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[Page i]

CHILD’S WAY

March - April

dedicated to children everywhere

Bahá’í Year 127-128 [Page ii]dedicated to children everywhere

CHILD’S WAY

Vol. 3, No. 2

1. ‎‘Abdu’l-Bahá’is ‘Abdu’l-Bahá is‎ Sailing from America

from Mahmud’s Diary

2. Ios The ‎Shepard Shepherd‎ Boy

from Star of the West, Vol. 13

4. The Bahá’í Fast by Phyllis Hall 5. Forgiveness

reprinted from The Child’s Way

6. Naw-Rúz by Phyllis Hall 7. Poem: Consent by Elinore Szanto 8. 2 Prayers 9. Song: I Love My Mother by Mimi McClellan 10. The Children’s Page: A Prayer

by Leslie Longstreet

11. A Game: Quality by Nella Gustafson 12. Doug’s Diary by Douglas Allen 14. Craft: Popcorn Trees 15. Recipe: Kateh 16. Book Review by Virginia Schroader 17. A Prayer by ‎‘Abdu’l-Baha ‘Abdu’l-Bahá‎ 18. A Prayer by ‎Bahá’u’lláh Bahá’u’lláh‎ 19. ‎Ridvan Riḍván‎ by Phyllis Hall 21. Felina Blankhead Does it Again

by Ludwig D. Apostle

24. The Adventures of Tommy The Atom by Lillian Anderson

Advisory Board: David Lepard, Mark Rossman, Maxine Rossman, Helen Sousa, Donald Streets

General Editor: Helen Sousa

Publicity: Mark and Maxine Rossman

Subscription Service: Gloria Kohls

Art Illustrator and Consultant: Diane Paquet

Managing Editor: David Lepard

CHILD’S WAY is published bi-monthly in January, March, May, July, September and November in Amherst, Massachusetts. Manuscripts, editorial correspondence and subscriptions should be addressed to: CHILD’S WAY Magazine, Box 551, Amherst, Massachusetts 01002.

Subscriptions: USA, $4.50; Foreign, $5.00. Single copy, $ .75.

Dear Readers, young and old!

In the last issue, we expressed a few ideas about Child’s Way. Time did not permit for many of your comments to arrive - and lack of space had not permitted us to complete our thoughts. We do feel very strongly that Child’s Way should be entertaining and challenging, as well as informative. For this, your help is needed - for it is primarily the Bahá’í Community which can supply us both with ideas and with materials that are ready to print, based on the Writings and presented in a manner that children will enjoy.

In addition, of course, the better Child’s Way becomes, the more subscribers it will have. With considerably increased numbers of subscribers, the magazine could not only lower its price, but become thicker as well... And, by the way, we are planning to appear regularly, on schedule, from now on.

Sincerely,

The Editors [Page 1]

‘‎ABU’L ABDU’L‎-BAHÁ SAILING FROM AMERICA

Continued from the previous issue

You remember that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was enjoying a storm during His return trip from New York.

During the worst of the storm, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá talked and joked the most (perhaps to reassure the believers who traveled with Him).

"Early that evening a newly-risen, very bright star came out. When the Master caught sight of it He immediately called to the members of His suite: ‘Come!’ He cried, ‘See what a luminous star that is! I long for the lovers of the Blessed Beauty to be as dazzling as that star!’"

(Mahmúd’s Diary, II, 13 and 17. Informal translation by Marzieh Gail) [Page 2]"With the joyful tidings of light I hail thee; rejoice! To the court of holiness I summon thee; abide therein that thou mayest live in peace for evermore."

-- Bahá’u’lláh --

IOS, THE

Summary of Part I

The shepherd boy’s greatest wish was to look upon the ‎tace face‎ of his King. One day when the King’s procession passed by his fields, Ios stopped it and was able to speak to the King, who was touched by the boy’s devotion.

