyes open.”

19

please turn the page [Page 20]20

“T can do it, Les, but water still goes up my nose.”

“Here,” Leslie said, placing a funny looking rubber clip around Sarah’s neck.

“Yuck, how ugly!” Sarah exclaimed, but Leslie showed her how to put it on her nose. Once again Sarah put her face in the water. She came up smiling.

“That’s better—all except for the noise in my...”

“Yes, I know, in your ears!” Leslie laughed, pulling a Swimming cap over her friend’s head.

With all her openings covered up, Sarah lowered her face into the water and allowed Leslie to pull her through the shallow water.

The very next day—goggled, plugged and capped— Sarah began to make progress In Swimming class. One obstacle down!

Horseback riding lessons followed. In spite of Sarah’s secret fear of the big animals, she shared Leslie’s love for them. They both realized that this early in the summer, the horses were still a little spooky after their long winter months at pasture. This didn’t seem to bother Les at all, but Sarah felt a little jumpy.

The class trotted happily down a mountain road. A pickup truck came up behind them. Foolishly, the driver laid on his horn. Sarah’s horse reared in fright and took off up the mountain side.

“Hang on, Sarah, give him his head! He can’t go far!” shouted Gary, their

instructor.

But in her terror Sarah pulled back on the reins, throwing the horse off balance. He staggered enough to send Sarah out of her saddle. Her foot caught in the stirrup. The stumbling horse dragged her behind him as he continued to charge up the mountain.

Sarah’s back was scraped:

raw. Her head ached from rocks it had banged against. She tasted blood.

Kicking and yelling at her big horse, Leslie appeared in Sarah’s blurred vision. Grabbing frantically for Sarah’s horse’s reins, Les finally stopped him. As Sarah lay still and waited for Leslie to free her foot, a horrible thought blotted out Sarah’s pain.

Now she wouldn’t be able to go on the big hike, the 14-miler to Hermit’s Peak. Hiking was her best event! She couldn’t miss it, especially now after her disgraceful performance in the saddle. She had pictured herself leading songs along the trail and bringing water to hot, tired stragglers.

Pulled tendons in her ankle, plus a mild concussion, did indeed cancel Sarah’s part in the hike.

“It isn’t fair,” she wailed to Leslie. “This was going to be my first try at the big mountain.”

“TI know, I know,” Leslie soothed. “Tell you what, I’ll stay behind, too. We'll make that cigar-box trap that Althea told us about. We'll see if we can catch a chipmunk!”

“No, Les, you can’t do that. You can’t miss the hike because of me.”

“It’s not because of you, seriously. I feel a sore throat coming on.”

Sarah knew Leslie was fibbing, but she had to admit she was happy that her friend was going to spend the long, lonesome day with her.

As Sarah’s injuries healed, she got back into the camp routine.

Every afternoon from 1 to 3, the girls had “free” time. Leslie, who was captain of the volleyball team, often called her players together for practice. At these times, Sarah was on her own.

Doreen announced that she wanted to go wildflower hunting. Her fellow Beaver Lodge-mates all had other plans. The rule was that you must take at least one friend along when you went off the camp grounds.

“Tll go, Doreen,” Sarah volunteered. She was being helpful and unselfish, two good things for a future Firelighter to be.

Brilliant Star March-April 1989 [Page 21]

As their camping days grew fewer and fewer, the girls began to anticipate the grand finale: the Firelighter ceremony. Counselors placed voting boxes in each lodge.

Despite her disastrous fall in horseback riding class and missing the Hermit’s Peak hike, Sarah felt sure the Beaver Lodge plaque was hers. I learned to jump into the pool at the deep end, didn’t I? And I climbed right back on that horse as soon as the doctor said I could. My bunk is always made up nice, I clean my plate at every meal, I went out of my way to be nice to someone who needed a friend...

It was a soft, starry night. The girls all sat on the ground by the cabin, quiet and solemn in the darkness. In the center of the circle, three piles of kindling and wood waited for life. The chief counselor lit a torch and walked

Brilliant Star March-April 1989

towards the Beavers. She stood in front of them for a moment, smiling, before handing the torch to Leslie.

To Leslie!

Sarah couldn’t believe it. She had convinced herself that she had no competition. How could she have been so blind?

