Blood Of Flowers Anita Amirrezvani *

PROLOGUE: First there wasn't and then there was. Before God, no one was. Once there was a village woman who longed for a child. he tried ever!thing""#ra!ing, ta$ing her%s, cons&ming raw tortoise eggs, and s#rin$ling water on new%orn $ittens""%&t nothing hel#ed. Finall!, she vo!aged to a distant cemeter! to visit an ancient stone lion, and there she r&%%ed her %ell! against its flan$. 'hen the lion trem%led, the woman ret&rned home filled with ho#e that her greatest wish wo&ld %e f&lfilled. B! the ne(t moon, she had conceived her onl! child. From the da! she was %orn, the girl was the light of her #arents' e!es. )er father too$ her on mo&ntain wal$s ever! wee$, treating her as if she were the son he alwa!s wanted. )er mother ta&ght her to ma$e d!es from orange safflowers, cochineal %&gs, #omegranate rinds, and waln&t shells, and to $not the d!ed wool into r&gs. Before long, the girl $new all her mother's designs and was deemed the %est !o&ng $notter in her village. 'hen the girl t&rned fo&rteen, her #arents decided it was time for her to marr!. *o earn mone! for the dowr!, her father wor$ed hard in the fields, ho#ing for a large harvest, and her mother s#&n wool &ntil her fingers grew ro&gh, %&t neither %ro&ght in eno&gh silver. *he girl $new she co&ld hel# %! ma$ing a car#et for her dowr! that wo&ld da++le the e!es.

Rather than &sing ordinar! village reds and %rowns, it sho&ld glow t&r,&oise li$e a s&mmer s$!. *he girl %egged -%rahim the d!e ma$er to reveal the secret of t&r,&oise, and he told her to clim% a hilloc$ in search of a #lant with .agged leaves, and then to search for something inside herself. he didn't $now what he meant %! that, %&t she gathered the leaves and %oiled them into a d!e, which was a dirt! #&r#le color. 'hen her mother saw the li,&id, she as$ed what the girl was doing. *he girl re#lied in a halting voice, watching her mother's e!e%rows form a dar$, angr! line across her forehead. /0o& went to -%rahim's d!e ho&se alone1/ /Bi%i, #lease forgive me,/ the girl re#lied. /- left m! reason with the goats this morning./ 'hen her father came home, her mother told him what the girl had done. /-f #eo#le start tal$ing, her chances of finding a h&s%and are finished2/ she com#lained. /'h! m&st she %e so rash1/ /3lwa!s has %een2/ roared her father, and he chastised her for her error. *he girl $e#t her head %ent to her mending for the rest of that evening, not daring to meet her #arents' e!es. For several da!s, her Bi%i and her Ba%a watched her closel! as she tried to &nloc$ the riddle of the d!e. One afternoon, when the girl was in the mo&ntains with her goats, she hid %ehind a %o&lder to relieve herself and a s&r#rising tho&ght str&c$ her. 4o&ld -%rahim #ossi%l! have meant . . . that1 For it was something inside herself. he ret&rned home and made another #ot of the #&r#le d!e. *hat afternoon, when she went to the latrines, she saved some of the li,&id in an old #ot, mi(ed it with the d&ll #&r#le d!e and the wool, and left it overnight. 'hen she lifted the lid on the d!e #ot the ne(t morning, she cried o&t in

tri&m#h, for the d!e had #aled into a t&r,&oise li$e the #ools of #aradise. he too$ a strand of t&r,&oise wool to -%rahim's d!e ho&se and tied it aro&nd the $noc$er on his door, even tho&gh her father had for%idden her to go there alone. *he girl sold her t&r,&oise car#et to a traveling sil$ merchant named )assan who desired it so m&ch that he #aid silver while it was still &nfinished on the loom. )er mother told the other village women a%o&t her da&ghter's s&ccess, and the! #raised the s$ill of her hands. 5ow that she had a dowr!, the girl co&ld %e married, and her wedding cele%ration lasted three da!s and three nights. )er h&s%and fed her vinegared c&c&m%ers when she was #regnant, and the! had seven sons in as man! !ears. *he %oo$ of her life had %een written in the %rightest of in$s, and -nsh'3llah, wo&ld contin&e that wa! &ntil"" /*hat's not how the stor! goes,/ - interr&#ted, ad.&sting the ro&gh %lan$et aro&nd m! sho&lders as the wind howled o&tside. 6! mother, 6aheen, and - were sitting $nee to $nee, %&t - s#o$e ,&ietl! %eca&se the others were slee#ing onl! a few #aces distant. /0o&'re right, %&t - li$e to tell it that wa!,/ she said, t&c$ing a loc$ of her gra! hair into her worn scarf. /*hat's what we were e(#ecting for !o&./ /-t's a good ending,/ - agreed, /%&t tell it the wa! it reall! ha##ened./ /Even with all the sad #arts1/ /0es./ /*he! still ma$e me wee#./ /6e, too./ /7o!2/ she said, her face etched with distress. 'e were ,&iet together for a moment, remem%ering. 3 dro# of free+ing rain str&c$ the front of m! cotton ro%e, and - moved closer to m! mother to avoid the lea$ in the roof. *he small

oil lam# %etween &s gave off no heat. Onl! a few months %efore - had worn a thic$ velvet ro%e #atterned with red roses, with sil$ tro&sers &nderneath. - had #ainted m! e!es with $ohl, #erf&med m! clothes with incense, and awaited m! lover, who had torn the clothes from m! %od! in a room $e#t as warm as s&mmer. 5ow - shivered in m! thin %l&e ro%e, which was so thread%are it loo$ed gra!. 6! mother co&ghed from dee# in her l&ngs8 the so&nd ri##ed at m! heart, and - #ra!ed that she wo&ld heal. /9a&ghter of mine, - can't get all the wa! to the end,/ she said in a thic$ voice. /-t's not over !et./ - too$ a dee# %reath. /*han$s %e to God2/ - re#lied, and then - had an idea, altho&gh - wasn't certain - sho&ld as$. 6! mother had alwa!s %een the one with a voice li$e mo&ntain hone!. he had %een famo&s in o&r village for s#inning tales a%o&t :al the white"haired who was raised %! a %ird, ;amsheed who invented the art of weaving, and the comical 6&llah 5&sraddin, who alwa!s made &s thin$. /'hat if""what if - told the stor! this time1/ 6! mother considered me for a moment as if seeing me anew, and then rela(ed her %od! more dee#l! against the old c&shions that lined the walls of the room. /0es, !o& are grown now,/ she re#lied. /-n the last few months, - %elieve !o& have grown %! !ears. Perha#s !o& wo&ld never have changed so m&ch if !o& hadn't done what !o& did./ 6! face fl&shed and then %&rned, altho&gh - was chilled to the %one. - was no longer the child - had once %een. - wo&ld never have imagined that - co&ld lie and, worse !et, not tell the whole tr&th8 that - co&ld %etra! someone - loved, and a%andon someone who cared for me, altho&gh not eno&gh8 that - co&ld stri$e o&t against m! own $in8 and that - wo&ld nearl! $ill the #erson who loved me the most.

6! mother's ga+e was gentle and e(#ectant. /Go ahead, !o& tell it,/ she said. - swallowed a mo&thf&l of strong tea, sat &# straight, and %egan s#ea$ing. 4ha#ter O5E -n the s#ring of the !ear that - was s&##osed to %e married, a comet la&nched itself over the s$ies of m! village. -t was %righter than an! comet we had ever seen, and more evil. 5ight after night, as it crawled across o&r s$ies s#ra!ing its cold white seeds of sorrow, we tried to deci#her the fearsome messages of the stars. )a.. 3li, the most learned man in o&r village, traveled to -sfahan to fetch a co#! of the chief astronomer's almanac so we wo&ld $now what calamities to e(#ect. *he evening he ret&rned, the #eo#le of m! village %egan assem%ling o&tside to listen to the #redictions for the months ahead. 6! #arents and - stood near the old c!#ress, the onl! tree in o&r village, which was decorated with stri#s of cloth mar$ing #eo#le's vows. Ever!one was loo$ing &#ward at the stars, their chins #ointing toward the s$!, their faces grave. was small eno&gh to see &nder )a.. 3li's %ig white %eard, which loo$ed li$e a t&ft of desert scr&%. 6! mother, 6aheen, #ointed at the &nderer of )eads, which %&rned red in the night s$!. /Loo$ how 6ars is inflamed2/ she said. /*hat will add to the comet's malice./ 6an! of the villagers had alread! noticed m!sterio&s signs or heard of misfort&nes ca&sed %! the comet. 3 #lag&e had str&c$ the north of -ran, $illing tho&sands of #eo#le. 3n earth,&a$e in 9ooga%ad had tra##ed a %ride in her home, s&ffocating her and her women g&ests moments %efore she was to .oin her groom. -n m! village, red insects that had never %een seen %efore had swarmed over o&r cro#s.

Goli, m! closest friend, arrived with her h&s%and, Ghasem, who was m&ch older than we were. he greeted me with a $iss on each chee$. /)ow are !o& feeling1/ - as$ed. )er hand flew to her %ell!. /)eav!,/ she re#lied, and - $new she m&st %e worried a%o&t the fate of the new life inside her. Before long, ever!one in m! village had gathered, e(ce#t for the old and the infirm. 6ost of the women were wearing %right %ell"sha#ed t&nics over slim tro&sers, with fringed head scarves over their hair, while the men were attired in long white t&nics, tro&sers, and t&r%ans. B&t )a.. 3li wore a %lac$ t&r%an, indicating his descent from the Pro#het 6ohammad, and carried an astrola%e wherever he went. /Good villagers,/ he %egan, in a voice that so&nded li$e a wheel dragging over stones, /let &s %egin %! hea#ing #raise on the first followers of the Pro#het, es#eciall! &#on his son" in"law 3li, $ing of all %elievers./ /6a! #eace %e &#on him,/ we re#lied. /*his !ear's #redictions %egin with #oor news for o&r enemies. -n the northeast, the O+%a$s will s&ffer an infestation of insects so fierce it will destro! their wheat. -n the northwest, troo# desertions will #lag&e the Ottomans, and even farther west, in the 4hristian $ingdoms, ine(#lica%le diseases will disarrange the li#s of $ings./ 6! father, -sma'il, leaned toward me and whis#ered, /-t's alwa!s good to $now that the co&ntries we're fighting are going to have misera%le l&c$./ 'e la&ghed together, since that's how it alwa!s was. 3s )a.. 3li contin&ed reading from the almanac, m! heart s$i##ed as if - were clim%ing a mo&ntain. - was wondering what he wo&ld sa! a%o&t marriages made d&ring the !ear, which was what - cared a%o&t the most. - %egan fiddling with the fringe on m! head scarf, a ha%it m! mother alwa!s &rged

me to %rea$, as )a.. 3li e(#lained that no harm wo&ld come to #a#er, %oo$s, or the art of writing8 that earth,&a$es wo&ld occ&r in the so&th %&t wo&ld %e mild8 and that there wo&ld %e %attles great eno&gh to tinge the 4as#ian ea red with %lood. )a.. 3li waved the almanac at the crowd, which is what he did when the #rediction he was a%o&t to read was alarming. )is assistant, who was holding an oil lam#, .&m#ed to move o&t of his wa!. /Perha#s the worst thing of all is that there will %e large and ine(#lica%le la#ses in moral %ehavior this !ear,/ he read, /la#ses that can onl! %e e(#lained %! the infl&ence of the comet./ 3 low m&rm&r came from the crowd as #eo#le %egan disc&ssing the la#ses the! had alread! witnessed in the first da!s of the 5ew 0ear. / he too$ more than her share of water from the well,/ - heard :a!na% sa!. he was Gholam's wife, and never had a good word to sa! a%o&t an!one. )a.. 3li finall! arrived at the s&%.ect that concerned m! f&t&re. /On the to#ic of marriages, the !ear ahead is mi(ed,/ he said. /*he almanac sa!s nothing a%o&t those that ta$e #lace in the ne(t few months, %&t those contracted later this !ear will %e f&ll of #assion and strife./ - loo$ed an(io&sl! at m! mother, since - e(#ected to %e married at that time, now that - was alread! fo&rteen. )er e!es were tro&%led, and - co&ld see she did not li$e what she had heard. )a.. 3li t&rned to the last #age in the almanac, loo$ed &#, and #a&sed, the %etter to ca#t&re the crowd's attention. /*his final #ro#hec! is a%o&t the %ehavior of women, and it is the most dis,&ieting of all,/ he said. /*hro&gho&t the !ear, the women of -ran will fail to %e ac,&iescent./

/'hen are the! ever1/ - heard Gholam sa!, and la&ghter %&%%led aro&nd him. 6! father smiled at m! mother, and she %rightened from within, for he loved her .&st the wa! she was. Peo#le alwa!s &sed to sa! that he treated her as tenderl! as if she were a second wife. /'omen will s&ffer from their own #erverse %ehavior,/ )a.. 3li warned. /6an! will %ear the c&rse of sterilit!, and those who s&cceed in giving %irth will wail in &n&s&al #ain./ 6! e!es met Goli's, and - saw m! own fear reflected in hers. Goli was worried a%o&t child%irth, while - was tro&%led %! the tho&ght of a disorderl! &nion. - #ra!ed that the comet wo&ld shoot across the firmament and leave &s &ndist&r%ed. eeing me shiver, m! father wra##ed a lam%'s wool %lan$et over m! sho&lders, and m! mother too$ one of m! hands %etween hers and r&%%ed it to warm me. From where - stood in the center of m! village, - was s&rro&nded %! the familiar sights of home. 5ot far awa! was o&r small mos,&e, its dome s#ar$ling with tile8 the hammam where - %athed ever! wee$, steam! inside and da##led with light8 and the scarred wooden stalls for the tin! mar$et that s#rang &# on *h&rsda!s, where villagers traded fr&it, vegeta%les, medicines, car#ets, and tools. 3 #ath led awa! from the #&%lic %&ildings and #assed %etween a cl&ster of m&d"%ric$ homes that sheltered all two h&ndred so&ls in m! village, and it ended at the foot of the mo&ntain and the r&tted #aths where m! goats roamed for food. 3ll these sights filled me with comfort, so that when m! mother s,&ee+ed m! hand to see how - was feeling, - s,&ee+ed %ac$. B&t then - #&lled m! hand awa! %eca&se - didn't want to seem li$e a child. /Ba%a,/ - whis#ered to m! father in a small voice. /'hat if )a.. 3li's #redictions a%o&t marriage come tr&e1/

6! father co&ldn't hide the concern in his e!es, %&t his voice was firm. /0o&r h&s%and will #ave !o&r #ath with rose #etals,/ he re#lied. /-f at an! time, he fails to treat !o& with honor . . ./ )e #a&sed for a moment, and his dar$ e!es loo$ed fierce, as if what he might do were too terri%le to imagine. )e started to sa! something, %&t then sto##ed himself. /. . . !o& can alwa!s come %ac$ to &s,/ he finished. hame and %lame wo&ld follow a wife who ret&rned to her #arents, %&t m! father didn't seem to care. )is $ind e!es crin$led at the corners as he smiled at me. )a.. 3li concl&ded the meeting with a %rief #ra!er. ome of the villagers %ro$e off into famil! gro&#s to disc&ss the #redictions, while others started wal$ing %ac$ to their homes. Goli loo$ed as if she wanted to tal$, %&t her h&s%and told her it was time to go home. he whis#ered that her feet ached from the weight in her %ell! and said good night. 6! #arents and - wal$ed home on the single m&d lane that #ierced the village. 3ll the dwellings were h&ddled together on either side for warmth and #rotection. - $new the #ath so well - co&ld have wal$ed it %lind and t&rned at .&st the right moment to reach o&r ho&se, the last one %efore o&r village gave wa! to sand and scr&%. 6! father #&shed o#en o&r carved wooden door with his sho&lders, and we entered o&r one"room home. -ts walls were made of #ac$ed m&d and straw %rightened with white #laster, which m! mother $e#t s#ar$ling clean. 3 small door led to an enclosed co&rt!ard where we en.o!ed the s&n witho&t %eing seen %! other e!es. 6! mother and - removed o&r head scarves and #laced them on hoo$s near the door, sli##ing off o&r shoes at the same time. - shoo$ o&t m! hair, which reached m! waist. For good l&c$, - to&ched the c&rved i%e( horns that glowed on a low stand near the door. 6! father had felled the i%e( on one

of o&r Frida! afternoon wal$s. Ever since that da!, the horns had held a #osition of #ride in o&r ho&sehold, and m! father's friends often #raised him for %eing as nim%le as an i%e(. 6! father and - sat together on the red"and"%rown car#et had $notted when - was ten. )is e!es closed for a moment, and - tho&ght he loo$ed es#eciall! tired. /3re we wal$ing tomorrow1/ - as$ed. )is e!es flew o#en. /Of co&rse, m! little one,/ he re#lied. )e had to wor$ in the fields in the morning, %&t he insisted he wo&ldn't miss o&r wal$ together for an!thing other than God's command. /For !o& shall soon %e a %&s! %ride,/ he said, and his voice %ro$e. - loo$ed awa!, for - co&ldn't imagine leaving him. 6! mother threw dried d&ng in the stove to %oil water for tea. /)ere's a s&r#rise,/ she said, %ringing &s a #late of fresh chic$#ea coo$ies. *he! were fragrant with the essence of roses. /6a! !o&r hands never ache2/ m! father said. *he! were m! favorite sweets, and - ate far too man! of them. Before long, - %ecame tired and s#read o&t m! %edroll near the door, as - alwa!s did. - fell aslee# to the so&nd of m! #arents tal$ing, which reminded me of the cooing of doves, and - thin$ - even saw m! father ta$e m! mother in his arms and $iss her. *)E 5E<* 3F*ER5OO5, - stood in o&r doorwa! and watched for m! Ba%a as the other men streamed %ac$ from the fields. - alwa!s li$ed to #o&r his tea for him %efore he wal$ed in the door. 6! mother was cro&ched over the stove, %a$ing %read for o&r evening meal. 'hen he didn't arrive, - went %ac$ into the ho&se, crac$ed some waln&ts and #&t them in a small %owl, and #laced the

irises - had gathered in a vessel with water. *hen - went o&t to loo$ again, for - was eager to %egin o&r wal$. 'here was he1 6an! of the other men had ret&rned from the fields and were #ro%a%l! washing off the da!'s d&st in their co&rt!ards. /'e need some water,/ m! mother said, so - gra%%ed a cla! .&g and wal$ed toward the well. On m! wa!, - ran into -%rahim the d!e ma$er, who gave me a #ec&liar loo$. /Go home,/ he said to me. /0o&r mother needs !o&./ - was s&r#rised. /B&t she .&st told me to fetch water,/ said. /5o matter,/ he re#lied. /*ell her - told !o& to go %ac$./ - wal$ed home as ,&ic$l! as - co&ld, the vessel %anging against m! $nees. 3s - a##roached o&r ho&se, - s#otted fo&r men %earing a lim# %&ndle %etween them. Perha#s there had %een an accident in the fields. From time to time, m! father %ro&ght %ac$ stories a%o&t how a man got in.&red %! a threshing tool, s&ffered a $ic$ from a m&le, or ret&rned %loodied from a fight. - $new he'd tell &s what had ha##ened over tea. *he men moved aw$wardl! %eca&se of their %&rden. *he man's face was hidden, cradled on one of their sho&lders. said a #ra!er for his ,&ic$ recover!, for it was hard on a famil! when a man was too ill to wor$. 3s the gro&# a##roached, - noticed that the victim's t&r%an was wra##ed m&ch li$e m! father's. B&t that didn't mean an!thing, - told m!self ,&ic$l!. 6an! men wra##ed their t&r%ans in a similar wa!. *he front %earers got o&t of ste# for a moment, and the! almost lost hold of the man. )is head lolled as tho&gh it were %arel! attached to his %od!, and his lim%s had no life in them. - dro##ed the cla! vessel, which shattered aro&nd m! feet. /Bi%i,/ - whim#ered. /)el#2/

