27 The Priest and Hájí Mírzá Haydar ‘Alí There was a Christian priest in Haifa who from timeto-time bothered the friends and paid no attention to what they had to say. One day when Hájí Mírzá Haydar ‘Alí became aware of the situation, he went to the priest and asked him, “What is this hanging from your neck?” The priest responded, “This is Christ’s cross.” Hájí commented, “Christ suffered so very much on the cross; for days and nights he suffered, nailed to the cross. Why have you hung that from your neck? You should wear something that Christ liked, something that served Christ.” The priest asked, “Like what?” Hájí replied, “Christ had a donkey that served Him well and He liked it. It is better that you make a statute of that donkey and wear it on your neck.” The priest got very angry and immediately went to ‘Abdu'l-Bahá to complain. ‘Abdu'l-Bahá was kind to the priest and told him, “I will talk to Hájí.” Then He dismissed the priest. When Hájí attained the presence of the Master, ‘Abdu'lBahá turned to him and said, “O, man of right conduct, again you have gone and uttered right things?”
64