In the bright light, Sarah saw that Leslie’s eyes held both joy and sadness. “Oh, Sarah,” she whispered, “I voted for you.”

Of course she did, Sarah thought. Les knew how much I wanted to win and make my parents proud. She’s always thinking of me. She’s my best friend. She lights the way.

“Thank you, Les. Maybe next year,” whispered Sarah. I'll be here. Hasn’t Dad written me that check every summer, Firelighter or not? He and Mom love me just the way I am. It’s me; I’m the one who wants to win. Oh, how badly I want it!

Leslie stood up and took the torch. Now that all eyes turned towards Les, Sarah released those hot tears of disappointment. Just a few, though. As she watched Beaver Lodge’s chosen camper change a pile of logs into a roaring campfire, Sarah’s heart swelled with love. Remember how Les helped me learn to swim, caught my runaway horse, missed the hike to keep me company and led her volleyball team to victory? Answer true now, am I that good a camper?

Looks like you have a ways to go, Sarah Graham. Only the very best get to be Firelighters.

I’m so proud of my friend.

And I did a good job, too. I’m proud of myself. «

21 [Page 22]The Gnat’s

Gnorman the gnat was born in a swarm

On a sultry summer day.

His parents said, “My, what a tiny young thing,” Which, for gnats, is not normal to say.

But, dwarfish or huge, Mom and Dad didn’t care And rocked Gnorman to sleep in the hay.

Next morning, young Gnorman awoke before dawn. ~ He opened his tiny mouth wide And awoke all the gnats fast asleep in their beds With three small words. “I'll grow up,” he cried. His parents said, “My, what a forward young thing,” And they beamed at his person with pride.

Gnorman grew older, and soon came to see

That most gnats thought his smallness was bad.

So he ordered some weights and began to work out Every evening along with his dad.

He grew limber and bulged with diminutive muscles No gnat in gnat history had.

The swarm was impressed. His friends pointed him out To all visitors, fruit flies and fleas.

But mere muscles could never quite quench his desire To grow bigger than inch worms or bees.

So, despairing, he sought the advice of a friend.

“Help me grow, Mr. Owl. Will you, please?”

The owl blinked an eye. “You must grow in your brain. Exercise both your arms and your head.”

Gnorman jumped to his feet and ran home to his books And his weights. “Yes, I will grow,” he said.

He devoured the tomes in the Insect Archives.

Ne’er a gnat had a mind more well-fed.

One day Gnorman was working and thinking outside And he lifted his eyes to the sky.

There he saw a great eagle soar high on the wind And his tiny heart gave a small sigh.

“How I wish I could grow up to be a great bird.”

And a tiny tear rolled from his eye.

CIANENGE o.oo

Crashing thunder came suddenly, shaking the earth, And a Voice was heard ringing and clear:

“Your brain and your body are ready for Me

But your heart is the prize I hold dear.”

Trembling and quaking, the gnat prayed aloud, <P “T will turn to Thee ’til Thou art near.”

“T am with you,” the Voice said, and faded away. Gnorman felt waves of happiness come.

And his heart was so large and so new and so loud That it beat with the boom of a drum.

The sound of it caused many gnats to draw near. Then small Gnorman began a grand hum.

As the humming swelled out,

the whole swarm gasped aloud. Gnorman’s body and brain began growing. And he grew and he grew until not one gnat knew Where the body of Gnorman was going. Pretty soon, all the normal gnat parts were all gone And some feathers were all that were showing.

A large head, two strong wings

and some talons appeared. “It’s an airplane!” one gnat cried. “A bird!” “lm an eagle, an eagle! At last, ’'ve grown up!” And those shouts were the last that were heard Above all of the clapping and roaring and laughing. How deeply the gnats’ hearts were stirred.

Many times, late at night, as the gnats gather ‘round

To tell stories and sing in the hay,

Gramma gnat tells the tale of small Gnorman who grew, On that great unforgettable day,

From a gnat to an eagle of very large size. Or so all the older folk say.

