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[Page i]

Child’s Way

July - August, 1976 [Page ii]

Child's Way

CHILD'S WAY is a publication of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’í’s of the United States.

Vol. VIII, No.4 Bahá’í Era 132-3

CHILD'S WAY is published bi-monthly in January, March, May, July, September, and November in Baltimore, Maryland.

Subscriptions: U.S.A. $5.00 a year, 2 years for $9.50. Foreign: $6.50 a year, 2 years for $12.00 (U.S. Funds) Single copies: $1.00 (U.S. Funds) Subscriber and business correspondence should be addressed to:

CHILD'S WAY/ Bahá’í Subscriber Service 112 Linden Avenue Wilmette, Illinois 60091

Manuscripts and other editorial correspondence should be addressed to:

CHILD'S WAY Radpour 8108 Streamwood Dr., Baltimore, Md. 21208

Manuscripts should be typewritten and double spaced throughout. Children's contributions of art are preferably line drawings of black and white. Children's contributions are welcome, however, in any form. Return postage should be included if manuscript is to be returned.

Copyright 1976, National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States, World Rights Reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.

CHILD'S WAY EDITORIAL COMMITTEE: Philip Cantor, Mildred McClellan, Mary K. Radpour, Stephanie Troxel EDITOR: Mary K. Radpour FRONT COVER DESIGN: Stephanie Troxel ILLUSTRATION: Nina Jones

Dear Gildren

THIS ISSUE OF CHILD'S WAY IS IN HONOR OF AMERICA'S BIRTHDAY. DID YOU KNOW THAT AMERICAN BAHÁ’ÍS ARE A VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE? OUR BELOVED GUARDIAN CALLED US "THE SPIRITUAL DESCENDENTS OF THE DAWN-BREAKERS, WHICH MEANS THAT WE CAN BE AS PURE AS TÁHIREH, AS BRAVE AS MULLÁ HUSAYN, OR EVEN AS LEARNED AS VAHÍD IN SERVICE TO THE CAUSE. IN JULY WE WILL HONOR THE DAY OF THE MARTYRDOM OF THE BAB, WHO CALLED US ALL TO BE HEROES AS HE WAS. IF WE WISH TO ALSO HONOR AMERICA'S BIRTHDAY, WE CAN BECOME THE HEROES WHO WILL HELP AMERICA LIVE UP TO HER HIGHEST HOPES. WE HOPE YOU WILL LEARN THE PRAYER FOR AMERICA IN THIS ISSUE. WON'T YOU WRITE AND TELL US HOW YOU ARE TRYING TO BE AN AMERICAN HERO OR HEROINE?

WITH WARM BAHÁ’Í GREETINGS,

Your Editor [Page 1]

WHAT’S INSIDE?

What can we take to the birthday party? See page 9. 1, 2, 4, & 8 Watch our numbers grow! See page 12. The Mulla fools himself! See how on page 14. Who is the wisest princess? Find out on page 18. Can you see the horses in the waves? See page 24. Which part of you comes from where? See page 28.

Cover Photo, by Mary K. Radpour Inside Cover, Editorial Table of Contents 1 Letters from our Friends 2 A Prayer for America 4 "She is My own daughter," by Louise Matthias 5 "Treasured Gold," by Dr. Elsie Austin 7 Happy Birthday, America - a picture story by M.K. Radpour and Nina Jones 9 "Each One Teach One," a song by John Coley and Bob Grundy 12 Mulla Nasrudin, a cartoon illustrated by Rita Leydon 14 "‘Abdu’l-Bahá in America," a game by Stephanie Troxel 15 "The Secret of the Golden Apples," written and illustrated by Ms. Bahiyyih Adams 18 "White-Horsed Armies," a read-aloud poem by Gregg Shaw 24 Bahá’í Books Crossword Puzzle, by Stephanie Troxel 27 "All Mixed Up!" a story by Stephanie Troxel 28 Craft Fun, by Brenda Neal 30 "Love and Affection," a special article for the Parent's Page, by Dr. Susan Theroux 31 Back Cover, by Nina Jones

[Page 2]

Letters From Our Friends

Dear Child’s Way,

My name is Lori Vahid. I am 13 years old. I love the Bahá’í Faith.... In our area, we don’t even have Sunday school because there are not enough people to support it. My mother and father are part of the community and we have feasts often. We rarely have firesides though we put ads in the paper and posters in stores about the Bahá’í Faith.

When I was doing that game from the Child’s Way, Jan-Feb. 1976, I didn’t know more than 3 answers. That’s pretty bad considering my age. I love Bahá’u’lláh, but I haven’t heard enough about Him to really love Him.... With God’s help, you have read this and maybe, with much prayer, you will give a response of some sort giving me some advice.

Thank you for your time. With much love, Lori Vahid

Dear Lori,

We know that it is very difficult for a Bahá’í child who lives in a place where there are not many other Bahá’í children, but if you didn’t live in that place how would the people there learn about Bahá’u’lláh?

If you teach your friends about the Faith, maybe there will soon be enough Bahá’í children for regular classes! Have you told your community at the Feast about your desire to know more about the Faith? Perhaps one of the friends there would be willing to be your own private teacher, or perhaps someone could take you to another class nearby. You can learn about the Faith all by yourself, too. I am sure you can read the Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh or some of the Bahá’í books for children. Or have you read Release the Sun or God Loves Laughter? These are very entertaining and exciting books which should teach you a great deal about the Faith.

Perhaps our readers will write us and share with us how they have become educated about the Bahá’í teachings.

We hope that Child’s Way will be another way for you to learn about your Faith. Let us know if you are successful!

