{"id":208,"date":"2019-04-29T02:15:55","date_gmt":"2019-04-29T02:15:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bahaijp.org\/daystar\/?p=208"},"modified":"2019-05-10T12:43:40","modified_gmt":"2019-05-10T12:43:40","slug":"277-friendship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bahaijp.org\/daystar\/277-friendship\/?lang=en","title":{"rendered":"277 Friendship"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"\u300cclipIt was a warm spring afternoon in Okinawa. Mother saw Asma come in from school and slowly walk to the kitchen table. He sat down with a sigh, and Mother noticed that he had a very sad look on his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong Asma?\u201d she asked. He looked up at her and said, \u201cWhy can\u2019t I have any friends? Riaz has lots of friends! How come nobody wants to be my friend?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh Asma! I know just how you feel. I always had trouble making friends when I was a kid too, I was shy and quiet just like you!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were?\u201d Asma said in surprise. \u201cYou talk to EVERYBODY! You are always embarrassing us because you talk to total strangers like they were your best friends!\u201d<\/p>\n

Mother laughed and said, \u201cYeah now! It wasn\u2019t until I was an adult that I realized my shyness was being self-centered! I was only worrying about what people would think about me if I said anything. I wasn\u2019t thinking about them at all. Even now, I have to always tell myself to forget \u2018me\u2019, and worry about what the other person needs.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\u300cclip \"02\"Just then the other three children came into the house, laughing and joking with each other. Little Anisa came skipping out from her bedroom where she had been playing with her stuffed animals. She was so happy everyone was finally home again!<\/p>\n

Riaz looked at Mother and Asma, \u201cWhat are you guys talking about so seriously?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

Asma looked at him and said, \u201cHow do you do it, Riaz? How do you get everyone to be your friend? Everyone wants to hang out with you! Even kids my age!\u201d
\nRiaz thought a minute and said, \u201cYou just look around and see who needs a friend, and you become that person\u2019s friend! Ya gotta be a friend, before you can have a friend!\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Mother clapped her hands and laughed, \u201cRiaz, I never realized what a philosopher you were!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s a filaser?\u201d asked little Anisa.<\/p>\n

\u201cA philosopher: it means a wise man,\u201d answered Mona.<\/p>\n

\"20160307143354_00002\" \u201cBut Riaz is more like a \u2018wise guy\u2019!\u201d said Asma, finally breaking into a smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is someone who is always teasing and making fun of stuff,\u201d explained Mona to little Anisa.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I guess he\u2019s both, then!\u201d said Anisa seriously, and everyone, even Riaz, laughed.<\/p>\n

Mona looked at Asma and said in a serious voice, \u201cI have trouble making friends too Asma; sometimes I wish I could be more like Riaz, too!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"https:\/\/scontent-nrt1-1.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t1.15752-9\/51785963_595033090957745_1442903570285330432_n.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_ht=scontent-nrt1-1.xx&oh=038a43e3d2f341c7f4bf8da5215e301d&oe=5CE8A516\" \u201cYeah, remember when we lived in Rota, in the Marianna Islands?\u201d Asma said. \u201cRiaz was just a little kid, we were all at the doctor\u2019s office, and a new doctor was there. Riaz walked up to him, stuck out his hand to shake the doctor\u2019s hand and said, \u2018Hello there! Welcome to Rota, my name is Riaz!\u2019 The doctor said he was so impressed that he and his whole family became friends with our family, and they even said they would come and visit us here in Okinawa!\u201d<\/p>\n

I remember he liked the T-shirt Riaz was wearing at the time,\u201d put in Mother. \u201cHe asked Riaz if he knew what it said\u2026and Riaz answered quite boldly, \u2018One Planet, One People\u2026.Please!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know how you do it, Riaz; it is always hard for me to talk to someone, especially if I don\u2019t know them,\u201d said Asma, and Mona nodded.<\/p>\n

\u201cBaha\u2019u\u2019llah said that we should see His face in every person\u2019s face,\u201d explained Mother. \u201cThat means we should see the reflection of God from each person\u2019s soul, when we looked into their eyes, and then we would love them.<\/p>\n