Brilliant Star March-April 1989 [Page 24]24

“Farewell to Baghdad”

Scene 1:

Narrator:

Child #1:

Child #2:

Ruhi:

Child #1: Ruhi:

Child #2:

Ruhi:

Child #1: Ruhi:

Child #2: Ruhi: Child #1:

Child #2:

Three children are playing at the riverside, sadly throwing stones in the water.

The three friends sat together sadly.

I’m so sad that you have to leave Baghdad, Ruhi.

Me, too. What happened? Why do you and your friends have to leave so suddenly?

I don’t know. My father says that the king of Persia ordered it.

But we’re not in Persia.

Yes, we’re not in Persia, but the king of Persia has great power, even here in Baghdad.

Ruhi, look! Is that your father going across the river to that little garden? It looks like a whole lot of people are going.

Father told me this morning that His Holiness Baha’u'llah had invited all the Babis to spend some time with Him in the garden. He says it is very important.

Well, aren’t you going?

(laughs a little) No, only fathers are invited right now. But Baha’ullah said we can come a little later.

When? He'll tell us.

Look! It’s starting to rain. We’d better go.

No, let’s stay a while longer. We won’t have many more chances to be together.

(Another child enters, Ruhi’s sister named Anisa.)

Anisa:

Child #1:

Ruhi:

Scene 2:

Narrator:

Children 1&2:

a play by Janice Czerniejewski

Ruhi, come! Mother says it is beginning to rain and that the river will rise.

Ruhi, what about your father and his friends? They'll be stranded on the island if the river rises.

(shrugs) He is with Baha’ullah. He will be fine. Ruhi’s house.

It is nine days later. The river has gone down. Ruhi’s friends come knocking at her door.

Ruhi, can you play?

(Ruhi opens the door. In the background her brothers and sisters are jumping around and packing some things into bags.)

Ruhi:

Child #1:

Ruhi:

Scene 3:

Narrator:

Child #2:

Narrator:

Child #1:

(excited) No, not today. Guess what? We are to go across to the garden in the river and join my father. The messenger said something very exciting has happened.

What? What? Can you stay in Baghdad?

I don’t know. We have to go now. Thank you for coming.

Back at Ruhi’s house

Three days have gone by. Ruhi’s friends see that she and her family have returned from the garden and they come knocking once more.

Ruhi, Ruhi! Can you play? Ruhi opens the door. Her face is shining.

Ruhi, what happened? You look so happy. Does it mean you don’t have to go?

Brilliant Star March-April 1989 [Page 25]

del Ssh Lo ret a ehh at tne

bist Lk Baed ot bates Stall attest, state * ahs? data eS beb ed 3:

Children 1&2:

Ruhi: Child #2: Child #1: Ruhi:

Child #2:

(They hug and leave. Ruhi’s sister runs to (They walk off the stage hand in hand.) * her side.)

No, we have to go. But something wonderful has happened!

What? What?

Can you keep a secret?

Yes, yes!

Bahd’u lah is the new Messenger from God.

(The two friends look disappointed) Is that all?

Yes, isn’t it exciting? I guess so. You still have to leave?

Yes, we leave today. I will miss you two very much. But I am happy that we can go with Baha’u 1léh.

We'll miss you too. Very much.

Brilliant Star March-April 1989

Anisa:

Ruhi:

Anisa: Ruhi:

Anisa:

Ruhi:

i,

Laden knee datas

88 Sa netaes tase ete BI RA:

Nateraee ay

DRT

Sage Me eRe Te Bement otek cae oe

Nha wowed a Settee trea,

They seem disappointed. How strange.

It’s not so strange, Anisa. Most people in the world do not understand about Baha’ullaéh’s greatness.

Wasn't it wonderful in the garden? Roses everywhere!

And stacked so high we couldn’t see His Holiness Baha’u'll4h over them!

And everyone so happy!

Yes, yes! The king of Persia thought he would make us sad by sending us out of Baghdad. Instead he has made us happy.

Hooray! And now we are Baha’is instead of Babis.

Yes, we are. So let’s help Mother pack!

29

Illustrated by Robin Allen [Page 26]26

Lost on the Me

adapted by Deborah Bley from materials submitted by Janet Richards

ry. Bahda’u'll4h and Abdu’l-Bahé talk often in our Writings about how important it is for us to be able to work together in groups. What’s more, they give us powerful tools to help us meet that challenge. One of the most useful tools is consultation. It’s an exciting way to solve problems, but it takes practice! Here is a game to give you practice thinking out a solution on your own, and then working with a group to reach a decision through consultation. Try it with two or three friends, and work your way up to nine people, just as you would have to do when you serve on a spiritual assembly.