Warmly, your Editor

Dear Child’s Way,

This is the thing I want in Child’s Way: How do butterflies fly? How do dogs bark? How do fish swim? How do owls hoot? Because: God made butterflies fly. God made dogs bark. God made fish swim. God made owls hoot.

Here is my picture:

Why is he smiling? Because he loves the Bahá’í Faith! Rennee A. Stevens, age 11 [Page 3]Dear Child’s Way,

We are pioneers to the South Pacific. I saw the question you had in Child’s Way about wanting letters on how to serve Bahá’u’lláh. It is hard to say exactly how to serve Him. I have had some experiences that really show that He and God were with me. One of them was when I was talking to some women about the joys of being a Bahá’í. It was around Christmas and one of them was wrapping presents when she said, "It must be sad for you to be missing out on what the rest of the world is celebrating." I replied almost instantly, "Not with the joys of being a Bahá’í!"

The best words that I can say are that it is wonderful to teach the word of this new age.

I must now get ready to meet the National Assembly members who are coming to Ponape for a meeting.

With sincere Bahá’í love, Patrick Maloney

Dear Child’s Way,

Here are some poems from one of the children in our Bahá’í children’s classes. We hope you can print them.

GOD MADE THE WORLD

God made the world to be free, Now can’t you see? It’s an awful sight To see so many people fight.

UNITY

Unity is togetherness, Unity is love, Unity is happiness, Unity is like a dove, Free and beautiful In no way like a bull. Unity is watering a tree, Helping one who cannot see. Unity is togetherness.

These poems are written by Tahirih Schroeder, 11 years old.

Faithfully in His service, Mrs. Roan O. Stone

The Bahá’í Faith,

by Katya Sousa, age 9

Once there was a lady and she was teaching the Bahá’í Faith, a religion of God’s Messengers. She went all over the world, a million miles by train to teach the religion. Most of the people were not listening, and that made her cry because she was trying so hard. One day she was standing in a field saying the Greatest Name. She was hungry, so she went to a restaurant and took out a Bahá’í pamphlet. A man saw it and asked about Bahá’í. He asked her to come to his house and tell his friends about Bahá’í and there were soon millions of Bahá’ís.

‎Baha'i Bahá’í‎ love, Katya [Page 4]

O Thou Kind lord !

This gathering is turning to thee. These hearts are radiant with Thy love. These minds and hearts are exhilarated by the message of Thy glad tidings. O God let this American democracy become glorious in spiritual degrees even as it has aspired to material degrees, and render this just government victorious. Confirm this revered nation to upraise the standard of the oneness of humanity, to promulgate the most great peace, to become thereby most glorious and praiseworthy among all the nations of the world..... [Page 5]

She Is My Own Daughter

HOW HAND OF THE CAUSE OF GOD, DOROTHY BEECHER BAKER, BECAME A BAHÁ’Í

By Louise B. Matthias

Dorothy Baker

Dorothy Beecher was a rather shy little girl, and not always too happy. She was so sensitive that she felt the unhappiness of anyone she was with, and suffered with them. But in June of 1912, when she was thirteen years old, her grandmother, "Mother Beecher," took her to hear ‘Abdu’l-Bahá speak. That day her whole life changed.

She was terrified. "What if he looks at me?" she thought. "If he speaks to me, I'll die!" But when they entered the room, they found that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was already speaking. He turned and smiled at Mother ‎beecher Beecher‎, glanced at Dorothy and motioned her to a footstool next to his chair. Dorothy obediently sidled over and sat down, but fearful of what might come next, she turned away from him, lowered her head and stared fixedly at her feet. The Master continued to speak, and paid no attention to her. She began to relax and listen to his words, although later she could recall nothing of what he had said. Gradually she was filled with the spirit of love that radiated from him, and seemed to enfold her. By the time he finished speaking, she had turned wholly toward him. She sat with her elbows on her knees, and her chin resting in her hands, gazing rapturously at his face. When they left, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá bade Mother Beecher a very loving farewell, but still did not glance at or speak to Dorothy, so the spell that was woven about her remained unbroken.

For days Dorothy thought about that meeting, and finally sat down and wrote to the Master, telling him that the greatest desire of her heart was to serve him. In a few days his answer came, in his own hand-writing, written on the second page of her own letter to him. The translation, made by one of his secretaries, was on a separate sheet, and said: [Page 6]"O dearest child. Your goal is great and God is All Bountiful. My hope is this: That you succeed in your desire."

In the early morning of July 4, 1912, Mother Beecher received an urgent summons from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. She was in bed with flu, but immediately arose, dressed and crossed the city by bus to go to him. The moment she received the message she began to pray. She was sure that something was wrong. Had she done something to displease the Master? Had she not done something she should have done? She wracked her brain, but could think of nothing.

When she arrived, the Master, as was usual, was walking up and down the room, addressing a large group of the friends. When Mother Beecher entered, he stopped, turned to her and said,

"I have called you to say that your granddaughter is my own daughter. Train her for me."

He turned back to the group and continued his address. Mother Beecher waited, but he said nothing more to her.

From that moment until the end of her life twenty years later, Mother Beecher’s primary concern was to train and educate Dorothy. And Dorothy sat at the feet of her grandmother, greedily absorbing ‎all all all‎ the strength and vitality of the Bahá’í Teachings, unconsciously preparing herself for the great role she was to play in later years in the spread of this Faith throughout the world. All her life she was to find one of her greatest joys in the company of young people to whom, in her turn, she poured out the lifegiving love and bounty of the Word of God for this fortunate day in which we live.

