BahÃĄâ•Žuâ•ŽllÃĄh and the New Era - Knowledge Rush

Innate Differences of NatureIn the Bahá’í view the child’s nature is not like so much wax thatcan be molded indifferently to any shape according to the will ofthe teacher. Nay, each from the first has his own God-given characterand individuality which can develop to the best advantageonly in a particular way; and that way in each case is unique. Notwo people have exactly the same capabilities and talents, andthe true educator will never attempt to force two natures into thesame mold. In fact, he will never attempt to force any nature intoany mold. Rather he will reverently tend the developing powersof the young nature, encourage and protect them, and supply thenourishment and assistance which they need. His work is like thatof a gardener tending different plants. One plant likes the brightsunshine, another the cool shade; one loves the water’s edge andanother the dry knoll; one thrives best on sandy soil and anotheron rich loam. Each must have its needs appropriately supplied,else its perfections can never be fully revealed. ‘Abdu’l-Bahásays:—The Prophets acknowledge that education hath a greateffect upon the human race, but They declare that minds andcomprehensions are originally different. We see that certainchildren of the same age, nativity and race, nay, from the samehousehold, under the tutorship of the same teacher, differ inminds and comprehensions. No matter how the shell is educated(or polished) it can never become the radiant pearl. Theblack stone will not become the world-illuminating gem. Thethorny cactus can never by training and development becomethe blessed tree. That is to say, training doth not changethe essential nature of the human gem, but it produceth amarvelous effect. By this effective power all that is latent, ofvirtues and capacities in the human reality, will be revealed.