6! mother came o&tside, %r&shing flo&r from her clothes. 'hen she saw m! father, she &ttered a #iercing wail. 'omen who lived near%! streamed o&t of their ho&ses and s&rro&nded her li$e a net while she tore the air with her sorrow. 3s she writhed and .&m#ed, the! ca&ght her gentl!, holding her and stro$ing the hair awa! from her face. *he men %ro&ght m! father inside and laid him on a %edroll. )is s$in was a sic$l! !ellow color, and a line of saliva slid o&t of the corner of his mo&th. 6! mother #&t her fingers near his nostrils. /Praise %e to God, he's still %reathing2/ she said. 5aghee, who wor$ed with m! father in the fields, didn't $now where to loo$ as he told &s what had ha##ened. /)e seemed tired, %&t he was fine &ntil this afternoon,/ he said. / &ddenl! he gra%%ed his head and fell to the gro&nd, gas#ing for air. 3fter that, he didn't stir./ /6a! God s#are !o&r h&s%and2/ said a man - didn't recogni+e. 'hen the! had done all the! co&ld to ma$e him comforta%le, the! left, m&rm&ring #ra!ers for good health. 6! mother's %row was f&rrowed as she removed m! father's cotton shoes, straightened his t&nic, and arranged the #illow &nder his head. he felt his hands and forehead and declared his tem#erat&re normal, %&t told me to fetch a %lan$et and cover him to $ee# him warm. *he news a%o&t m! father s#read ,&ic$l!, and o&r friends %egan arriving to hel#. =olsoom %ro&ght the water she had collected from a s#ring near a saint's shrine that was $nown for its healing #owers. -%rahim too$ &# a #osition in the co&rt!ard and %egan reciting the >&r'an. Goli came %!, her %o! aslee# in her arms, with hot %read and stewed lentils. %rewed tea to $ee# the warmth in ever!one's %od!. - $nelt near m! father and watched his face, #ra!ing for a fl&tter of

his e!elids, even a grimace""an!thing that wo&ld ass&re me life remained in his %od!. Ra%i'i, the village #h!sician, arrived after night had fallen with cloth %ags f&ll of her%s sl&ng on each sho&lder. )e laid them near the door and $nelt to e(amine m! father %! the light of the oil lam#, which flic$ered %ro$enl!. )is e!es narrowed as he #eered closel! at m! father's face. /- need more light,/ he said. - %orrowed two oil lam#s from neigh%ors and #laced them near the %edroll. *he #h!sician lifted m! father's head and caref&ll! &nwo&nd his white t&r%an. )is head loo$ed heav! and swollen. -n the light, his face was the color of ash, and his thic$ hair, which was flec$ed with gra!, loo$ed stiff and ashen, too. Ra%i'i to&ched m! father's wrists and nec$, and when he did not find what he was loo$ing for, he laid his ear against m! father's chest. 3t that moment, =olsoom as$ed m! mother in a whis#er if she wo&ld li$e more tea. *he #h!sician lifted his head and as$ed ever!one to %e silent, and after listening again, he arose with a grave face and anno&nced, /)is heart %eats, %&t onl! faintl!./ /3li, #rince among men, give strength to m! h&s%and2/ m! mother cried. Ra%i'i collected his %ags and removed %&nches of her%s, e(#laining to =olsoom how to %rew them into a heart" enlivening medicine. )e also #romised to ret&rn the ne(t morning to chec$ on m! father. /6a! God rain )is %lessings on !o&2/ he said as he too$ his leave. =olsoom %egan stri##ing the her%s off their stal$s and throwing them into a #ot, adding the water m! mother had %oiled. 3s Ra%i'i left, he sto##ed to tal$ with -%rahim, who was still in the co&rt!ard. /9on't halt !o&r #ra!ing,/ he warned, and

then - heard him whis#er the words /God ma! gather him tonight./ - tasted something li$e r&st on m! tong&e. ee$ing m! mother, - r&shed into her arms and we held each other for a moment, o&r e!es mirrors of sorrow. 6! father %egan to ma$e whee+ing so&nds. )is mo&th was still slac$, his li#s slightl! #arted, and his %reath ras#ed li$e dead leaves tossed %! the wind. 6! mother r&shed awa! from the stove, her fingers green from the her%s. he leaned over m! father and cried, /7o!, m! %eloved2 7o!2/ =olsoom h&rried over to #eer at m! father and then led m! mother %ac$ to the stove, for there was nothing to %e done. /Let &s finish this medicine to hel# him,/ said =olsoom, whose ever"%right e!es and #omegranate chee$s testified to her #owers as an her%alist. 'hen the her%s had %een %oiled and cooled, =olsoom #o&red the li,&id into a shallow %owl and %ro&ght it to m! father's side. 'hile m! mother raised his head, =olsoom gentl! s#ooned the medicine into his mo&th. 6ost of it s#illed over his li#s, soiling the %edroll. On the ne(t tr!, she got the medicine into his mo&th, %&t m! father s#&ttered, cho$ed, and for a moment a##eared to sto# %reathing. =olsoom, who was &s&all! so calm, #&t down the %owl with sha$ing hands and met m! mother's e!es. /'e m&st wait &ntil his e!es o#en %efore we tr! again,/ she advised. 6! mother's head scarf was as$ew, %&t she didn't notice. /)e needs his medicine,/ she said wea$l!, %&t =olsoom told her that he needed his %reath more. -%rahim's voice was starting to so&nd hoarse, and =olsoom as$ed me to attend to him. - #o&red some hot tea and served it to him with dates in the co&rt!ard. )e than$ed me with his e!es %&t never sto##ed his reciting, as if the #ower of his words co&ld $ee# m! father alive.

On the wa! %ac$ into the room, - %&m#ed against m! father's wal$ing stic$, which was hanging on a hoo$ near the door to the co&rt!ard. - remem%ered how on o&r last wal$, he had ta$en me to see a carving of an ancient goddess that was hidden %ehind a waterfall. 'e had inched o&r wa! along a ledge &ntil we fo&nd the carving &nder the flow of water. *he goddess wore a tall crown that seemed to %e filled with clo&ds. )er sha#el! %osom was covered %! a thin dra#er!, and she wore a nec$lace of large stones. 0o& co&ld not see her feet8 her clothing seemed to swirl into waves and streams. he stretched o&t her #owerf&l arms, as %ig as an! man's, which loo$ed as if the! were con.&ring the waterfall at will. 6! father had %een tired that da!, %&t he had marched &# the stee# trails to the waterfall, #anting, to show me that wondro&s sight. )is %reath so&nded even more la%ored now8 it crac$led as it left his %od!. )is hands were %eginning to move, too, li$e small, restless mice. *he! crawled &# his chest and scratched at his t&nic. )is long fingers were %rown from wor$ing in the fields, and there was a line of dirt &nder the nails that he wo&ld have removed %efore entering the ho&se, had he %een well. /- #romise to devote m!self to tending to him, if onl! 0o& will leave him with &s,/ - whis#ered to God. /-'ll sa! m! #ra!ers ever! da!, and - will never com#lain a%o&t how h&ngr! - am d&ring the fasting month of Rama+an, even silentl!./ 6! father %egan cl&tching at the air, as if he were fighting his illness with the onl! #art of his %od! that still had vigor. =olsoom .oined &s %! the %edroll and led &s in #ra!ers, while we watched m! father's hands and listened to his ang&ished %reath. - told m! mother how tired he had seemed d&ring o&r wal$ in the mo&ntains, and as$ed if it had wea$ened him.

he #&t her hands on either side of m! face and re#lied, /Light of m! e!es, it #ro%a%l! gave him strength./ -n the %lac$est ho&r of the night, m! father's %reathing ,&ieted and his hands sto##ed doing %attle. 3s m! mother arranged the %lan$et over him, her face loo$ed calmer. /)e will get some rest now,/ she said with satisfaction. - went into the co&rt!ard, which ad.oined o&r neigh%or's ho&se, to %ring more tea to -%rahim. )e had moved to a c&shion near m! t&r,&oise car#et, which was &nfinished on m! loom. 6! mother had recentl! sold the car#et to a traveling sil$ merchant named )assan, who was #lanning to ret&rn later to claim it. B&t the so&rce of the t&r,&oise d!e that had #leased )assan's e!es was still a tender s&%.ect %etween me and m! father, and m! face fl&shed with shame when - remem%ered how m! visit alone to -%rahim's d!e ho&se had tro&%led him. - ret&rned to the vigil at m! father's side. Perha#s this terri%le night was nearl! over, and da!light wo&ld %ring a .o!f&l s&r#rise, li$e the sight of m! father's e!es o#ening, or of him %eing a%le to swallow his medicine. 3nd then, one da! when he was %etter, we wo&ld ta$e another wal$ in the mo&ntains and sing together. 5othing wo&ld %e sweeter to me than hearing him sing o&t of t&ne. *oward morning, with no other so&nd than -%rahim's river of #ra!ers, - felt m! e!elids grow heav!. - don't $now how m&ch time #assed %efore - awo$e, o%served that m! father's face was still calm, then fell aslee# again. 3t dawn, - was comforted %! the so&nd of s#arrows %rea$ing the silence with their nois! calls. *he! so&nded li$e the %irds we had heard on o&r wal$, and - %egan dreaming a%o&t how we had sto##ed to watch them gather twigs for their nests. 3 wheeled cart crea$ed o&tside, and - awo$e with a start. Peo#le were %eginning to emerge from their homes to %egin

their chores at the well, in the mo&ntains, or in the fields. -%rahim was still sa!ing #ra!ers, %&t his voice was dr! and hoarse. 6! mother was lighting an oil lam#, which she #laced near the %edroll. 6! father had not moved since he had fallen aslee#. he #eered at his face and #laced her fingers &nder his nostrils to feel his %reath. *he! lingered there, trem%ling, %efore the! drifted down to his slac$ mo&th. till searching, the! ret&rned to his nose and hovered. watched m! mother's face, awaiting the contented e(#ression that wo&ld tell me she had fo&nd his %reath. 6! mother did not loo$ at me. -n the silence, she threw %ac$ her head and &ttered a terri%le wail. -%rahim's #ra!ers ceased8 he r&shed to m! father's side and chec$ed his %reath in the same wa! %efore dro##ing to a s,&at and cradling his head in his hands. 6! mother %egan wailing more lo&dl! and tearing o&t her hair in cl&m#s. )er scarf fell off and la! a%andoned near m! father. -t was still tied and $e#t the sha#e of her head. - gra%%ed m! father's hand and s,&ee+ed it, %&t it was cold and still. 'hen - lifted his heav! arm, his hand dangled %ro$enl! at the wrist. *he lines in his face loo$ed dee#l! carved, and his e(#ression seemed aggrieved, as if he had %een forced to fight an evil .inn. - &ttered one short, shar# cr! and colla#sed onto m! father. =olsoom and m! mother let me remain there for a few moments, %&t then =olsoom gentl! #&lled me awa!. 6! father and - had %oth $nown that o&r time together m&st soon come to an end, %&t - had alwa!s tho&ght - wo&ld %e the one to leave, festooned with %ridal silver, with his %lessings alive in m! ear. *)E 930 3F*ER m! father died were %lac$, %&t the! %ecame %lac$er still.

'ith no man to harvest the fields that s&mmer, we received little grain from m! father's share of the #lanting, altho&gh his friends tried to %e genero&s with theirs. 3nd with little grain, we had little to %arter for f&el, for shoes, or for d!es for wool. 'e had to trade o&r goats for grain, which meant no more cheese. Ever! time we gave &# a goat, m! mother cried. *oward the end of the long, warm da!s, o&r s&##lies started to diminish. -n the mornings, we ate the %read m! mother made with cheese or !og&rt %ro&ght %! $ind neigh%ors, %&t it was not long %efore o&r evening meals %ecame less and less #lentif&l. oon there was no ,&estion of eating even a morsel of meat. 6! mother %egan trading m! father's %elongings for food. First went his clothes, then his shoes, then his t&r%ans, and finall! his #recio&s wal$ing stic$. Other #eo#le wo&ld have t&rned to their famil! for hel#, %&t m! mother and - were &nfort&nate in having no elders. 3ll of m! grand#arents had died %efore - was old eno&gh to remem%er them. 6! mother's two %rothers had %een $illed in a war with the Ottomans. 6! father's onl! relative, a distant half %rother named Gostaham, was the child of m! father's father and his first wife. Gostaham had moved to -sfahan when he was a !o&ng man, and we hadn't heard from him in !ears. B! the time it started to %ecome fiercel! cold, we were living on a thin sheet of %read and #ic$led carrots left over from the #revio&s !ear. - felt h&ngr! ever! da!, %&t $nowing that there was nothing m! mother co&ld do, - tried not to s#ea$ a%o&t the #ains in m! %ell!. - alwa!s felt tired, and the tas$s that &sed to seem so eas! to me, li$e fetching water from the well, now seemed %e!ond m! a%ilit!. O&r last val&a%le #ossession was m! t&r,&oise r&g. 5ot long after - finished $notting its fringes, )assan the sil$

merchant ret&rned to #ic$ it &# and #a! &s what he owed. )e was startled %! o&r %lac$ t&nics and %lac$ head scarves, and when he learned wh! we were in mo&rning, he as$ed m! mother if he co&ld hel# &s. Fearing that we wo&ld not s&rvive the winter, she as$ed him if he wo&ld find o&r onl! relative, Gostaham, when he ret&rned to -sfahan, and tell him a%o&t o&r #light. 3%o&t a month later, a letter arrived for &s from the ca#ital, carried %! a don$e! merchant on his wa! to hira+. 6! mother as$ed )a.. 3li to read it alo&d, since neither of &s had learned o&r letters. -t was from Gostaham, who wrote that he felt great sorrow over the losses we had end&red and was inviting &s to sta! with him in the ca#ital &ntil o&r l&c$ im#roved. 3nd that's how, one cold winter morning, - learned that wo&ld %e leaving m! childhood home for the first time in m! life and traveling far awa!. -f m! mother had told me we'd %een sent off to the 4hristian lands, where %ar%arian women e(#osed their %osoms to all e!es, ate the singed flesh of #igs, and %athed onl! once a !ear, o&r destination co&ld hardl! have seemed more remote. 'ord of o&r &#coming de#art&re s#read ra#idl! thro&gh the village. -n the afternoon, women %egan arriving at o&r home with their smallest children. P&lling off their head scarves, the! fl&ffed their hair and greeted the others in the room %efore arranging themselves in cl&sters on o&r car#et. 4hildren who were old eno&gh to #la! gathered in their own corner. /6a! this %e !o&r final sorrow2/ said =olsoom as she came in, $issing m! mother on each chee$ in greeting. *ears s#rang to m! mother's e!es. /-t was the comet,/ =olsoom added s!m#atheticall!. /6ere h&mans co&ldn't defeat a #ower that great./

/)&s%and of mine,/ m! mother said, as if m! father were still alive. /'h! did !o& anno&nce that life was going so well1 'h! invite the comet's wrath1/ :a!na% made a face. /6aheen, remem%er the 6&slim who traveled from -sfahan all the wa! to *a%ri+ to tr! to o&tr&n the angel of death1 'hen he arrived, 3+raeel than$ed him for meeting him there on time. 0o&r h&s%and did nothing wrong8 he .&st answered God's command./ 6! mother's %ac$ %ent a little, as it alwa!s did when she felt grief. /- never tho&ght - wo&ld have to leave m! onl! home,/ she re#lied. /God willing, !o&r l&c$ will change in -sfahan,/ said =olsoom, offering &s the wild r&e she had %ro&ght to #rotect &s from the Evil E!e. he lit the her% with a coal from the oven, and soon its acrid smell #&rified the air. 6! mother and - served tea to o&r g&ests and offered the dates that =olsoom had %ro&ght, for we had nothing of o&r own to serve. - %ro&ght a c&# of tea to afa, the eldest villager, who was sitting in a corner of the room with a water #i#e. -t %&%%led as she drew in smo$e. /'hat do !o& $now of !o&r new famil!1/ she as$ed as she e(haled. -t was s&ch an em%arrassing ,&estion that it ,&ieted the room for a moment. Ever!one $new that m! grandfather had married m! father's mother man! !ears ago while he had %een visiting friends in o&r village. 6! grandfather was alread! married to his first wife, and lived with her and Gostaham in hira+. 3fter m! grandmother %ore m! father, he visited occasionall! and sent mone!, %&t the families were &nderstanda%l! not close. /- $now ver! little,/ re#lied m! mother. /- haven't seen Gosta"ham for more than twent!"five !ears. - met him onl! once, when he sto##ed %! o&r village on his wa! to visit his

#arents in hira+, the cit! of #oets. Even then, he was %ecoming one of the e(alted car#et designers in the ca#ital./ /3nd his wife1/ as$ed afa, her voice tight from the smo$e in her l&ngs. /- $now nothing of her, e(ce#t that she %ore him two da&ghters./ afa e(haled with satisfaction. /-f her h&s%and is s&ccessf&l, she will %e r&nning a grand ho&sehold,/ she said. /- onl! ho#e she is genero&s and fair in her division of wor$./ )er words made me &nderstand that we wo&ld no longer %e mistresses of o&r lives. -f we li$ed o&r %read %a$ed dar$ and cris# %&t she didn't, we wo&ld have to eat it her wa!. 3nd no matter how we felt, we'd have to #raise her name. - thin$ afa noticed m! distress, %eca&se she sto##ed smo$ing for a moment to offer a consolation. /0o&r father's half %rother m&st have a good heart, or he wo&ld not have sent for !o&,/ she said. /;&st %e s&re to #lease his wife, and the! will #rovide for !o&./ /-nsh'3llah,/ said m! mother, in a tone that so&nded &nconvinced. - loo$ed aro&nd at all the $ind faces - $new8 at m! friends and m! mother's friends, women who had %een li$e a&nts and grandmothers to me while - was growing &#. - co&ld not imagine what it wo&ld %e li$e not to see them: afa, with her face crin$led li$e an old a##le8 =olsoom, thin and swift, renowned for her wisdom a%o&t her%s8 and finall! Goli, m! tr&est friend. he was sitting ne(t to me, her new%orn da&ghter in her arms. 'hen the %a%! started to cr!, she loosened her t&nic and #&t the child to her %reast. Goli's chee$s glowed #in$ li$e the %a%!'s8 the two of them loo$ed health! and contented. - wished with all m! heart that m! life were li$e hers.