---

Dorothy Baker was a truly great Bahá’í teacher. She deeply desired to serve ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. She studied the teachings with great care, and because she had the gift of eloquence, or beautiful speech, she was able to move the hearts of those who heard her. She served the Cause on the local and national Assemblies, and she traveled to Europe, to Central and South America, and even to India to teach the Cause. She was killed in a plane crash returning from a teaching trip.

Don’t you wish that you had had the bounty of sitting at ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s feet? Or that you could have written him a letter? What would you have written to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to show your love for him? [Page 7]

Treasured Gold

a story about Louis Gregory

by Dr. H. Elsie Austin

LOUIS GREGORY

Some days are just meant for walking in the park. The day of this story was like that, clean, clear, and bright, with a gently warming sun, and a blue sky filled with lazy white clouds that glided smoothly overhead.

Four Bahá’í children were taking a walk with their Bahá’í teacher and friend, Mr. Zendi, who taught them in the middle class at the Bahá’í Center. Peggy and Roxanne were busy playing "Discover," that game where you walk along using your eyes and ears to sense anything unusual. Kudjo and Dee were busy running ahead, galloping imaginary horses.

Suddenly Roxanne stopped in the middle of a hop-skip, for her eyes had caught a bright glimmer in the grass. Swooping down, she cried excitedly, "Treasure, Treasure, I've discovered a treasure!" The others came running as she proudly held up a small gold pin, bright, lovely, beautifully fashioned. Admiration came forth in a chorus.

"What a lovely pin!" said Mr. Zendi. "I do believe it is pure gold!" And then, adjusting his spectacles, he continued, "Gold is one of the world's most beautiful and rare metals. When it is found it has to be washed and tried with certain tests which purify it, and then the gold craftsmen take it and fashion it into many lovely things for people to wear, or keep and enjoy and admire because it represents a certain wonderful quality of beauty and excellence."

Kudjo smiled, showing the deep dimples in his little black cheeks. "In my country we have gold and the craftsmen make lots of pretty things from it." Kudjo came from Ghana.

"In my country," said Dee, not to be outdone by this, "our craftsmen make many wonderful things from gold." Dee was from France.

"Well," said Mr. Zendi, "many countries have gold, but even those which do not have it prize it greatly. And you will find in every land people who prize gold highly because it is generally used to create beautiful things, and is universally admired. Indeed, there was a time when it was the basis of determining the value of every country's money." [Page 8]"My," said Peggy, holding the golden pin against her blue dress, which just matched her blue eyes, "isn't that nice!" And then she added thoughtfully, "It must be nice to be admired and cherished and eagerly sought for by people in every land."

"Did you know that there was once a wonderful Bahá’í whom ‘Abdu’l-Bahá compared to pure gold?" Mr. Zendi asked. "Have you never heard about Louis Gregory?"

"I have!" cried Roxanne. "He was a Hand of the Cause. He was the first American Black to become a Hand. My mother told me about him one day."

"Tell us something about Louis Gregory, Mr. Zendi," said Peggy. "Couldn't we stop here and sit on the grass in the shade for a while?"

By this time a few refreshments had appeared from the copious pockets of Mr. Zendi, and everyone flopped down and began to munch away on a little something.

"Louis Gregory," began Mr. Zendi, who being Persian liked nothing more than an occasion for story-telling, "was born in Charleston, South Carolina in 1874. You know that this was about the time that the Bahá’í Faith was beginning to be promulgated and the early Bahá’ís were facing many tests. Louis, here on this side of the world, was born into many tests. He was poor, Black, and lived in an area where his people were constantly terrorized and mistreated. During his early childhood, his father died and he and his mother went to live with his grandparents. Louis adored his grandfather, a tall strong man who was a blacksmith -- that is, a man who works with and repairs iron tools and makes those shoes the horses wear. Louis used to watch his grandfather pounding the red hot iron and shaping it and working it until the red sparks flew from it, and he thought his grandfather was the most powerful and wonderful man in the world. One night while Louis was sleeping, he was awakened by cries and screams. Roused from his sleep, he saw a band of hooded and masked men dragging his grandfather away to the yard where they killed him. They then started after his grandmother, but at the last moment, they decided not to kill her."

"Why did they do such a terrible thing?" said Kudjo. "Why, Mr. Zendi, why?"

"Prejudice and hate made them resent the fact that Louis' grandfather had purchased a horse and carriage and driven his family through the white section of town. So they decided to kill him as a warning to other Blacks. But you remember that such things happened to the early Bahá’ís who were often tortured and killed because they had accepted a new faith." Mr. Zendi continued with his story. "In spite of such dreadful happenings, Louis Gregory did not grow up hating white people or dedicating his life to resentment and retaliation for the cruelty and injustice which disfigured his childhood. The love and the prayers of that grandmother whose life was spared healed his spirit and helped him to grow up free from hate."

"Growing up as a young boy, Louis Gregory worked and studied hard, for he wanted to have a service in the world and to contribute to human progress, even though he had not yet heard of the Bahá’í Faith. After much effort and sacrifice, he completed his studies and came to Washington, D.C. to enter Howard University and study law. Soon he was qualified as a lawyer, and began to practice with another attorney who ‎cecame became‎ one of the early Black judges of the District of Columbia. And then one day he received an opportunity to work in a U.S. government office. It was not as pleasant as his law office because some of his co-workers were very prejudiced and did not like having to work with Louis because of his race. But remember, Louis had grown up without hate, [Page 9]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA

America is 200 years old!

America is like a birthday cake. We have to mix many good things together to make it taste good!

First comes the butter. This is America, our country, with lakes and farms and orchards and gardens, to make us healthy and strong!

Second comes the sugar. This is the American people, with many languages and costumes and songs and dances and foods. Now the cake is sweet!

