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[Page i]A BAHÁ’Í COMPANION FOR YOUNG EXPLORERS

Brilliant Star

www.brilliantstarmagazine.org VOL. 48 NO. 5

MAKE YOUR OWN UKULELE

A BAHÁ’Í IN IRAN TELLS HER STORY

HOLA!

HI!

LA

LALA

LAAA!

HERE, KITTY, KITTY.

MEOW!

UH-OH.

SURE!

CAN I JOIN?

LA

I’M SO EXCITED!

WELCOME! READY TO PLAY?

YEAH, I LOVE MUSIC JAMS!

COOL!

WE MADE IT, MAX.

WOOF!

BZZ!

Connect with Kindness [Page ii]

Brilliant Star

Bahá’í National Center 1233 Central Street, Evanston, Illinois 60201 U.S. 847.853.2354 brilliant@usbnc.org Subscriptions: 1.800.999.9019 www.brilliantstarmagazine.org

Published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States Amethel Parel-Sewell EDITOR/CREATIVE DIRECTOR C. Aaron Kreader DESIGNER/ILLUSTRATOR Amy Renshaw SENIOR EDITOR Susan Engle ASSOCIATE EDITOR Annie Reneau ASSISTANT EDITOR Foad Ghorbani PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

MANY THANKS TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS

Lisa Blecker Marisol Contreras Enoch Davidson Samuel Eckl Amanda Enayati Elizabeth Waldman Frazier Bruce Gilbert George Hatcher Nicolás Hiraldo Sandra Hutchison Sara Lovell • Doug Marshall - Nazgol Missaghi Azin Mofidi - Mona Mohtadi Liam Norris Dominik Ollis Liam Padfield Monica Pasqual Layli Phillips Aimee Porter Donna Price Yasna Rezvani Sahba Dr. Gavin Schmidt Dr. Stephen Scotti Jeremy Smith Burhan Zahrai

ART AND PHOTO CREDITS

Original illustrations by C. Aaron Kreader, unless noted By Lisa Blecker: Photos for pp. 6-7 By Foad Ghorbani: Art for p. 4 Historical photos courtesy National Bahá’í Archives, unless noted

STORY AND ACTIVITY CREDITS

By Amy Renshaw: 3, 11, 14, 20 By Susan Engle: 16, 22, 24, 27, 28 By Heidi Parsons: 28 By Annie Reneau: 2, 4, 8, 9, 13, 26 By Lisa Blecker: 6 By Donna Price: 10, 11, 12, 14, 20, 25, 29

SUBSCRIPTION RATES AND RENEWALS

To order or renew a subscription, contact Bahá’í Subscriber Service: Toll-free: 1.800.999.9019/E-mail: subscription@usbnc.org Standard U.S. rates: $18 (One year); $32 (Two years) International airmail: $38 (One year); $68 (Two years) Canada and Mexico: $28 (One year); $48 (Two years)

RIGHTS, PERMISSIONS, AND CLASS USE

All content in this magazine is copyrighted by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the U.S. or by individual contributors. For permission to copy or translate material, contact: Rights and Permissions, Brilliant Star, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201. Teachers may photocopy pages in limited quantities for classroom use. "Brilliant Star" and issue date must be present on all copies, and proper credit given to the copyright owner.

Brilliant Star empowers kids to explore their roles as world citizens. Inspired by the principles of peace and unity in the Bahá’í Faith, we encourage readers to use their virtues to make the world a better place.

The Bahá’í Faith is the second most widespread religion in the world, with over five million Bahá’ís. It was founded by the Prophet Bahá’u’lláh ("Glory of God" in Arabic) in 1863. Bahá’u’lláh taught that all people are part of one human family, and all religions come from one God. Bahá’u’lláh's eldest son, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, interpreted His teachings and led the Bahá’í community after Bahá’u’lláh's passing. Today, Bahá’ís work to bring love and justice to the world, and end prejudice and discrimination of all kinds.

FAVORITE FEATURES

Bahá’u’lláh's Life: Mission of Peace Write the word "peace" in Arabic calligraphy.

Nur's Nook Make a ukulele and invite friends to sing along.

We Are One Explore and care for the place we all call home.

Riley's Rainforest What is your body language saying?

Maya's Mysteries Match each animal with its hearing superpower.

Lightning and Luna: Episode #72 Will they survive Elka Ego's attack?

Radiant Stars Get to know kids who shine, like you.

Shining Lamp: Mishkin-Qalam A master calligrapher who was exiled for his faith.

Cosmo's Corner A crossword and more from our favorite chameleon

aMAZEing ADVENTURE Monkey around with a jungle challenge.

Stargazer: Amanda Enayati An author helps others find inner peace.

Treble Chef's Music Café Friendship hits just the right note.

ISSN 0884-3635 [Page 1]CONNECT WITH KINDNESS • VOL. 48, NO. 5

NEW DESTINATIONS

2	Hunt for Treasure What can you find on Brilliant Star’s website?
3	Whale of a Tale Make a splash with kind words and deeds.
9	Leap to New Levels Skate into meaningful conversations.
10	Surprising Squid How are our words like deep-sea creatures?
13	Gremlins of Gossip Stop gossip from creating chaos.
19	Reading Anne Frank in Isfahan Perseverance in the face of injustice.
20	Space Ace NASA scientists answer your questions.
25	Battle the Blazes Quench angry flames with peaceful words.
27	What Do You Say? Practice speaking up for truth.

DEAR FRIENDS,

In the morning, you give your classmate a high five and say, “Hey, congrats on your awesome science project!” After school, you text a long-distance friend, “What’s new? I miss you!” At night, you hug your parents before going to bed.

Every interaction is a chance to communicate with kindness and understanding—even when no words are used. When you smile at others, let someone else go first, or wave a lonely kid over to join you, your actions tell people you care.

In this issue of Brilliant Star, explore the many ways we express ideas and feelings. Share the language of music with a homemade ukulele and a song about friendship. Discover tips for stopping the gremlins of gossip. Get to know author and journalist Amanda Enayati, who’s passionate about learning and writing. And meet Sahba, who writes about her experiences living as a Bahá’í in Iran.

Our conversations and actions convey who we are. When we communicate with love, we help create a happier world.

LOVE, BRILLIANT STAR [Page 2]

Hunt for Treasure Online

Have you checked out Brilliant Star’s website lately? Hop online and take an exciting journey to find new treasures! You’ll spot craft projects, how-to-draw videos, music videos, interactive games, stories, quizzes, and more. Visit the site on a tablet, a smartphone, or your computer—you can join us from anywhere. Explore the site, have fun, and discover the answers to fill in the blanks below.

1. The newest Bahá’í Temple in Santiago, Chile, is a “powerful spiritual _ _ _ C _ _ .”
2. Jamilah M. is a Brilliant Star youth advisor called a T _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
3. When you select “Characters” from the top of the homepage, you can learn how to draw the computer-coding robot named _ _ D _ .
4. Bahá’ís believe that service to humanity is _ _ _ _ _ _ P .
5. Serene, one of our kid bloggers, went on a trip to OmKoi, _ _ H _ _ _ _ _ .

[Page 3]

WHALE OF A TALE

“The social unity of the human world . . . may be likened to an ocean, and each member, each individual, a wave upon that same ocean.” —‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Below the ocean’s surface, whale songs speed through the water over thousands of miles. These majestic mammals have a language all their own. Their clicks, moans, whistles, and grunts send messages and help them navigate.