The King’s yearning for Ios grew so strong that at last he sent for the shepherd boy and had him brought to the palace. Ios came with eager joy and presented himself trembling and radiant before the royal presence. Then the King was greatly pleased with Ios and made him guardian of his treasure and reposed in him a high trust. But those who had lived by the King’s favor were filled with jealousy and tried to find some fault in Ios so that they might destroy him in the eyes of the King. They watched day and night and soon they found a flaw. In the silence of the night when all were sleeping they saw Ios creep stealthily forth, wind his way through [Page 3]

SHEPHERD BOY

the palace and enter a small room far up under the roof. "Ah", they said: "He is robbing the treasury and storing away the treasure in a secret place." Then they hastened with the news to the King. That night he watched with them and saw Ios steal away to his secret hiding place. The King followed, threw open the door and entered the room. It was bare and empty, but on the wall hung the shepherd's coat Ios had worn and his crook with which he had tended his flock. "What is the meaning of this, Ios?" he exclaimed, "That thou dost creep to this room silently in the dead of the night, and thus arouse suspicion when I have trusted thee?" "Oh, my King," replied Ios, "When I first beheld thee I was a poor ignorant shepherd boy, but thou hast raised me to this lofty state, therefore I never wish to forget from what I came, and what thou hast made me."

(Star of the West, Vol. 13)

to be continued. [Page 4]

The Bahá’í Fast

With the beginning of the 19th month of our Bahá’í Calendar, the month of Loftiness (‘Alá’), the period of our fasting begins. All Bahá’ís who have reached spiritual maturity, that is their 15th year, spend these 19 days with their hearts very near to God. All through the 19 days of fasting, we do not eat or drink anything from sunrise to sunset. We get up when it begins to grow light in the morning to pray to God and to thank Him for all His blessings. Then we eat our breakfast before the sun rises, and nothing more passes our lips during the day until the sun has set.

We break our fast at sunset after offering our prayers.

These 19 days of fasting bring us closer to God than at other times. When we keep the fast we are giving special expression to our love for God, and to our faithfulness in carrying out His commandments.

There are many prayers that Bahá’u’lláh has given to us to use while fasting. These prayers open our minds and hearts to the magical meanings of fasting.

Here is the mystical refrain that runs through one of these prayers:

"Thou seest me, O my God, holding to Thy Name, the Most Holy, the Most Luminous, the Most Mighty, the Most Great, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorious and clinging to the hem of the robe to which have clung all in this world and in the world to come."

by Phyllis Hall [Page 5]

Forgiveness

One evening ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was talking to a group of the friends who had gathered around Him, warmed and comforted by His love.

Suddenly a stranger came into the room, and, without a word, threw himself down at ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s feet. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá knew who he was, though. He introduced the man to the others as "one of My old friends," and embraced him.

Now, where do you suppose He had met the man? Wouldn’t you think that this person must have been very good to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to be greeted so warmly? Well, here is the story behind the story:

Years before this night, when ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was a prisoner along with many others--some of them children--this man was one of the soldiers who guarded the prison gate.

Now, in order to get water the prisoners had to walk two miles to a well. There they filled their jugs and carried them back to the prison. This soldier waited until the prisoners came back into the prison yard with their heavy jugs. Then he struck at the jugs with his gun and broke them!

--Adapted from a story told by Mr. Faizí, Hand of the Cause. Reprinted from The Child’s Way. [Page 6]Following our 19 days of special nearness to God, during the Month of Fasting, comes the joyous Feast of Naw-Rúz given to us by Bahá’u’lláh.

On March 21st, the first day of the Bahá’í month of Bahá (Splendor), the day and night are equal. This is a sacred day when the sun lights equally the whole earth, and this is called the equinox.

Naw-Rúz is a reminder to us of how God’s Messenger rises on the horizon of divine mercy and sends forth the rays of the sun of truth equally on all mankind.

Everything in the physical world is set in motion when the sun dawns at the equinox. "The mineral world is set in motion, plants begin to sprout, the desert is changed into a prairie, trees bud and every living thing responds, including the bodies of animals and men," ‘Abdu’l-Bahá tells us in the book, Divine Philosophy.

The life of the reality of human beings is renewed. Our thoughts are changed for the better, and our intelligence is quickened.