THE CHALLENGE: You are a member of a space crew that was to rendezvous with a mother ship on the lighted side of the moon. Because of mechanical difficulties, however, your ship has been forced to land at a spot some 200 miles from the rendezvous point. During the rough landing, much of the equipment aboard was damaged and, since survival depends on reaching the mother ship, the most critical items must be chosen for the 200 mile over-land trek. You are now stranded on the dark side of the moon!

Illustrated by Pepper P. Oldziey

unharmed by the rough landing. Your

task is to rank them from most important to least important, keeping in mind how each item will help your crew reach the rendezvous point safely. Place a number 1 by the most important, the number 2 by the second most important, and so on to number 15. Do this ranking on your own, then come together with your other crew members to decide on the TOP TEN ITEMS to be transported on the long hike to the mother ship at the rendezvous point. What you decide is most important to carry may depend upon the size of your crew and the condition of its members after the rough landing. Nine people, some of whom are injured, may be able to carry different choices from the list than three people who are not hurt from the rough landing.

This activity is designed to make you solve a problem creatively. The goal is to get to a solution that looks at each person’s needs and point of view, and finally presents a plan that everyone is ready to accept. This is not an easy thing to do! Everyone being of the same mind is the best possible solution, but that is hard to reach. What you need to do is to reach a group decision that shows what most people wanted to do, and was OK with everyone. Here are some guidelines on how to tackle this problem:

1. Identify what problem you are solving and be sure that everyone agrees that you all are working on the same problem.

Brilliant Star March-April 1989 [Page 27]

. Try to name a spiritual principle that

can guide your thinking and consulting on this problem. Go directly to the Writings if possible for this guidance.

. Do not argue! Present your own rankings clearly, but also listen to what others think about the ideas you presented. 6. Be an active listener as well as a clear presenter.

4. Do not assume that someone must win and someone must lose. Look for the best alternative for everyone. Be ready to give your idea to the group, without being attached to it.

5. Don’t worry about disagreement within 7. the group, especially in the first stages of consulting. Do not change your mind just to avoid conflict or to reach agreement or harmony quickly. Remember that Abdu’l-Baha4 tells us, “The shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions.”

box of matches food concentrate ___ 50 feet of nylon rope parachute silk solar-powered portable heat unit ____ two .45 caliber pistols one case dehydrated milk ____ two 100 lb. tanks of oxygen stellar map (view of constellations from the moon)

self-inflating life raft

magnetic compass

5 gallons of water

signal flares

first-aid kit containing medicine

and supplies

solar-powered radio receiver/ transmitter

Ea When agreement comes too quickly, be cautious. It may mean that not everyone has had a chance to state his or her needs and ideas and be heard. By getting each person’s thinking, you have a better chance of reaching a creative decision and achieving unity to carry it out.

Try to avoid old methods of problemsolving such as bargaining or flipping a coin. Strive to find a solution that takes into account each point of view.

Here's the list of items still intact. Good luck!

Have your parents make copies of this page so you can have ranking sheets for your choices.

box of matches *4,% food concentrate

50 feet of nylon rope m parachute silk a solar-powered portable heatiunit “"%

two .45 caliber pistols ‘ one case dehydrated milk _____ two 100 lb. tanks of oxygen stellar map (view of constellations from the moon)

self-inflating life raft

magnetic compass

5 gallons of water

signal flares

first-aid kit containing medicine

and supplies

solar-powered radio receiver/

transmitter

Reilltant Star March-April 1989

27 [Page 28]28

Photo by Rita Leydon

Ms. Helen Underhill is a Bahai living in Eastern Pennsylvania who is dearly loved by both children and adults in her district. She wanted to share some memories about her life, with our readers, and to encourage you all to follow your hearts in doing what you are good at and in expressing yourselves in your own way, as she has done throughout her life.