Above the waves, whether we’re talking about nature’s wonders or sending quick text messages, people communicate constantly. Our words connect us through speech, phones, and computers. Caring and respectful words help us build stronger relationships. Positive messages can touch friends’ hearts — even online, when we don’t see them in person.

We communicate silently through our actions, too. A smile with eye contact is a way to reach out in friendship. Kind deeds convey our love for humanity — and for all of Earth’s creatures, large and small.

On this whale-watching expedition, find nine virtuous animals or objects that help us communicate with kindness.

Accepting Orca

Benevolent Binoculars

Courageous Camera

Dependable Dolphin

Friendly Flag

Humorous Hat

Mindful Microphone

Peaceful Pelican

Sincere Seagull

[Page 4]

A Brief Timeline: The Life of Bahá’u’lláh

The highlighted area marks the time in which this story takes place.

1817 November 12 Birth of Bahá’u’lláh in Tihrán, Iran

1844 Recognizes the Báb as a new Messenger of God

1852 Imprisonment in the "Black Pit" of Tihrán

1853-1863 Exile in Baghdad, Iraq. From 1854-1856, He goes into the mountains to pray in solitude.

1863 April 22 Declares Divine Mission as Prophet-Founder of the Bahá’í Faith

1863-1868 Exile in Constantinople (Istanbul), then Adrianople (Edirne), Turkey. Begins writing letters to kings and rulers in 1867, urging world unity

1868 Last exile, to prison-city of ‘Akká, Israel

1877 Finally free to live in countryside homes of Mazra’ih and then Bahjí, outside ‘Akká

1892 May 29 Bahá’u’lláh passes away at Bahjí.

In the Wilderness

What do you do when faced with a troubling challenge? You can talk to someone you trust. Or you can pray and reflect for a while.

Bahá’u’lláh spent time in the wilderness, praying and meditating. He had arrived in Baghdad, Iraq, in 1853, after being banished from Iran by Muslim authorities who felt threatened by a new, growing faith.

Bahá’u’lláh followed the teachings of a Messenger of God known as the Báb (“the Gate” in Arabic), who taught that another Messenger would soon come to guide humanity to peace. The Báb was executed in 1850, and His followers, called Bábís, were persecuted.

Many Bábís looked to Bahá’u’lláh for leadership. But Bahá’u’lláh’s half-brother, Mírzá Yaḥyá, grew jealous. He began spreading lies about Bahá’u’lláh, creating confusion and division.

This deeply saddened Bahá’u’lláh. He didn’t want to be part of anything that caused disunity. So on April 10, 1854, He left for the mountains of Kurdistán. He dressed like a dervish—a poor, devout man who focuses on prayer. He walked about 200 miles from Baghdad and lived simply, with little food. He said, “I shunned all else but God, and closed Mine eyes to all except Him, that... the fire of hatred may die...”

Bahá’u’lláh retreated to the mountains of Kurdistán. At times He lived in a cave or a simple stone shelter.

One day, Bahá’u’lláh went to a village and saw a sad boy sitting alone and crying. Bahá’u’lláh asked him what was wrong. The boy said he had no copy of calligraphy to use for practicing his writing. He was afraid to return to school.

Bahá’u’lláh kindly told the boy to dry his tears. Then He wrote some words and showed him how to copy them. The boy went happily back to school. When the instructor saw Bahá’u’lláh’s exquisite handwriting, he knew it was not the penmanship of an ordinary dervish. Bahá’u’lláh had learned the art of calligraphy as a child, like many who grew up in noble families.

Bahá’u’lláh used this reed pen and ink spoon when writing calligraphy.

People began to seek out the mysterious hermit who lived in the mountains. Scholars at a nearby school grew to admire His wisdom.

Finally, after about two years away, Bahá’u’lláh returned to Baghdad, bringing joy to His family and friends. [Page 5]“The one object of Our retirement was to avoid becoming a subject of discord among the faithful . . . or the cause of sorrow to any heart.” — Bahá’u’lláh

Bahá’u’lláh inspired unity and devotion in the Bábí community. He uplifted countless hearts in Baghdád with His compassion. Still, officials exiled Him again in 1863. Bahá’u’lláh departed Baghdád with dignity, while Mírzá Yahyá fled the city in disguise. Before He left, Bahá’u’lláh made the announcement that He was the promised Messenger of God foretold by the Báb. That day marked the birth of the Bahá’í Faith, which now has over five million followers around the globe.

Bahá’u’lláh spent 12 days in a garden on the banks of the Tigris River in Baghdád, where He announced His mission as a Messenger of God.

Bahá’u’lláh revealed His holy writings in Persian and Arabic. These languages are written in calligraphy, a widely admired art form. Traditionally, the pen (qalam) is made from a dried reed. Its flexibility allows the writer to make graceful, sweeping lines. Today, many people use a calligraphy marker with a slanted tip. Practice writing the Arabic word salam (peace). Arabic is read from right to left, so start at the right side of the page. Hold the pen very gently in your hand, and follow the numbered arrows. [Page 6]

Make Your Own Ukulele

"Through the power and charm of music the spirit... is uplifted." —‘Abdu’l-Bahá

usic can connect our hearts. In some ways it's a universal language. Even if you don't understand the words in a song, you can often feel the emotions they express. For example, an upbeat tune conveys joy, while a somber one communicates sadness. One instrument that's especially fun to play casually in groups is the ukulele. It's a small guitar, usually with four strings, so it's easy to carry around and share music with others. The ukulele evolved from an instrument brought to Hawaii by the Portuguese in the 1870s. Since then, different versions have been created. Today, ukuleles are heard around the world in pop, jazz, classical, and other types of music.

Make a ukulele to connect with your family and friends. Start by plucking strings to create a repetitive tune. Invite others to snap, clap, or sing along!

You'll Need

• 2 pieces thick cardboard 8" x 3" (20.3 x 7.6 cm)
• ruler
• ballpoint pen
• scissors
• 10 jumbo craft sticks
• 13 rubber bands of varying width
• duct tape
• decorative paper
• stickers
• markers
• tacky glue
• cardboard box with lid, about 7" x 5"x1" (17.8 x 12.7x2.5 cm)

Instructions

1 On cardboard, draw a 22" (6.4 cm) square for headstock, a 4" x 2" (10.2 x 5.1 cm) rectangle for neck, and a 1" square (2.5 cm) tab. Cut out as one piece.

2 Trim corners where headstock meets neck. Trace onto other cardboard piece and cut out.

I LOVE MAKING MUSIC! Neck Tab Headstock

3 Stack cardboard pieces with a craft stick between them. [Page 7]

Nur’s Nook

4 Wrap four rubber bands snugly around neck for frets, spaced 1" (2.5 cm) apart.

5 Draw two lines 1" (2.5 cm) apart in center of short end of box bottom. Cut along lines and open flap down. Insert neck’s entire tab. With tape and nearest fret, secure tab to inside of box bottom and secure flap to back of neck.

6 Put lid on box. Repeat Step 5 for lid, but now only use tape and fret to secure flap to front side of neck. Carefully use pen to punch hole in lid about 2" (5.1 cm) from neck. Use marker to widen hole.

7 For bridge, stack nine craft sticks. Secure with three rubber bands, wrapped tightly several times, spaced 1 1/2" (3.8 cm) apart.