Naw-Rúz is a Bahá’í joy-day celebrated as a festival with music, prayers and reading or chanting of Bahá’í verses. In Persia, the land of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh, Bahá’ís often go out on picnics and plant young trees.

NAW-RÚZ

by Phyllis Hall [Page 7]

Consent

Last night I prayed for sunshine This morning brought the rain And deep inside my spirit cried To see the sun again.

For showers keep me housebound, Shut in, without a friend, But let me see, perhaps my dolls Will comfort to me lend.

We played ’til it was noontime And then we had our lunch Such fun we had, we tarried on-- God’s blessing I’ve a hunch

To give me dolls and showers That make me stay inside. A rainy day is lots of fun For anyone who’s tried

To make the sun shine indoors While rain pours down without. Last night I prayed for sunshine-- God knows what He’s about!

Eleanore Szanto [Page 8]The first sign of faith is Love. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

O Son of Being Love me, that I may love Thee. Bahá’u’lláh [Page 9]

I LOVE MY MOTHER

by Mimi McClellan

Today I picked a flower and gave it to my mother Why did I do it? Because we love each other Tomorrow I’ll pick another and give it to my brother Dee-dle-dee doo dah day

2. Today I baked a cake . . . . . 3. Today I made a boat . . . . . (father) 4. Today I wrote a poem . . . . . 5. Today I caught a fish . . . . . 6. Today I built a house . . . . . 7. Today I blew a bubble . . . . .

We would appreciate any comments you have on the Poetry and Prayers section. [Page 10]

Children’s Page

PRAYER

God, God;

Christ, Christ;

Bahá’u’lláh, Bahá’u’lláh...

You are my best Friends.

Leslie Longstreet

This prayer was accidentally overheard when Leslie (now age ten) was about three and a half years old, as she chanted it over and over to herself while playing one day. [Page 11]

game Qualities

Many qualities have been hidden in this square. They can be read forward → , backward ← , up ↑ and down ↓ or diagonally ↗ ↖ ↙ ↘

Draw a line around each, and then check off on the list below.

We should all try to be the following:

S	Y	M	P	A	T	H	E	T	I	C	X
Y	S	U	B	H	N	R	L	K	I	N	D
S	P	U	X	L	A	C	I	H	T	E	S
P	U	P	R	W	N	A	E	L	C	U	L
U	B	O	A	E	T	P	Y	I	O	P	U
R	E	T	Y	H	S	I	D	I	U	L	F
E	L	P	R	O	U	U	D	O	R	H	T
D	I	M	S	N	J	U	L	Y	T	E	H
E	E	O	T	E	T	G	A	M	E	L	G
T	V	R	R	S	C	A	Y	R	O	P	U
I	I	P	O	T	Z	Y	O	I	U	F	O
N	N	G	N	I	V	O	L	A	S	U	H
U	G	O	G	R	A	T	E	F	U	L	T

1. AWARE	10. HAPPY	19. PURE
2. BELIEVING	11. HELPFUL	20. STRONG
3. BUSY	12. HONEST	21. STUDIOUS
4. CLEAN	13. JOYOUS	22. SURE
5. COURTEOUS	14. JUST	23. SYMPATHETIC
6. ETHICAL	15. KIND	24. THOUGHTFUL
7. FAIR	16. LOVING	25. TIDY
8. GAY	17. LOYAL	26. UNITED
9. GRATEFUL	18. PROMPT	27. UNPREJUDICED

[Page 12]

Doug’s Diary

A TEACHING TRIP TO INDIA

Wednesday Dec. 31. Today we got up at 6A.M. so as to make our 7:30 flight to Teheran via Delhi. We were pleasantly surprised when we were able to see Shirin Boman, and Mr. Shah who is the secretary of the N.S.A. of India. We bid them farewell and boarded our plane that took us to Teheran, Iran - Home of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. We were met at the Teheran International Airport by Dr. Mohajir, and some Teherani Bahá’ís. We were taken to their house where we met the rest of the family. They have many wonderful rugs in their house that we liked very much. The House of Bahá’u’lláh was visited by us that night. It was an indescribable feeling when we walked into the room where Bahá’u’lláh was born. It was thrilling to walk through the House that not more than a little over one hundred years ago Bahá’u’lláh had walked through. We viewed the place where Bahá’u’lláh bathed, and the cellar His family had lived in in the summer to escape the heat that ravages Iran every summer. We viewed the original door through which Bahá’u’lláh passed daily as a boy. Our visit to the House of Bahá’u’lláh was surely one of the ‎climapes climaxes‎ of our trip.

