Welcome outside – By Keeper of the Portal and Ferry crossing sign is up. Trip times every 5 minutes, sign on door. Open and enter door and scent of roses must be overwhelming as in the Shrine of Baha’u’llah.

Keeper of the Portal script: “Welcome to the Portal of Time. Please enter and purify your hands with rose water for only the pure in heart can enter the portal.”

• SCRIPT: “Please come in, have a drink, and find a seat in the Garden of Ridvan. The line is still very long but you can wait here until your audience with Baha’u’llah.”

OPENING SKIT – done by two female actors (stop chanting of verses)

Baha’i #1: Can you believe the Day in which we live?!!!

Baha’i #2: I’ve known for a while, as have many.

Baha’i #1: How did you know and when?

Baha’i #2: I think I first thought it when He returned from the mountains of Kurdistan. That was such a terrible time. Azal caused us so much pain and sorrow. I was almost lost as was the hope that the Promised One would ever come in my lifetime as the Bab had foretold. Then Baha’u’llah returned and He breathed life back into all of us! That’s when I first suspected.

Baha’i #1: I wondered just lately, as so many beautiful tablets have poured forth from His Blessedness. I sneak into the room at night sometimes where Mirza Àqa Jan and the other men gather. They light the camphorated candles and talk and chant aloud the newly revealed odes and Tablets that Baha’u’llah had just revealed. I hide so they don’t see me and I feel oblivious of this world. I think all in the room feel that way as we become completely immersed in the realms of the Spirit. We forget the need to eat, sleep, or drink, and suddenly we find the night has become day, and that it is almost noon!

Baha’i #2: You haven’t!

Baha’i #1: I have, but if you tell anyone, I’ll deny it! :) (She giggles and runs off)

SKIT #2 (family trying to arrive) (stop verses tape)

Baha’i #1: I wish His Blessed family would finally arrive. The River has not gone down enough for them to cross.

Baha’i #2: Let’s ask for a story! I just saw Mohammad Big. Let’s ask him for a story. (at this line, Mohammad Big enters, smiles and starts his story -Baha’is listen to him intently)

My name is Muhammad Big and I was the one responsible for taking the Bab, the Light of God, to the ends of the earth, to the horrible prison, Máh Kú. At first, I was not a believer, just a soldier in charge of a group of guards. But events along the journey changed my mind and then my heart. We were proceeding to Mílán, a village near Tabriz which is on the road to Máh Kú, where many of the inhabitants came to see His Holiness, and were filled with wonder at the majesty and dignity of that Lord of Mankind. In the morning, as we were setting out from Mílán, an old woman brought a scald-headed child, whose head was so covered with scab that it was white down to the neck, and entreated His Holiness to heal him. The guards would have forbidden her, but His Holiness prevented them and called the child to Him. He then drew a handkerchief over its head and repeated certain words; which He had no sooner done than the child was healed. And in that place about 200 persons believed and underwent a true and sincere conversion....and I was one of them.

On leaving Mílán, while we were on the road, His Holiness suddenly urged his horse into so swift a gallop that all the horseman composing of our escort were filled with amazement, seeing that His steed was the leanest of all. We galloped after Him as hard as we could, but were unable to catch up with Him, though the horsemen were filled with apprehension lest He should affect His own escape. Presently he reined in His horse of His own accord, and, as soon as we came up to Him, He said with a smile, ‘Were I desirous of escaping, you could not prevent me.’ And indeed, it was even as He said; had He desired in the least degree to escape, none could have prevented Him, and under all circumstances He showed Himself endowed with more than human strength. For example, we were all practiced horsemen, well-used to travel, yet, by reason of the cold and our weariness, we were at times hardly able to stay on our saddles. While He, on the other hand, during all this period showed no sign of faintness or weariness, but, from the time when He mounted until he alighted at the end of the stage, would not so much as change His posture or even shift His seat.

As I came to believe in Him, I no longer wanted the responsibility of taking this Holy One to the prison of Máh Kú, and my task was a great burden to me. Grief stricken, I went to the Bab and asked to be forgiven. I said, “The journey from Isfahan has been long and arduous. I have failed to do my duty and to serve You as I ought. I crave Your forgiveness, and pray You to vouchsafe me Your blessings.” To this the Bab replied, “Be assured, I account you a member of My fold. They who embrace My Cause will eternally bless and glorify you, will extol your conduct and exalt your name.”

I was truly blessed to have known the Báb!

Skit #3 – hand out roses from the Garden of Ridvan be given out as gifts, one to each person. These can ideally be real, but if can’t afford, silk roses with a drop of rose oil can be given and we tied little ribbons to each rose)

Baha’i: Friends, friends, gather round. I know you want to see Baha’u’llah so badly and that you have waited so long and the line just does not seem to get any shorter. But He has sent you all a gift.