8 Decorate box with markers, stickers, or decorative paper, leaving sound hole uncovered. For strings, wrap six rubber bands around box, spaced apart.

9 Place bridge under strings, and position strings between bridge’s banded sections. Pluck strings to hear tone. To improve sound, adjust bridge placement or cut strings smaller and carefully knot them at back of box.

10 Knot end of a cut rubber band to base of a central string. Knot other end to last fret. Repeat for other central string. Trim ends. Now you’re ready to jam! [Page 8]

RILEY’S RAINFOREST

“Send down . . . from the clouds of Thy mercy the rains of Thy healing . . .” —Bahá’u’lláh

Explore & Soar:

Power Poses

Try these moves to give yourself a boost.

Lighten the Load We tend to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders when we’re stressed—so shake it off! Wiggle your shoulders a few times and drop them into a relaxed position.

Smile a While Make yourself smile—including crinkling your eyes—and hold it. Think of a happy or funny memory, and see how long it takes for a genuine smile to shine through.

Superhero Stance Put your hands on your hips in fists, throw your shoulders back, and hold your head up high. Imagine your cape flowing in the wind.

Reach for the Sky Stand with your feet a little wider than shoulder width apart. Stand straight and tall, and stretch your arms up toward the sky. Imagine reaching toward your dreams.

What Is Your Body Saying?

Did you know that you can make yourself feel happier and more confident just by changing the way you move?

Our body language can affect how others see us, and it can also impact how we think and feel about ourselves. Research shows that people who sit up straighter have better moods and more self-esteem. People who walk with confidence experience more positive thoughts. The mind and body affect each other, and researchers are exploring how that connection works.

One thing they’ve found is that when we feel unsure, we tend to become more hunched and closed in, like a hedgehog curling into a ball. When we feel triumphant, we’re apt to open our bodies more, like a bird spreading its wings. (Think of a runner crossing the finish line with her arms spread wide.) Some research has shown that purposefully taking a “power stance”—holding your body in a strong, confident pose—for a minute or two a day may make you feel less stressed and more self-assured.

Other studies show that putting a smile on your face—even if it’s pretend at first—can help you feel happier. The physical act of smiling appears to trigger hormones that improve your mood. So when you feel down or sluggish, try smiling, and see how it affects your attitude.

It can be fun to experiment with how you hold and move your body. Catch yourself slouching? Sit up tall. Notice you’re frowning? Put on a happy face. What is your body saying right now?

Curiosity Canopy

Did you know? Smiling is contagious! Swedish researchers did an experiment, asking people to frown while they looked at a picture of a smiling person. They found that volunteers had to fight the urge to smile, and had to make a real effort to frown. When you smile at others, their brains tell them to smile back. Keep smiling and spread joy!

8 Brilliant Star ★ VOL. 48, NO. 5 [Page 9]

LEAP TO NEW LEVELS

"In your meaningful conversations with your Friends... you explore together how better to contribute to the material and spiritual welfare of others..." -Bahá’í Writings

Whoosh! Zoom! Swoosh! Skateboarders whiz past each other, zipping over the smooth surface.

When you first meet someone, conversations can be like that—flying over surface topics. You toss out a friendly greeting or chat about what's going on around you. But if you talk more and get to know each other, that can change. You might offer some tips or ask for advice. As a friendship forms, you swap opinions about your favorite gear, tunes, or movies. In time, you may have heart-to-heart talks, where you openly share your challenges, hopes, and beliefs.

Exploring big ideas lifts our conversations to higher levels. You can ramp up a discussion by asking questions and sharing how you feel. Talk about things that mean a lot to you, such as spirituality or justice. You can form stronger bonds and work with your friends to change the world together.

Find words about having an honest chat. Look up, down, Forward, backward, and diagonally.

KINDNESS EMPATHY SENSITIVE HONEST SPIRITUAL HUMILITY COMPASSION RESPECT FRIENDLY ENTHUSIASM SHARING SINCERE MEANINGFUL INTEGRITY POSITIVE SUPPORTIVE OPENNESS UNDERSTANDING

UP SVE JE LRHQDTEY ENIPEVCMUNGINFT V C D QIQI MPNMTYRI I OMEJRITIAH PEIR TM HYRL INRUTS PEG IPTOISET SOPHFNE SAX TNTTIUE P Q YD T OSYBSEA ACANPOLN PS PIDSSTNPL SUY I VILC MACTQ D N F B S Y GO FUWLUFGNINAEM PNSENSITIVENAS B SSENDNIKIDUTGQJ GNIRAHS OPENNESS SINCEREX KWHLY DE [Page 10]

Surprising SQUID

Did you know that some squid can fly? Caribbean reef squid can jet out of the ocean and soar for 33 feet (10 m) by squirting water behind them! Flying is an escape tactic for this little reef-dwelling creature. It also changes color to camouflage itself and hide in the reefs.

Reef squid have small pigment balloons under their skin that expand and bring different colors to the surface.

They use colors and patterns to escape predators, and to communicate. With over 30 patterns, from zebra stripes to bright gold, they attract mates, warn off rivals, or express alarm.

Humans can't change skin pigment, but our words, body language, and voices can color our communication with kindness-and keep our friendships flying.

In this Caribbean coral reef, find 20 squid with various patterns.

WHAT MAKES A SQUID LAUGH? TEN-TICKLES! [Page 11]WE ARE ONE EXPLORE AND PROTECT THE EARTH AND ITS CREATURES

"All the members of this endless universe are linked one to another." — Bahá’í Writings

OUR CONNECTIONS

In 2016, Earth's average temperatures were the warmest on record. Scientists analyze massive amounts of data—mainly from 6,300 weather stations, ships and buoys measuring sea temperature, and Antarctic research stations. Most scientists say our warming planet and changing climate are due to human activities. It's crucial for us to understand actions we can take to help our environment.

EARTH-SAVING TIP

Bzzz! Busy Bees! Making honey and pollinating plants is thirsty work for bees. Give them a water station by filling a small dish with water, then add rocks where they can land.

PROTECTING OUR PLANET

Dr. Gavin A. Schmidt is a British climatologist at NASA. He uses data from the past and present to make computer models to predict our future climate, based on human choices. He says, "It's important for people who know things not to give up the public sphere to people who don't know things."

WOW, REALLY?

There are about 700 species and subspecies of primates, including great apes, gibbons, monkeys, lemurs, and humans!

WHERE IN THE WORLD?

Popocatépetl, meaning "smoking mountain" in Aztec, is the second tallest volcano in North America at 17,930 ft (5,465 m). This active volcano is only 37 miles (60 km) from one of the most populated cities in the world. Unscramble the letters to find its location: COEXIM 000000

AMAZING ANIMALS

Less than 1,000 of these critically endangered great apes remain, living in east-central Africa. Males can be 6 feet (1.8 m) tall and weigh about 400 pounds (181 kg), making them the largest primates, on average. Fill in the blanks to find their name: M N RILL S

Images: Penguin by Armin Rose, bee by Amethel Parel-Sewell, Dr. Schmidt by Bruce Gilbert, mountain by Kuryanovich Tatsiana, apes by Gudkov Andrey [Page 12]

Maya’s Mysteries

OUR HEARING IS AMAZING, BUT SOME ANIMALS HAVE EXTREME HEARING!