» Dear Friends,

When I was a very little girl, Mother’s dearest friend, who was visiting us, promised to bring me a gold bracelet when she returned. As I recall, to have my very own gold bracelet was my dearest wish. In due time, Auntie Martha, as we called her, came for the weekend, but nothing was mentioned about the bracelet.

That night at supper, after Aunt Martha had left, I announced to the family:

Childhood Memories

The promise in the momise-house is gone!

That was my first poem!. Although it was never written down, all of us remembered it through the years.

Frequently, when very small, I spoke in rhyme. This delighted me and I would proudly announce to the family, “I think myself quite poetical!”

When I was thirteen, Mother (whom I adored) passed away. My blind father took to writing poetry. He would tear open large paper bags and inscribe his verses. Upon my return from school, I would

write them neatly in a note book. In fact, when in high school, I assisted in the editing of DADDY’S LOVE AND OTHER POEMS, his first published book.

I loved poetry. At the age of six, I memorized long poems which I dramatically recited at church and other gatherings.

My father and I studied the works of the great English and American poets. And I enjoyed reading them aloud to him.

I learned early in my young life that creating verse was a good way to deal with one’s emotions. Deprived of a mother, it was comforting to express my feelings in this way.

Writing poetry required no effort on my part. It was as easy as breathing and seemed equally as impor by Helen Underhill

tant. The muse came! I simply put my thoughts on paper.

But it was not until I was 87 years of age, realizing that my poetry had heart appeal, that I ventured to publish. It was my gift to our National Baha’i Fund. Contributions from GOD SPEAKS AND OTHER POEMS go directly to the Fund. Contributions from people who are not Baha’is go to the peace organization of their choice. The project has been successful. We are now on the second printing.

New vistas have opened for me. I am called upon to read my verse at Baha’, various religious, educational and social functions throughout the area. I am thus able to mention the name Baha’w’llah, the Glory of God.

At 91, I continue to write. I live at the Friends Village, a Quaker retirement community in Newtown, Pennsylvania. Relieved of household chores, and in an atmosphere of charm and friendliness, I am free to create.

I would like to close with a little poem for you young readers of BRILLIANT STAR.

Little star!

Up in the sky, Teach my thoughts To soar as high!

Love, Helen Underhill

Brilliant Star March-April 1989 [Page 29]FF

This song is about a Baha’i youth who will be remembered always in the history of our faith. This young man was once a worry to his family. But when he found Baha’w’ llah’s teachings for himself, he became on fire with his love for the Baha’i Faith. He decided to walk all the way from his home in Persia to the prison city of ’Akka, where Baha’u’llah was held prisoner, in hopes of being able to meet Him.

Baha’u llah had written letters to the kings and rulers of the world, telling them who He was and urging them to accept His message and bring about the Most Great Peace. These letters had gone out to the rulers, but Baha’u’llah had kept the one letter which was to go to the king of Persia. He was waiting for the right per son to take this very important letter to the king who had sent Him away from His homeland. Can you guess who that messenger was to be?

You’re right. The youth came on foot to the prison city and came into the presence of Baha’u’llah. Baha’u’llah gave him his new name, Badi, which means “wonderful”. Badi accepted the privilege of taking the letter to the king of Persia, knowing that it was a mission full of danger. He walked back to Persia alone.

Badi fulfilled the work Baha’u’llah had given him. He gave the letter to the king of Persia. He was killed soon after for being a Baha’i. We remember Badi for his bravery and for how firm he was in his love for Baha’u’llah.

C

~

Marvel- ous, F+

Won-der ful

~~

ous, He gave mean eye that can

Won-der ful Marvel Am F

sky. I hasten, I Em

fly qm

toa

spirit

qm

~~”

Marvel- ous, —

spot where a- gain I can K+

fashioned a-new from a handful of

He _ gave me the name of Ba- di.

gm? G

see into the

onthe wingsofan unhindered

G C

~

hear it. qm?

Won-der ful G 7(sus) Gq? G

Dust... Ba- di.

LUCEUBUEUBLECEELBEEECELEEELELLELEELE 29

Brilliant Star March-April 1989 [Page 30]30

Sisters of, the Le

Je

by Elyce Nasseri

There have been (and still are!) many heroic women who have striven to proclaim and develop the Bahai Faith. By looking in Bahd’i World, Bahai News, and other books you can learn about your spiritual mothers. Here is a game to introduce you to just a few of them. Look them up and learn about their lives!