Next we add the eggs. This is the law of the land, which holds us together as one people.

Constitution of the United States [Page 10]Now let's add the flour. Each grain of flour is important to the cake, just as the voice of each American is important to the American government.

Are we ready for the birthday party? Let's taste the cake and see!

Mmmmm.... It's good, but something is missing!

We are Bahá’ís and we are invited to the party. What can we bring to make a better cake?

The cake is flat and hard. What can we add to make it light and high and tender? It needs some leaven, doesn't it? If we add the spirit of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings, we'll have love and happiness and unity, won't we? [Page 11]One more gift will make a perfect cake. How about some fruits and spices? These delicious flavors are the Indians and the Negroes and the Spanish-speaking and the women and all the people whose voices have not been heard in our land. When they flavor the cake, it will be delicious!

Now are we ready for the party? Let’s invite all the nations and peoples to come! That will truly be a party worth having! [Page 12]

EACH ONE TEACH ONE

verse 1. If only one with soul on fire, arose to serve his heart’s desire,

with Knowledge, Wisdom, love + care, seeks someone with whom to share,

1, 2, 4 and 8, We ‎wouldnt wouldn’t‎ have so long to wait;

we could set the world ablaze by following this simple phrase.

verse 2. If everyone will do his part,

Plant the seed within one heart,

Nurture it with loving care,

Till the Cause becomes so great,

That everyone will know its fame,

And all the world will call His Name. [Page 13]Each one teach one, scatter through the land,

Together individually reach the heart of man,

Each one teach one, watch our numbers grow

If each would teach we’d have one world for Bahá’u’lláh. [Page 14]

Mulla Nasrudin

STOP! COME HERE AND I WILL TELL YOU SOMETHING INTERESTING.

O.K., BUT DON’T TRY TO PREACH AT US.

THE PRINCE IS GIVING A FREE DINNER TO ANYONE WHO COMES FOR IT.

REALLY, WOW!

HOW CLEVER I WAS TO GET RID OF THEM.

MAYBE HE IS GIVING A FREE DINNER AND I’LL MISS IT IF I DON’T GO TOO!

RITA FLODEN LEYDON [Page 15]

‘ABDU’L BAHÁ’S WESTERN TOUR GAME

BY STEPHANIE TROXEL

‘ABDU’L BAHÁ VISITED THE UNITED STATES FROM APRIL 11, 1912 THROUGH DECEMBER 5, 1912. DURING HIS STAY HE DID MANY INTERESTING THINGS AND VISITED MANY PLACES WE ARE FAMILIAR WITH. CAN YOU FIND OUT WHAT HE DID IN EACH OF THE CITIES ON THE GAME?

• * * * * * * * * *

EACH PLAYER SHOULD GET A PLAYING PIECE --- A COIN OR BUTTON OR STONE. EVERYONE STARTS AT NEW YORK CITY ON "START."

TAKE A SQUARE OF CONSTRUCTION PAPER OR CARDBOARD ABOUT 1-1/2 INCHES SQUARE. DRAW AN "X" ACROSS IT FROM CORNER TO CORNER AND THEN NUMBER EACH TRIANGLE -- LIKE THIS --

THEN PUT A TOOTHPICK THROUGH THE CENTER -- THIS IS YOUR SPINNER. Put toothpick thru here!

SPIN IT BETWEEN YOUR THUMB AND FOREFINGER AND WHICHEVER NUMBER IT LANDS ON YOU MOVE YOUR PLAYING PIECE THAT MANY SPACES.

ARROWS FOR SHORT CUTS ONLY APPLY IF YOU LAND IN THAT SPACE.

HAVE FUN! [Page 16]

‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s Visit 1912

NEWARK, N.J.

Brooklyn, N.Y.

CAMBRIDGE, CONN. Short cut to St. Paul

BOSTON, MASS.

LAKE MOHAWK, N.Y. Day of rest. lose one turn

MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY

DUBLIN, N.H.

GREENACRE, MAINE "...the first Bahá’í University!"

MONTREAL, CANADA

ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA

MINNEAPOLIS MINNESOTA

BUFFALO, NEW YORK

Go back to Boston OMAHA, NEB.

LINCOLN, NEBRASKA

DENVER, COLORADO Take a rest in Glenwood Springs— lose 1 turn

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA "May the first flag of peace be raised in this city." [Page 17]

Western Tour

Start

Arrival NEW YORK CITY April 11, 1912

CHICAGO He lays the cornerstone for the Temple

CLEVELAND, OHIO

‎PITTSBURG PITTSBURGH‎, PENNSYLVANIA

WASHINGTON, D.C. Speaks at Howard Univ.

‎MONCLAIR MONTCLAIR‎, NEW JERSEY Unity Feast at Teaneck

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. visits grave of ‎Thorton Thornton‎ Chase, 1st American believer

CINCINNATI, OHIO

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

PHILADELPHIA PENNSYLVANIA

NEW YORK CITY "City of the Covenant." Departure: 5 December 1912 END

"Thou seest me... determined to raise Thy word among the masses..." ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s prayer for the Southern States [Page 18]

The Secret of the Golden Apples

Sow the seeds of My Divine wisdom In the pure soil Of the heart, and Water them with The waters of Certitude, that the Hyacinths of knowledge And wisdom may spring Up fresh and green From the holy city Of the heart.

by Bahiyyih Adams [Page 19]Once there was a king who had three daughters and the eldest was as fair as the sun and had clear thoughts and wide eyes, and the second was dusky as a perfumed evening and had a mind as nimble as the deer, but the youngest was dull and plain for all she did was eat custard and pie.