Nabil: With His own hands, Baha’u’llah entrusted these roses to me. I bring them all to you with His love. He says that if He does not get to see you all today, He will see you tomorrow. And He has sent this Tablet written for this day.

Baha’i: This day, He says will be recognized as the holiest and most significant of Baha’i festivals. This historic occasion, that you are so blessed to be a part of will, in the future, be called “The Most Great Festival”, “The King of Festivals”, “The Festival of God”! Will you read the Tablet? (Give the Tablet of Ridvan to a good reader)

This is the Day whereon naught can be seen except the splendors of the Light that shineth from the face of Thy Lord, the Gracious, the Most Bountiful. Verily, We have caused every soul to expire by virtue of Our irresistible and all-subduing sovereignty. We have, then, called into being a new creation, as a token of Our grace unto men. I am, verily, the All-Bountiful, the Ancient of Days.

This is the Day whereon the unseen world crieth out: "Great is thy blessedness, O earth, for thou hast been made the foot-stool of thy God, and been chosen as the seat of His mighty throne." The realm of glory exclaimeth: "Would that my life could be sacrificed for thee, for He Who is the Beloved of the All-Merciful hath established His sovereignty upon thee, through the power of His Name that hath been promised unto all things, whether of the past or of the future." This is the Day whereon every sweet smelling thing hath derived its fragrance from the smell of My garment - a garment that hath shed its perfume upon the whole of creation. This is the Day whereon the rushing waters of everlasting life have gushed out of the Will of the All-Merciful. Haste ye, with your hearts and souls, and quaff your fill, O Concourse of the realms above!

Say: He it is Who is the Manifestation of Him Who is the Unknowable, the Invisible of the Invisibles, could ye but perceive it. He it is Who hath laid bare before you the hidden and treasured Gem, were ye to seek it. He it is Who is the one Beloved of all things, whether of the past or of the future. Would that ye might set your hearts and hopes upon Him!

-Baha'u'llah

Live Song “Siyahamba, We Are Marching” (start tape of verses again at end of song)

Skit #4 – (stop chanting tape) (family arriving)

Baha’i #1: Come quickly, I think His blessed family has finally arrived. The River has finally gone down enough so they could cross.

Baha’i #2: Do they know yet? Do they know He told us nine days ago that it was He who was the Promised One foretold by the Bab? I hear myself say it, yet I still can’t believe it. It is so exciting!

Baha’i #1: Yes, it is exciting, but it is also bittersweet. In three days, He will be exiled and lost to us forever.

Baha’i #2: I wish I were going with Him.

Baha’i #1: I wish I were going, too.

Baha’i #2: Do you think there will ever be a way for us to see him again? Will there be a time when things calm down?

Baha’i #1: Perhaps, perhaps there will be a way

Possible live song: Somewhere (From West Side Story)

Skit #5

Nabil in the Garden (two versions to pick from)

Baha’i: Hey Nabil, what are you doing?

Nabil: (Sitting with book on lap and writing) I’m writing... recording these historical events so the future generations will never forget what happened here.

Baha’i: I can’t believe we are witnessing this incredible day! The day Baha’u’llah announced to those closest to Him that He is the Promised One sent by God to fulfill all prophesy.

Nabil: You want to hear a little of what I wrote? (Baha’i nods “Yes” Nabil starts reading from his book) “Last night, I happened to be one of those who watched beside Baha’u’llah’s blessed tent. As the hour of midnight approached, I saw Him issue from His tent, pass by the places where some of His companions were sleeping, and He began to pace up and down the moonlit, flower-bordered avenues of the garden. So loud was the singing of the nightingales on every side that only those who were near Him could hear distinctly His voice. He continued to walk until, pausing in the midst of one of these avenues, He observed: ‘Consider these nightingales. So great is their love for these roses, that sleepless from dusk till dawn, they warble their melodies and commune with burning passion with the object of their adoration. How then can those who claim to be afire with the rose-like beauty of the Beloved choose to sleep?'

I wanted to jump out and throw myself at Baha’u’llah’s feet and say, “I am awake, I am here”, but the glow of light and power emanating from His countenance prevented any mortal man from doing so. So, I just listened and I wrote it all down so I won’t forget. So future generations won’t forget.

(Baha’i or Nabil could say this even though historically Nabil wrote it.) “These are historical days we are blessed to live in. For the past few nights, I’ve been watching and circling round His blessed tent. Every time I passed by the couch whereon Baha’u’llah lay, I found Him wakeful.” And yet He has the strength to see the hundreds of visitors day after day, who come to see Him from morn till eventide. He ceaselessly engages in conversing with this stream of visitors who flow in from Baghdad! Isn’t it a marvelous sight? I feel like we’re basking in the Light of God...