'hen the %a%! had finished n&rsing, Goli #laced her in m! arms. - %reathed in her new%orn smell, as fresh as s#ro&ting wheat, and whis#ered, /9on't forget me./ - stro$ed her tin! chee$, thin$ing a%o&t how - wo&ld miss her first words and her first halting ste#s. Goli wra##ed her arms aro&nd me. /*hin$ of how %ig -sfahan is2/ she said. /0o&'ll #romenade thro&gh the %iggest cit! s,&are ever %&ilt, and !o&r mother will %e a%le to choose !o&r h&s%and from tho&sands &#on tho&sands2/ - %rightened for a moment, as if m! old ho#es were still #ossi%le, %efore remem%ering m! #ro%lem. /B&t now - have no dowr!,/ - reminded her. /'hat man will ta$e me with nothing1/ *he whole room %ecame ,&iet again. 6! mother fanned the r&e, the lines in her forehead dee#ening. *he other women %egan s#ea$ing all at once. /9on't worr!, 6aheen" .oon2 0o&r new famil! will hel# !o&2/ /*he! won't let s&ch a fine !o&ng girl get #ic$led2/ /*here's a health! st&d for ever! mare, and a l&st! soldier for ever! moon2/ / hah 3%%as will #ro%a%l! desire !o&r da&ghter for his harem,/ said =olsoom to m! mother. /)e'll fatten her &# with cheese and s&gar, and then she'll have %igger %reasts and a ro&nder %ell! than all of &s2/ 3t a recent visit to the hammam, - had ca&ght m! reflection in a metal mirror. - had none of the ri#eness of n&rsing mothers li$e Goli, who were so admired at the hammam. *he m&scles in m! forearms stood o&t, and m! face loo$ed #inched. - was s&re - co&ld not %e moonli$e to an!one, %&t - smiled to thin$ of m! thin, %on! %od! in s&ch a womanl! form. 'hen :a!na% noticed m! e(#ression, her face twisted with mirth. he la&ghed so hard she %egan #itching forward over her stomach, and her li#s wra##ed

%ac$ over her teeth &ntil she loo$ed li$e a horse fighting its %it. - fl&shed to the roots of m! hair when - &nderstood that =olsoom had onl! %een tr!ing to %e $ind. -* 9-95'* *3=E &s long to #ac$ o&r things, since we had so ver! few. - #&t one change of %lac$ mo&rning clothes into a hand"$notted saddle%ag along with some heav! %lan$ets to slee# in, and filled as man! .&gs as - co&ld find with water. *he morning of o&r de#art&re, neigh%ors %ro&ght &s gifts of %read, cheese, and dried fr&it for the long .o&rne!. =olsoom threw a handf&l of #eas to divine whether it was an a&s#icio&s da! for travel. 3fter determining that it was e(cellent, she raised a #recio&s co#! of the >&r'an and circled o&r heads with it three times. Pra!ing for a safe .o&rne!, we to&ched o&r li#s to it. ;&st as we were setting off, Goli too$ a #iece of dried fr&it o&t of m! %ag and sli##ed it into her sleeve. he was /stealing/ something of mine to ma$e s&re that one da!, - wo&ld ret&rn. /- ho#e so,/ - whis#ered to her as we said good"%!e. -t #ained me to leave her most of all. 6! mother and - were traveling with a m&s$ merchant named 3%d&l"Rahman and his wife, who escorted travelers from one cit! to another for a fee. *he! often .o&rne!ed all the wa! to the northeastern %orders of o&r land, loo$ing for m&s$ %ladders from *i%et to sell in %ig cities. *heir saddle%ags, %lan$ets, and tents smelled of the fragrance, which commanded #rincel! #rices. *he camel that m! mother and - shared had soft %lac$ e!es that had %een lined with #rotective $ohl, and thic$, %&sh! hair the color of sand. 3%d&l"Rahman had decorated his #rett! nose with a stri# of woven red cloth with %l&e tassels, a $ind of %ridle. 'e sat on his %ac$ ato# a mo&ntain of folded r&gs and sac$s of food, and held on to his h&m#. *he camel lifted his feet delicatel! when he wal$ed %&t was

ill"tem#ered and smelled as rotten as one of the village latrines. - had never seen the co&ntr!side north of m! village. 3s soon as we ste##ed awa! from the mo&ntains' life"giving streams, the land %ecame %arren. Pale green shr&%s str&ggled to maintain a hold on life, .&st as we did. O&r water .&gs %ecame more #recio&s than the m&s$ %ladders. 3long the wa!, we s#otted %ro$en water vessels and sometimes even the %ones of those who had mis.&dged the length of their tri#. 3%d&l"Rahman #&shed &s onward in the earl!"morning ho&rs, singing to the camels so the! wo&ld #ace themselves to the cadence of his voice. *he s&n glinted off the land, and the %right white light h&rt m! e!es. *he gro&nd was fro+en8 the few #lants we saw were o&tlined with frost. B! the end of the da!, m! feet were so cold - co&ld no longer feel them. 6! mother went to slee# in o&r tent as soon as it was dar$. he co&ldn't %ear to loo$ at the stars, she said. 3fter ten da!s of travel, we saw the :agros 6o&ntains, which signaled o&r a##roach to -sfahan. 3%d&l"Rahman told &s that from somewhere high in the mo&ntains flowed the ver! so&rce of -sfahan's %eing, the :a!endeh Rood, or Eternal River. 3t first, it was .&st a #ale %l&e shimmer, with a cooling %reath that reached &s from man! farsa$hs awa!. 3s we got closer, the river seemed im#ossi%l! long to me, since the most water - had ever seen %efore had %een in mo&ntain streams. 3fter arriving at its %an$s, we dismo&nted from o&r camels, for the! were not #ermitted in the cit!, and gathered to admire the water. /6a! God %e #raised for )is a%&ndance2/ cried m! mother as the river s&rged #ast &s, a %ranch flowing %! too ,&ic$l! to catch.

/Praise is d&e,/ re#lied 3%d&l"Rahman, /for this river gives life to -sfahan's sweet melons, cools her streets, and fills her wells. 'itho&t it, -sfahan wo&ld cease to %e./ 'e left o&r camels in the care of one of 3%d&l"Rahman's friends and contin&ed o&r .o&rne! on foot on the *hirt!"three 3rches Bridge. 3%o&t halfwa! across, we entered one of its archwa!s to en.o! the view. - gra%%ed m! mother's hand and said, /Loo$2 Loo$2/ *he river r&shed %! as if e(cited, and in the distance we co&ld see another %ridge, and another gleaming %e!ond that one. One was covered in %l&e tiles, another had teaho&ses, and still another had arches that seemed li$e infinite doorwa!s into the cit!, inviting travelers to &nloc$ its secrets. 3head of &s, -sfahan stretched o&t in all directions, and the sight of its tho&sands of ho&ses, gardens, mos,&es, %a+aars, schools, caravanserais, $e%a%is, and teaho&ses filled &s with awe. 3t the end of the %ridge la! a long tree"lined aven&e that traversed the whole cit!, ending in the s,&are that hah 3%%as had %&ilt, which was so renowned that ever! child $new it as the -mage of the 'orld. 6! e!e was ca&ght %! the s,&are's Frida! mos,&e, whose vast %l&e dome glowed #eacef&ll! in the morning light. Loo$ing aro&nd, - saw another a+&re dome, and !et another, and then do+ens more %rightening the saffron"colored terrain, and it seemed to me that -sfahan %ec$oned li$e a field of t&r,&oise set in gold. /)ow man! #eo#le live here1/ m! mother as$ed, raising her voice so it co&ld %e heard a%ove the din of #assers%!. /)&ndreds of tho&sands,/ re#lied 3%d&l"Rahman. /6ore than in London or Paris8 onl! 4onstantino#le is %igger./ 6! mother and - said /7o!2/ at the same time8 we co&ld not imagine so man! so&ls in one #lace. 3fter crossing the %ridge, we entered a covered %a+aar and #assed thro&gh a s#ice mar$et. B&rla# %ags overflowed with mint, dill, coriander, dried lemon, t&rmeric, saffron, and

man! s#ices - didn't recogni+e. - disting&ished the flower! !et %itter odor of fen&gree$, which set m! mo&th watering for a lam% stew, for we had not tasted meat in man! months. Before long, we reached a caravanserai r&n %! 3%d&l" Rahman's %rother. -t had a co&rt!ard where don$e!s, m&les, and horses co&ld rest, s&rro&nded %! a rectang&lar arcade of #rivate rooms. 'e than$ed 3%d&l"Rahman and his wife for escorting &s, wished them well, and #aid for o&r lodgings. O&r room was small, with thic$ windowless walls and a strong loc$. *here was clean straw on the floor, %&t nothing else for %edding. /-'m h&ngr!,/ - said to m! mother, remem%ering the lam% $e%a% - had seen grilling near the %ridge. he &ntied the corners of a dirt! #iece of cloth and loo$ed sadl! at the few coins remaining there. /'e m&st %athe %efore see$ing o&t o&r famil!,/ she re#lied. /Let's eat the last of o&r %read./ -t was dr! and %rittle, so we end&red the em#tiness in o&r %ellies and la! down to slee#. *he gro&nd was hard com#ared with the sand of the desert, and - felt &n%alanced, for - had %ecome &sed to the gentle ti##ing motion of m! camel. till, - was wear! eno&gh from o&r long .o&rne! to fall aslee# not long after #&tting m! head down on the straw. -n the middle of the night, - %egan dreaming that m! Ba%a was t&gging on m! foot to wa$e me for one of o&r Frida! wal$s. .&m#ed to m! feet to follow him, %&t he had alread! #assed thro&gh the door. - tried to catch &#8 all - co&ld see was his %ac$ as he advanced &# a mo&ntain #ath. *he faster - ran, the faster he clim%ed. 'hen - screamed his name, he didn't sto# or t&rn aro&nd. - awo$e in a sweat, conf&sed, the straw #ric$ling m! %ac$. /Bi%i1/

/-'m here, da&ghter of mine,/ m! mother re#lied in the dar$ness. /0o& were calling o&t for !o&r Ba%a./ /)e left witho&t me,/ - m&m%led, still ca&ght in the we% of m! dreams. 6! mother #&lled me to her and %egan stro$ing m! forehead. - la! ne(t to her with m! e!es closed, %&t - co&ldn't slee#. ighing, - t&rned first this wa!, then the other. 3 don$e! %egan %ra!ing in the co&rt!ard, and it so&nded as if he were wee#ing over his fate. *hen m! mother %egan s#ea$ing, and her voice seemed to %righten the gloom: First there wasn't and then there was. Before God, no one was. 6! mother had comforted me with tales ever since - was small. ometimes the! hel#ed me #eel a #ro%lem li$e an onion, or gave me ideas a%o&t what to do8 other times, the! calmed me so m&ch that - wo&ld fall into a soothing slee#. 6! father &sed to sa! that her tales were %etter than the %est medicine. ighing, - %&rrowed into m! mother's %od! li$e a child, $nowing that the so&nd of her voice wo&ld %e a %alm on m! heart. Once there was a #eddler's da&ghter named Golnar who s#ent her da!s toiling in her famil!'s garden. )er c&c&m%ers were #raised for %eing cris# and sweet8 her s,&ashes for growing into large, #leasing sha#es dense with flesh8 and her radishes for their fragrant %&rn. Beca&se the girl had a #assionate love of flowers, she %egged her father to allow her to #lant a single rose%&sh in a corner of the garden. Even tho&gh her famil! was #oor and needed ever! morsel of food she grew, her father rewarded her %! granting her wish. Golnar traded some vegeta%les for a c&tting from a rich neigh%or's %&sh and #lanted it, &#rooting a few c&c&m%er #lants to ma$e room. -n time, the %&sh #&shed forth

e(travagantl! large %lossoms. *he! were %igger than a man's fist and as white as the moon. 'hen a warm wind %lew, the rose%&sh swa!ed, dancing as if in res#onse to the nightingales' song, her white %&ds o#ening li$e a twirling s$irt. Golnar's father was a liver"$e%a% seller. One afternoon, he ret&rned home and anno&nced that he had sold the last of his $e%a%s to a saddle ma$er and his son. )e had %ragged a%o&t what a good wor$er his da&ghter was""not a girl who wo&ld fall ill at the rancid f&mes of tanning leather. -t wasn't long %efore the %o! and his famil! #aid a visit to the liver seller and his da&ghter. Golnar was not #leased: *he %o!'s sho&lders and arms were thin, and his small, %ead! e!es made him loo$ li$e a goat. 3fter some tea and an e(change of com#liments, the girl's #arents &rged her to show the %o! her garden. Rel&ctantl!, she led him o&tside. *he %o! #raised her health! vegeta%les, fr&its, and her%s and admired the rose%&sh's %ea&t!. oftening, she %egged him to acce#t a few %lossoms for his famil! and c&t several long stems with her shears. 3s the two reentered the ho&se, their arms filled with white %lossoms, their #arents smiled and imagined them on their wedding da!. *hat night, after the %o! and his famil! had left, Golnar was so tired that she fell into a dee# slee# rather than visiting her roses. *he ne(t morning, she arose with a feeling of alarm and r&shed o&tside. *he rose%&sh droo#ed in the earl!"morning s&n, its flowers a dirt! shade of white. *he garden was silent, for all the nightingales had flown awa!. Golnar #r&ned the heaviest flowers tenderl!, %&t when she removed her hands from the thorn! %&sh, the! were strea$ed with %lood. Penitentl!, the girl vowed to ta$e %etter care of the %&sh. he #o&red a %lood! %&c$et of water she had &sed to clean

her father's $e%a% $nives onto the soil aro&nd the %&sh, to##ing it with a s#ecial fertili+er made of tin! #earls of liver. *hat afternoon, a messenger arrived with a marriage #ro#osal from the %o!'s famil!. )er father told her that a %etter %o! co&ld not %e fo&nd, and her mother whis#ered to her co!l! a%o&t the children the! wo&ld ma$e together. B&t Golnar we#t and re%&ffed the offer. )er #arents were angr! and #&++led, and altho&gh the! #romised to send a letter of ref&sal, the! secretl! sent a message to the %o!'s famil! as$ing for time for reflection. Earl! the ne(t morning, Golnar arose to the sweet m&sic of nightingales and discovered that once again her roses stood large and #ro&d. 3 wealth of %lossoms had o#ened, no&rished %! the organ meat8 the! shone in the still"dar$ s$! li$e stars. he cli##ed a few flowers from the %&sh, tentativel! at first, and the #lant caressed the ti#s of her fingers with its sil$! #etals, e(&ding a m&s$! #erf&me as if it desired her to&ch. On the morning of the famil!'s ann&al #icnic to cele%rate the 5ew 0ear, the girl had so m&ch to do that she failed to water her rose%&sh. he hel#ed her mother #re#are and #ac$ a large #icnic, and then the famil! wal$ed to a favorite s#ot near a river. 'hile the! were eating, the! ha##ened to see the %o! and his #arents, who were #icnic$ing, too. *he father invited them to drin$ tea and share a meal of sweetmeats. *he %o! #assed the finest #astries to Golnar, a $indness that s&r#rised her now that she had re%&ffed him ?or so she %elieved@. 3t their #arents' &rging, the two too$ a wal$ together near the river. 'hen the! were o&t of sight, the %o! $issed the ti# of her inde( finger, %&t Golnar t&rned and ran awa!. 'hen she and her famil! ret&rned home, it was alread! dar$. Golnar vent&red into the garden to give the thirst! rose%&sh a drin$. 3s she %ent forward with a %&c$et of well