Thursday, January 1. Early this morning we flew to Isfahán where we went on a tour in the morning, and visited the shrines of the King and Beloved of Martyrs. The tour we took in the morning was very good for several reasons. We saw a bridge that had engineering genius built into it. It was really great. There were sluiceways that could be opened or closed to dam up the water if it was needed. The bridge was supported by 32 arches, [Page 13]therefore the name, the Bridge of 32 Arches. We also went to the shaking minarets where a man climbed up ‎ints into‎ a minaret and by swinging his body set the minaret shaking. We then went to a Persian rug factory. The one we went to was one of the finest in Iran. We ate lunch in the hotel in Isfahan that is reputed to be the finest in the world. (the food sure wasn’t).

That afternoon we visited the shrines of the King and Beloved of Martyrs. Their tomb is made out of marble and is about 20 ft. in diameter.

Friday, January 2. Our flight from Isfahan to Shiraz was uneventful but pleasant. Our hosts were quite cautious in greeting us because of the persecution inflicted upon the Shirazi Bahá’ís. We were shown the birthplace of the Báb, then taken to the place where the Báb met Mulla Husayn for the first time. We were then taken to the house of the Báb where he declared himself to Mulla Husayn in 1844. A crystal vase-chandelier has been placed in the exact spot where the Báb sat when He declared Himself. We were given an orange each from a tree planted by the Báb Himself to take home as a souvenir.

That afternoon we visited Persepolis, an ancient ruin outside Shiraz, and the museum that holds the smaller finds. We then flew back to Teheran where we packed up for our trip home.

Saturday, January 3. Today was the longest day of my life - 32 1/2 hours to be exact. We left Teheran at 4:45 in the morning via BOAC VC 10. [Page 14]and flew non-stop to London where we changed planes and boarded a TWA 707 that took us to Boston, and finally to Hartford. We landed in Hartford at 2:01 this afternoon. Impossible? No, there is an eight and one half hour time difference between Teheran and Hartford.

Our trip to India was most enjoyable. We met many friends, learned many things, and most important of all we had brought the Bahá’í Faith to over 200 people. As we stepped off the plane in Hartford, we were glad to be home but we regretted one thing about our trip. It was over too soon!

The End — Doug Allen.

Popcorn Trees

ice cream cones	1 tablespoon water
2 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar	popped corn
1 egg white	red cinnamon candies
green-colored sugar

For the trees, use ice cream cones. Cover each one with 2 tablespoons of frosting.

For frosting: Mix 2 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar with 1 unbeaten egg ‎ghite white‎ and 1 tablespoon water. Stir well until blended.

While frosting is still soft, press kernels of popped corn all over the surface of the cones. You will need about 1/2 cup of popped corn for each of the cones.

Decorate with red cinnamon candies between kernels of corn; then sprinkle each of the cones with green-colored sugar. [Page 15]There is an easy recipe to prepare rice in one of the many ways it is eaten in Persia. This type of rice dish is called

KATEH

2 quart pan 2 cups of rice 3 cups of water ½ teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons butter or shortening, or any combination of the two

Measure two cups of rice, wash it several times, and drain it well.

Put the well washed rice in a 2 quart pan Add three cups of water and salt. Cover.

Let cook on a medium fire until the water is absorbed, around 20 to 30 minutes (don't forget to check on it).

Stir rice a few times while it is boiling.

When the rice is cooked, add the butter and/or shortening. Cover.

Cook for about 35 minutes on a low medium fire.

