From the moment of birth, it was evident that, unlike other
children, He was not rapacious in drinking milk. Normally, He was serene and
made no noise. During the twenty-four-hour period, He would desire milk only
four times. While nursing He would be most gentle, and no movement was
discerned from His mouth. Often I would become anxious and ask myself, ‘Why is
this Child not like other children? Perhaps He has some illness that prevents
His desiring milk.’ Then I would console myself, saying, ‘If He really had some
unknown illness, He would manifest signs of agitation and restlessness.’
Unlike other children, He did not complain or behave in an
unseemly manner during the weaning period. I was most thankful that now that
the Exalted Lord had granted me this Child, He was gentle and agreeable.
- ‘Mirza Habibu’llah Afnan (‘Tarikh Amr-i-Fars va Shiraz’, translated and
annotated as ‘The Genesis of the Bábi-Baha’i Faiths in Shiraz and Fars’, by
Ahang Rabbani)