—-—V__[

plas | gl oe ee tt [|| RO 5 ia] Ses oer s—_| IM pA on Foe | Te ee x Nt oJ ft uid i 1 — —|_|N

Clues:

Across (from the top of the puzzle)

1. Wife of the Blessed Beauty, Bahéa’u lah.

2. “The banner”, Mother teacher of the West.

3. World wide travel-teacher, buried in Hawaii.

4. American Bahai teacher who was the first western martyr in Iran.

5. Wife of the Beloved Guardian, Hand of the Cause of God and travel-teacher in hundreds of countries and territories.

6. Early Baha’i teacher in Paris who taught many of the first western Baha’is; mother of the woman named in number 5.

7. Hand of the Cause of God, a gate at Bahji is named for her by the Guardian because of her selfless services to the Cause.

Answers on inside front cover.

8. Qurratu’l-Ayn, an Iranian martyr, a Letter of the Living.

9. Pioneer and travel-teacher from Canada.

10. Wife of His Holiness, the Bab.

11. Knight of Bahda’u’llah, Hand of the Cause of God, pioneer in Japan and the Far East. First Baha’i to go to Hawail.

12. Fearless warrior at Zanjan.

13. Wife of the Master, Abdul-Bahda.

14. Queen, the first monarch to accept the Baha’i Faith. Was taught by the woman described in number 3.

Down

Sister of “Abdu’l-Baha who courageously followed her Father and Brother into exile. Through all of the difficulties and ordeals of the Holy Family, she guarded and protected the Covenant of Baha’u’lladh. Her tomb is within the arc on Mt. Carmel.

Brilliant Star March-April 1989 [Page 31]his issue of Brilliant Star is

one of farewells and welcomes. Rita Leydon is retiring after 11 years as art editor and production director, and with this issue of our magazine, Pepper Peterson Oldziey is taking on those roles. We want you to meet each of them.

ita Leydon was born in

Stockholm, Sweden in 1949, and came to America in 1960. One of her first memories of living in the United States was of sitting in a classroom and understanding nothing that was being said! She grew up in New Jersey and took art training at Moore College of Art and the Philadelphia College of Art.

She describes her finding the

Baha’i Faith: “I was captivated by the Baha’i Faith in 1971 while learning to fly gliders at a small field in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. My teacher was

a biplane barnstormer. He would

fly me to firesides. I declared my belief in about two weeks!’ Rita has worked as a freelance illustrator for magazines, textbooks and advertising, and has illustrated about a dozen juvenile books. We were delighted when she brought her considerable talent and experience to us 11 years ago and became art director for CHILD’S WAY. Rita’s creativity, keen sense of what captures the imagination of children, and her vision of what the magazine could be guided it through its dramatic change from CHILD’S WAY to

BRILLIANT STAR. She has also

nurtured a group of fine volunteer artists around the country Rita will remain on the editorial board as a consultant and we hope, after a muchdeserved rest, will share again her delightful illustrations with our readers. We like to think about Rita enjoying her “retirement” among her sheep, weaving, becoming more involved with her husband Chris’s burgeoning business of restoring antique racing cars, and the challenges of parenting

Brilliant Star March-April 1989

Profile

by Deborah Bley

Rita

two bright Baha’i young people: sons Krispin, age 12, and Lars, age 10 in Bucks Co., Pa. We appreciate the blessings of the love, time and gifts Rita gave to BRILLIANT STAR and all its readers. Thank you, Rita!

pee Oldziey joins the staff of BRILLIANT STAR, bringing to us wonderful experience in the area of graphic design and in developing educational materials for children.

Born and raised in mid-town Manhattan, New York City, Pepper discovered her career as a graphic designer after six weeks at the Parsons School of Design. She has worked in the design field for 20 years, and has a BFA in Graphic Design and Computer Graphics.

Pepper has worked as a textbook designer and in corporate design, but yearning to return to educational design, attended the University of Massachusetts in Amherst where she pursued her master’s degree in an indepth study of fostering creativity in children. She also worked as publications designer for the university and discovered herself among an active group of Baha’is. In 1978, she became a Baha’i and also met her husband Peter. They were married at Green Acre in December 1979 at the Winter School.