Now Hear This

My friends and I were hiking in the woods when we heard a high-pitched "SCREEECH!" Suddenly, a hawk zoomed above us. It was so awesome!

We heard tons of sounds that day, from the hawk to frogs croaking. So I looked up some cool facts about hearing. Sounds are really vibrations. When the hawk screeched, vibrations traveled through the air to our ears. Scientists can even figure out the number of vibrations per second—that’s a sound’s frequency. It’s measured in Hertz (Hz). The hawk’s high-pitched cry has a high frequency, but a bullfrog’s croak has a low one.

Most human speech is about 80-250 Hz, but people can hear sounds up to 20,000 Hz. Animals and humans have developed different kinds of ears and hearing based on our needs. Whether we fly, walk, or swim, careful listening is key to communicating and thriving.

Animal Match

Earth’s creatures have a wide range of hearing abilities. Match these clues and the animals below.

1 Swooping around at night to hunt, these creatures depend on their uneven ears that collect sound at different volumes and angles.

2 This marine animal has internal ears, with only holes visible on its head. The ears help them detect vibrations in the water.

3 300,000 Hz is the highest known frequency for an animal. These insects use it to communicate above the hearing level of their main predator—bats.

4 These animals have 32 muscles in each ear. They can move their ears independently and rotate them 180 degrees.

5 These creatures use echolocation to navigate, bouncing high-pitched clicks off of objects to build a mental map.

6 Before hatching, these babies call out to their mom, who hears them and digs the eggs out of the sand.

7 Songs of this enormous species travel over 1,400 miles (2,253 km). Even before the human voice, these creatures were heard on Earth.

8 These creatures communicate up to six miles (10 km) across the savannah, using infrasound, or frequencies below human hearing.

Great gray owls are hard to find. I saw this one in Yosemite Valley in California!

Aww, these elephants are so cute!

CROCODILES GREATER WAX MOTHS HUMPBACK WHALES GREAT GRAY OWLS SHARKS CATS ELEPHANTS BATS [Page 13]

GREMLINS OF GOSSIP

"Backbiting quencheth the light of the heart, and extinguisheth the life of the soul." -Bahá’u’lláh

hat do you do if a friend starts to gossip about someone? Gossip creeps easily into conversations, and handling it can be tricky. It can be tempting to spread "news" about others, but that news can be negative or not even true. Imagine how you'd feel if you found out people were talking about you behind your back.

Like mischievous gremlins, gossip and rumors can run wild, causing hurt feelings and disunity. They don't only harm the person being talked about, either. Gossip hurts the gossipers by dampening their spirits and destroying people's trust in them. And those who hear rumors don't get a chance to see the truth with their own eyes.

So before you talk about someone, is what you're saying kind and true? Is it helpful and necessary? If not, be a good friend and scare the gremlins of gossip away.

Find clues to complete these tips for stopping the gossip gremlins.

1 Make it a to look for people's good qualities.

2 If someone starts to gossip, walk away or the subject.

3 Be an always speaking kindly about others.

4 Tell your that you don't like to gossip.

5 If you hear a rumor, don't pass it on. Let it with you.

6 When someone gossips, remind them that it may not be .

7 If you feel the urge to gossip, and take a deep breath.

8 Avoid hanging out with people who .

9 Cybergossip is still gossip. Don't spread rumors .

10 Try your best to help others feel welcome and .

BACKBITE CHANGE RUMOR STOP HABIT FALSE GOSSIP FRIENDS EXAMPLE PAUSE TELL ONLINE INCLUDED [Page 14]

LIGHTNING & LUNA

THE BOMBARDMENT

BAXTER AND BRIDGET

1. 72

INSIDE THE MANSION OF MIRRORS . . .

Baxter: THIS MUST BE LEVEL 3. WHAT ARE THOSE?

Bridget: JUST IGNORE THEM! WE HAVE TO HURRY!

ZAAAPP! ZAAAPP!

Baxter: OUCH!

Bridget: GAHHHH! THESE THINGS HURT BAD!

Bridget: CALL FOR BACKUP.

Baxter: IT’S NOT WORKING! SOME KIND OF INTERFERENCE.

Bridget: COLIN! MINNAH! YOU THERE?!

Baxter: NOTHING.

Bridget: I HOPE THEY’RE OKAY!

CONTROL ROOM IN ELKA’S LAIR . . .

Henchman: GREAT! OUR BOMBARDMENT IS WORKING.

Elka: AND IT’S SO POWERFUL, PEOPLE WILL SPEND ALL THEIR MONEY ON ME!

Henchman: YOU’LL BE THEIR IDOL.

Elka: EXACTLY. THE WORLD WILL BE AT MY MERCY. AND I’M GOING TO HAVE SOOO MUCH MONEY! YESSSS!

OUTSIDE THE MANSION OF MIRRORS . . .

Minnah: IT SAYS I’M UGLY IF I DON’T BUY.

Colin: ANY NEW CLUES TO HELP LIGHTNING AND LUNA?

Minnah: NO. HOLD ON WHILE I BUY—

Colin: HEY, THAT’S MINE!

Minnah: YOU’RE TOO CAUGHT UP.

Colin: I SAID I WOULD HELP YOU STOP.

Minnah: BUY! BUY! BUY!

Colin: I CAN’T EVEN TURN IT OFF! [Page 15]BUY NOW OR BE A LOSER!

MY PHONE TOO? I WASN’T EVEN PLAYING. IS THIS HAPPENING EVERYWHERE?

MEANWHILE, AROUND THE WORLD...

BUY!

MINE!

NO, MINE!

LIGHTNING! LUNA! CAN YOU HEAR US?

THAT’S NOT WORKING EITHER. THEY COULD BE IN BIG TROUBLE. WE NEED TO HELP!

DO YOU KNOW HOW TO PILOT THIS THING?

I’M A FAST LEARNER!

WHOA!

YOU CAN DO IT, MINNAH. BUT NO OFFENSE, I’M STILL GONNA BUCKLE UP.

YIKES!

INSIDE ELKA’S LAIR...

OHHHH, I FEEL... WOOZY.

ZAAAPP!

WE HAVE TO FIND THE CONTROL ROOM AND STOP THIS!

ZAAAPP!

ZAAAPP!

NOOOO! LUNA!

CRAAASH!

CA-CRAACK!

Hey, Lightning & Luna fans! Do you want to test an iPad app featuring our favorite superheroes? E-mail brilliant@usbnc.org! [Page 16]

RADIANT STARS

Getting to know kids who shine

Connect with kids around the world! How are they like you? How are they different? Each of us has a unique story to tell. What’s yours?

Enoch D.

Age: 13 I live in: California, U.S. I want to be: Biomedical engineer This career interests me because: I’ve always wanted to be an engineer and a doctor, and this job is a mix of both. Virtue I admire most: Truthfulness Hobbies or sports: Karate Favorite Bahá’í activities: Junior youth group and teach[ing] . . . children’s classes Place I’d love to visit: Tokyo, Japan I like to help people by: Helping my 6-year-old brother on his homework A favorite book: False Prince [by Jennifer A. Nielsen] A favorite food: Adobo (a dish from the Philippines) A hero or role model: Steven Paul Jobs A kind compliment I received: They said I was a truthful friend. A message I’d give to world leaders: I’d talk about how to unite all the countries to become as one big world!!!

Yasna R.

