Throughout our pilgrimage [1941] we visited the Shrines of
the Báb and 'Abdu'l-Baha in the company of the beloved Guardian. He would chant
the Tablet of Visitation in the Shrine of the Báb and then in the Shrine of
'Abdu'l-Baha.
He always removed his half-boots outside the doors of the
Shrines. One day I noticed that the right wrist of the Guardian was in a white
bandage and he had difficulty in moving it. I immediately thought that I should
help remove his shoes. I bent down on my knees and started to undo the knots of
his bootlaces. He was just bending down, and said very quietly, "Don't go
to the trouble." I said, "Beloved Guardian, this is my honor." I
removed his shoes, took my handkerchief from my pocket, and cleaned them. As I
was cleaning his boots I noticed that one of them had a hole in it and the
other one was repaired.
I was truly saddened. I knew that the Guardian lived
frugally and simply, but I had not been aware of its extent.
- Ali-Akbar Furutan (‘Hand of the Cause of God
Furutan’, by Iran Furutan Muhajir)
