IN THE heart of the jungle, some forty or fifty miles from Rangoon, lies a little Burmese village—Kunjangoon. Of so little importance is it to natives and Europeans alike that no one seems to have heard of it, and yet one feels confident to say that this small corner of Burma holds so dynamic a force that before long it must make itself felt at a great distance.
This dynamo of spirit is created by eight hundred Bahá’ís living and working as a unit—a thing thrilling to the heart and imagination. Picture this, ifyou can, in a country so steeped in the religious superstitions of the past, and whose people in this quarter still remain so primitive that it would appear almost futile to even carry the great Bahá’í Message of this age to them. To see this is to behold a miracle—for has not ‘Abdu’l-Bahá called it His village?
Seventeen years ago the first seed was planted by Jinabí Siyyid Mustafa Roumie that selfless servant of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, who has seen this wonderful work grow through submitting himself entirely to the Master and reflecting His love to these people.
It is worth while to repeat the story as it was heard, of how the first step was taken, for it shows that if the desire be strong enough to serve the Cause—in no matter how small a degree—we can make no estimate of its ultimate goal.
One day in the streets of Rangoon a man from the jungle was seen running breathlessly along, looking utterly desperate and at the point of exhaustion. A Bahá’í happened to be passing at this moment and was attentive at once to this poor man’s condition. Asking if he might help, and to hear something of the cause of his distress, he was told that the man was in search of a legal adviser and had come in a great hurry to the city—only to find himself at an utter loss.
The jungle-man had been accused of a criminal offense by his sister-in-law, in a passion of jealousy, and shortly afterward convicted by the magistrate, who had received a bribe of two hundred rupees from the sister-in-law. The Bahá’í said that he would lead the man to one who would advise him (i. e., Siyyid Mustafa) and help in any way possible.
On hearing the story Siyyid Mustafa said that he knew this magistrate and they would return together at once to the jungle. By chance on the river-boat they met the magistrate, who was indebted to Siyyid Mustafa for past favors, and when asked why he had convicted this man he said: “But the courts are at your disposal, do with them as you will.” Siyyid Mustafa assured him that only justice was desired and that he himself would plead this man’s case at another trial. This was done and the accused one freed.
After that several families of Kunjangoon came to the city at various times, and were always entertained by Siyyid Mustafa. For two years he was at this service, never during this time mentioning the Cause. Finally they asked him why he took so much trouble for them, saying that they had never met anyone like this before. Then he told them that he was a Bahá’í, and they asked to be taught, so that they might become as he was.