Age: 13 I live in: Arizona, U.S. I want to be: A professional soccer player Virtue I admire most: A sense of humor Hobbies or sports: Soccer, basketball, Xbox One, and cards Favorite Bahá’í activity: Ruhi book* When someone gossips, a good response is: To try to solve the problem and find out the truth. Favorite animal: Asiatic cheetah I like to help people by: Cheering them up A favorite book: The 39 Clues [series] A kind compliment I received: What my math teacher said to me: “I’m so lucky to have you as a student. Thank you for being awesome!!” How I handle arguments: By trying to think of a compromise or find a good reason for them to agree with me. A message I’d give to world leaders: It would be to try their best to stop global warming. A favorite prayer or quote: “O God, guide me . . .”

Marisol C.

Age: 12 I live in: Texas, U.S. I want to be: A surgeon This career interests me because: I like biology Virtue I admire most: Honesty Favorite Bahá’í activity: Ayyám-i-Há** A hero or role model: My parents A favorite book: Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata Favorite animal: Hedgehog I like to help people by: Being courteous Place I’d love to visit: Hawaii Hobbies or sports: Dance A kind compliment I received: That I am thoughtful of my classmates How I handle arguments: We talk it out. When someone gossips, a good response is: Don’t take part in gossip. A message I’d give to world leaders: Make laws fair. A favorite prayer or quote: “Intone, O My servant, the verses of God . . .”

• Ruhi books are a series of books about the Bahá’í teachings that people study in groups.
  • Ayyám-i-Há is a festival of hospitality, charity, gift giving, and preparing for the Bahá’í Fast.

[Page 17]“God has crowned you with honor and in your hearts has He set a radiant star; verily the light thereof shall brighten the whole world!” — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Nicolás H.

Age: 11

I live in: New Jersey, U.S.

I want to be: An actor

This career interests me because: I feel like I can set an example [for] others and inspire them.

Virtues I admire most: Humbleness, selflessness

Favorite Bahá’í activity: Junior youth [group]

A hero or role model: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Place I’d love to visit: Europe

I like to help people by: Offering my time and knowledge [of] serving others

A favorite food: Pasta

A kind compliment I received: [You’re] so nice, thoughtful, and well-behaved.

How I handle arguments: I either go to an adult to talk about what is happening or talk it out.

When someone gossips, a good response is: Saying don’t do that, because you wouldn’t want people to do that to you . . .

A favorite prayer or quote: Tablet of Ahmad

Mona M.

Age: 12

I live in: Massachusetts, U.S.

I want to be: Pediatrician

This career interests me because: I enjoy working with kids and making them feel better.

Virtue I admire most: Kindness

Hobbies or sports: Soccer, piano, saxophone

Favorite Bahá’í activities: Neighborhood children’s classes and Sunday school

A favorite prayer or quote: The Remover of Difficulties

Place I’d love to visit: Haifa, Israel

A favorite food: Spanakopita [Greek spinach pie]

I like to help people by: Including them . . .

A hero or role model: My parents

A kind compliment I received: You always persevere.

How I handle arguments: I try to tell them that we both have a point and compromise.

When someone gossips, a good response is: I ask them, “If someone said that about you, how would you feel?”

A message I’d give to world leaders: Consider long-term solutions . . .

Samuel E.

Age: 11

I live in: California, U.S.

I want to be: An ornithologist

This career interests me because: I love studying and photographing birds.

Virtue I admire most: Truthfulness

A favorite food: Cuban rice and beans

Favorite Bahá’í activity: Junior youth classes

A favorite animal: I like all animals equally.

Place I’d love to visit: The big island of Hawaii

A favorite book: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

I like to help people by: Studying ways of using sustainable energy so I can give them information about it.

How I handle arguments: I try and talk about it with the other person first, then I tell a parent or teacher.

When someone gossips, a good response is: “If you’re going to talk about [the person], you should talk about the good things in him/her.”

A favorite prayer or quote: “Let your vision be world-embracing . . .”

How to be a Radiant Star:

1. If you’re age 7-14, go to www.brilliantstarmagazine.org. From the top menu, choose “Discover.” Then click “Become a Radiant Star or Trailblazer,” and fill out the form. Or e-mail us at brilliant@usbnc.org. Include your name, age, birth date, mailing address, and phone number.

2. When it’s your turn to shine, we’ll send you questions and a form for you and your parents to sign.

3. Answer the questions and send them to us with the signed form, along with at least two good-quality, close-up photographs of your smiling face. Photos should be in sharp focus and show your eyes clearly. Please don’t send color copies, low-resolution digital images, or copyright-protected images (like school portraits). [Page 18]

Nazgol M.

Age: 10

I live in: Oklahoma, U.S.

I want to be: A doctor

This career interests me because: I like to help people and make them feel better, particularly in poor areas.

Virtue I admire most: Joyfulness

Hobbies or sports: Basketball

Favorite Bahá’í activity: Fundraising

A favorite animal or pet: Waffle the Chihuahua; and as an animal, I like dholes.

Place I’d love to visit: Paris, France

A hero or role model: My mom and dad

Favorite book: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

A favorite food: Lasagna

A kind compliment I received: That I am kind-hearted

When someone gossips, a good response is: How would you feel if someone was doing the same thing to you?

A message I’d give to world leaders: Fighting is not the answer!

Dominik O.

Age: 10

I live in: Indiana, U.S.

I want to be: Chef

This career interests me because: I like cooking with my family.

Virtue I admire most: Honesty

Hobbies or sports: I play video games and like playing soccer.

Favorite Bahá’í activity: Going to the Tennessee Bahá’í School

Place I’d love to visit: Fresno, California, where I was born

I like to help people by: Being friendly and hanging out with them

A favorite book: The Giver [by Lois Lowry]

A favorite food: Salad

A hero or role model: Chef Alton Brown

A kind compliment I received: All my classmates say I’m kind and have a good sense of humor.

How I handle arguments: I try to leave the situation.

A message I’d give to world leaders: I would tell them they should all be unified.

When someone gossips, a good response is: Get help from an adult.

Liam P.

Age: 10

I live in: Washington, U.S.

I want to be: A guitarist

Virtue I admire most: Grit/perseverance

Hobbies or sports: I like to create and invent things.

Favorite Bahá’í activities: Say and sing prayers.

I like to help people by: Making sure people are not hungry

A hero or role model: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

A favorite animal: I love wolves.

Place I’d love to visit: India

How I handle arguments: I take some time to calm down by going in my room and doing something creative. When I’ve calmed down I try to work it out . . .

When someone gossips a good response is: I usually say “Please stop, that’s not very nice to say” and then bring up a good quality about the person . . .

A message I’d give to world leaders: We need to find a way to collect the wealth and distribute [it] fairly to everyone in the world . . .

Azin M.

Age: 9

I live in: Missouri, U.S.

I want to be: Veterinarian

This career interests me because: I love animals and would like to help them with their disabilities.

Virtue I admire most: Love

Hobbies or sports: Reading, singing, gymnastics

Favorite Bahá’í activities: 19-Day Feast* and cluster reflection meeting**

A favorite animal: Kinkajou

I like to help people by: Organizing things for people when they’re stressed or just to help out. I also help my teacher in the mornings before school starts.

A favorite book or song: Serafina and the Black Cloak [by Robert Beatty]

A hero or role model: Nadia Comaneci

When someone gossips, a good response is: I say, please don’t tell me what you’re about to tell me. They are great friends and there is nothing bad to [say] about them.