When ready to serve, fill your sink half way with cold water. Put the pot in the sink for a few minutes and remove.

Take a spatula and invert the cooked rice on a plate.

It should look crisp and brown on top. If it isn't, next time use a little higher flame. By the way, a teflon pan is nice, because the rice sticks less to it -- but the cold water in the sink should be enough to loosen it anyhow.

Bahá’u’lláh said:

"To give and to be generous are attributes of Mine; well is it with him that adorneth himself with My virtues." [Page 16]

Book Review

Virginia Schroader

Love and friendship taught

Heidi, by Johanna Spyri. There is a Magnum Easy Eye edition of this story which sells for 75¢. It is also probably available at the library.

Bahá’u’lláh taught us much about love (see the Hidden Words).

The story of Heidi is very much in keeping with His ideas. Heidi is a girl who lives in Switzerland. Both of her parents have died! Yet, Heidi is full of love, friendship and kindness for all people and for animals. Heidi shows how love changes people's lives, how love can be returned if it is given, how we can show love with our actions and how rich we are when we give love and serve our fellow man. Heidi also shows how awful gossip and backbiting are. Everyone gossiped meanly about the ‎grand'father grandfather‎, but Heidi loved him, and showed that the gossip was not true.

If you have read a book or a story which you really enjoyed, please write a review of the story (showing a principle taught) and mail it to Child's Way for possible publication. [Page 17]O our Lord! Turn our faces unto Thy Divine Face; feed us from Thy Heavenly Table with Thine abundant Grace; assist us with the Hosts of Thy Supreme Angels, and confirm us through the Holy Ones of the Kingdom of God.

- ‘Abdu’l-Bahá [Page 18]This is the King of Days, the Day that hath seen the coming of the Best-Beloved, Him who through all eternity hath been acclaimed the Desire of the World. The world of being shineth in this Day with the resplendency of this Divine Revelation. All created things extol its saving grace and sing its praises. The universe is wrapt in an ecstasy of joy and gladness. The Scriptures of past Dispensations celebrate the great jubilee that must needs greet this most Great Day of God. Well is it with him that hath lived to see this Day and hath recognized its station.

-- Bahá’u’lláh -- [Page 19]

Ridvan

by Phyllis Hall

(The most holy and most meaningful Bahá’í festival)

Riḍván is the garden near Baghdád where Bahá’u’lláh changed the despair in the hearts of those who loved Him into the delight of knowing Him to be their Lord.

If ever you are sad, remember the life of Bahá’u’lláh. Remember how cruel kings and people who had mean hearts took away His home and every worldly thing that belonged to Him. They sent Him away from His country and friends.

Four times He was exiled, each time to a spot more distant from His home to a place where it was harder and harder to keep alive.

Nothing His enemies did could dim His light. The glory of His Message grew brighter and brighter until at last every corner of the world received a ray of the Light of the New Day.

Together, you and I, right here in Child's Way, will travel to some of the places where Bahá’u’lláh was sent by those who hated His Light. But they had no power over His Spirit. [Page 20]No one can put your spirit in prison. Your spirit is always free to make beauty around you just as Bahá’u’lláh did in this first Garden of Riḍván, a garden where tall palms, fruit trees and sweet smelling flowers sprang up from the dark soil.

Every year Bahá’ís all over the world celebrate the 12 days, beginning April 21st and extending through May 2nd, as their Most Holy Festival.

We do this in memory of those wonderful 12 days when the bitter sadness of the friends was changed into eternal joy. The 1st, 9th and 12th days of Riḍván are Holy Days on which we do not work.

Here Bahá’u’lláh gave those who loved Him the glad tidings that He was the Promised One of all ages who would lead them into the New Age of Unity and true well being.

His followers had been filled with sorrow. The Sultan had sent a command that his soldiers must take Bahá’u’lláh far away from them to the city of Constantinople.

On April 22, 1863 Bahá’u’lláh turned the grief in their hearts into joy with the breath-taking news that He Himself was indeed the beloved One promised to them by the Báb -- He Whom God would make manifest.