Now the king called his daughters to him one morning and, having sent all his ‎coutiers courtiers‎ out of the room, he drew forth from a silk pouch at his side, three large apples all of gold. And his daughters were struck with wonder, even the youngest, and clustered around him like bees at a honey-pot, begging to know from what tree their father had picked three such fair apples. The king gazed at them gravely and handing an apple to each of them, said:

"That you must discover for yourselves, and the means whereby you find the secret of these apples shall tell me which of you three is the wisest. Now go, and leave me in peace for seven days for I have much to do in the realm."

So saying he turned from them and went to sit with his councillors. But his three daughters fell to quarrelling, for each claimed that her apple was the largest and therefore she was the wisest and worthy to be queen of the realm. And when they had tired of one another, each went to her own chambers and sat for long hours thinking of the wisdom in her golden apple.

Now the eldest daughter who had studied mathematics and knew all there was to know about square roots, brought out her rulers and compasses of rare silver and, setting her golden apple upon a smooth bench, she proceeded with infinite care and lengthy calculation to measure the width, the breadth, the depth, the height and the weight of her apple, feeling sure that here lay the secret core of wisdom which her father spoke of. [Page 20]And the second daughter who was too impatient for straight lines and logarithms sent out word to all the apple-growers of the realm to be ready to conduct her to the best of their trees where she might sample the choicest fruit. For she wished to compare with her own eyes the texture, the colour, the weight and the size of these fruits and measure them against her golden apple and so reach the root of the wisdom her father spoke of.

But the youngest daughter whose mind was neither nimble nor sharp, and who quickly grew bored between meals, sat in her bed-chamber and gazed at the golden apple in despair. For to tell you the truth the wisest thing she could think to do with it was --- to smell it. Which she promptly did, and this only increased her despair, for the apple smelt so sweet and fresh and so much more delicious than anything else she had met with in her short life that there seemed to be nothing wiser to do in the world than taste it. And having come to this profound conclusion she brought the golden apple up to her mouth and took a big bite ---

Whereupon she was filled with shame and quickly hid it under her pillow --- But the following day she could bear it no longer for the scent of the apple had filled the room and made it too sweet to endure. So she quickly took another bite --- And the next day again another bite --- And so on until seven whole days had passed --- And there, under her pillow, there was nothing left but a handful of golden seeds.

Finally the king called his daughters to him, for he had not seen them for a whole week, and sent word to them through the palace that if they had found wisdom they should come and show him for he was eager to share it with them. [Page 21]First the eldest came with a great sheaf of papers under her arm, carrying her golden apple on a pair of scales, all of which she set down on the carpets at her father's feet. Then with admirable care and precision she drew his attention to the graphs and diagrams she had created and continued in this manner to present theories and hypotheses for at least an hour. Several of the courtiers yawned and it was not without quite some relief that they sat down to tea as the king congratulated his eldest daughter and invited his second to proceed with her discoveries.

The second daughter called for her attendants to bring in armfuls and basketfuls and barrelfuls of apples which she had collected from all the orchards of the realm, and then to the incredulous despair of all the courtiers she proceeded one by one to compare them with her golden apple. And though her speech was full of rhetoric and wit and though her observations were most acute, by the three hundredth and forty-first apple the king himself had begun to yawn. So he very graciously congratulated his second daughter and bade her be seated with her sister at his feet.

But the youngest daughter had been too ashamed to come with her clever sisters and had hidden herself in the linen cupboard and cried, for she knew they would mock her and laugh her to scorn. Besides, the king her father had called for them to come if they had found wisdom. And she felt she had found nothing but her own folly and lost the greater part of the golden gift that was to show her the wisdom she did not own. [Page 22]But the king called for her again and sent his courtiers to find and fetch her so when she finally came into the high chambers of her father she resolved to be brave and tell him the whole story.

Slowly, with great simplicity she approached the throne. Her hands were empty, her head was bowed but all who saw her gasped with amazement and fell back with awe, for she seemed, suddenly, to be a little queen, so beautiful had she become. And when she stood before the king she drew out from her bosom a small silk pouch and emptied into her outstretched hand five golden seeds which glittered and shone in her palm.

"Father," she said, "The apple was the most perfect I have ever tasted, and I found no wisdom in it, but only the seeds."

And then she hung her head for she wished she had more brains and less greed, like her elder sisters, and could have at least pretended to have found wisdom.

But the king her father was full of joy and stepped down from the throne to embrace her and stroke her hair for he loved his youngest daughter greatly. Then he clapped his hands and called for a bowl of earth and a pitcher of water and taking the seeds from his daughter's hand he planted them deep in the earth and sprinkled them with water from his fingertips.

"Just as you have planted the joy of my gift in your heart and watered it with humility, so will I plant these precious seeds, and promise too that when they will have grown to trees bearing their golden apples for all to see, so will the tree of wisdom in your heart have grown also -- and all your subjects will grow under its shadow and eat of its sweet fruit for you shall be queen." [Page 23]Then he ordered that a great banquet be spread where everyone could eat as much custard and pie as their hearts desired, and although they were not sure why, there was much merriment and joy among the people of that realm. But the two elder sisters were more puzzled than anyone else for when they went to eat their golden apples, they had to quickly spit them out for the taste was not sweet at all but like cold ashes and wood! [Page 24]RUSHING, CRASHING, SPLASHING WAVES

ROARING, SOARING, MORNING WAVES

HIGH TIDE IS THE CHARGE

OF WHITE-HORSED ARMIES

by Gregg Shaw [Page 25]and so his courtesy, understanding and wisdom were not turned off by the behavior of those who did not like him. One man in particular was very difficult to work with. One day he came to Louis Gregory and said: 'There is a Bahá’í meeting being held in the city, and with all those things you say you believe in, you ought to go.' Louis thanked him and turned away. Now if someone you did not like came and told you to go somewhere, would you go?"