water, a s&dden wind whi##ed &# and tangled her hair in the %&sh's stems8 the %&sh em%raced her and held her tight in its long, thin arms. *he more she str&ggled, the tighter its thorns gri##ed her, slashing her face. creaming, she tore herself o&t, %linded %! %lood, and crawled %ac$ to the ho&se. 3t the sight of her in the doorwa!, her #arents howled as if she were an evil .inn. 3t first the girl ref&sed to let them to&ch her. )er father gra%%ed her flailing arms and held them down so her mother co&ld treat her wo&nds. *o their horror, the! discovered a fat %lac$ thorn lodged in her inde( finger as firml! as a nail. 'hen her mother #&lled it o&t, it left a hole that %led li$e a fo&ntain. 'ith a great roar of rage, her father r&shed o&t of the ho&se. 'ithin moments came the so&nd of an a( as it str&c$ the %&sh, crac$ing it at its core. 'ith each %low, Golnar sh&ddered and tore at her own hair in the f&r! of her grief. )er mother #&t her to %ed, where she sta!ed for several da!s, %&rning with fever and cr!ing o&t in deliri&m. 3t her #arents' insistence, she was married two wee$s later to the %o! who loo$ed li$e a goat. *he two lived together in a room in his #arents' ho&se, and the %o! came home ever! afternoon stin$ing of the %lood and rot of the tanner!. 'hen he reached for Golnar, she t&rned her face awa! from him, sh&ddering at his to&ch. Before long, she %ecame #regnant and %ore him a son, followed %! two da&ghters. Ever! da!, she arose in dar$ness, dressed herself in old garments, and clothed her children in hand"me" downs even more ragged than her own. he never had time to grow her own flowers again. B&t sometimes, when she #assed the walled garden where she &sed to tend her rose%&sh, she wo&ld close her e!es and remem%er the smell of its %lossoms, sweeter than ho#e. 'hen m! mother sto##ed s#ea$ing, - rolled this wa! and that to free m! legs and %ac$ from the #ric$ling straw, %&t -

co&ldn't get comforta%le. - felt as distressed as if a %&++ing %ee had gotten st&c$ in m! ear. 6! mother too$ m! face in her hands. /'hat is it, da&ghter of mine1/ she as$ed. /3re !o& ill1 3re !o& s&ffering1/ 3n &nha##! so&nd esca#ed m! li#s, and - #retended was tr!ing to slee#. 6! mother said, as tho&gh thin$ing alo&d, /-'m not s&re wh! - told !o& that stor!. -t #o&red o&t of me %efore remem%ered what it was a%o&t./ - $new the tale, for m! mother had told it once or twice in o&r village. Bac$ then, it hadn't tro&%led me. - had %een antici#ating a life with a h&s%and who #aved m! #ath with rose #etals, not with a %o! who smelled of rotting cowhides. had never tho&ght that m! fate might %e li$e Golnar's, %&t now, in the dar$ness of a strange room in a strange cit!, the stor! so&nded li$e a #ro#hec!. 6! father co&ld no longer #rotect &s, and no one else was d&t!"%o&nd to do so. 6! mother was too old for an!one to want her, and now that we had no mone! for a dowr!, no one wo&ld want me. 'ith the first #ass of the comet, all m! #ros#ects had %een r&ined. 6! e!es flew o#en8 in the wan strea$s of light cree#ing into o&r cham%er, - saw m! mother st&d!ing me. he loo$ed frightened, which made me feel sadder for her than for m!self. - too$ a shar# %reath and forced calm into m! face. /- felt ill for a moment, %&t now -'m %etter,/ - said. *he relief in m! mother's e!es was so great that - than$ed God for giving me the strength to sa! what - did. 4ha#ter *'O 'e arose the ne(t morning to the so&nd of travelers loading &# their m&les for the da!'s .o&rne!. 6! %lac$ tro&sers and t&nic were stiff with d&st and sweat, as - had

%een wearing them for more than a wee$. 'ith the last of o&r mone!, m! mother #aid for &s to enter a near%! hammam, where we scr&%%ed the grime off o&r %odies and washed o&r hair &ntil it s,&ea$ed. 'hen we were clean, we #erformed the Grand 3%l&tion, s&%merging o&r %odies in a tan$ large eno&gh for twent! women. *he %ath attendant r&%%ed m! %ac$ and legs &ntil - felt all the tightness from o&r long .o&rne! dissolve. 3s she wor$ed, - cast m! e!es over m! %on! ri%s, m! concave stomach, m! call&sed fingers, and m! string! arms and legs. -n m! da!dreams, - had imagined m!self as a #am#ered woman, m! hi#s and %reasts ro&nd li$e melons. B&t it was no &se: 5othing had changed e(ce#t for the color of m! face and hands, which to m! disma! had dar$ened after all the da!s of travel. 'hen we were clean, we dressed in fresh %lac$ clothes and %lac$ head scarves and went in search of Gostaham at the -mage of the 'orld, which hah 3%%as had %&ilt after naming -sfahan his new ca#ital. 'e entered the s,&are thro&gh a narrow gatewa! that gave no hint of its vastness, %&t once inside we halted in o&r trac$s, astonished. /O&r whole village . . .2/ - %egan to sa!. 6! mother finished the sentence, for she was thin$ing the same thing. /. . .co&ld fit in this s,&are two times over. 5o wonder #eo#le sa! -sfahan is half the world2/ *he s,&are was so large that the #eo#le at either end loo$ed li$e fig&res in a miniat&re #ainting. *he minarets of the Frida! mos,&e were so long, thin, and tall that when loo$ed &# at them, - felt di++!, for the! seemed to vanish into the s$!. *he mos,&e's h&ge t&r,&oise dome a##eared to %e s&s#ended in s#ace8 s&rel! the hand of man m&st have %een aided %! God to ma$e cla! seem so light2 *he tall gatewa! to the %a+aar was s&rmo&nted %! a m&ral""the first had ever seen""of a %attle, which loo$ed as real as if the

men were fighting %efore o&r e!es. Ever!thing a%o&t the s,&are seemed to def! the ordinar! laws of #ossi%ilit!. /=hanoom, #lease move forward,/ cried a man %ehind &s, &sing the res#ectf&l term for a married woman. 'e a#ologi+ed and ste##ed awa! from the entrance. Loo$ing %ac$ as he #assed, he added with a smile, /First time1 - still en.o! seeing the wonder on visitors' faces./ 'onder was right. On the shorter sides of the s,&are, hah 3%%as's %l&e"and"gold #alace faced his #rivate !ellow" domed mos,&e, which glowed li$e a tin! s&n. On the longer sides, the gatewa! to the Great Ba+aar faced the entrance to the vast Frida! mos,&e""a reminder to God"fearing merchants to %e honest. /Power, mone!, and God, all in one #lace,/ remar$ed m! mother, loo$ing at the %&ildings aro&nd &s. /3nd chogan,/ - re#lied, noticing the goal#osts for #olo at the far ends of the s,&are, which was long eno&gh to host a com#etition. From the to# of one of the Frida! mos,&e's minarets, the m&e++in %egan the call to #ra!er, #iercing the air with his sweet nasal voice. /3llah"h&"3$%ar""God is great2/ he cried, his voice drifting a%ove &s. 3s we wal$ed into the s,&are, - noticed that most of the %&ildings were tiled in the #&rest colors of s&n and s$!. *he dome of the Frida! mos,&e loo$ed all t&r,&oise from afar, %&t &# closer - co&ld see it was enlivened with swirling vines in !ellow and white. Garlands of white and t&r,&oise %lossomed on the dome of the hah's lemon"colored mos,&e. *he arched gatewa!s to the mos,&es s#ro&ted a #rof&sion of tiled white flowers that loo$ed li$e stars s#ar$ling in the %l&e of twilight. Ever! s&rface of ever! %&ilding glittered with ornament. -t was as if a master goldsmith had selected the most flawless t&r,&oise, the

rarest of %l&e sa##hires, the %rightest !ellow to#a+, and the #&rest of diamonds, and arranged them into an infinit! of shimmering #atterns that radiated color and light. /- have never seen an!thing so wonderf&l,/ - said to m! mother, forgetting for a moment the sadness that had %ro&ght &s here. 6! mother hadn't forgotten. /-t's all too %ig,/ she re#lied, gest&ring at the wide s,&are, and - &nderstood that she missed o&r tin! village, where she $new ever!one she saw. *he s,&are was f&ll of #eo#le. 0o&ng %o!s +oomed aro&nd &s, %alancing c&#s of hot, dar$ li,&id, !elling, /4offee2/ /4offee2/ which - had never tasted %&t which smelled as rich as a meal. *wo .&gglers #erformed a swift e(change of %alls, %egging the a&dience to %e genero&s with their coins. )aw$ers sto##ed &s a do+en times, as$ing &s to e(amine cloth, $ohl, and even the t&s$ of an ele#hant, an enormo&s animal from -ndia with legendar! #owers of memor!. 3fter a few min&tes of wal$ing, we reached the hah's #alace. 4om#ared with the Frida! mos,&e, it seemed modest. -t was onl! a few stories high, and it was #rotected %! a #air of thic$, carved wooden doors, eight %rass cannon, and a row of g&ards armed with swords. 6! mother a##roached one of the g&ards and as$ed how we co&ld find Gostaham the car#et ma$er. /'hat is !o&r %&siness with him1/ as$ed the g&ard with a frown. /)e told &s to see$ him o&t,/ said m! mother. *he g&ard smiled scornf&ll! at the so&nd of her long village vowels. /)e invited !o&1/ /)e is #art of m! h&s%and's famil!./

*he g&ard loo$ed as if he do&%ted her word. /Gostaham is a master in the hah's car#et"ma$ing wor$sho#, which is %ehind the #alace,/ he said. /- will tell him !o& are here./ /'e are the d&st %eneath !o&r feet,/ said m! mother, and we went %ac$ into the s,&are to wait. 5ear%!, there was a %a+aar of metal %eaters, and we watched the smiths #o&nd the sha#es of %irds and animals into tea#ots, c&#s, and s#oons. Before long, the g&ard fo&nd &s and led &s to meet Gostaham, who was waiting near the #alace door. - was s&r#rised %! how little he and m! father resem%led each other. -t was tr&e that the! were onl! half %rothers, %&t while m! father had %een tall with feat&res c&t as cleanl! as if with a $nife, Gostaham was short and as ro&nd as a #otato, with droo#ing e!es, a nose c&rved li$e a falcon's %ea$, and a large gra! %eard. )e greeted &s $indl! and welcomed &s to -sfahan. Beaming at me, he gra%%ed m! two hands %etween his. /'ell, then2/ he e(claimed. / o !o&'re -sma'il's child. 0o&'ve got his waln&t color and his straight %lac$ hair, and wo&ld $now those tin!, #erfect hands an!where2/ )e made a show of e(amining m! hands, which made me la&gh, and com#ared them with his own. *he! were ver! small for a man and, li$e mine, narrow with long fingers. /*he famil! resem%lance is o%vio&s,/ he said. /9o !o& ma$e r&gs1/ /Of co&rse,/ said m! mother. / he's the %est $notter in o&r village./ 3nd she told him the stor! of how we had sold m! t&r,&oise r&g while it was still on m! loom. /6a! the hand of 3li alwa!s %e with !o&2/ said Gostaham, loo$ing im#ressed. )e as$ed m! mother for news of home. 3s we followed him o&t of the s,&are, she %egan telling him a%o&t m! father. *he words #o&red o&t of her as if the! had %een %ottled &#

for too long, and she told the stor! of his death with so m&ch feeling, it %ro&ght tears to his e!es. 'e left the -mage of the 'orld thro&gh a narrow gatewa! and wal$ed for a few min&tes thro&gh a district called Fo&r Gardens to get to Gostaham's home. *he district was divided into #leas&re #ar$s, which were %arren now that it was winter. 3 cedar tree mar$ed the %eginning of Gostaham's street. From the o&tside, all the ho&ses loo$ed li$e fortresses. *he! were sit&ated %ehind tall, thic$ walls that #rotected the inha%itants from #r!ing e!es. Gostaham led &s thro&gh thic$ wooden gates, and we stood for a moment loo$ing at the o&tside of his home. -t was so large we didn't $now where to go at first. Gostaham entered a narrow corridor, wal$ed &# a few ste#s, and led &s into the %irooni, or o&tside rooms, where he entertained male g&ests. )is Great Room had long glass windows de#icting two green swans drin$ing %l&e water from either side of a fo&ntain. 4arved white #laster flowers and vines adorned the ceiling and the walls. R&%!"colored car#ets, made with the tightest $nots - had ever seen, s&##orted thic$ c&shions in warm crimson tones. Even on this cold winter da!, the room seemed to radiate warmth. Gostaham lifted the windows, which o#ened all the wa! to the gro&nd, and we ste##ed o&t into the large co&rt!ard. -t had a #ool of water shaded %! two #o#lars. - tho&ght of the single tree in m! village, a large c!#ress. For one famil! to have its own shade and greener! seemed to me the greatest of l&(&ries. 'e met Gordi!eh, Gostaham's wife, in the co&rt!ard. he was an am#le woman, with large ro&nd hi#s and heav! %reasts, who advanced slowl! to $iss &s on %oth chee$s. One of her servants had .&st %oiled water, and - watched him ma$e tea o&t of #revio&sl! &sed leaves. -t was strange that a ho&sehold this grand wo&ld &se its leaves twice. *he tea

was as tasteless as water, %&t we than$ed Gordi!eh and said, /6a! !o&r hands never ache./ /)ow old are !o&1/ she as$ed me. /Fifteen./ /3h2 *hen !o&'ll have to meet 5aheed. he's fifteen, too, and is the da&ghter of a woman who lives near%!./ he t&rned to m! mother. /5aheed comes from a ver! good famil!. - have alwa!s ho#ed that the! might commission a car#et from &s, %&t the! haven't !et./ - wondered wh! she ho#ed to sell more car#ets, since to m! e!es she alread! had ever!thing a famil! co&ld want. B&t %efore - co&ld as$ an! ,&estions, Gordi!eh s&ggested that we m&st %e tired, and led &s thro&gh the co&rt!ard to a tin! room s,&ee+ed %etween the $itchen storerooms and the latrine. *here was nothing in it %&t two %edrolls, %lan$ets, and c&shions. /6! a#ologies that the room is so &nworth! of !o&r #resence,/ Gordi!eh said, /%&t all the others are occ&#ied./ 6! mother str&ggled to $ee# the disma! from her face. *he walls were ding!, and the floor was strea$ed with d&st. Gostaham's ho&se was a #alace com#ared to o&r little village home, %&t the tin! room we were to share was more h&m%le. /5ot at all,/ re#lied m! mother #olitel!, /!o&r generosit! far e(ceeds what we deserve./ Gordi!eh left &s for the afternoon rest. - straightened m! %edroll, raising d&st, which %ro&ght on a fit of co&ghing. 3fter a few moments, - heard one of the ho&se servants enter a room ne(t to o&rs, while another o#ened the door to the latrines, releasing a thic$, earth! smell even more #&ngent than the odor of o&r camel.

/3re we servants now1/ - as$ed m! mother in alarm. he was stretched o&t on a %edroll, her e!es wide o#en. /5ot !et,/ she re#lied, %&t - co&ld see that she was worried a%o&t that ver! ,&estion. 3F*ER LEEP-5G, we arose and .oined Gordi!eh and Gostaham in the %irooni for the evening meal. 'hat a feast was laid on cloths %efore &s2 - had not seen s&ch food even at weddings, !et for Gordi!eh and Gostaham it seemed to %e ever!da! fare. *here was a chilled !og&rt so&# with dill, mint, green raisins, waln&ts, and rose #etals, cold and refreshing on the tong&e8 stewed chic$en with tart sweetened %ar%erries8 tender egg#lant coo$ed with garlic and whe!8 saffron rice with a cr&nch! %rown cr&st8 tang! shee#'s cheese8 hot %read8 and a #late of radishes, fresh mint, and %itter greens for good digestion. - ate too m&ch the first evening, as if to ma$e &# for the times in m! village when we hadn't had eno&gh. 'hen we were all sated, m! mother %egan to s#ea$. /E(alted hosts,/ she said, /we are honored that !o& have ta$en &s into !o&r ho&sehold and fed &s as if it were onl! !esterda! that we last #arted. 3nd !et, - haven't seen !o&, honora%le Gostaham, for more than twent!"five !ears. -n that time, !o& have risen faster than the highest star. )ow did !o& come to %e here, in this grand ho&se, with all the good fort&ne that a man co&ld desire1/ Gostaham smiled and #&t his hands on his large stomach. /-ndeed, sometimes when - arise in the morning and loo$ aro&nd, - can't %elieve it m!self. 3nd then when - see Gordi!eh %eside me, - $now m! dreams have %ecome real, and - than$ God for m! man! %lessings./ /6a! the! %e forever #lentif&l,/ re#lied m! mother. /-t wasn't alwa!s li$e this, tho&gh. Long %efore !o& were %orn,/ Gostaham said to me, /m! father reali+ed that if he

was to remain in his village, he wo&ld alwa!s %e #oor. =nowing there wo&ld %e little to inherit, he moved to hira+ to test his fort&ne. 'e were so #oor that - had to hel# %! ma$ing r&gs. 'hen - was twelve, - discovered that - co&ld $not faster than almost an!one./ /;&st li$e m! da&ghter,/ m! mother said #ro&dl!. /O&r home was so small that there was no s#ace for a loom. 'hen the weather was fine, - set &# m! loom o&tside, .&st as !o& m&st have done,/ Gostaham said to me. /One da! - was $notting a r&g with s&ch s#eed that a small crowd gathered to watch. -t was m! good fort&ne that one of the #assers%! owned the largest r&g wor$sho# in hira+. )e never loo$ed for a##rentices o&tside the wor$sho#""wh! sho&ld he, when he co&ld .&st train his wor$ers' sons1 B&t when he saw me, he offered to hire me, for m! s#eed wo&ld increase his #rofits. /*he ne(t few !ears were the harshest of m! life. *he wor$sho# owner made his demands according to a%ilit!, not age. Beca&se - was fast, - was re,&ired to finish r&gs more ,&ic$l! than an!one else. Once, when the owner ca&ght me awa! from the loom, he told one of his %&llies to throw me onto m! %ac$ and %eat the soles of m! feet &ntil - screamed. 5o one %&t a fool wo&ld destro! a $notter's hands, %&t what did he care if - co&ldn't wal$1/ )is stor! made me shiver. - had heard of children !o&nger than me, mostl! or#hans, who had %een forced to s#end long ho&rs at the loom. ometimes, at the end of their da!, the! co&ldn't &n%end their legs to stand &#, and their careta$ers had to %ear them home on their %ac$s. 3fter the! s#ent !ears la%oring with folded legs, their %ones grew twisted and their heads seemed too large for their %odies. 'hen the! tried to wal$, the! tottered li$e old #eo#le. - was glad - had grown &# in a village where no one wo&ld allow a loom to %rea$ a child's %od!. Even so, when - was wor$ing at

m! loom on a warm s#ring da!, - &sed to env! the %irds and even the scrawn! dogs, who were free to roam as the! li$ed. *o %e !o&ng and have to sit ,&ietl! and wor$, when !o&r %lood is racing and !o& long to %e chattering and la&ghing"" that will ma$e a child grow old ,&ic$l!. /*he tr&th is, the owner of the wor$sho# was right,/ Gostaham contin&ed. /- tried to shir$ m! d&ties %eca&se didn't want to remain a $notter. 'henever - co&ld, - s#ent time with his master designer and master colorist. *he designer allowed me to co#! some of his #atterns, and the colorist too$ me with him to the %a+aar to show me how he selected shades of wool. ecretl!, - learned all - co&ld./ -t had never occ&rred to me that it was #ossi%le to %e more than .&st a $notter. 3ltho&gh - was slee#! from the large meal, - listened to Gostaham's tale with care. /6! h&s%and didn't need m&ch teaching,/ Gordi!eh %&rst in. /)is e!e for color is %etter than an! man's./ Gostaham leaned %ac$ into the c&shions with a smile, en.o!ing his wife's #raise. /- was so am%itio&s that - told the master designer - wanted to ma$e a car#et of m! own. )e offered me a design on #a#er that he wasn't &sing an!more and allowed me to co#! it. *a$ing all m! earnings, - went to the %a+aar and %o&ght the %est wool - co&ld afford. - s#ent ho&rs choosing the colors, ta$ing so long at it that the merchants !elled at me to %&! something or leave their sho#s. B&t - had to %e certain %e!ond certaint! that - was choosing the right h&es. /B! then - was seventeen, and it too$ me nearl! a !ear to $not that car#et o&tside of wor$ing ho&rs. -t was the %est had ever made. 6! mother was #leased with me, for it wo&ld %ring mone! into o&r ho&sehold. B&t then - too$ the %iggest ris$ of m! life, which is the reason !o& see me here toda! in this fine home, with a wife who o&tshines the %rightest stars of the age./