#2 Alternative Nabil in the Garden of Ridvan Skit

Baha’i: Hey Nabil, how are you doing?

Nabil: I’m great! I feel like my soul is flying! Isn’t this garden beautiful!

Baha’i: I can’t believe we are witnessing this incredible day! The day Baha’u’llah announced to those closest to Him that He is the Promised One sent by God to fulfill all prophesy.

Nabil: “Last night, I happened to be one of those who watched beside Baha’u’llah’s blessed tent. As the hour of midnight approached, I saw Him issue from His tent, pass by the places where some of His companions were sleeping, and He began to pace up and down the moonlit, flower-bordered avenues of the garden. So loud was the singing of the nightingales on every side that only those who were near Him could hear distinctly His voice. He continued to walk until, pausing in the midst of one of these avenues, He observed: ‘Consider these nightingales. So great is their love for these roses, that sleepless from dusk till dawn, they warble their melodies and commune with burning passion with the object of their adoration. How then can those who claim to be afire with the rose-like beauty of the Beloved choose to sleep?'

I wanted to jump out and throw myself at Baha’u’llah’s feet and say, “I am awake, I am here”, but the glow of light and power emanating from His countenance prevented any mortal man from doing so. So, I just listened and I wrote it all down so I won’t forget.

These are historical days we are blessed to live in. For the past few nights, I’ve been watching and circling round His blessed tent. Every time I passed by the couch whereon Baha’u’llah lay, I found Him wakeful.” And yet He has the strength to see the hundreds of visitors day after day, who come to see Him from morn till eventide. He ceaselessly engages in conversing with this stream of visitors who flow in from Baghdad! Isn’t it a marvelous sight?

Skit #6 – (stop verses tape)

Baha’i: (Excitedly) Look! Look what I’ve got! (Carries bundle preciously) Aqa Jan just gave me this bundle of tablets! He asked that we chant them on this special Day! (Pass them out to crowd. All read a verse in the Garden of Ridvan)

The Divine Springtime is come, O Most Exalted Pen, for the Festival of the All-Merciful is fast approaching. Bestir thyself, and magnify, before the entire creation, the name of God, and celebrate His praise, in such wise that all created things may be regenerated and made new. Speak, and hold not thy peace. The day star of blissfulness shineth above the horizon of Our name, the Blissful, inasmuch as the kingdom of the name of God hath been adorned with the ornament of the name of thy Lord, the Creator of the heavens. Arise before the nations of the earth, and arm thyself with the power of this Most Great Name, and be not of those who tarry.

-Baha'u'llah

This is the Day whereon He Who is the Revealer of the names of God hath stepped out of the Tabernacle of glory, and proclaimed unto all who are in the heavens and all who are on the earth: "Put away the cups of Paradise and all the life-giving waters they contain, for lo, the people of Baha have entered the blissful abode of the Divine Presence, and quaffed the wine of reunion, from the chalice of the beauty of their Lord, the All-Possessing, the Most High."

Forget the world of creation, O Pen, and turn thou towards the face of thy Lord, the Lord of all names. Adorn, then, the world with the ornament of the favors of thy Lord, the King of everlasting days. For We perceive the fragrance of the Day whereon He Who is the Desire of all nations hath shed upon the kingdoms of the unseen and of the seen the splendor of the light of His most excellent names, and enveloped them with the radiance of the luminaries of His most gracious favors - favors which none can reckon except Him, Who is the omnipotent Protector of the entire creation.

Look not upon the creatures of God except with the eye of kindliness and of mercy, for Our loving providence hath pervaded all created things, and Our grace encompassed the earth and the heavens. This is the Day whereon the true servants of God partake of the life-giving waters of reunion, the Day whereon those that are nigh unto Him are able to drink of the soft-flowing river of immortality, and they who believe in His unity, the wine of His Presence, through their recognition of Him Who is the Highest and Last End of all, in Whom the Tongue of Majesty and Glory voiceth the call: "The Kingdom is Mine. I, Myself, am, of Mine own right, its Ruler."