"No!" said Dee stoutly. "I surely would not! I just couldn't stand for anyone who wasn't nice to me to ‎tell me to tell me tell me‎ to do anything."

"Well," replied Mr. Zendi, "Louis was wiser, and remember, he did not hate people who were unpleasant. In fact, years after, when he was a Bahá’í, he once wrote to a young man who complained about hostile people and told him: 'Yes, we should love our enemies, as they sometimes, rather often, have a part in our development, as do our friends.' So it was that Mr. Gregory had his first news about the Faith from an unfriendly person, and because his heart was very pure, did attend that Bahá’í meeting. He was deeply touched by the message of the Faith. He contacted the ‎Bahá'í's Bahá’ís‎ and began at once to study and read the Bahá’í Teachings!"

"I think Bahá’u’lláh was looking for Mr. Gregory," said Peggy.

"Yes," replied Mr. Zendi, "There is a passage from Bahá’u’lláh that says: 'To gather jewels have I come to the world. If one speck of a jewel lies hid in a stone, and that stone be beyond the seven seas, until I have found and secured that jewel, My Hand shall not stay from its search.' So it was that Louis Gregory came to Bahá’u’lláh through a path of many sorrows and began to acquire the jewel-like qualities of a true believer. His sensitivity to the beauty of the teachings became a source of joy to the friends in Washington. He served them in every way possible. He became a Bahá’í in 1908."

"There were not many Bahá’í books in those days. Louis Gregory read very eagerly every message and explanation that came from ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. And his longing to make a pilgrimage grew daily. It was around this time that the Beloved Master had been released from the prison in Akká. Finally Louis Gregory wrote ‘Abdu’l-Bahá pouring out his love for the Faith and beseeching the Master to allow him a pilgrimage. In 1911, he was granted this permission and he sailed to Alexandria, in Egypt, to meet with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá."

"How happy he must have been to see ‘Abdu’l-Bahá," sighed Roxanne.

"He was indeed, and afterwards he wrote a small pamphlet about his pilgrimage and entitled it "The Heavenly Vista." You will find it in the libraries of Bahá’ís who have the early publications of the Faith. It is very interesting."

"When he saw ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, what did he ask him and what did ‘Abdu’l-Bahá tell him?" asked Kudjo excitedly.

"That was a beautiful meeting. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá showered much love upon Mr. Gregory. He told Louis he wished him to become a Herald of the Kingdom. Do you know what a Herald is?"

"I do," said Peggy. "A herald is a person who announces significant news."

"That is it," agreed Mr. Zendi. "And what more significant news for the world is there than the News of Bahá’u’lláh and the message of His teachings?" ‘Abdu’l-Bahá said other great things to Mr. Gregory. He told him to become the means whereby the white and colored peoples should close their eyes to racial differences and behold the reality of humanity; to become like unto a candle that would enkindle the world; to be like a star that would gleam and shine from the horizon of reality and become the cause of guidance to both races.... Do you know that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was not only calling Louis Gregory, but choosing [Page 26]him for great work of teaching the Bahá’í Faith. That was the way one of our early Washington teachers used to describe it, Mrs. Miriam Haney. So it was that this very significant pilgrimage started a new epoch in the life of Louis Gregory. Coming back from his pilgrimage, he stopped in Europe and England and spoke to the Bahá’í friends, and when he returned to the States, he seemed to relive the commands that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had given him in parting:

'Go forth and speak of the Cause of God. Visit the friends. Gladden their hearts. You will be the cause of guidance to many souls. The Divine Bounties will always be with you. You are always on my mind and heart.'"

"Louis Gregory obeyed the Master."

Gazing at the golden pin, Dee felt impelled to ask, "When did Mr. Gregory become like gold?"

"He became like gold through teaching the Faith," answered Mr. Zendi. "His life, his personality became so brilliant, so radiant and so filled with light that he shone in beauty and purity no matter where he was. People who saw him realized that he was a precious soul, a value to all mankind. His was a life of constant travel to serve the Faith. He spoke, he wrote, he initiated plans to get the Faith before Colleges, civic organizations and leaders. He even started a press service to newspapers who would accept articles encouraging friendly association and understanding between the races. He worked with plans for national amity conferences. In short, he used every talent and skill he had to further understanding and acceptance of the Bahá’í Faith."

"And when he passed away in 1951, the Beloved Guardian of the Faith, Shoghi Effendi, cabled from the Holy Land:

'Profoundly deplore grievous loss of dearly beloved, noble ‎mined minded‎, golden hearted, Louis Gregory....'

"Moreover, in death as in life, he brought the races of mankind together. Love and admiration of his life came from Bahá’ís in Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America to join the expressions of the friends in America."

"That was a wonderful story about Mr. Gregory," said Roxanne, with her eyes shining. You could tell that she was expressing the sentiments of the whole group. [Page 27]

Bahá’í Books Crossword

contributed by Stephanie Troxel

ACROSS

3- The ________ 6- _______ in the Night 9- Bahá’u’lláh and the New ____ 10- Divine ____ of Living 12- Greek letter for P 13- To act bravely 14- He __ God! 15- Paris _______ 17- Advent of Divine _______

DOWN

1 - Dispensation Bahá’u’lláh ____ 2 - All Things Made _______ 4 - ________ of Divine Justice 5 - _______ Talks 7 - _______ of the Gospel 8 - _______ Passes By 9 - _______ to the Son of the Wolf 11- ________ of Man 16- Seven Valleys and the ____ Valleys

Here’s a good chance for you to become a Bahá’í scholar! If the names of these books aren’t familiar to you, go visit a good Bahá’í library and see the books on the shelf! The answers to the puzzle are provided on page 30. [Page 28]

ALL MIXED UP

by Stephanie Troxel

Amy was unusually quiet as she sat down for her after-school snack.