- sat &# straighter, eager to learn how he had made s&ch a fort&ne. /- heard that hah 3%%as the Great was coming to hira+ and wo&ld %e holding a&diences for his s&%.ects ever! afternoon. - finished the r&g, rolled it &#, and carried it to his #alace on m! %ac$. Presenting it to one of his g&ards, e(#lained that it was a gift. *he g&ard &nrolled it, ma$ing s&re there were no assassins, animals, #oisons, or the li$e hidden within""and #romised to #lace it %efore his e!es./ /)ow %old to #art with !o&r onl! treas&re2/ e(claimed m! mother. /*he r&g was #resented to the hah after he heard testimon! from a servant acc&sed of stealing and ordered him to %e #&nished with a %eating,/ Gostaham contin&ed. /thin$ he was read! to en.o! some sweeter news. 'hen m! car#et was &nrolled %efore him, he fli##ed over a corner to chec$ the tightness of the $nots. - worried that he was sim#l! going to tell his servants to carr! it awa!, %&t then he as$ed that its ma$er ma$e himself $nown. /Loo$ing at me with e!es that seemed to &nderstand m! #overt! and m! am%ition, the hah said, 'Ever! da!, $ings offer me gifts of gold, %&t not one com#ares with the sacrifice !o& have .&st made.' -t was m! great fort&ne that he had .&st started the ro!al r&g wor$sho# in -sfahan to ma$e the finest r&gs for his #alaces and to sell to rich men. )e li$ed m! car#et eno&gh to invite me to .oin the wor$sho# for a !ear's trial. 6! mother almost %eat me when she heard - had given awa! the car#et. 'hen - told her how m! fort&nes had changed, she #raised the hah's name./ /*hat is a stor! %e!ond stories2/ said m! mother. /*here was a long road !et ahead,/ said Gostaham. /'hen - started at the ro!al r&g wor$sho#, - was the lowliest of the low. - was l&c$! %eca&se all of &s were #aid an ann&al

salar!, and even tho&gh mine was the smallest, it was eno&gh for me to live on and send mone! to m! famil!. 4onditions were m&ch %etter at the hah's wor$sho# than in hira+. 'e wor$ed from dawn &ntil midda!, %&t then we were at li%ert! to wor$ for o&rselves. -n the afternoons, freel! learned from the masters with the a##roval of the hah./ / o !o& have come to $now him1/ - as$ed with wonder, for the hah was second onl! to God. /;&st as his h&m%le servant,/ said Gostaham. /)e ta$es great interest in car#ets and $nows how to $not them himself. From time to time he sto#s %! the wor$sho#, which is, after all, ad.acent to his #alace, to see how the car#ets are #rogressing, and sometimes we e(change a few words. B&t to ret&rn to m! stor!, one of his chief colorists too$ an interest in me and trained me to master the wa! h&es are com%ined in a car#et. *hat has %een m! .o% for nearl! twent! !ears, and after m! dear mentor went to meet God, %ecame one of the assistant masters for color./ /*he! are second onl! to the master,/ said Gordi!eh #ro&dl!. /3nd #erha#s he will one da! %ecome master of the whole wor$sho#./ /*here is no certaint! in that,/ Gostaham said. /- have a strong com#etitor in 3fsheen, the assistant master designer, and - %elieve the hah is more im#ressed %! designers than colorists. till, - wo&ldn't change an!thing a%o&t the co&rse of m! life. Beca&se it was that ver! colorist""the one who made me his a##rentice""who ta&ght me ever!thing - $now, and who also gave me his da&ghter as his wife./ 3nd here he smiled at Gordi!eh with so m&ch affection and desire that it reminded me of the wa! m! father &sed to loo$ at m! mother. 6! mother noticed, too, and for a moment her e!es filled.

/'hat $ind of r&gs do !o& ma$e in the ro!al wor$sho#1/ as$ed ,&ic$l!, ho#ing Gostaham wo&ld sto# smiling at his wife. /*he finest car#ets in the land,/ he said. /4ar#ets that re,&ire an arm! of s#ecialists. 4ar#ets that the hah $ee#s rolled &# and stored in dar$ rooms so the! will never %e r&ined %! light. 4ar#ets ordered %! foreign $ings with their coat of arms de#icted in silver"wra##ed thread. 4ar#ets that will %e treas&red long after we're all d&st./ /6a! God rain )is %lessings on hah 3%%as2/ e(claimed Gor"di!eh. /-f not for him, - wo&ld still %e a $notter in hira+,/ agreed Gostaham. /)e is res#onsi%le not onl! for the rise in m! own fort&nes, %&t for e(alting the craft of r&g ma$ing a%ove others./ -t was getting late. 6! mother and - said good night and went to slee# in o&r little room. 3s - #&lled the %lan$ets aro&nd me, - tho&ght a%o&t how for some families, good fort&ne rains down with no end. Perha#s now that we were in -sfahan with a fort&nate famil!, o&r l&c$ wo&ld finall! change, des#ite what the comet had foretold. *)E 5E<* 930, Gordi!eh sent a messenger to 5aheed's mother to tell her that - was her da&ghter's age and was visiting from the so&th. )er mother sent %ac$ an invitation for &s to visit them that afternoon. 'hen Gordi!eh told me it was time to go, - smoothed m! hair %ehind m! scarf and anno&nced that - was read!. /0o& can't leave the ho&se li$e that2/ she said, so&nding e(as#erated. - loo$ed down at m! clothes. - had dressed in m! long" sleeved ro%e, a long t&nic, and loose tro&sers, all %lac$ %eca&se - was still in mo&rning. - #atted the hair at m! tem#les, #&shing %ac$ the loc$s that had stra!ed o&t of m!

scarf. 6! clothing had alwa!s %een tho&ght modest eno&gh for m! village. /'h! not1/ /-t's different in the cit!,/ she re#lied. /'omen from good families $ee# f&ll! covered2/ - was s#eechless. Gordi!eh too$ m! hand and led me into her ,&arters. he o#ened a tr&n$ st&ffed with cloth and r&mmaged thro&gh it &ntil she fo&nd what she needed. P&lling me in front of her am#le %od!, she removed m! scarf and smoothed m! hair on %oth sides of m! head. -t was &nr&l!, - co&ld tell. *hen she wra##ed a lightweight white cloth aro&nd m! head and fastened it &nder m! chin. /*here2/ she said. /5ow !o&'ll loo$ li$e 5aheed and other girls when !o&'re at home or visiting./ he held &# a metal mirror so - co&ld see. *he cloth shielded m! hair and nec$, %&t - didn't li$e how e(#osed and flesh! m! face loo$ed. *he da!s in the desert s&n had made m! face dar$er, es#eciall! against the whiteness of the scarf. - loo$ed awa! from the mirror, than$ing her and t&rning to go. /'ait, wait2/ #rotested Gordi!eh. /Let me finish./ he shoo$ o&t a hood and #laced it e(#ertl! over the to# of m! head. Even tho&gh the hood was white, it was dar$ and airless inside. /- can't see2/ - com#lained. Gordi!eh ad.&sted the hood so that a #ortion of lace covered m! e!es. *he world was visi%le again, %&t onl! as if loo$ing thro&gh a net. /*hat's !o&r #icheh,/ said Gordi!eh. /0o& sho&ld wear it when !o&'re o&tside./ -t was hard to %reathe, %&t once again - than$ed her, relieved that we were done.

/Oh, %&t !o& are a f&nn! little one2/ said Gordi!eh. / mall, ,&ic$ as a hare, and .&st as nervo&s. 'hat's !o&r h&rr!1 'ait while - find !o& ever!thing !o& need2/ he moved slowl!, sorting thro&gh the cloths &ntil she fo&nd a large white length of fa%ric. he dra#ed it over m! head and showed me how to hold it closed %! cl&tching the fa%ric in m! fist right &nder m! chin. /5ow !o& loo$ as !o& sho&ld, all sn&g inside !o&r chador,/ she said. - led the wa! o&t of her room, feeling as if - were carr!ing aro&nd a nomad's tent. 3ltho&gh - co&ld see well eno&gh if loo$ed straight o&t thro&gh the lace, - had no side vision. was not &sed to holding a chador aro&nd me e(ce#t at the mos,&e, and - tri##ed on it &ntil - learned to #osition it a%ove m! an$les. 3s - wal$ed &nsteadil! down the hallwa!, Gordi!eh said, /For now, ever!one will %e a%le to tell that !o& are not from the cit!. B&t ver! soon, !o& will learn how to move as ,&ietl! and gentl! as a shadow./ 'hen we ret&rned to the %irooni, Gostaham congrat&lated me on m! new attire, and even m! mother said she wo&ldn't recogni+e me in a crowd. Gordi!eh and - wal$ed together to 5aheed's ho&se, which was a few min&tes awa! thro&gh the Fo&r Gardens district. -t was a refreshing wal$, for hah 3%%as had %&ilt a grand aven&e thro&gh the district, lined %! gardens and narrow canals of water. *he road was wide eno&gh for twent! #eo#le to stroll side %! side, and it was filled with #lane trees, whose hand"sha#ed leaves wo&ld form a shad! green cano#! in s#ring and s&mmer. *he road led to the Eternal River and the *hirt!"three 3rches Bridge, and had a view of the :agros 6o&ntains, whose .agged ti#s were covered with snow. *he homes we #assed had gardens as large as #ar$s and seemed li$e #alaces com#ared with the tin!, cl&stered dwellings in m! village.

)idden %! m! #icheh - felt free to stare at those aro&nd me, since no one co&ld see where - was loo$ing. 3n old man who was missing #art of his leg %egged for alms &nder the cedar tree near Gostaham's ho&se. 3 girl dallied aimlessl!, her e!es darting aro&nd as if she were see$ing something too em%arrassing to name. On m! left, the t&r,&oise dome of the Frida! mos,&e hovered over the cit! li$e a %lessing, seemingl! lighter than air. hortl! after *hirt!"three 3rches Bridge came into view, we t&rned down a wide street toward 5aheed's ho&se. 3s soon as we ste##ed inside the door, we removed o&r chadors and #ichehs and gave them to a servant. - felt lighter after relin,&ishing them. 5aheed reminded me of the #rincesses in the tales m! mother li$ed to tell. he wore a long ro%e of lavender sil$ with an orange &ndergarment that #ee$ed o&t at the nec$, the sleeves, and the an$les. he was tall and thin, li$e a c!#ress tree, and her clothing swa!ed loosel! when she moved. he had green e!es""the gift of her R&ssian mother, L&dmila""and her long hair, #artiall! covered %! an em%roidered white head cloth, was wav!. *wo loose tresses la! on her %osom. -n %ac$, her hair was in wefts that reached almost to her $nees. *he wefts were held %! orange sil$ ties. - wanted to tal$ to her, %&t %oth of &s had to sit ,&ietl! while o&r elders e(changed greetings. 5aheed's mother noticed o&r eagerness and said to her, /Go ahead, .oonam""so&l of mine""and show !o&r new friend !o&r wor$./ /-'ll %e glad to,/ said 5aheed. 3s she led me into her small, #rett! wor$room, whose car#et was made in soothing shades of gra! and %l&e, she whis#ered, /3t last we can tal$ witho&t the old fol$s2/ )er irreverence delighted me. 5aheed o#ened a tr&n$ f&ll of #a#er with %lac$ mar$s on it and #&lled o&t a sheet to show me. - stared at it for a moment %efore - reali+ed what she co&ld do.

/God %e #raised2/ - said. /0o& can write2/ 5ot onl! was she %ea&tif&l, %&t a scholar, too. 3lmost no one in m! village co&ld read or write8 - had never even met a girl who $new how to &se a #en. /9o !o& want me to show !o& how - do it1/ /0es2/ 5aheed di##ed a reed #en into a vessel of %lac$ in$ and %r&shed off the e(cess. *a$ing a fresh #iece of #a#er, she wrote a word in large letters with the ease of long #ractice. /*here2/ she said, showing me the #age. /9o !o& $now what that sa!s1/ - clic$ed m! tong&e against m! teeth. /-t's m! name,/ said 5aheed. - stared at the gracef&l letters, which had a delicate dot on to# and a dash %elow. -t was the first time - had ever seen an!one's name recorded in in$. /*a$e it""it's for !o&,/ she said. - #ressed the #a#er to m! chest, not reali+ing it wo&ld leave a wet mar$ on m! mo&rning clothes. /)ow did !o& learn1/ /6! father ta&ght me. )e gives me a lesson ever! da!./ he smiled at the mention of him, and - co&ld see that she was ver! close to her Ba%a. - felt a #ang in m! heart and loo$ed awa!. /'hat's the matter1/ 5aheed as$ed. - told her wh! we had come to -sfahan from so far awa!. /-'m sorr! !o&r l&c$ has %een so dar$,/ she said. /B&t now that !o&'re here, -'m s&re things will change for !o&./ /God willing./ /0o& m&st miss !o&r friends %ac$ home,/ she said, searching m! face.

/;&st Goli,/ - re#lied. /'e have %een friends since we were small. - wo&ld do an!thing at all for her2/ 5aheed had a ,&estion in her e!es. /-f Goli told !o& a secret, wo&ld !o& $ee# it ,&iet1/ she as$ed. /*o the grave,/ - re#lied. 5aheed loo$ed satisfied, as if an im#ortant concern a%o&t m! lo!alt! had %een addressed. /- ho#e we can %e good friends,/ she said. - smiled, s&r#rised %! her swift offer of friendshi#. /6e, too,/ - re#lied. /4an - see more of !o&r writing1/ /Of co&rse,/ she said. /)ere""ta$e the #en !o&rself./ 5aheed showed me how to ma$e a few %asic letters. was cl&ms! and s#illed #ools of in$ on the #a#er, %&t she told me ever!%od! did that at first. 3fter - had #racticed for a while, 5aheed sto##ered the vessel of in$ and #&t it awa!. /Eno&gh writing2/ she said im#erio&sl!. /Let's tal$ a%o&t other things./ he smiled so invitingl!, - g&essed what she wanted to tal$ a%o&t. /*ell me: 3re !o& engaged1/ /5o,/ - said sadl!. /6! #arents were going to find a h&s%and for me, %&t then m! Ba%a""/ - co&ldn't finish the tho&ght. /)ow a%o&t !o&1/ - as$ed. /5ot !et,/ said 5aheed, /%&t - #lan to %e soon./ /'ho is the man !o&r #arents have chosen1/ 5aheed's smile was victorio&s. /-'ve fo&nd someone m!self./ /)ow can !o& do that1/ - as$ed, astonished. /- don't want some old goat that m! #arents $now, not when -'ve alread! seen the most handsome man in -sfahan./ /3nd where did !o& find him1/ - as$ed. /Promise !o& won't tell1/

/- #romise./ /0o& m&st swear that !o& will never %reathe a word, or -'ll #&t a c&rse on !o&./ /- swear %! the )ol! >&r'an,/ - said, frightened %! the idea of a c&rse. - didn't need an! more %ad l&c$. 5aheed sighed with #leas&re. /)e's one of the %est riders in the #olo games at the -mage of the 'orld. 0o& sho&ld see him on a horse2/ he arose and imitated him taming a %&c$ing stallion, which made me la&gh. /B&t 5aheed,/ - said with concern, /what if !o&r mother finds o&t1/ 5aheed sat down again, slightl! %reathless. / he m&st never find o&t,/ she said, /for she wo&ld ref&se a man of m! own choice./ /*hen how will !o& ensnare him1/ /-'ll have to %e ver! clever,/ she said. /B&t -'m not worried. - alwa!s find wa!s to ma$e m! #arents do what - want. 3nd most of the time, the! thin$ it's their own idea./ /6a! 3li, #rince among men, f&lfill all !o&r ho#es2/ re#lied, s&r#rised %! her %oldness. Few girls were as confident a%o&t their f&t&re as 5aheed. - admired her for her certaint!, .&st as - was da++led %! her smooth white s$in, her green e!es, her lavender sil$ t&nic, and her s$ill with the #en. - co&ldn't &nderstand wh! she wanted to %e m! friend, as - was .&st a #oor village girl and she was a learned child of the cit!, %&t it seemed that 5aheed was one of those girls who co&ld ma$e or %rea$ r&les as she li$ed. O5 *)E 5E<* 930, Frida!, m! mother and - arose %efore the s&n and went to the $itchen, loo$ing for %rea$fast. 3 #rett! maid named hamsi gave &s hot %read and m! first vessel of coffee. *he rich taste of it %ro&ght tears of #leas&re

to m! e!es. 5o wonder ever!one tal$ed a%o&t the wonder of the %ean2 -f tea enlivened the a##etite, coffee was rich eno&gh to ,&ench it. -t was sweet, %&t - stirred in another s#oonf&l of s&gar when no one was loo$ing. - %egan chattering with m! mother a%o&t nothing in #artic&lar. )er chee$s were fl&shed, and - noticed that she, too, was chir#ing li$e a %ird. 'hile we were eating, Gordi!eh sto##ed %! and told &s that her da&ghters wo&ld %e visiting with their children, as the! did on ever! hol! da!, and that ever!one wo&ld %e needed to hel# ma$e the festive midda! meal. -t wo&ld %e a large tas$, as the ho&sehold was even grander than it loo$ed at first. *here were si( servants: 4oo$8 3li"3sghar, who was res#onsi%le for men's .o%s li$e sla&ghtering animals8 two maids, hamsi and :ohreh, who scr&%%ed, #olished, and cleaned8 a %o! named amad whose onl! .o% was to ma$e and serve coffee and tea8 and an errand %o!, *aghee. 3ll these #eo#le wo&ld have to %e fed, #l&s m! mother and -, Gordi!eh and Gostaham, their da&ghters and their children, and an!one else who ha##ened to visit. 3li"3sghar, a small, wir! man with hands as %ig as his head, had alread! $illed a lam% in the co&rt!ard that morning and s&s#ended it to let the %lood flow o&t of its %od!. 'hile we #eeled egg#lant with shar# $nives, he stri##ed off its s$in and cho##ed the %od! into #arts. 4oo$, a thin woman who never sto##ed moving, threw the meat into a ca&ldron over a hot fire, adding salt and onions. 6! mother and - c&t the egg#lant into #ieces and salted them to ma$e the so&r %lac$ .&ice er&#t. Gordi!eh a##eared from time to time to chec$ on the #re#arations. Loo$ing at the egg#lant, which had onl! .&st %eg&n to sweat, she told m! mother, /6ore salt2/ - co&ld feel words %ehind m! mother's li#s, %&t she didn't s#ea$ them. he s#rin$led more salt and then #a&sed.