Pepper has lived on the Delmarva peninsula as a homefront pioneer since the early days of her marriage, first in Virginia on its Eastern Shore, and later in Delaware. She says, “I’m currently a homefront pioneer in Dover, Delaware — the last state capital in the country to form its first Local Spiritual Assembly, (which we did) this past year!”

In addition to her new responsibilities as art production director for BRILLIANT STAR, Pepper has an ongoing business called Peppergraphics, which she founded in 1980. She has two children, Kalim, age 7 (whom she schools at home) and Danielle, age 5. She says “Home-schooling Kalim lets me ‘field-test’ educational materials.”

We look forward to Pepper making her own signature in BRILLIANT STAR. We are sure that you will feel at home with her. You may have seen evidence of her accomplishments in the area of graphic arts in her work with national committees and for the Baha’i Publishing Trust with book designs. Welcome, Pepper!

ol [Page 32]o2

by Ann Keehner

Book Nook

Every day we are faced by many challenges. These challenges come in many different ways, shapes and forms. For the grandmother in Dakota Dugout by Ann Turner, illustrated by Ronald Himler (Macmillan 1985) the challenge is to survive life on the Dakota prairie a century ago. She went as a young bride to the prairie. Her first home was built from sod. She cried when she first saw it. “Dirt fell on our bed, snakes sometimes, too, and the buffalo hide door could not keep out the wind or the empty cries in the long grass”. But she faced the challenge of loneliness and backbreaking work and she survived.

One who did not survive was Emmeline Berrymen in Pam Conrad’s brilliantly evocative novel Prairie Songs (Harper & Row 1985). Louisa loves the prairie. She has lived there for all of her young life with her brother and parents. When the doctor brings his wife Emmeline from the east to the prairie Louisa thinks that Mrs. Berryman is the most beautiful woman she has even seen. She is willing to share her books with Louisa and Louisa idolizes her. But Emmeline Berryman is not able to face life on the prairie, a life filled with loneliness and what she sees as nothingness and through Louisa’s eyes we see her retreat into insanity.

Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney (Viking Press 1982) faces a different kind of challenge. When she was young, a girl named Alice helped her grandfather in his shipbuilding shop

and he would tell her about far away places and living by the sea. Alice told her grandfather that when she grew up she too wanted to travel to faraway places and live by the sea. “That is all very well,” said her grandfather, but he told her that there was one other thing that she must do: she must do something to make the world more beautiful. Alice didn’t know what that could be; she thought the world was pretty beautiful. But one day she did do something to make the world more beautiful.

Donald Carrick has written and illustrated two books about Harald, a young boy who lives in the middle ages. Harald and The Giant Knight (Clarion Books 1982) is the story of how Harald and his father work to save their land from knights who are thoughtlessly ruining it as they prepare for a tournament. Harald and The Great Stag (Clarion Books 1988) is about the hunting of the great stag of the forest. Harald sees the stag and feels that he cannot let it be hunted, so he tries to save it.

Brave Irene by William Steig (Farrar Straus & Giroux 1986) is about young Irene Bobbin whose mother is a dressmaker. When her mother becomes very ill and is unable to deliver a dress to the duchess for a ball that evening it is up to Irene to take on that task. Faced by a blinding snowstorm and wicked winds she struggles to fulfill her responsibility.

Twelve year old King David faces a different kind of respon sibility. When he and his six year old sister, Queen of Sheba, are the only ones left alive after an Indian attack on their wagon train he must find a way to get Queen of Sheba to safety. He thinks that his parents are with another part of the wagon train that is several days journey ahead of them. Somehow he and his sister must catch up with them in Louise Moeri’s powerful adventure story Save Queen of Sheba (E.P. Dutton 1981).

When Robert Swan was 21 he saw a photograph of the men who were with Captain Robert Scott on their journey to the South Pole. He decided then and there that he had to do whatever he must to go to the South Pole himself, to retrace the tragic journey of Scott and his men. Destination Antarctica (Scholastic 1988) is the story in words and photographs of this journey.