A favorite prayer or quote: “Look at me, follow me, be as I am . . .” [—‘Abdu’l-Bahá]

• Feast is a Bahá’í community gathering with prayers, consultation, and fellowship.
  • At a cluster reflection meeting, area Bahá’ís and friends consult about plans and goals.

[Page 19]

Reading Anne Frank in Isfahan

By Sahba

A prison can be as small as six cramped rooms in the back of a warehouse in Amsterdam or as big as a country. Anne Frank spent 25 months—from July 1942 to August 1944—in hiding in her "Secret Annex" at 263 Prinsengracht, in an effort to stay alive.

As a Bahá’í in Iran, I have faced a lifetime of persecution at the hands of my government—the Islamic Republic of Iran. I have been summoned to the Ministry of Information. I was dismissed from one of Iran's universities. Even now, as I sit here writing these words, I fear that someone will knock on the door and burst into the room to seize my computer and read my secret thoughts.

Yes, history repeats itself. Anne Frank is my sister and my intimate friend. She holds my hand as I wander the streets of Isfahan. Her words soothe me as I study in secret for my courses at the BIHE,* an unofficial university for Bahá’ís, a university that must remain hidden. I know Anne understands what it means to be imprisoned in a jail made of religious persecution. And like my sister, Anne, I am tired of being afraid. Still, I dare not speak openly but only obliquely, in an article such as this, to which I do not even sign my full name.

Anne Frank's courage may seem miraculous to some who read about her life in hiding. And for many, it may be hard to imagine that throughout the two arduous years she spent in the back of a warehouse trying to stay alive, Anne never gave up dreaming about freedom. But what strikes me as most surprising is that she never gave up writing. She wrote and rewrote her diary in the steadfast belief—someone else living then might have called it a foolish dream—that her account would be published one day, when the war was over. And Anne's dream did come true—when her father published her diary and the world read and reread the testimony she left of the unconquerable power of the human spirit.

And so I write these words now and send them out into the world through my teacher, who has promised to publish them somewhere. Perhaps people will read my words? Perhaps some will admire my courage as I now admire Anne? Whether you read my words or not, and even if I had written nothing, even if I had chosen to remain mute as a stone, I know what I have done: I am proud of my decision to stay in Iran and bear witness to what the courageous Bahá’ís endure. But since I did decide to write, I am asking you: please do not forget us!

When I woke up this morning, a sentence from Anne's diary came to mind, one she wrote about her life in hiding: "Every day, I think what a fascinating and amusing adventure this is!" If Anne could see her life in the Secret Annex as an adventure, then why shouldn't I see my life as a story that has not yet found its happy ending? Why shouldn't I believe that even though I am lost in the terrible darkness of this prison, I am moving, step by step, day by day, closer to the light?

Anne Frank at age 12, in December 1941.

Anne Frank and her family hid from Nazi soldiers in this building in Amsterdam.

Sahba is a student at the BIHE. She writes and pursues her love of art and music in Isfahan, dreaming of a day when Iranian Bahá’ís will enjoy the same rights as other citizens.

• Bahá’í Institute for Higher Education

This essay first appeared in the online journal elixir at www.elixir-journal.org. Printed with permission. [Page 20]

ASH A SPACE SCIENTIST

Our universe is full of mysteries, and some of the most mind-boggling are in space. Curious kids asked questions, and we sent them to two Bahá’í scientists who work for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Have questions about space? Send them to brilliant@usbnc.org (with your name and age).

Hi, Dominik, How are black holes created? -Dominik, age 10

Stars like the Sun are very massive-about 330,000 times as massive as the Earth. They shine for many years, slowly using up the hydrogen that is the source of their energy. They eventually get cooler, and because of their strong gravity, they also get smaller. If a star is about three times as massive as the Sun, Einstein's relativity theory predicts it will eventually become so dense that it collapses into a black hole. When a star becomes a black hole, no light escapes from it. We can only know it's there by the effect of its strong gravity on nearby stars, or by the x-rays that are emitted from any surrounding matter as it's swallowed into the black hole. -Steve

In this illustration, matter flows into a black hole millions or billions of times more massive than our sun. Dust and gas form a disk as they're pulled into the hole.

BACK IN TIME

Mary Jackson, an American born in 1921, earned degrees in math and physical science. She became NASA's first African American female engineer in 1958. She studied the behavior of air as it flows around airplanes, especially at speeds faster than sound, which is known as:

U ER ONIC [Page 21]

Can you live on the moon?

Hi, Marisol,

Yes! You can live on the moon. But it's not easy or cheap. Earth's moon doesn't have an atmosphere; when you stand on the moon, you're standing in space. The moon is mostly rock, with some metals, and small amounts of water ice near its poles. It's a desolate place that doesn't readily provide anything humans need to live, except a bit of gravity; a dusty surface to stand on; and bright, unfiltered sun for about 15 straight days out of every 30.

Twelve Apollo astronauts visited the moon between 1969 and 1972, but each stay was only a few days. They brought everything they needed with them: a breathable atmosphere in their spacecraft and spacesuits; food and water; a toilet; some first aid; scientific instruments; a way to talk to Earth; a way to get back to Earth; and in later missions they even brought an electric car.

To live on the moon, you'd want to land near the poles to harvest water ice for drinking. You'd also want to grow some of your own food instead of having it all shipped from Earth.

- George

In 1972, astronauts Gene Cernan (right) and Harrison "Jack" Schmitt did a training exercise to prepare for their drives on the moon.

Contributors

STEVE SCOTTI is a research engineer at NASA Langley Research Center in Virginia, U.S. He works to develop lighter, stronger materials and structures for aircraft and spacecraft. Watching the first astronaut launched into space inspired his interest in space exploration. He enjoys sharing his enthusiasm about science and space with kids.

GEORGE HATCHER is an avionics engineer at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, U.S. He works on electrical systems of uncrewed rockets. He also studies planetary science at the University of Central Florida. Working for NASA is a dream come true for George. He's aspired to be an astronaut since he was three. He's one of 100 finalists in the Mars One Project, which aims to create a human settlement on Mars.

COSMIC QUIZ

Pulsar is... A. A space-themed video game B. A rotating collapsed star C. The brightest star seen from Earth D. The name of the Uplifters' leader in the Lightning and Luna comic E. B and D [Page 22]

Amanda Enayati

"We talk about the importance of 'good-weird'... the willingness to not always fit in..." says author and journalist Amanda Enayati about her family. Amanda's "good-weirdness" includes a love of learning, reading, and traveling. She left Iran at age 10 because Bahá’ís were persecuted, and she bounced from one relative's home to another on her own. Still, she saw the experience as an adventure.

Amanda studied law at Harvard University, but her curiosity led her to write articles for CNN, NPR, and PBS, and to publish a book called Seeking Serenity: 10 New Rules for Health and Happiness in the Age of Anxiety. She also consults with all kinds of clients, from a solar power company to hospitals, helping them develop their strategies and messages. Amanda lives with her husband and two kids in California.

Q: What's your favorite childhood memory?

A: Eating crème caramels [a custard dessert] and walking with my dad... He would take my hand, and we would go on a walk around the corner from our townhouse. And there was this little corner store that had these really delicious crème caramels...

Q: What is one virtue that you admire most in others?