/6ore2/ Gordi!eh said. *his time, m! mother #o&red &ntil the egg#lant was nearl! %&ried and Gordi!eh told her to sto#. 3fter the so&rness had drained o&t, we rinsed the cho##ed egg#lant in cool water, and m! mother fried it in a #ot %&%%ling with hot oil. 'hen each #iece was coo$ed, #atted it with a cloth to remove the grease, and #&t it aside. *he egg#lant wo&ld %e laid on to# of the lam% .&st %efore serving to allow it to marr! the meat .&ices. ince the meal was still ho&rs awa!, Gordi!eh told &s to ma$e a large vessel of vegeta%le torshi, a s#ic! relish that added flavor to rice. 4oo$'s reci#e called for egg#lant, carrots, celer!, t&rni#s, #arsle!, mint, and garlic %! the %as$etload, all of which we had to wash, #eel, and cho#. *hen 4oo$ meas&red o&t the vinegar she had made and mi(ed ever!thing together. B! the time we had finished, m! hands were tired and raw. Gordi!eh's da&ghters, 6ehr%anoo and ;ahanara, arrived and dro##ed in to the $itchen to see what we were coo$ing. 6ehr%anoo, the eldest at twent!"two, had two da&ghters, who were dressed and groomed li$e little dolls, in !ellow and orange t&nics with gold earrings and gold %racelets. ;ahanara was a !ear !o&nger and had one son, 6ohammad, a three"!ear"old child who seemed small for his age and who had a r&nn! nose. Both of the women lived with their h&s%ands' families %&t came to visit their #arents at least once a wee$. - was introd&ced to them as their father's half %rother's da&ghter""/a distant relative,/ Gordi!eh said. /)ow man! of those do we have1/ 6ehr%anoo as$ed her mother, with a %ig la&gh that revealed several rotten teeth. /)&ndreds1/ /*oo man! to co&nt,/ said Gordi!eh.

- was ta$en a%ac$ %! this air! dismissal. 3s if in e(#lanation, Gordi!eh said to m! mother, /O&r famil! is so large that m! girls can't $ee# &#./ hamsi entered the $itchen .&st then and said to Gordi!eh, /0o&r revered h&s%and has arrived./ /4ome, girls, !o&r father is alwa!s h&ngr! after Frida! #ra!ers,/ Gordi!eh said, &shering them o&t of the room. *he whole $itchen %egan to %&stle. /)&rr!2/ 4oo$ hissed, handing me a few cotton s#reads. /La! these over the car#ets in the Great Room. 9on't dela!2/ - followed Gordi!eh and her da&ghters, who had arranged themselves on the c&shions and were chatting witho&t #a!ing me the least attention. - was eager to sit and eat with them, %&t 4oo$ called me %ac$ to the $itchen and handed me a tra! of hot %read and a dish of goat cheese and mint8 she followed with the #late of honor, hea#ed with egg#lant and her%s, while :ohreh tottered &nder the weight of the rice. 6! mother emerged with a large vessel containing a cool drin$ she had made of rose water and mint. Bac$ in the $itchen, 4oo$ said, /'e ma! as well %egin the washing,/ altho&gh we hadn't eaten !et. he handed me a rag and a greas! #ot encr&sted with egg#lant. - stared at them, wondering when we'd %e called in to dine. 6! mother #&shed a strand of hair %ac$ into her scarf and %egan cleaning the rice #ot. &rel! we'd %e as$ed to .oin the famil! soon2 - tried to catch m! mother's e!e, %&t her head was %owed over her tas$ and she didn't seem to %e e(#ecting an!thing. 3fter we had com#leted most of the clean&#, 4oo$ sent me %ac$ to the Great Room with a vessel of hot water so the famil! co&ld wash their hands. Ever!one had finished eating and was reclining comforta%l! against the c&shions, their %ellies large with food. 6! stomach growled, %&t no one

seemed to notice. :ohreh and hamsi collected the #latters, and then 4oo$ divided the remaining food among the si( mem%ers of the ho&sehold staff and the two of &s. 3li" 3sghar, *aghee, and amad ate together o&tside in the co&rt!ard, while we women ate in the $itchen. 3ltho&gh the meal had %een served, 4oo$ co&ldn't seem to ,&it her la%ors. he'd ta$e a %ite, then rise to clean a serving s#oon or ret&rn a sto##er to a vessel. *he flavors in her food achieved an e(ce#tional marriage, %&t her nervo&sness d&lled the #leas&re of it. *he moment we finished, 4oo$ told each one of &s what to do to finish the clean&#. 'hen the $itchen was s#otless again, she dismissed &s for o&r afternoon rest. - threw m!self onto m! %edroll, m! lim%s aching. O&r room was so small that m! mother and - were nose to nose and foot to foot. /- have nothing left,/ - said, with a large !awn. /6e, neither,/ m! mother re#lied. /9id !o& li$e the food, light of m! e!es1/ /-t was fit for a shah,/ - said, adding ,&ic$l!, /%&t not as good as !o&rs./ /-t was %etter,/ she re#lied. /'ho'd have tho&ght the! wo&ld eat meat ever! wee$2 3 #erson co&ld live on the rice alone./ /God %e #raised,/ - re#lied. /)asn't it %een a !ear since we've eaten lam%1/ /3t least./ -t had felt good to eat as m&ch as - wanted for two da!s in a row. /Bi%i,/ - said, /what a%o&t the egg#lant1 -t was too salt!2/ /- do&%t that Gordi!eh has had to coo$ in man! !ears,/ m! mother re#lied.

/'h! didn't !o& tell her it was too m&ch1/ he closed her e!es. /9a&ghter of mine, remem%er that we have nowhere else to go./ - sighed. afa had %een right8 we were not o&r own mistresses now. /- tho&ght Gordi!eh wo&ld have invited &s to share the meal with them again,/ - said. 6! mother loo$ed at me with #it!. /Oh da&ghter, whom love a%ove all others,/ she said, /a famil! li$e this one $ee#s to itself./ /B&t we are their famil!./ /0es, and if we had arrived with !o&r father, %earing gifts and good fort&ne, it wo&ld have %een different,/ she said. /B&t as the #oor relatives of !o&r grandfather's second wife, we are not good news./ Feeling more tired than - co&ld remem%er, - closed m! e!es and sle#t as if dead. -t seemed onl! moments %efore 4oo$ $noc$ed on o&r door and as$ed for hel#. *he famil! wo&ld %e &# and a%o&t soon, she said, and the!'d %e an(io&s for their coffee, fresh fr&it, and sweetmeats. /'hat a hone!ed e(istence2/ - m&ttered &nder m! %reath, %&t m! mother did not re#l!. he was aslee#, her e!e%rows $nitted together in a f&rrow of worr!. - co&ldn't %ear to wa$e her, so - told 4oo$ -'d wor$ for two. *'-4E 3 0E3R, -sfahan's Great Ba+aar was closed to men so that the ladies of the ro!al harem co&ld sho# in freedom. 3ll the sho#$ee#ers' wives and da&ghters were sent in to r&n the stores for three da!s, and all the women, whether %&!ers or sellers, were allowed to wal$ aro&nd the %a+aar witho&t their heav! chadors. Gostaham $e#t an alcove in the %a+aar with a few r&gs on dis#la!, not so m&ch for sale %&t to remind #eo#le s&ch as the ro!al co&rtesans that he was availa%le for commissions. ince these co&ld %e the most l&crative of .o%s, and since

the! im#roved his contacts within the harem, he alwa!s #&t his most fashiona%le wares on dis#la! for the women. Gostaham normall! sent his da&ghter 6ehr%anoo to r&n his sho# d&ring the harem's visit, %&t she %ecame ill the night %efore. Gordi!eh was sent to sell the car#ets instead, and %egged Gostaham to let me accom#an! her. - had heard stories a%o&t the hah's women, who were gathered li$e flowers from ever! region of o&r land to adorn him. - wanted to see how %ea&tif&l the! were and admire their sil$en clothes. - had to #romise - wo&ld %e as ,&iet as a mo&se if Gordi!eh was ma$ing a sale. On the first da! of the harem's visit, we wal$ed to the -mage of the 'orld .&st %efore dawn. *he vast s,&are, normall! so %&s! with n&t sellers, haw$ers, m&sicians, and acro%ats, was now the #rovince of girls and #igeons. 3ll men had %een ordered awa! &nder #enalt! of death, lest the! catch a glim#se of the &nveiled women. *he em#t! s,&are loo$ed even larger than %efore. - wondered how the hah made his wa! %etween the #alace and his #rivate mos,&e on the other side of the s,&are. -t seemed a long wa! for ro!alt! to wal$ in #&%lic. /)ow does the hah go to #ra!1/ - as$ed Gordi!eh. /4an !o& g&ess1/ she as$ed, #ointing to the gro&nd %eneath &s. -t loo$ed li$e ordinar! dirt to me, and - had to thin$ for a moment. /3n &ndergro&nd #assagewa!1/ - as$ed, incred&lo&s, and she di##ed her chin in assent. &ch was the ingen&it! of the hah's engineers that the! had tho&ght of his ever! convenience. 'hen the s&n rose, the %&rl! %a+aar g&ards o#ened its gates and #ermitted &s to enter. 'e waited near the doors &ntil the women of the harem %egan to stream in, mo&nted on a #rocession of richl! decorated horses. *he! held their

chadors closed with one hand and the reins in the other. 5ot &ntil all the horses and horsemen had disa##eared did the! shed their wra#s and #ichehs, throwing them off with merriment and frivolit!. *he! lived in #alaces onl! a few min&tes' wal$ awa!, %&t s&ch ladies were not allowed to travel on foot. *here were tho&sands of sho#s in the %a+aar to answer ever! desire, whether for car#ets, gold .ewelr!, sil$ and cotton cloth, em%roider!, shoes, #erf&me, tra##ings for horses, leather goods, %oo$s, or #a#er, and on normal da!s, all $inds of foodst&ffs. *he two h&ndred sli##er ma$ers alone wo&ld occ&#! the women for some time. 3ltho&gh we co&ld hear their chattering and their la&ghter, it wasn't &ntil the end of the da! that we s#o$e to an! of them. - had imagined that all the women of the harem wo&ld %e %ea&ties, %&t - was wrong. *he hah's fo&r wives were in the fifth or si(th decade of life. 6an! of the co&rtesans had %een in his harem for !ears and were no longer %ea&tif&l. 3nd most of them weren't even am#le. One #rett! girl ca&ght m! e!e %eca&se - had never seen hair li$e hers, the color of a flaming s&nset. he loo$ed lost among her sisters, tho&gh, and - reali+ed that she didn't s#ea$ o&r lang&age. - felt sorr! for her, for she had #ro%a%l! %een ca#t&red in %attle. /Loo$2/ said Gordi!eh in a tone of awe. /*here's ;amileh2/ he was the hah's favorite. he had %lac$ c&rls s&rro&nding her tin! white face and li#s li$e a rose%&d. he wore a lac! &ndershirt slit from the throat to the navel, which showed the c&rve of her %reasts. Over it, she had chosen a long"sleeved sil$ sheath d!ed a %rilliant saffron. Flowing loosel! on to# was a red sil$ ro%e, which o#ened at her throat to reveal a golden #aisle! #attern on the reverse side. he had tied a thic$ saffron sash aro&nd her hi#s, which swa!ed as she wal$ed. On her forehead #earls and r&%ies

h&ng from a circlet of gold, which shimmied when she t&rned her head. / he's the ver! image of a girl the hah loved when he was a !o&ng man,/ Gordi!eh said. /*he! sa! she s#ends her da!s in the harem ,&i++ing the older women a%o&t her dead #redecessor./ /'h!1/ /*o c&rr! favor with the hah. he #inches her own chee$s all the time now, %eca&se the other girl's alwa!s %loomed with #in$ roses./ B! the time ;amileh and her ento&rage reached o&r alcove, Gordi!eh was as nervo&s as a cat. he %owed #racticall! to the gro&nd, inviting the ladies to have something to drin$. - fetched hot coffee, h&rr!ing so that wo&ldn't miss an!thing. 'hen - ret&rned, the white"chee$ed ;amileh was fli##ing &# a corner of each r&g with her inde( finger and e(amining the $nots. 3fter - served her coffee, she sat down, e(#laining that she was ref&rnishing the Great Room in her #art of the harem. he wo&ld need twelve new c&shions for reclining against the wall, each of which was to %e a%o&t as long as m! arm and $notted with wool and sil$. /*o ma$e him comforta%le, !o& $now,/ she said significantl!. )iring Gostaham to design c&shion covers was li$e #a!ing a master architect to design a m&d hovel, %&t ;amileh wo&ld have onl! the %est. 3 fl&ent stream of flatter! #o&red from her li#s a%o&t his car#ets, /the light of the hah's wor$sho#, %! an! meas&re./ Gordi!eh, who sho&ld have %een imm&ne to s&ch flatter!, melted as ,&ic$l! as a %loc$ of ice in the s&mmer s&n. 'hen the two %egan %argaining, - $new she was doomed. Even her first #rice for the wor$ was too low. - calc&lated that it

wo&ld ta$e one #erson three months of $notting to ma$e the c&shion covers, not incl&ding the wor$ on the design. B&t whenever ;amileh arched her #rett! e!e%rows or #inched her small white chee$s, Gordi!eh slashed a few more toman off the #rice or made another concession. 0es, she wo&ld ma$e some of the $nots o&t of silver" wra##ed thread. 5o, the c&shions wo&ld loo$ nothing li$e her #redecessor's. 0es, the! wo&ld %e read! in three months. B! the time the %argaining was over, a sl! e(#ression had stolen into ;amileh's e!es, and she loo$ed for a moment li$e the village girl she had once %een. 5o do&%t she wo&ld ma$e the ladies of the harem la&gh o&t lo&d over the tale of what a good deal she had made on this da!. One of the hah's e&n&chs wrote &# two co#ies of the agreement and stam#ed them with the hah's ela%orate wa( seal. *he deal was done. 'hen d&s$ fell, we ret&rned home and Gordi!eh went straight to %ed, com#laining of a headache. *he ho&se was &n&s&all! ,&iet as tho&gh awaiting a catastro#he. -ndeed, when Gostaham came home and read the recei#t, he went straight to Gordi!eh's room and !elled at her for %rea$ing his %ac$. *he ne(t da!, Gordi!eh retaliated %! sta!ing in %ed, leaving him to manage the ho&sehold and all the visitors on his own. -n des#eration, Gostaham sent m! mother to r&n his sho#, and - went with her. )e co&ldn't have made a %etter choice: 6! mother $new the val&e of ever! $not. *his was a s&r#rise to the .&nior harem women with limited sho##ing allowances who had heard of ;amileh's tri&m#h. 3ll da!, m! mother drove hard %argains with these women, who whined over her stiff #rices %&t nonetheless agreed to #a! them %eca&se the!, too, wanted car#ets from the same ma$er &sed %! the hah's favorite co&rtesan.