“You’re very thoughtful today,” said her mother, “Is there something on your mind that I can help you think about?”

“Remember I told you yesterday there was a new child in my class?” asked Amy.

“You mean the Vietnamese boy?”

“Right, ‎Well well‎, today one of the other kids said that he should go home to Vietnam where he belonged. That’s not right, is it?” Amy was puzzled.

“No, it certainly wasn’t,” her mother frowned. “That’s one of the nice things about America.... There are so many people from different parts of the world living here. It is like living in a beautiful garden with many different types and colors of flowers. If everyone went back to where they came from, there would be hardly any Americans left.”

“If we had to go back where we came from where would we go?” asked Amy.

“Well, that’s the funny part. Americans are so mixed up that if we could only go to the places where we came from, most Americans would have to cut themselves into pieces....many pieces. In many families the mothers and fathers would never see each other again.”

“That’s not very funny!” objected Amy.

“No, that’s not the funny part,” agreed Mom, “I’m thinking of having to divide ourselves into different parts. For example, if a person were half Nigerian and half English, he would have to cut himself down the middle and allow half of himself to go to Nigeria and the other half to England. Can you imagine just half a person walking around? With only one eye, one ear, one arm and one leg?” [Page 29]Amy laughed, "Or maybe he would have to be cut across his waist, and his head and shoulders would have to go in one direction and his legs and feet in the other direction! But what about us?"

"You are a perfect example of how mixed up people can get! We would have to cut you up into twelve different parts -- and not all the same size, either. Seven parts of you would have to go to seven different parts of Europe, one part would go to Hawaii, another part to China, another part to Israel, another to Africa, and the last part would stay here in the United States ... that’s the Indian part of you."

"Wow! I’m part everything! But Mom, where would you go?"

"Pretty much the same places you would go, only in a little bit bigger pieces. You see, half of what is in you is from me, and the other half is from your father. Imagine this: my hand stays behind to wave goodbye to all the other parts of my body. And along with my hand is half of your brother’s hand and half of your sister’s hand and maybe your eye! That way at least one of us would be able to see the others go and cry a few tears! And the others can join together to make a hand to wave good-bye!"

"It would be a funny-sad sight," sighed Amy. "Funny, because it’s funny to think of one part of the body working all by itself, but sad to think that we wouldn’t be the way God made us in the first place... as whole people."

"You’re very right. And we as people too need all the other people in the world so that we can have a better whole world, with everyone doing their part and their job by helping everyone else. That’s one of the reasons that Bahá’u’lláh came."

"You mean to tell everybody that we are all the flowers of one garden," said Amy.

"Yes, and that the earth is one country and mankind its citizens," said Mom.

"I never realized how important those things were til now," said Amy, thinking deeply about what it means to be an American. [Page 30]

Weaving a Belt on Soda Straws

by Brenda Neal

All you need to weave your own belt is: plastic soda straws, colored yarn, a ruler, and scissors. First, choose your colors of yarn and cut five strips, each at least 36 inches long. Also, cut an extra 36 inches to use as a "weft" thread. (This thread will run the width of your belt; the "warp" threads run lengthwise) You may roll the weft thread into a ball. Tie big knots in your five strips of yarn and thread the strips through five soda straws. Now you are ready to weave.

Using the weft thread, you will weave over and under the soda straws. As you weave, keep sliding the yarn further down on the straws, to make it tight. Different colors of yarn may also be woven into the belt. Just tie the new color to the old weft thread and keep weaving. After the belt is the size of your waist, you can add yarn to tie the ends of the belt. You may also want to make a belt for a friend.

Here are the answers to the crossword puzzle on page 27: ACROSS; 3- Flame; 6- Thief; 9- Era; 10- Art; 12- Pi; 13- Dare; 14- Is; 15- Talks; 17- Justice; DOWN; 1- Of; 2- New; 4- Advent; 5- Paris; 7-Heart; 8- God; 9- Epistle; 11- Reality; 16- Four. [Page 31]

Parent’s Page

LOVE AND AFFECTION -- ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS FOR GROWTH

-- Susan S. Theroux

What is the meaning of love to an infant? For the infant love comes in the form of the satisfaction of his basic needs. But it is not enough merely to provide food, shelter, and protection; the infant also must be allowed to become emotionally attached to at least one significant adult -- usually the mother.

Numerous studies have shown the importance of having a warm and nurturant care-giver to ensure physical health, mental health, and even survival. For example, children who must stay in a hospital or other institution during the first years of life receive food and shelter, but do not have anyone to hold them, fondle them, and move them around. Without this type of stimulation they become retarded in almost all respects. They develop diseases more easily than other children; some even die. They do not learn to move around -- creep, crawl, or walk -- or to speak as well or as early as normal children. Institutionalized children are usually more passive and apathetic than home-reared children; they lack motivation and ambition. The most marked characteristic of these children is their emotional instability and their inability to develop meaningful human relationships.¹ They exhibit attention-seeking behavior combined with aggressiveness. Of course, institutionalized children represent an extreme example of children who are deprived of love, but children reared at home are sometimes neglected and also can manifest these symptoms.

The development of trust depends upon the security the child feels during the first few years of life. This is the time when he decides whether or not the world is a friendly place in which to live. His behavior throughout life depends upon this decision.