A: Courage. It takes courage to be a Bahá’í in a school... and you're the only Bahá’í... I think kids now are so brave... I see kids who are entrepreneurial... They are like: "I have an idea. I'm going to sit down, I'm going to design it, I'm going to invent it, I'm going to create this business, I'm going to start this program."... I admire that so much.

Left: Amanda (right), at about age 6, with her older brother, Hamid, in Iran. Right: As a youth, Amanda (about 15 here) danced with the Los Angeles Bahá’í Youth Workshop.

Q: What was your most challenging experience as a kid, and what did you do about it?

A: Leaving my homeland [at age 10], and living in a lot of different countries without my parents, and having to learn the language and having to make friends... It was really, really, challenging... But at the same time, I remember vividly while I was in the middle of it, I told these stories to myself of joy and adventure and of newness and things that were interesting and exciting.

Q: What are your tips for writing?

A. I believe in keeping journals. And it can be... a notebook... [Or] you can start a blog and set it to private. You can have an Instagram account that's private or not private and collect photographs... I walk around, I step slowly, and look around slowly... Try to look at [things] with a new eye, as if you're a baby and you've never seen it before...

Portrait by Dave Anderson [Page 23]

Questions and Answers with an Inspirational Bahá’í: SEEKING SERENITY

Q: What do you do as a strategic communicator?

A. I am a writer, I'm a researcher, and I'm a designer. What I do in my research is that I go and have conversations with... a very wide group of people... Then I take those insights and I design solutions to whatever it is people are trying to do—if they are trying to solve problems, if they are trying to find a new way of doing something, if they want to make their employees happier, if they want to be more productive...

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: We have this thing we call Nine Things, the kids and I... We put on backpacks, we put in some water and a snack...and we go off in different directions on foot ... . We look for nine things that are eccentric or weird or magical or beautiful in a really unusual way, and we will like sketch it or take a picture of it... And then we'll... talk about what we found... That's my favorite thing to do in the whole world...

Left: Amanda and her husband, Jaime Uzeta, in California at the launch of her newly published book in 2015. The bookstore sold out of her book that night. Right: Amanda dedicated her book to her kids, Mina, now age 12, and Rohan, now age 11.

Q: You began your career as a lawyer, but you said it led to feelings of deep depression. What gave you the courage to change directions?

A: The biggest test that I've ever had in my life was when I got really, really sick, and I was diagnosed with cancer... I thought I was going to die, and I thought to myself, oh, my God, all this time I could have been trying to be who I was meant to be... [instead of] being miserable... This huge, terrifying illness pushed me to... get beyond my fear to do what I had wanted to do my entire life.

Q: What's your wish for Brilliant Star's readers?

A: I wish them the courage to independently investigate... I wish them the creativity to see things not necessarily as they are, but as they could be... And I wish them the fortitude to be able to start it, to walk the path, even when they get tired, and to... finish it. Those three things.

Q: This issue of Brilliant Star is about communication. How do you think the digital age of social media and texting has affected people's abilities to communicate with both kids and adults?

A: There are both good ways and bad ways of relating to digital media and texting... The companies that are putting out these technologies and innovations test them to make sure that you can't put them down... Young people need to know that one of the most important things that will serve you throughout your life is the ability to think deeply. You will never invent anything, you will never write a book, you will never start a company, you will never do anything that has any value unless you're able to sit there and think deeply... You have to be very, very, very careful to ... know how and when to use technology, and when to put it away, and when to give yourself downtime. [Page 24]

The Music Café

A SWEET FRIEND JUST TOLD ME THAT I'M ONE OF HER BEST FRIENDS, AND NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, WE'LL BE FRIENDS FOREVER.

MUSIC IS FOOD FOR THE SOUL!

IT'S BEEN A ROUGH DAY, AND THAT REALLY HELPED!

WE'RE AT THE CAFÉ, SINGING THIS SONG TOGETHER. COME ON DOWN!

YOU'VE GOT ME

Words by Sara Lovell Music by Sara Lovell and Monica Pasqual

Verse 1 When the day has been too long And it's hard to find a friend When every-thing's gone wrong And the hurt is slow to mend I'll be the one You can lean upon. I'll say the words You're not alone.

Chorus You can reach for my hand. I'll be there You can call for a friend And you turn around oh you turn around Now you know you've got me.

Verse 2 When the sky has lost the sun And your heart is feeling grey When you're standing on your own On an endless lonely day

Verse 3 When you're way out on a limb Be exactly who you are Some people might not understand Keep shining, like a star

Break I'll cheer you on And you'll be strong With every step You know you belong

©2016 Zero Gravity Music (ASCAP) To hear the complete song, visit: https://saralovell.bandcamp.com/track/you-ve-got-me-single [Page 25]

Battle the Blazes

"One word may be likened unto fire, another unto light, and the influence which both exert is manifest in the world. Therefore... speak with words as mild as milk..." —Bahá’u’lláh

When a small spark is fueled by dry wood and driven by the wind, it can become a raging wildfire. It's the same with words. If a friend gets heated up and says mean things, it's easy to let your temper flare and create a chain reaction of arguing. You can choose peaceful words to quench the angry flames and bad feelings. Just like firefighting, this takes practice. Fireproof yourself with virtues like calmness and courtesy. Listen to others' points of view and put out embers when they're small and smoldering, instead of waiting for a five-alarm fire. Use a calm tone of voice and friendly body language.

You can battle the blazes of rudeness and bullying by helping everyone cool off and chill out.

At this fire safety drill, fill in the missing letters to spell out virtues about calm and courteous speech. [Page 26]

SHINING LAMP

A Bahá’í who served humanity with radiance

Mishkin-Qalam (1826-1912)

How do you express your love for God? Many people use arts, such as music or poetry. Mishkin-Qalam created calligraphy. Mishkin-Qalam was one of the most admired calligraphers in Iran. Born Mirza Husayn-i-Isfahání in 1826, he was fascinated by painting and calligraphy from childhood. As an adult, he mastered every popular calligraphic style.

At age 25, he was invited to the court of the shah, or king. The shah was so impressed with his artistry that he gave him the title Mishkin-Qalam, which means "musk-scented pen," and made him the private tutor of the royal family.

One day, Mishkin-Qalam met a man who told him about the Bahá’í Faith. He was so moved that he left his royal post and traveled to Adrianople (now Edirne, Turkey), where Bahá’u’lláh was living in exile. As soon as he met Him, Mishkin-Qalam became a devout Bahá’í.

He stayed in Adrianople and dedicated his talents to transforming Bahá’u’lláh's words into art. He would write out the Greatest Name in Arabic—Ya Bahá’u’l-Abhá, which means "O Thou Glory of Glories"—in different styles and give them away.

Mishkín-Qalam was known for calligraphy in the shape of birds. He gave this as a wedding gift in 1906.

Banished for His Faith

Mishkin-Qalam journeyed to Constantinople (now Istanbul). People flocked to see his beautiful calligraphy, and he began boldly teaching the Bahá’í Faith. Unfortunately, the Persian ambassador knew the authorities who had banished Bahá’u’lláh to try to stop His faith from spreading. The ambassador started rumors, telling officials that Bahá’u’lláh had sent Mishkin-Qalam to stir up trouble.

Though Mishkin-Qalam only tried to promote peace, people began to see him as a criminal. He was eventually jailed, exiled to the island of Cyprus, and held captive there from 1868-1878.