*hat evening, when Gostaham loo$ed at the recei#ts, he #raised m! mother for her s$ill with mone!. /0o& have earned &s a fine #rofit, des#ite ;amileh's wiles,/ he said. /5ow what can - offer !o& as a fitting reward1/ 6! mother said she'd li$e a new #air of shoes, for hers were fra!ed and dirt! from o&r .o&rne! thro&gh the desert. /*wo #airs of new shoes, then, one for each of !o&,/ Gostaham said. - had %een waiting for a chance to as$ Gostaham for what - reall! wanted, and this seemed the most a&s#icio&s moment. / hoes are ver! nice,/ - %l&rted o&t, /%&t instead, will !o& ta$e me to see the ro!al r&g wor$sho#1/ Gostaham loo$ed s&r#rised. /- didn't thin$ an! !o&ng girl co&ld resist a #air of shoes, %&t no matter. -'ll ta$e !o& after the %a+aar ret&rns to normal./ 6! mother and - went to %ed that night filled with glee. 3s we s#read o&t o&r %edrolls, we %egan whis#ering together a%o&t the #ec&liarities of the ho&sehold we were fated to live in. /5ow - &nderstand wh! Gordi!eh re&ses the tea leaves,/ m! mother said. /'h!1/ - as$ed. / he's a %ad manager,/ she re#lied. / he loses her head in one sit&ation, then tries to ma$e it &# in another./ / he'll have to re&se a lot of tea to ma$e &# for the loss she too$ on ;amileh's c&shions,/ - said. /'hat a f&nn! woman./ /F&nn! is not the word for it,/ m! mother re#lied. /'e'll need to show Gordi!eh that we're wor$ing hard instead of draining her ho&sehold. 3fter all, Gostaham hasn't said how long we can sta!./

/B&t the! have so m&ch2/ /*he! do,/ said m! mother, /%&t what does it matter if !o& have seven chic$ens in a shed when !o& %elieve !o& have onl! one1/ 6! #arents had alwa!s ta$en the o##osite a##roach. /*r&st God to #rovide,/ m! father &sed to sa!. -t ma! have %een e,&all! &ncertain, %&t it was a m&ch sweeter wa! to live. 3 FE' 'EE= later, after - had covered m!self in m! #icheh and chador, Gostaham and - left the ho&se and wal$ed to his wor$sho# near the -mage of the 'orld. -t was a mild da!, and signs of s#ring were alighting on the Fo&r Gardens district. *he trees had their first shimmer of green, and #&r#le and white h!acinths were %looming in the gardens. *he first da! of the 5ew 0ear was onl! a wee$ awa!. 'e wo&ld cele%rate it on the vernal e,&ino( at twent!" two min&tes #ast five in the morning, the #recise moment when the s&n crossed the celestial e,&ator. Gostaham was loo$ing forward to the 5ew 0ear %eca&se he and his wor$ers wo&ld ta$e a two"wee$ holida!. )e %egan telling me a%o&t the latest #ro.ects. /'e're wor$ing on a r&g right now that has sevent! $nots #er rad.,/ he said #ro&dl!. - sto##ed so s&ddenl! that a m&le driver with a cargo of %rass #ots !elled at me to move o&t of the wa!. 3 rad. was a%o&t the length of m! middle finger. 6! own r&gs might have had as man! as thirt! $nots #er rad., %&t no more. co&ld hardl! imagine wool fine eno&gh to #rod&ce so man! $nots, or fingers nim%le eno&gh to do so. Gostaham la&ghed at m! astonishment. /3nd some are even finer than that,/ he added. *he ro!al r&g wor$sho# was located in its own air! %&ilding near the Great Ba+aar and the hah's #alace. *he

main wor$room was large, with a high ceiling and #lent! of light. *wo, fo&r, or even eight $notters were %&s! at each loom, and man! of the car#ets in #rocess were so long the! had to %e rolled &# at the foot of the loom to allow the wor$ers to $ee# $notting. *he men loo$ed s&r#rised to see a woman in the sho#, %&t when the! saw - was with Gostaham, the! averted their e!es. 6ost were small in stat&re""ever!one $nows that the %est $notters are small""%&t the! all had larger hands than did, and still the! formed $nots that co&ld hardl! %e seen. wondered if - co&ld learn to ma$e even smaller ones. *he first car#et we loo$ed at reminded me of Fo&r Gardens, the #ar$li$e district near Gostaham's home. *he car#et showed fo&r s,&are gardens divided %! canals of water, with roses, t&li#s, lilies, and violets as %ea&tif&l as real ones. Floating a%ove them, a single #each tree with white %lossoms gave life to seedlings in each garden. -t was li$e watching nat&re at wor$, feeding and renewing her own %ea&t!. 3t the ne(t loom we sto##ed to admire, the car#et was so dense with #atterns that m! e!es co&ldn't follow them at first. *he most visi%le design was a red s&n%&rst, which gave %irth to tin! t&r,&oise and indigo %lossoms edged with white. omehow, &n%elieva%l!, the $notters had made a se#arate la!er of c&rved vines and another sim&ltaneo&s la!er of ara%es,&es, as delicate as %reath. 9es#ite the intricac! of these #atterns, none interfered with another, and the car#et seemed to #&lse with life. /)ow do the! ma$e it so fine1/ - as$ed. Gostaham la&ghed at me, %&t it was a $ind la&gh. /*o&ch one of the s$eins,/ he said.

- stood on m! toes to reach a #ale %l&e %all hanging from the to# of the loom. Each thread was thinner and softer than the wool - &sed at home. /-s it sil$1/ - as$ed. /0es./ /'here does it come from1/ /Long ago, a co&#le of 4hristian mon$s who wanted to c&rr! favor with o&r 6ongol con,&erors sm&ggled some cocoons into -ran. 5ow it's o&r %iggest e(#ort, and we sell more of it than the 4hinese,/ he finished with a ch&c$le. -ra., the man in charge of the s&n%&rst r&g, called his wor$ers to their la%ors. 3fter the! settled on their c&shions, he ass&med a cro&ching #osition %ehind the loom and %egan reciting the se,&ence of colors needed for a %l&e" and"white flower. Beca&se the car#et was s!mmetrical, the $notters co&ld wor$ on a similar flower at o##osite ends of the loom. Ever! time -ra. called o&t a color change, two #airs of hands reached sim&ltaneo&sl! for the sil$ and made the $not. *he men held a $nife loosel! in their right hands, which the! &sed to se#arate the $not from its connection to the s$ein. /3%d&llah,/ said -ra. a%r&#tl!, /go %ac$. 0o& missed the change to white./ 3%d&llah &ttered an oath and slashed at a few $nots with his %lade. *he other man stretched while he corrected his mista$e. *hen the chant started &# again, and the! were off. From time to time, - saw -ra. loo$ at a sheet of #a#er to refresh his memor! of what came ne(t. /'h! do the! &se a design on #a#er instead of in their heads1/ - as$ed.

/Beca&se it is an e(act g&ide to where ever! $not and ever! color sho&ld a##ear,/ Gostaham re#lied. /*he res&lts are as close to flawless as an! h&man can attain./ -n m! village, - alwa!s $notted m! #atterns from memor!, inventing little details as - went along. - had %een &sed to thin$ing of m!self as an accom#lished $notter, even tho&gh m! r&gs weren't #erfectl! s!mmetrical, and c&rved sha#es li$e %irds, animals, or flowers often loo$ed more s,&are than ro&nd. B&t now - had seen what master craftsmen co&ld do, wanted to learn ever!thing the! $new. Before ret&rning home, Gostaham decided to chec$ on sales at his alcove in the %a+aar. 3s we twisted and t&rned thro&gh the %a+aar's alle!s, we #assed hammams, mos,&es, caravanserais, schools, endowed wells, and mar$ets for ever!thing, it seemed, that man had ever made or &sed. *he smells told me which section we were #assing, from the nose"tingling s#ice mar$et redolent of cinnamon, to the richness of leather &sed %! the sli##er ma$ers, to the %lood of freshl! sla&ghtered lam% in the meat mar$et, to the cris#ness of flowers that wo&ld soon %e distilled into essences. /-'ve wor$ed here for twent! !ears,/ a r&g merchant told me, /and there are still man! #arts of the %a+aar -'ve never set foot in./ - didn't do&%t his word. 3fter Gostaham #ic$ed &# his recei#ts, we loo$ed at r&gs on dis#la! in other merchants' sho#s. &ddenl!, - noticed a car#et that made me cr! o&t. /Loo$2/ - said. /*here's the r&g - sold to the merchant m! mother was telling !o& a%o&t2/ -t was hanging at the entrance of a sho#. Gostaham a##roached and chec$ed it with e(#ert fingers. /*he $nots are nice and tight,/ he said. /-t's a fine #iece, tho&gh it shows its village roots./

/*he design is a little croo$ed,/ - admitted. -ts flaws were o%vio&s to me now that - had seen %etter things. Gostaham stood loo$ing at the design for some time. /'hat were !o& thin$ing when !o& chose the colors1/ he as$ed. /- wanted it to %e &n&s&al,/ - said. /6ost of the car#ets from m! village &se onl! camel, red, or white./ /- see,/ he said. *he loo$ on his face made me afraid that hadn't chosen wisel!. Gostaham as$ed the merchant to name his #rice. U#on hearing his answer, - was s#eechless for a moment. /'hat's the matter1/ /-t's so e(#ensive, it's as if the!'re as$ing for m! father's %lood,/ - said angril!. /Perha#s we co&ld have s&rvived in m! village if we had %een #aid s&ch a large amo&nt./ )e shoo$ his head sadl!. /0o& deserved m&ch more./ /*han$ !o&,/ - said, /%&t now that -'ve seen !o&r wor$sho#, - $now how m&ch more there is to learn./ /0o& are still ver! !o&ng,/ he re#lied. 6! %lood r&shed to m! head, for - $new e(actl! what wanted and ho#ed that Gostaham wo&ld &nderstand. /'ill !o& teach me1/ - as$ed. )e loo$ed s&r#rised. /'hat more do !o& want to $now1/ /Ever!thing,/ - said. /)ow !o& ma$e s&ch %ea&tif&l designs and color them as if the! were images from heaven./ Gostaham considered for a moment. /- never had a son that - co&ld train to carr! on m! wor$,/ he said. /5either of m! da&ghters ever needed to learn. 'hat a #it! !o&'re not a %o!2 0o&'re the right age to a##rentice in the wor$sho#./

- $new there was no #ossi%ilit! of wor$ing among all those men. /Perha#s - co&ld hel# !o& on !o&r #ro.ects at home""if !o& fo&nd - was good eno&gh,/ - said. /'e'll see,/ he re#lied. )is answer wasn't as enco&raging as - had ho#ed. )e himself had once %egged his master to let him learn, %&t he seemed to have forgotten what that was li$e. /6a! - watch !o& design ;amileh's c&shions1/ - #rom#ted. /- #romise !o&, !o& won't even $now -'m there. -'ll fetch !o& coffee when !o&'re tired and hel# in an! wa! - can./ Gostaham's face softened into a smile, which made his $indl! e!es droo# even f&rther. /-f !o&'re tr&l! interested, !o& m&st as$ Gordi!eh if !o& will have time o&tside of !o&r ho&sehold d&ties,/ he re#lied. /3nd don't feel too %adl! a%o&t !o&r r&g. *hings are m&ch more e(#ensive in the cit!. ;&st remem%er, it's a sign of a##reciation that the #rice was so high, and the r&g dis#la!ed so %oldl!./ )is words soothed me and gave me an idea. - co&ld ma$e another r&g to sell, and #erha#s - wo&ld earn all the mone! that )assan had #oc$eted for himself. *)3* 3F*ER5OO5, - fo&nd Gordi!eh in her rooms loo$ing thro&gh %olts of sil$ velvet %ro&ght %! a visiting merchant. )e had never seen her, of co&rse8 he conve!ed the fa%ric thro&gh her servants and waited in the %irooni while she made her selections. Gordi!eh's fingers were lingering on a %olt #atterned with leaves in a&t&mn shades of red and !ellow. /Loo$ at this2/ she said. /'on't it ma$e a %ea&tif&l long ro%e for cooler weather1/ taring at m! %lac$ mo&rning clothes, - co&ld onl! imagine how it wo&ld feel to wear something so %ea&tif&l. 3fter admiring the thic$ sil$, - told Gordi!eh a%o&t m! visit to the wor$sho# and as$ed if - might %e #ermitted to o%serve

Gostaham when he wor$ed at home. )aving seen how Gordi!eh had melted &nder ;amileh's flatter!, - s#iced m! re,&est with awe over Gostaham's car#et"ma$ing master!. /'h! do !o& want to s#end !o&r time that wa!1/ Gordi!eh as$ed, rel&ctantl! #&tting aside the %olt of sil$. /0o& will never %e allowed to learn in a wor$sho# f&ll of men, nor will !o& %e a%le to do s&ch fine wor$ witho&t an arm! of s#ecialists./ / till, - want to learn,/ - said st&%%ornl!, feeling m! to# and %ottom teeth #ressing against each other. 6! mother said alwa!s loo$ed li$e a m&le when - didn't get m! wa!. Gordi!eh loo$ed do&%tf&l. Remem%ering m! mother's words from a few nights %efore, - added ,&ic$l!, /Perha#s might one da! %ecome good eno&gh to hel# Gostaham with small tas$s for his commissions. *hat wa!, - wo&ld relieve some of the %&rden on him and on !o&r ho&sehold./ *hat idea seemed to #lease Gordi!eh, %&t she wasn't #re#ared to sa! !es. /*here is alwa!s more wor$ in the $itchen than there are hands,/ she re#lied. - was read! with an answer. /- #romise to do ever!thing for 4oo$ that - alwa!s do. 5othing will change in how m&ch hel#./ Gordi!eh t&rned %ac$ to her %olts of sil$. /-n that case,/ she said, /since m! h&s%and has given his a##roval, !o& ma! learn from him, %&t onl! if !o& don't shir$ !o&r other d&ties./ - was so .&%ilant that - #romised to wor$ harder than &s&al, tho&gh - %elieved - was alread! doing as m&ch as an! maid co&ld. 3ll thro&gh the ne(t wee$, - wor$ed long ho&rs alongside m! mother, hamsi, :ohreh, and 4oo$ in #re#aration for the 5ew 0ear. 'e scr&%%ed the ho&se from to# to %ottom and aired o&t all the %lan$ets. 'e lifted the %edrolls, cleaning and

#olishing &nderneath them. 'e filled the ho&se with vases of flowers and with mo&ntains of n&ts, fr&it, and #astries. 'e cleaned what seemed li$e a field of greens for the traditional 5ew 0ear's dish of whole whitefish coo$ed with mint, coriander, and #arsle!. On 5ew 0ear's 9a!, m! mother and - were awa$ened in the dar$ %! the %&stle in the ho&sehold. 3t twent!"two min&tes #ast five, we $issed each other's chee$s and cele%rated with coffee and rosewater #astries. Gostaham and Gordi!eh gave their children gold coins and #resented ever! mem%er of the ho&sehold with a small gift of mone!. said a #ra!er of than$s to God for #ermitting &s to s&rvive the !ear, and for g&iding &s to a ho&sehold with so m&ch to teach me. GO *3)36' 'OR=ROO6 at home was located in the %irooni. -t was a sim#le #lace with car#ets and c&shions on the floors and alcoves for #a#er, in$, #ens, and %oo$s. )e drew his designs sitting cross"legged on a c&shion with a wooden des$ #ro##ed on his la#. - .oined him the da! he %egan the design for ;amileh's c&shions and watched him s$etch a vase of t&li#s #artiall! encircled %! a garland of other flowers. - marveled at how nat&ral his flowers loo$ed and how ,&ic$l! the! s#rang from his #en. Gostaham decided that the %lossoms were to %e #in$ and !ellow, with #ale green leaves, against a %lac$ %ac$gro&nd. *o&ches of silver"wra##ed sil$ thread wo&ld o&tline the %lossoms, as Gordi!eh had #romised. 'hen - commented on how ,&ic$l! he designed the c&shions, he onl! said, /*his is one commission that has alread! cost me far more than it's worth./ *he following da!, he laid o&t a #iece of #a#er that had %een r&led %! one of his assistants with a grid. 'ith great care, he drew the finished t&li# design on to# of the grid and #ainted it with watercolors. *he grid &nderneath remained

visi%le, dividing the design into tho&sands of tin! colored s,&ares, each of which stood for a $not. 'ith this g&ide in hand, the designer co&ld call o&t the colors or the $notter co&ld read it himself, li$e a ma# that tells a traveler where to go. 'hen he was finished, - %egged him to give me a tas$ to #ractice on m! own. *he first thing he ta&ght me was to draw a grid. - too$ #en and in$ to m! little room and #racticed on the floor. -n the %eginning, - had tro&%le managing the flow of in$. -t #ooled and sm&dged, and m! lines were croo$ed and irreg&lar. B&t %efore long, - learned how to di# the #en e(actl!, %r&sh off the e(cess, and ma$e a clean, straight line, &s&all! while holding m! %reath. -t was tedio&s wor$8 one sheet of #a#er too$ me the %etter #art of an afternoon, and when - stood &#, m! legs were stiff and cram#ed. 'hen - was a%le to ma$e a #ro#er grid, Gostaham rewarded me with m! ver! own #en. -t had %een c&t from a reed in the marshes near the 4as#ian ea. 3ltho&gh it weighed little more than a feather, to me it was %etter than a gift of gold. From then on, Gostaham entr&sted me with #re#aring the grids he &sed to ma$e the final designs for #rivate commissions. )e also %egan giving me assignments to im#rove m! drawing s$ills. )e wo&ld toss off s$etches of flowers, leaves, lot&s %lossoms, clo&ds, and animals, and tell me to co#! them e(actl!. - es#eciall! li$ed to co#! com#licated designs that loo$ed li$e flowers within flowers within flowers. 6&ch later, when - had gained more confidence, Gostaham gave me the #attern he had designed for ;amileh's c&shions and told me to reverse it, so that the %o&,&et of t&li#s leaned to the right instead of the left. Larger car#ets often had #atterns that went first one wa!, then the other, so a designer needed to $now how to draw %oth. Ever! afternoon, d&ring the ho&rs when the ho&sehold was

slee#ing, - #racticed drawing. - sang fol$ songs from m! village while - wor$ed, ha##! to %e learning something new. ')E5E7ER - )39 *-6E, - visited 5aheed. 'e were %ecoming close ,&ic$l!, now that we shared not .&st one secret, %&t two. 3fter m! first e(#erience of seeing her name in in$, - had as$ed 5aheed to teach me to write. he gave me lessons in her wor$room whenever - visited. -f an!%od! came to tal$ with &s, - was to #retend - was .&st drawing. -t was not common for a village girl to learn to write. 'e started with the letter alef. -t was sim#le to draw, a heart%eat and the letter was done. /-t is long and tall li$e a minaret,/ said 5aheed, who alwa!s tho&ght of sha#es that wo&ld hel# me remem%er the letters. 3lef. *he first letter in 3llah. *he %eginning of ever!thing. - filled a #age with tall, straight stro$es, watching 5aheed o&t of the corner of m! e!e. ometimes - added a c&rving to# to the letter to give it a long, low so&nd in the throat. 'hen m! efforts had met with 5aheed's a##roval, she ta&ght me the letter %eh, which was c&rved li$e a %owl with a dot &nderneath. *his letter was m&ch tric$ier. 6! %eh's loo$ed graceless and childish com#ared with hers. B&t when she loo$ed over m! la%ors, she was satisfied. /5ow #&t the two together, alef and %eh, and !o& ma$e the most %lessed thing in o&r land,/ said 5aheed. - wrote them together and mo&thed the word a%: water. /'riting is .&st li$e ma$ing r&gs,/ - said. /'hat do !o& mean1/ as$ed 5aheed, with a to&ch of scorn in her voice. he had never made a r&g. - #&t down m! #en to e(#lain. /'ords are made letter %! letter, in the same wa! that r&gs are formed $not %! $not. -f