The bridge in Baghdád across which Bahá’u’lláh passed on His way to the Garden of Riḍván.

The Bahá’í worships not the human personality of Bahá’u’lláh but the Glory of God manifest through that personality. He reverences Christ and Muhammad and all God’s former Messengers to mankind, but he recognizes Bahá’u’lláh as today’s Messenger. [Page 21]

Felina Blankhead Does It Again!

by Ludwig D. Apostle

As usual on Saturday morning, I’m relaxing on the sofa and reading Child’s Way. Felina, my light-brown Siamese cat, lies cuddled on my lap. She has clear, playful eyes. They’re as blue as the ocean on a sunny day.

As I read, she curiously looks at my book. Of course, she hasn’t the intelligence to read. But she paws at the pages as if the book were a plaything.

A black furry mask is painted on her puss. And it spells mischief.

I give her a side look like the one Mom gives me when I’ve done something naughty. You see, last night Felina got into a heap of trouble.

Let me tell you about it.

Oh, wait a minute. Felina is kissing my hand with her long, pink tongue. Already she’s forgotten what she’d done last night.

Anyway, last evening I was helping my Dad repair the china cabinet. We took out all the good dishes and set them on the kitchen table in neat piles. [Page 22]In the corner of the kitchen, Felina lounged by the heat ventilator. She was washing her dark paws that look like charcoals.

Soon my bedtime rolled around, so I trudged off to bed. I was so bushed that I nearly stepped on my eyelids they hung so low. And before my weary head hit the pillow, I was snoring and dreaming.

A few hours passed.

All of a sudden I bolted upright in bed. From the kitchen, I heard a startling crash. It sounded like an avalanche of dishes.

Who on Earth, Mars or Jupiter was making that racket? I wondered. [Page 23]Quietly, I slipped out of the covers and tiptoed to the kitchen.

In the twinkling of an eye, I flipped on the lights. My mouth gaped open. Bits and pieces of what used to be dishes lay scattered on the linoleum floor. It looked like four 700 pound giants had fought for ninety-nine hours and nobody won!

Then I saw the villain. She wore a mask, had four hairy legs, and purred innocently on the kitchen table. It was Felina Blankhead.

My face reddened in anger. I was so mad that my upper lip curled over my nose.

But I knew I was acting foolishly. Felina blankly looked at me.

I pointed a stiff finger at her so she could see. I scolded her in a harsh tone so she could hear. And I tapped her lightly on the rump so she could feel.

I did all this hoping that Felina’s little brain would sense the wrong of her act. But she’ll never understand it.

You see, Felina, like all animals, doesn’t know the difference between right and wrong.

Well, that’s what happened last night.

And now, there she goes again -- she’s chewing at my book, happy and untroubled.

So with patience and kindness and understanding, I gently pull her away. [Page 24]

The Atom

by Lillian Anderson

Based on the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá

Do you know what an atom is? ‘Abdu’l-Bahá told us many things about atoms. He told us it is the smallest part of all things that exist in nature. Everything is made of atoms but they must combine in many, many patterns to make all the different things in the world.

Like playing with blocks, you can make many shapes by arranging the blocks in different ways. But atoms arrange themselves. God has given them the power to draw together with other atoms. They seek each other just like you seek the company of your friends. [Page 25]‘Abdu’l-Bahá said the atom travels through all the kingdoms of nature. But it must have many experiences in each kingdom before it is ready to move to the next. It starts with the mineral kingdom which is rock, soil, and water. Then it goes to the vegetable kingdom which is made of plants, trees, moss, and such growing things. Then it passes into the animal kingdom. After a long time there, it can go to the human kingdom where it becomes a part of people just like you and me!

‘Abdu’l-Bahá told us it is very important for us to learn about the world around us. Starting in the next issue of Child’s Way I would like to tell you a story about a little atom whom we will name Tommy. The story is about Tommy’s ev-o-lu-tion. That is a big word which means changing, growing better and smarter. For instance a little boy evolves into a man.

To be continued. [Page 26]--BLANK--