\u201cBaha\u2019u\u2019llah gave us His son, \u2018Abdu\u2019l-Baha\u2019. He is our Example,\u201d said Mona. \u201cI guess we have to be more like Him! He was friends with everyone! Poor people, rich people, homeless people, sick people, young people, old people, children\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEven animals!\u201d put in little Anisa. \u201cHe was friends with the little mouse!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh you mean the time when the secretary found that there was a mouse in \u2018Abdu\u2019l-Baha\u2019s room, and he wanted to set a mouse trap to kill it, and Abdul-Baha said, \u2018No, the mouse is my friend!\u2019 He even gave the mouse His own share of cheese that a visitor brought as a gift,\u201d explained Asma.<\/p>\n

\"children\" Mona continued, \u201c\u2026.and then finally, one day, \u2018Abdu\u2019l-Baha said to catch the mouse gently without hurting it, and put it outside, because she was going to have some babies soon, and they needed to be outside so she could take care of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, Asma, getting back to you and Mona\u2019s problem about making friends, Mother said. \u201cForget about yourself and look around for someone that looks sad or lonely and looks like they need a friend; then, go and be their friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shahla stood up and said, \u201cSometimes when we are playing together, Mona or one of you get mad at me, and then all of you get mad at me, and you won\u2019t let me play\u2026.Mom gives me treats to take to you, and then you forgive me and let me back in the group. Maybe treats are a good way to make friends?\u201d\"\u300cclip<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd not getting so angry and scratching people is a good way to stay friends!\u201d Riaz said, smiling. He always had scratches on his face from teasing Shahla!<\/p>\n

\"\u300cclip All of the kids laughed, and Mona gave Shahla a hug.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey, you know what! I have a riddle for you guys!\u201d shouted Riaz. Everyone turned to look at him. They all liked riddles.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is the best thing to ride on?\u201d<\/p>\n

They all thought a bit, then finally Asma said, \u201cA motorcycle!\u201d\u2026 He loved motorcycles!<\/p>\n

\u201cA unicycle!\u201d said Mona. She was really good at riding a unicycle.<\/p>\n

\"\u300cclip<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\u300cclipart;\u201cRoller skates!\u201d said Shahla, \u201cor ice skates!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA horse!\u201d put in Mother. \u201cI used to ride when I was a girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMerry Go Round! Let\u2019s go now!\u201d shouted little Anisa jumping up and down.<\/p>\n

\u201cThose are all great things to ride on,\u201d said Riaz smiling. \u201cBut the very best thing to ride on is\u2026. A SHIP! A FRIENDSHIP!!!\u201d<\/p>\n

Everyone looked surprised and then started laughing.<\/p>\n

Mona said, \u201cYep, Riaz is a Wise Guy!\u201d<\/p>\n

And they all laughed harder.<\/p>\n

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\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0FRIENDSHIP<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cDo not be content with showing friendship in words alone, let your heart burn with loving kindness for all who may cross your path.\u201d<\/em><\/strong> \u2015 \u2018Abdu\u2019l-Baha<\/p>\n

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<\/h3>\n

Quiz<\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. Why was Asma sad?<\/li>\n
  2. Which one of the children makes friends easily?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. How does he do it?<\/li>\n
  4. Who did Riaz make friends with when he was little and the family lived in Rota?\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Who did Baha\u2019u\u2019llah say is our Example in making friends?<\/li>\n
  6. What was the little animal in the story that Anisa liked that was \u2018Abdu\u2019l-Baha\u2019s friend?<\/li>\n
  7. What was Shahla\u2019s suggestion on how to make friends?<\/li>\n
  8. What is the best way to make friends?<\/li>\n
  9. What is the best thing to ride on?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \"https:\/\/scontent-nrt1-1.xx.fbcdn.net\/v\/t34.0-12\/24098706_10213066705520295_1016562900_n.jpg?oh=94d737722b7992f8588b904dee6810fa&oe=5A1D61DA\" \"03\"<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    How did you do? Did you get them all right? The answers are on the Parents\u2019 Page.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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     <\/p>\n

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    \n

    <\/h3>\n

    Art Project<\/h3>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Paper Plate 9 Pointed Star<\/strong><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    \"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Materials:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Paper Plate<\/p>\n

    \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Scissors<\/p>\n

    \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hole Punch<\/p>\n

    \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Yarn (various colors)<\/p>\n

    \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Glitter Glue<\/p>\n

    \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sparkly stones (opt.)<\/p>\n

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    		\"\"\"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    \"\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Method:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Poke a hole in the middle of the plate<\/p>\n

    2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Using scissors cut a big hole in the plate. (just leave edge of plate.)<\/p>\n

    3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 On the back of the plate pencil in 9 dots evenly spaced around the plate. (start with 3 dots evenly spaced, then put 2 dots between each dot.)<\/p>\n