Betty Leslie-Melville and her husband Jock were living in Nairobi when one day a friend came to see them. He said “he had the only 130 Rothschild giraffe left in the world living on his ranch, and that they were being poached.” Daisy Rothschild: The Giraffe That Lives With Me (Doubleday 1987) is the heart-warming story of Betty and Jock’s work to save the Rothschild giraffe from extinction. (Caution when you read this book you will want a giraffe more than anything in the world!). *

Brilliant Star March-April 1989

[Page 33]

Parents

page

“To Guard Their Children”

It happened again last night. The ambulance arrived to find a three-year-old girl crying from a burning pain in her mouth and stomach. Beside her lay a handful of ammonia capsules that she’d found on a shelf. A mother watched in horror as her child drooled uncontrollably, sloughing off the membranes of her lips and tongue: “They were on a shelf

. .. How could she have reached them?”

As an emergency medical technician, I’ve answered this call more times than I can remember. A cup of bleach was left on the laundry table. Dad’s after-shave was left on the bathroom sink. The not-quiteempty can of lighter fluid was left by the grill. Brown liquid weed-killer was stored in a soda bottle. It seems that neither wretched taste, nor overpowering smell can deter a child from ingesting the very worst substance stored in a house. Thirty seconds—answering the phone, retrieving the mail—is all the opportunity needed. An ambulance can race the clock, but not turn it back once the damage is done.

As parents, we pray, “O unequalled Lord! For this helpless child be a Protector. . .” But can we ask for that blessing and assistance before we’ve swept every household danger out the door? Shoghi Effendi particularly charges the mother to “create in her

Brilliant Star March-April 1989

home such conditions as would be most conducive to both his material and spiritual welfare

”?

A child’s welfare begins with his safety, and safety begins with accident prevention. Walk through your house, looking into every cabinet and corner with the eyes of a three-yearold. Which pill have you seen Daddy take? Which colors are pretty in the bottles Mommy uses? What can you climb on to see the high places? Can you reach the Flintstone vitamins?

When the tour is completed, think of how everyday objects might be misused. Showerhead attachments, oven cleaning sprays, and crochet needles are a few of the ordinary items that I’ve seen bring tragedy. Lock the tools. Label the poisons.

A young mother draws her baby’s bath; her first son, two years old, looks on. The doorbell rings. While the woman is gone, her son decides to carry on. He lifts the baby into the tub. Screams fill the house. Scalding water has burned the baby’s entire body.

Are you prepared for accidents that do happen? Look at your telephone. Is the ambulance emergency number posted within sight? Even if you know the number, your babysitter may not.

Have you taken a CPR course and learned the Heimlich maneuver? The Red Cross now teaches CPR and Choking Awareness courses to children as young as eight. The American Heart Association will now teach pediatric CPR courses to parents. Don’t

gamble that medical professionals can reach your home within the six minute limit on the life of a child that isn’t breathing.

A car and a pick-up sit askew in the road. As the police try to route traffic around the bashed vehicles, EMT’s hurry to examine the accident victims. The five occupants of the car have only minor scratches, none requiring hospital care. The three in the truck are covered with blood. The windshield on this passenger side has a “‘spider-web” crack, a signal that someone has been thrown face-first into the glass. A dent in the metal dashboard shows where a baby’s head hit.

Though these people all were involved in the same accident, some will bear scars for the rest of their lives, others won’t. Those that will chose not to fasten their seatbelts.

In the world of emergency services, dealing with car accidents is a daily concern. From experience, EMT’s, police, and fire rescue workers have a saying: “I’ve never unbuckled the seatbelt on a dead man.” Think about it. Cars overturned, burned, broken in two, wrapped around utility poles, jammed under trucks, melded and melted—I’ve seen them all. And I’ve never unbuckled the seatbelt on a dead man.

Listing the areas in which children must be trained, ’Abdu’l-Baha writes: “Let them also study whatever will nurture the health of the body and its physical soundness, and how to guard their children from disease.”

A conscientious parent can know that attention to questions of safety will not only prevent grief at home, but also shape a child’s actions when they are beyond our sight. By setting the example, we make every environment they ever face a safer place. x

33 [Page 34]

Sia Ai Ping is 9 years old and lives in Malaysia, Thankyou, Sia.

Brilliant Star.

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