-Baha'u'llah

Blessed are they that have soared on the wings of detachment and attained the station which, as ordained by God, overshadoweth the entire creation, whom neither the vain imaginations of the learned, nor the multitude of the hosts of the earth have succeeded in deflecting from His Cause. Who is there among you, O people, who will renounce the world, and draw nigh unto God, the Lord of all names? Where is he to be found who, through the power of My name that transcendeth all created things, will cast away the things that men possess, and cling, with all his might, to the things which God, the Knower of the unseen and of the seen, hath bidden him observe? Thus hath His bounty been sent down unto men, His testimony fulfilled, and His proof shone forth above the Horizon of mercy. Rich is the prize that shall be won by him who hath believed and exclaimed: "Lauded art Thou, O Beloved of all worlds! Magnified be Thy name, O Thou the Desire of every understanding heart!"

Rejoice with exceeding gladness, O people of Baha, as ye call to remembrance the Day of supreme felicity, the Day whereon the Tongue of the Ancient of Days hath spoken, as He departed from His House, proceeding to the Spot from which He shed upon the whole of creation the splendors of His name, the All-Merciful. God is Our witness. Were We to reveal the hidden secrets of that Day, all they that dwell on earth and in the heavens would swoon away and die, except such as will be preserved by God, the Almighty, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

Such is the inebriating effect of the words of God upon Him Who is the Revealer of His undoubted proofs, that His Pen can move no longer. With these words He concludeth His Tablet: "No God is there but Me, the Most Exalted, the Most Powerful, the Most Excellent, the All-Knowing."

-Baha'u'llah

The Pen of Revelation exclaimeth: "On this Day the Kingdom is God's!" The Tongue of Power is calling: "On this Day all sovereignty is, in very deed, with God!" The Phoenix of the realms above crieth out from the immortal Branch: "The glory of all greatness belongeth to God, the Incomparable, the All-Compelling!" The Mystic Dove proclaimeth from its blissful bower, in the everlasting Paradise: "The source of all bounty is derived, in this Day, from God, the One, the Forgiving!" The Bird of the Throne warbleth its melody in its retreats of holiness: "Supreme ascendancy is to be attributed, this Day, to none except God, Him Who hath no peer nor equal, Who is the Most Powerful, the All-Subduing!" The inmost essence of all things voiceth in all things the testimony: "All forgiveness floweth, in this Day, from God, Him to Whom none can compare, with Whom no partners can be joined, the Sovereign Protector of all men, and the Concealer of their sins!" The Quintessence of Glory hath lifted up its voice above My head, and crieth from such heights as neither pen nor tongue can in any degree describe: "God is my witness! He, the Ancient of everlasting days is come, girded with majesty and power. There is none other God but Him, the All-Glorious, the Almighty, the All-Highest, the All-Wise, the All-Pervading, the All-Seeing, the All-Informed, the Sovereign Protector, the Source of eternal light!"

-Baha'u'llah

Unto Thee be praise, O Lord my God! I entreat Thee, by Thy signs that have encompassed the entire creation, and by the light of Thy countenance that hath illuminated all that are in heaven and on earth, and by Thy mercy that hath surpassed all created things, and by Thy grace that hath suffused the whole universe, to rend asunder the veils that shut me out from Thee, that I may hasten unto the Fountain-Head of Thy mighty inspiration, and to the Day-Spring of Thy Revelation and bountiful favors, and may be immersed beneath the ocean of Thy nearness and pleasure.

Suffer me not, O my Lord, to be deprived of the knowledge of Thee in Thy days, and divest me not of the robe of Thy guidance. Give me to drink of the river that is life indeed, whose waters have streamed forth from the Paradise (Ridvan) in which the throne of Thy Name, the All-Merciful, was established, that mine eyes may be opened, and my face be illumined, and my heart be assured, and my soul be enlightened, and my steps be made firm.

Thou art He Who from everlasting was, through the potency of His might, supreme over all things, and, through the operation of His will, was able to ordain all things. Nothing whatsoever, whether in Thy heaven or on Thy earth, can frustrate Thy purpose. Have mercy, then, upon me, O my Lord, through Thy gracious providence and generosity, and incline mine ear to the sweet melodies of the birds that warble their praise of Thee, amidst the branches of the tree of Thy oneness.

Thou art the Great Giver, the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Compassionate.

-Baha'u'llah

(Tablets should be printed on decorative paper. They can be rolled up and tied with a ribbon. They can be carried in a basket)

Announcement made: I am so sorry. You have all been so patiently waiting, but it is too late and Baha’u’llah will not be able to see everyone today, but He will see you tomorrow, hopefully. The line never got shorter today, the crowds came from all around to see Baha’u’llah!

Closing Announcement: (announcer looks a bit bewildered)

Uh, I don’t know exactly what this means, but I have just been given a message from the “Keeper of the Portal”, whoever that is. It says that there has been a disturbance in the space-time continuum and all those exiting the Portal must leave before 10:00 P.M. or will be stuck here in this time forever. Isn’t that a puzzling message???

THE END