Always room for more

Here is a beautiful anecdote from the life of Abdu'l Baha that I just read in a book.

The following occurred in 1919 at Abdu'l Baha's house in Haifa. One of the visitors, Mr. Denham, after a series of questions, commented on how peaceful the atmosphere there was. Abdu'l Baha responded by saying that he should come and stay there. Mr. Denham then said that if everyone who desired to come and stay there did, there would be no room for him. In response to this, Abdu'l Baha told this story:

There was a society in Persia where the members sat in silence. By gesture they could know what was to be said, as for example, by the gesture of the hand. Whoever wanted to join the society had to give an application. Once there was one who wanted to become a member, but the president wanted to make the members understand that he was not fit to be accepted. There was on the table a tumbler and a pitcher of water. He filled the tumbler with water. His object was to make the gathering understand without talking. The glass was filled to the brim and both the members and the candidate understood. Then he who had applied took out a small piece of paper from his pocket and placed it gently on the surface of the water and the tumbler did not overflow. They clapped. By this he meant that his presence amongst them was exactly like that piece of paper, and they accepted him right away. And now you are like that delicate piece of paper. However full it may be here, you will find room.

What a wonderful way to encourage someone...