'Forget-Me-Not, Iran':

The Story of Keith Ransom-Kehler

A Play in Two Acts Runs at 55 minutes

Cast List:

Keith Ransom-Kehler – American female

Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States of America/Maori Chief/American Ambassador – American male

Mullah/Iranian Government Official – Persian male

Paperboy/Aide/Guide/Iranian Girl – Persian female (young)

Set:

Stage left there is a low table and chair for the Chairman. At the back, there is a large screen on which the images are projected.

ACT ONE:

Keith's Awakening and World Travels

Spotlight comes up on the CHAIRMAN. He is a mature and dignified gentleman, in his early 60s, dressed in a 1930's American suit. He speaks to the audience throughout.

CHAIRMAN: It was in the winter of 1931, when I was serving as the Chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the US and Canada that the Guardian, Shoghi Effendi, first asked our National Assembly to petition the Shah of Iran to allow the publication of Bahá'í literature in that country. This attempt failed, thwarted by political upheaval that took the Shah's attention away from our plea. Our second attempt was no more successful. We realised that powerful factions were what decided the occupation of his time and attention, not the Shah himself. We turned, lost and defeated back to Shoghi Effendi, knowing not what to do. He suggested that someone going there to meet with the Shah in person might achieve the mission. But who would that be?

Light snaps up on KEITH, dressed 'exceedingly elegantly'. She stands on stage right. Springing to life ...

KEITH: Now, are there any questions? Yes, the lady with the beautiful blue wrap ... Oh, that is such a lovely fabric! Is it Chanel? I thought so. Anyway, what was your question? (she listens) No, I'll be speaking about that subject tomorrow evening. It is then we will address the challenges of combining chicken-rearing with fruit farming, alright? It is an interesting subject indeed – I like to call it 'Fricken Farming'. Great for the economy and great for chickens. Since I was raised on a farm, I have been forever concerned with the depressing exigencies of these pitiable little creatures.

KEITH freezes.

CHAIRMAN: Keith Ransom-Kehler, a highly intelligent, highly elegant, and highly opinionated young lady, met 'Abdu'l-Bahá in September 1911 while on a visit to London. She was one of the seekers who flocked to hear Him speak. She wasn't a Bahá'í then, but became profoundly influenced by Him.

KEITH springs to life again.

KEITH: Yes, you sir, how can I help? (she listens to his question – but he obviously says something that shocks her) Sorry, let me just get this right. You are worried about the mental health of your daughter if you allow her to complete secondary school, because you actually believe that with more education, she'll have more to worry about in life ... and what was the last bit? (she listens while he repeats) Oh yes, you think that women's lives should be simple – husband, motherhood and not to worry about the rest of the world.

Pause.

Well, sir, I just think that you have to get with the modern world. The equality of men and women is now a reality, and that means equality of education, first and foremost. Women's lives were not made to be simple. Women were made, sir, to bring solutions into this world, solutions to problems that men have created in large part. And if those women aregoing to find those solutions, those men are going to have to let them get educated. No! Scratch that. Women themselves, despite what small-minded and petty men like you think, have to get themselves educated. Do you think that by allowing your daughter an education that she will surpass you in intellect and show you up? Well – I think that she just will most likely do that. And more power to her. Good night.

She goes to exit, but then stops and turns back to the audience.

KEITH: My husband tells me I'm like a gun levelled at poor unsuspecting gentlemen (with slight pity) and he (indicating the man she has just addressed) obviously didn't know I was loaded.

She freezes.

CHAIRMAN: Ten years later, Keith became a Bahá'í in Chicago and plunged into the work – administration, organising community events and teaching. Then, in 1926, she went on pilgrimage ...

A moving image of the Guardian is projected onto the screen which plays as she speaks.

KEITH: Meeting that majestic essence of purity, dear Shoghi Effendi ... this youth under thirty, labouring day and night for us, sacriffcing every human desire and tendency to further our efforts ... with no more personal life than a graven image, no more thought of self than a breeze or a flower, just a hollow reed for the divine melody. Why! Any one of us is ready to die for him, but can we conscientiously number ourselves among those who are willing to live for him?

Being close to the Guardian in those days wasn't the only bounty on pilgrimage – of course, I also spent time with beloved Bahíyyih Khánum and Munírih Khánum, the Master's widow. Exquisite, fragrant, imperturbable, assured, they walk among the changing conditions of the world. They make no attempt to reform people, but ennoble them merely by their presence.

Oh! I didn't want to leave that place. Whoever does? But one day when I was overcome by this feeling of wishing to stay in heaven for the rest of my earthly life, dear Munírih Khánum came to me, held my hand and we looked into each other's eyes of sadness and said, "You should be very happy, for you have the opportunity to go out into the world and give to others these glad tidings."

She freezes.

CHAIRMAN: Keith left Haifa a firebrand, even more passionate, even more focussed and devoted than before. On the very night she arrived back in New York, she took the lead in a teaching campaign. For five consecutive days she lectured about the Bahá'í Faith in the ballroom of the Majestic Hotel to audiences of hundreds.

KEITH: Now we've come to the end of this series lectures ... You have heard about Bahá'u'lláh, His healing Message, His wondrous Laws and Teachings. I would like to ask those of you who now consider yourself a Bahá'í to stay behind. The rest can leave. (she turns away, waiting as people leave). Now, how many of you are there? (she counts) My! 35 souls! My dear friends, welcome, welcome to the Cause of God!

CHAIRMAN: Hearing of this groundbreaking success, the Guardian sent 35 ring stones as gifts.

A young PAPERBOY enters from the top of the auditorium.

PAPERBOY: Keith Ransom-Kehler! In our town for one night only!

There is a flash of light, as if KEITH is having her photograph taken. She poses. The flashes and poses continue between each of the PAPERBOY and CHAIRMAN's lines.

CHAIRMAN: For the next five years,...