How can parents ensure that their children will learn to trust? This is done by providing a stable environment. The most important characteristic of such an environment is a stable adult -- one who ‎care cares‎ for the infant most of his waking hours. The infant feels secure because he knows his needs will be fulfilled. At approximately six to eight months of age, the infant is able to signal the significant adult that he wants the adult near. This is called attachment behavior and it is a sign of emotional health in the infant.

Certain time periods are more important than others to the development of an attachment. Studies have shown that the period from about six to eighteen months is the time during which attachments are usually formed. This period can be extended to three years under unusual circumstances, but the bond is not likely to be as strong. The child under three cannot tolerate long separations from the mother-figure without feeling neglected, and possibly even withdrawing from contact with others. In the 4th or 5th years a relationship can be maintained despite a separation of a few days or a few weeks, but some stress may result.

The research on attachment indicates that parents should not be afraid of "spoiling" their infant by giving him too much love. He should receive all of the care and attention he seems to want. Once a strong attachment has been formed and the young child feels secure, he will easily leave his mother to explore the environment and will reach out to other people. It is through exploration of the environment that the young child learns to [Page 32]to move, to perceive, and to think. A child who has not formed a strong attachment to a mother-figure will often feel insecure, will cling to mother, and will be less likely to explore the environment on his own. Such a child will not be able to develop his thinking and perceiving capacities at an optimum rate.

Attachments may be formed to more than one person. In fact, infants can form more than one attachment even in the first year of life. This is probably a safeguard, so that if one attachment figure must go away, the other can care for the infant. However, too many potential attachment figures may prevent the infant from forming a strong attachment to any one.

As the child begins to explore his environment, he learns many things about the physical world and he also begins to interact with other people. He learns that he cannot always do whatever he wants to do, and he begins to realize that other people have needs and interests that must be taken into account. The best way for parents to foster the healthy emotional development of their child is to continue loving him unconditionally, to consistently enforce a few ground rules designed to maintain the smooth functioning of the household, and to encourage his independent exploration of the environment.

One way in which we manifest love for our children is to spend time with them. It is difficult for children to understand that we still love them even though we are away from home several nights a week and on weekends. Children need our attention. This means that parents sometimes may have to forego a fireside or a Bahá’í conference in order to spend time with their children.

The quality of the time we spend with our children is as important as the amount of time. By "quality" we mean that the children are happy and are involved physically, mentally, and spiritually. When planning activities, we should be guided by what the children think is important. Also, activities which are challenging are usually the most appealing. Examples of family activities are recreation, games, outings with other families, preparing for the Feast, family consultation, helping with homework, discussion of current events from a ‎Baha’i Bahá’í‎ point of view, and other activities that require active participation by all family members.

An active family life must include the understanding that each family member has responsibilities to uphold. The first responsibility of a young child is to obey a few simple ground rules established by the parents in areas such as bedtime, use of materials, and television watching. If they are to succeed, ground rules must be firmly and consistently enforced. To help children understand the spiritual principle underlying the rule, children can tell them the reasons for the rule. When they break a rule, the effects of their behavior on other people should be explained. Reasoning with children as much as possible helps them develop empathy, and demonstrates respect for them by assuming that they will be able to understand.

It is possible that while trying to spend time with our children and giving them ground rules by which to operate, we may prevent them from investigating the environment on their own. This would be a mistake, because it is through independent investigation that [Page 33]children learn. A balance always must be maintained between freedom and discipline. We cannot allow our love to be a possessive love which stifles freedom and undermines discipline; nor can we allow our own needs for order and security to lead us into the authoritarian position of trying to control the child's every act. It is the constant challenge of parenthood to achieve the balance between freedom and control.

Psychologists seem to agree that loving but firm parents who reason with their children raise children who are morally upright, highly motivated to learn, and loving towards others.³ This research confirms our understanding of the statements made by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi which exhort us not to neglect the training of our children and to nurture them with the love of God.

....have for them (children) an abundant love and exert thine utmost in training them, so that their being may grow through the milk of the love of God, forasmuch as it is the duty of parents to perfectly and thoroughly train their children.⁴

....they (parents) should endeavor to inculcate, gently and patiently, into their youthful minds such principles of moral conduct and initiate them into the principles and teachings of the Cause with such tactful and loving care as would enable them to become "true sons of God" and develop into loyal and intelligent citizens of His Kingdom. This is the high purpose which Bahá’u’lláh Himself has clearly defined⁵ as the chief goal of every education.

---

¹Ashley Montagu, The Direction of Human Development, New York: Hawthorn Books, 1970.

²Mary D.S. Ainsworth, "The Development of Infant-Mother Attachment," in Bettye M. Caldwell & Henry N. Ricciuti, Review of Child Development Research, Vol. 3. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1973.

³Martin L. Hoffman, "Moral Development," In Paul H. Mussen (Ed.) Carmichael's Manual of Child Psychology, Vol. 2 New York: Wiley, 1970.

⁴‘Abdu’l-Bahá, In Tablets of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Vol. II, p. 262.

⁵Shoghi Effendi, Letter to an individual dated July 9, 1939; reprinted in National Bahá’í Review, Sept. 1975.

---

Dr. Susan Theroux, who has done research for the ANISA Program at the Center for the Study of Human Potential and has received her doctorate in Education from the University of Massachusetts, has shown a deep interest in questions relating to the development of children in her participation in summer school and other national Bahá’í projects. We are pleased to enjoy here in Child's Way the fruits of her research in both scientific questions and the Bahá’í teachings. [Page 34]Mine eyes

have seen

the

Glory

of the

Coming of

the

Lord......

Julia ‎Wand Ward‎ Howe