In 1886, Mishkin-Qalam moved to ‘Akká, Israel, where Bahá’u’lláh had been sent. He rejoiced in Bahá’u’lláh's presence, creating and sharing remarkable works of calligraphy. Others found comfort in his radiant spirit.

Spirit Personified

After Bahá’u’lláh passed away in 1892, Mishkin-Qalam lived in India for a time. Then he returned to Israel to be with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Bahá’u’lláh's son and leader of the Bahá’í Faith.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá loved Mishkin-Qalam deeply, saying, "He was always smiling, effervescing; he was spirit personified, love embodied. For sincerity and loyalty he had no match, nor for patience and inner calm. He was selflessness itself, living on the breaths of the spirit."

Mishkin-Qalam passed away in Haifa, Israel, in 1912. If you visit Haifa, you can see his original calligraphy at the Bahá’í World Center. Prints of his art appear in Bahá’í homes all over the world. [Page 27]

WHAT DO YOU SAY?

“Too bad Emily didn’t invite you to her party. I don’t think she likes you anymore.”

Wait, what? You’re pretty sure that isn’t true. Well, that’s something you can check out.

Friends or the media may say things that are false—or only partly true. If we can’t ask a person directly, it’s up to us to investigate and get the real story.

But will people listen if we speak up? When we use kindness, it’s easier for others to hear. Sometimes if friends don’t listen to one another, anger and impatience can take over. When truth and tact are hard to find, what do you say?

I CAN’T BELIEVE YOUR FAMILY LIKES THAT GUY! ARE YOU GUYS CRAZY?

I DON’T LIKE TALKING ABOUT POLITICS. IT CAUSES TOO MANY ARGUMENTS. LET’S PLAY BALL!

OR

IT’S OKAY IF WE DISAGREE. WE ALL HAVE OUR OWN OPINIONS.

WRITE WHAT YOU WOULD SAY:

SO WHAT IF I TOLD MY MOM THAT I DON’T HAVE HOMEWORK?

EVERYBODY FIBS ONCE IN A WHILE.

LYING IS JUST GONNA GET YOU CAUGHT AT SOME POINT, AND THEN YOUR PARENTS WILL HAVE A HARD TIME TRUSTING YOU.

OR

HONESTY IS ONE OF THE BEST VIRTUES. I’D BE HURT IF YOU LIED TO ME.

WRITE WHAT YOU WOULD SAY:

LISTEN TO THIS! IT’S ON THIS WEBSITE, SO IT MUST BE TRUE!

YOU CAN’T TRUST EVERYTHING ON THE INTERNET. LET’S FIND OUT IF THAT’S A HOAX.

OR

IT COULD BE AN OPINION OR A LIE. DID YOU DOUBLE-CHECK IT?

WRITE WHAT YOU WOULD SAY: [Page 28]

COSMO’S CORNER

Look for clues throughout the magazine.

WHAT DO YOU CALL A POD OF MUSICAL SEA CREATURES?

AN ORCA-STRA!

ACROSS

2. Our ________ language can affect how others see us, and it can also impact how we think and feel about ourselves. (p. 8)

3. Arabic for peace (p. 5)

5. The Bahá’í Faith says that someday, we’ll all learn a global ________ in addition to our native one. (p. 29)

6. Squid use colors and ________ to escape predators, and to communicate. (p. 10)

8. Careful ________ is key to communicating and thriving. (p. 12)

12. Amanda Enayati admires this virtue the most. (p. 22)

13. Whales’ clicks, moans, whistles, and grunts send messages and help them ________ . (p. 3)

14. Be an ________ by always speaking kindly about others. (p. 13)

15. Anne Frank wrote about her experiences in a ________ . (p. 19)

DOWN

1. Small guitar, usually with four strings, that’s fun to play in groups (p. 6)

2. They make honey and pollinate plants. (p. 11)

3. When a small ________ is fueled by dry wood and driven by the wind, it can become a raging wildfire. (p. 25)

4. Mishkín-Qalam was known for this beautiful art form. (p. 26)

7. Mary Jackson was NASA’s first African American female ________ . (p. 20)

9. Dominik, Mona, and Yasna all like to play this sport. (pp. 16–18)

10. Exploring big ________ lifts our conversations to higher levels. (p. 9)

11. Songs of the humpback ________ can travel over 1,400 miles (2,253 km). (p. 12)

FROM OUR MAILBOX

"[Brilliant Star] is really great because it has great advice for working through problems with other people. [One of my biggest challenges is] knowing when someone is backbiting and standing up for whoever they are talking about." —Liam N., age 13, Virginia, U.S.

ANSWERS

KEY: T=Top, C=Center, B=Bottom, L=Left, R=Right

Page 3: Orca and seagull at TL, dolphin and flag at TC, binoculars and pelican at CR, camera at BL, hat at BC, microphone at BR

Page 10: 3 at very top, 2 at TL, 1 at TC, 1 at TR, 1 at CL, 3 at C, 3 at CR, 2 at BL, 2 at BC, 2 at BR

Page 11: Mexico, mountain gorillas

Page 12: 1) great gray owls, 2) sharks, 3) greater wax moths, 4) cats, 5) bats, 6) crocodiles, 7) humpback whales, 8) elephants

Page 13: 1) habit, 2) change, 3) example, 4) friends, 5) stop, 6) true, 7) pause, 8) backbite, 9) online, 10) included

Pages 20–21: Supersonic, E) In addition to being an Uplifter’s name, a pulsar is a collapsed supernova with two jets of light that sweep around like lighthouse beams, appearing to pulse.

Page 25: Empathy, kindness, listening, moderation, patience, peacefulness, respect, self-control, tact, wisdom [Page 29]

MULTILINGUAL MONKEYS

“One of the great steps towards universal peace would be the establishment of a universal language.” —‘Abdu’l-Bahá

What if you had to learn eight languages just to hang out safely in your neighborhood? That’s what it’s like for monkeys in the West African forest. Though they all have their own calls, eight different species can understand each other. When one monkey spots danger, like a snake or an eagle, it gives its own alarm call, and the rest know to watch out. Sounds of different pitch, length, or loudness have different meanings. Each species has about 15 calls, so that’s 120 sounds to learn!

Like monkeys, humans can get along better when we communicate with those who are different from us. The Bahá’í Faith says that someday, we’ll all learn a global language in addition to our native one. Then it’ll be easier for us to get in the swing of things with friends from any part of the world.

Help the monkeys find their way through the trees to connect with their friends. Use only open paths inside the vines, without making loops or crossing any lines.

Find 12 monkeys in the forest!

WHAT DO MONKEYS WEAR WHEN THEY MAKE DINNER? APE-RONS! [Page 30]“See nothing but good in one another, hear nothing but praise of one another, and speak no word of one another save only to praise.” —‘Abdu’l-Bahá

MEET ME AT THE MUSIC JAM!

THESE ARE ON ME!

MERCI!

SO NICE OF YOU!

ARE YOU OKAY?

OH, NO!

YUM!

AW, SWEET KITTY!

PRRRRRR!

Brilliant Star

Connect with Kindness • VOL. 48 NO. 5 • November/December 2016

AN AWARD-WINNING PUBLICATION OF THE NATIONAL SPIRITUAL ASSEMBLY OF THE BAHÁ’ÍS OF THE UNITED STATES

www.brilliantstarmagazine.org