    4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Number them.<\/p>\n

    5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Punch holes in the 9 dots.<\/p>\n

    6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thread the yarn through the holes, skipping two holes and putting it in the third.\u00a0 Make a triangle. Go through again to make sure the triangle is in front too. Get another color thread, make another triangle, then a third.<\/p>\n

    7.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Don\u2019t forget to go through some holes twice\u2026 make sure the 3 triangles show up on the front of the plate.<\/p>\n

    8.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Decorate with glitter glue, sparkly stones, etc.<\/p>\n

     <\/td>\n

    		<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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    <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

     <\/p>\n

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    \n

     <\/p>\n

    Dot to Dot<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Follow the dots from 1 to 34\u2026.then color the friends nicely.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \"http:\/\/www.connectthedots101.com\/dot-to-dot\/Friendship-Day\/Beautiful_Happy_Friendship_connect_dots.png\"<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \n

    Photos<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    [Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”2″ gal_title=”#277 Photopage”]<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \n

    <\/h3>\n

    Parents<\/strong><\/h3>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \u201cIf you desire with all your heart, friendship with every race on earth, your thought, spiritual and positive will spread, it will become the desire of others, growing stronger and stronger, until it reaches the minds of all..\u201d<\/em><\/strong> (<\/em> \u2018Abdu\u2019l-Baha, Paris Talks, <\/em> p. 16)<\/p>\n

    One must see in every human being only that which is worthy of praise. When this is done, one can be a friend to the whole human race. If, however, we look at people from the standpoint of their faults, then being a friend to them is a formidable task.<\/em><\/strong>
    \n<\/em> (\u2018Abdu\u2019l-Bah\u00e1, Lights of Guidance, p. 92)<\/em><\/p>\n

    Cleanse ye your eyes, so that ye behold no man as different from yourselves. See ye no strangers; rather see all men as friends, for love and unity come hard when ye fix your gaze on otherness. And in this new and wondrous age, the Holy Writings say that we must be at one with every people…. For each of the creatures is a sign of God, and it was by the grace of the Lord and His power that each did step into the world; therefore they are not strangers, but in the family; not aliens, but friends, and to be treated as such. <\/em><\/strong>(Selections from the Writings of \u2018Abdu\u2019l-Bah\u00e1,<\/em> p. 24)<\/p>\n

    Let nothing grieve thee, and be thou angered at none. It behoveth thee to be content with the Will of God, and a true and loving and trusted friend to all the peoples of the earth, without any exceptions whatever. This is the quality of the sincere, the way of the saints, the emblem of those who believe in the unity of God, and the raiment of the people of Baha. <\/em><\/strong> (Selections from the Writings of \u2018Abdu\u2019l-Baha<\/em>,<\/em> <\/strong>p. 26)<\/p>\n

    So intense must be the spirit of love and loving kindness, that the stranger may find himself a friend, the enemy a true brother, no difference whatsoever existing between them.<\/em><\/strong> (<\/em>Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bah\u00e1<\/em><\/a>,<\/em> p. 13)<\/p>\n

    Wherefore must the loved ones of God associate in affectionate fellowship with stranger and friend alike, showing forth to all the utmost loving-kindness, disregarding the degree of their capacity, never asking whether they deserve to be loved. In every instance let the friends be considerate and infinitely kind.<\/em><\/strong> (Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bah\u00e1<\/em><\/a>, p. 24)<\/p>\n

    Answers to the Quiz<\/em><\/strong>: (1 Asma didn\u2019t know how to make friends. 2) Riaz. 3) He sees who needs a friend and goes and becomes friends with them. 4) A doctor. 5) \u2018Abdu\u2019l-Baha. 6) A mouse. 7) Share treats. 8) See someone that needs a friend, then, become their friend. 9) FRIENDSHIP!<\/em><\/p>\n

    \"03\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      It was a warm spring afternoon in Okinawa. Mother saw Asma come in from school and slowly walk to the k […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":283,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-208","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-magazine"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bahaijp.org\/daystar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/208","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bahaijp.org\/daystar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bahaijp.org\/daystar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahaijp.org\/daystar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahaijp.org\/daystar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=208"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahaijp.org\/daystar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/208\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":490,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahaijp.org\/daystar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/208\/revisions\/490"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahaijp.org\/daystar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/283"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bahaijp.org\/daystar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=208"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahaijp.org\/daystar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=208"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahaijp.org\/daystar\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=208"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}