!o& com%ine different letters, the! ma$e different words, and the same is tr&e when !o& com%ine colors to ma$e different #atterns,/ - said. /B&t writing is from God,/ o%.ected 5aheed. /)e gave &s thirt!"two letters,/ - re#lied, #ro&d that - $new this now, /%&t how do !o& e(#lain that )e gave &s more colors than we can co&nt1/ /- s&##ose that's tr&e,/ said 5aheed, in a tone that made it clear that she tho&ght letters were s&#erior, li$e most ever!one did. 5aheed too$ a dee# %reath and sighed. /- sho&ld %e wor$ing on m! writing e(ercises,/ she said. )er father had given her a %oo$ of calligra#hic drills she was s&##osed to co#! %efore attem#ting to #en a lion that s#elled 3llah"h&" 3$%ar: God is great. /B&t - can't sit an!more,/ she added, her green e!es .&m#ing aro&nd the room. /6! mind is too f&ll./ /4o&ld this have something to do with a handsome #olo #la!er1/ - said. /- fo&nd o&t his name: -s$andar,/ 5aheed said, #rono&ncing it with o%vio&s delight. /3nd what a%o&t his famil!1/ he loo$ed awa!. /- don't $now./ /3nd does he $now who !o& are1/ - as$ed, feeling .ealo&s. 5aheed smiled her #rettiest smile. /- thin$ he's starting to $now,/ she said. /)ow1/ /Last wee$, - went to the -mage of the 'orld with a friend to watch the #olo game. -s$andar scored so man! goals for his team that the s#ectators roared with e(citement. 3fter the game, - wal$ed to where the #la!ers were %eing congrat&lated and #retended to carr! on a conversation with

m! friend &ntil - was s&re he noticed &s. *hen - fli##ed &# m! #icheh as if - needed to ad.&st it and let him see m! face./ /0o& didn't2/ /- did,/ 5aheed said tri&m#hantl!. /)e stared, and it was as if his heart had t&rned into a %ird that had fo&nd the right s#ot for its nest. )e co&ldn't sto# loo$ing, even after - had covered m! face./ /B&t now how will he find !o&1/ /- shall have to $ee# going to the games &ntil he $nows who - am./ /Be caref&l,/ - said. 5aheed loo$ed at me with slightl! narrowed e!es, as if she wasn't s&re she co&ld tr&st me. /0o& wo&ld never tell an!one, wo&ld !o&1/ /Of co&rse not: -'m !o&r friend2/ 5aheed loo$ed &nconvinced. 3%r&#tl!, she t&rned awa! and called for a servant, who ret&rned soon with refreshments. 5aheed offered me a vessel of coffee and a #late of dates. - ref&sed the fr&it a few times, %&t since it wo&ld have %een im#olite to insist, - selected a small date and #laced it in m! mo&th. -t too$ all m! s#irit to #revent m!self from ma$ing a childish face of disg&st. - swallowed the date ,&ic$l! and e.ected the #it. 5aheed was watching me closel!. /'as it good1/ One of the stoc$ #hrases r&shed to m! li#s""/0o&r hos#italit! shames me, !o&r o%edient servant/""%&t - co&ldn't sa! it. - shifted on m! c&shion and g&l#ed a mo&thf&l of coffee while - tried to thin$ of what to sa!. /-t's so&r,/ - said finall!. 5aheed la&ghed so hard that her slender %od! shoo$ li$e a c!#ress in the wind. /0o& are so m&ch !o&rself2/ she said. /'hat else co&ld - sa! %&t the tr&th1/ - as$ed.

/ o man! things,/ she re#lied. /0esterda!, - served the same dates to friends, incl&ding the girl - too$ to the #olo game. he ate one and said, '*he dates of #aradise m&st %e li$e these,' and another girl added, 'B&t these are sweeter.' tasted a date after the! left and discovered the tr&th./ 5aheed sighed. /-'m tired of s&ch ta'arof,/ she said. /- wish #eo#le wo&ld .&st %e honest./ /Peo#le from m! village have a re#&tation for %eing #lain" s#o$en,/ - re#lied, not $nowing what else to sa!. /*hat's one of the things - li$e a%o&t !o&,/ she re#lied. Right %efore - rose to go, 5aheed as$ed if - wo&ld grant her a s#ecial favor. /-t's a%o&t the #olo games,/ she said. /6! friend is too afraid to accom#an! me an! longer, so will !o& come instead1/ - imagined that the games wo&ld %e f&ll of !o&ng men who assem%led in #ac$s and sho&ted for their favorite teams. Even tho&gh - was new to the cit!, - $new it was not a #lace for two girls of marriagea%le age to go alone. /3ren't !o& worried a%o&t what !o&r #arents wo&ld thin$1/ /9on't !o& &nderstand1""- have to go,/ she said with a #leading loo$ in her e!es. /B&t how will we do it witho&t o&r families $nowing1/ /-'ll sa! that -'m visiting !o&, and !o&'ll tell !o&r famil! !o&'re visiting me. 'e'll %e wra##ed &# in o&r chadors and o&r #ichehs, so no one will recogni+e &s once we leave the ho&se./ /- don't $now,/ - said do&%tf&ll!. 3 loo$ of disdain clo&ded 5aheed's e!es, and - tho&ght m&st seem s#ineless. - didn't want her to thin$ of me that wa!, so - agreed to accom#an! her and hel# her ensnare her %eloved.

53)EE9 )39 URPR- E9 me with her %oldness in showing a glim#se of herself to a man she admired. Onl! a few da!s later, - revealed m!self to a man - had never seen %efore. -t was a *h&rsda! afternoon, and - was ret&rning from the hammam with m! hair still wet. 3s soon as - #assed thro&gh the tall, heav! door that led into Gostaham's home, tore off m! chador, m! #icheh, and m! head scarf and shoo$ m! hair free. - failed to notice a stranger waiting to %e shown in to see Gostaham8 a servant m&st have .&st gone to anno&nce him. )e wore a m&lticolored t&r%an shot with golden thread, and a %l&e sil$ ro%e over a #ale orange t&nic. - ca&ght a faint, fresh whiff of grass and horses. - was so startled - said, /0a, 3li2/ -f the stranger had %een #olite, he wo&ld have loo$ed awa!. -nstead, he $e#t his e!es fi(ed on me, en.o!ing ever! min&te of m! s&r#rise and discomfit&re. /'ell, don't .&st stand there loo$ing2/ - sna##ed, wal$ing ,&ic$l! to the andarooni, the #art of the ho&se where women were safe from male e!es. Behind me, he %&rst o&t la&ghing. 'ho was this insolent fellow1 *here was no one aro&nd to as$. *o find o&t, - flew &# to the second floor of the ho&se, which was little more than a #assage to the roof. 'e &sed it to go o&tside and hang la&ndr!. Li$e all the women of the ho&se, - had discovered that there was a tin! noo$ off the stairwell where - co&ld hide and o%serve events occ&rring in the Great Room. *he #laster flowers and vines that adorned the walls formed a lattice thro&gh which - co&ld see and hear. Peering into the room, - saw the well"dressed stranger sitting in the #lace of honor and heard Gostaham sa!ing /. . . dee#l! honored to %e the instr&ment of !o&r desires./ - had never heard him tal$ so res#ectf&ll! to an!one, #artic&larl! not to a man half his age. - ho#ed - hadn't ins&lted an!one too im#ortant. - too$ a more caref&l loo$ at

the visitor. )is slim waist, erect %earing, and s&n"dar$ened s$in made me s&s#ect that he was a trained horseman. )e had thic$, f&++! e!e%rows that met #erfectl! a%ove his nose, dominating e!es sha#ed li$e half"moons. )is long nose c&rved toward his li#s, which were #l&m# and ver! red. )e wore a %eard cro##ed close to his s$in. )e was not handsome, !et he had a #owerf&l %ea&t! li$e a leo#ard's. 'hile Gostaham s#o$e, the visitor s&c$ed on a water #i#e, narrowing his e!es with #leas&re as he inhaled. Even from m! #erch - co&ld smell the sweet to%acco c&red with fr&it, which made the inside of m! nose tingle. Gostaham made s&re that his g&est felt welcome %! inviting him to converse a%o&t his recent travels. /*he whole town is tal$ing of the arm!'s e(#loits in the north,/ he said. /'e wo&ld %e most honored if !o& wo&ld tell &s !o&rself what ha##ened./ *he visitor reco&nted how one h&ndred tho&sand Ottomans had %om%arded a fortress that g&arded the co&ntr!'s northwestern frontier. )idden in t&nnels, the! had h&rled cannon%alls at its gates. /For man! da!s, we tho&ght that God had chosen to give victor! to the other side,/ he said. From inside the fortress, he led a team of men thro&gh Ottoman lines to %ring %ac$ s&##lies that hel#ed the arm! withstand the siege. 3fter two and a half months, the Ottomans %egan to starve. 3%o&t fort! tho&sand soldiers were dead %! the time their arm! %egan its retreat. /*he men inside the fortress were starving as well,/ said the visitor. /*oward the end, we were eating nothing %&t %read made o&t of flo&r crawling with %&gs. 3fter a si("month cam#aign, - am gratef&l ever! time - eat hot %read coo$ed in m! own oven./ /3s an! man wo&ld %e,/ said Gostaham.

*he visitor #a&sed, drawing smo$e from the water #i#e. /Of co&rse, a man never $nows what will ha##en while he is at %attle,/ he said. /- have a three"!ear"old da&ghter, dearer to me than m! own e!es. he grew ill with cholera while - was gone and has s&rvived onl! thro&gh the grace of God./ /3l'hamd'3llah./ /3s her father, - am %o&nd to give alms in than$s for her s&rvival./ /-t is the act of a tr&e 6&slim,/ agreed Gostaham. /*he last time - visited the eminar! of the Fo&r Gardens,/ said the visitor, /- noticed that some of their floor coverings had %ecome thread%are./ )e s&c$ed on the water #i#e and e(haled slowl!, while we waited and ho#ed. /B&t even as - consider commissioning a car#et to glorif! God, - have a s#ecial desire,/ he contin&ed. /*his car#et is to %e made to give than$s for m! da&ghter's health, and want it to contain talismans to #rotect her in the f&t&re./ /'ith God's grace,/ said Gostaham, /!o&r child shall alwa!s %e free of illness./ 3t that moment - heard Gordi!eh calling m! name, so had to go. - ho#ed she might tell me more. - fo&nd her in the co&rt!ard e(amining several don$e!loads of #istachios from =erman, which 3li"3sghar was &nloading into the storerooms. *he! needed another hand. /'ho is o&r visitor1/ - as$ed her. /Fere!doon, the son of a wealth! horse trader,/ she said. /'e co&ld do nothing %etter for o&r f&t&re than a##eal to his heart./ /-s he . . . ver! wealth!1/ - as$ed, tr!ing to ga&ge how im#ortant he was.

/0es,/ she re#lied. /)is father %reeds some of the finest 3ra%ian stallions in the land on farms in the north. )e &sed to %e .&st a co&ntr! farmer, %&t he has made a lot of mone! now that ever!one wants to own a horse of stat&s./ 5o one in m! village had a horse of stat&s, for even a nag cost more than most #eo#le co&ld afford. - s&##osed she meant the high"class families of -sfahan. /Fere!doon's famil! is %&!ing ho&ses all over the co&ntr!, and each one will need r&gs,/ Gordi!eh contin&ed. /-f we can #lease Fere!doon, we co&ld earn a fort&ne from his famil! alone./ Gordi!eh handed me a few #istachios to eat while we were &nloading the heav! sac$s. - loved #istachios, %&t - felt discomfited inside. *oo often, m! tong&e lea#t o&t ahead of me. 5ow that - was in a new cit!, - m&st learn to %e more caref&l, for - hardl! $new a man of #ower from a servant. Later, Gordi!eh told me that Fere!doon had commissioned a r&g and had #romised to #a! a ver! good #rice. - was so relieved that - offered to hel# Gostaham in an! wa! - co&ld. -n cele%ration of the da!'s good fort&ne, Gordi!eh freed me from most of m! ho&sehold tas$s, and went to visit 5aheed. 3F*ER FERE09OO5' 7- -*, Gostaham #&shed aside all his other commissions and %egan wor$ing on the new design, and - .oined him in his wor$room and watched him s$etch. - was e(#ecting the design to emerge as easil! as it had with ;amileh's c&shions, %&t now it was as if a demon had #ossessed his #en. )e wor$ed at the design for ho&rs %efore fli##ing over the sheet of #a#er and starting over. 'hen he didn't li$e the new design an! %etter, he %alled &# the #a#er and threw it across the room. Gostaham's hands %ecame %lac$ with in$, and soon the wor$room was littered with a%andoned designs. 'hen

hamsi tried to clean it, he roared, /)ow can - finish m! wor$ if !o& $ee# %othering me1/ From time to time, he got &# and #ic$ed thro&gh the discarded sheets of #a#er, searching for an idea. *he onl! reason he tolerated m! #resence was that - $e#t ,&iet. 'hen he needed more #a#er, - #re#ared a new #iece of the right si+e, and when his in$ was r&nning low, - refilled his %ottle. -f he loo$ed tired, - fetched coffee and dates to revive him. 3 few da!s later, when Gordi!eh saw the mess, she tried another tactic, com#laining a%o&t the cost of the #a#er. /'oman of mine,/ Gostaham %ellowed, /sta! clear2 *his is not .&st an! car#et for an! man2/ 'hile Gostaham was #reocc&#ied with his drawings, tho&ght a%o&t the talismans Fere!doon had re,&ested in his r&g. -n m! village, we &sed to $not in all manner of s!m%ols, li$e roosters to enco&rage fertilit! or scissors as #rotection against evil s#irits. B&t village s!m%ols wo&ld have loo$ed #ec&liar in a cit! r&g, and in an! case, a r&g designed for a religio&s school m&st show no living creat&res e(ce#t for trees, #lants, and flowers, to avoid the worshi# of idols. One afternoon, when Gostaham had cast aside !et another sheet of #a#er and left the room in a rage, - #&t m! hand to m! nec$ and to&ched a #iece of .ewelr! that m! father had given me as #rotection against the Evil E!e. -t was a silver triangle with a hol! carnelian in its center, and often to&ched it for %lessings. Even tho&gh - $new sho&ldn't, - #ic$ed &# Gostaham's #en and #a#er and %egan to draw. - was not thin$ing ver! hard, .&st en.o!ing the feeling of the #en sliding across the #age, and - watched it ma$e the sha#e of a triangle with a circle in its center, .&st li$e m! nec$lace. 3t the %ottom of the triangle, - attached delicate hanging sha#es resem%ling %eads, coins, and gems.

Gostaham ret&rned to the room, loo$ing tired. /'hat are !o& doing1/ he as$ed, as - di##ed the #en in his in$. /;&st #la!ing,/ - said a#ologeticall!, ret&rning the reed to the #en rest. Gostaham's face seemed to grow %igger &nder his t&r%an, which loo$ed as if it might e(#lode off his head. /0o&r father is a dog2/ he sho&ted. /5o one to&ches m! #en witho&t m! #ermission2/ Gostaham reclaimed the #en and in$ with an angr! loo$. sat as still as a loom, fearing he wo&ld !ell at me again. )e ,&ic$l! %ecame #reocc&#ied once again %! the #ro%lem of the design, %&t - co&ld see from his f&rrowed %row that he didn't li$e what came forth. 'ith an e(as#erated sigh, he got &# and wal$ed aro&nd the room, #assing near me. )e snatched the #a#er - had %een wor$ing on, m&m%ling that he might as well &se the other side. *hen he stared at the #age. /'hat's this1/ he as$ed. - fl&shed as Gostaham ret&rned to his c&shion. /-t's a talisman,/ - said, /li$e Fere!doon wanted./ Gostaham stared at the #a#er for a long time, while - $e#t m! #eace. Before long, he %ecame a%sor%ed in a new drawing, and his #en seemed to fl! over his wor$. - watched him transform the cr&de, sim#le drawing - had made into a thing of %ea&t!. )e s$etched triang&lar sha#es with hanging %eads, coins, and gems, connecting them so that the! formed a delicate tiered design. *he sha#es loo$ed #rett! and daint!, which is how - imagined Fere!doon's da&ghter. 'hen he was finished, Gostaham loo$ed #leased for the first time in wee$s. /Good wor$ on the s$etches,/ he said, %&t - also saw an em%er of anger in his e!es. /Let me ma$e it clearer than da!light that !o& m&st never, ever to&ch m! #en again./

Loo$ing down at the car#et, - %egged forgiveness for %eing so %old. Later - told m! mother that - had contri%&ted to the design, %&t not e(actl! how, for she wo&ld have tho&ght me rash. 5ot long after, Gostaham too$ the design to Fere!doon for his a##roval. )e had never seen a design li$e it %efore and wanted to $now where it had come from. Gostaham was sec&re eno&gh in his own master! to tell him that a distant relation had contri%&ted to the dangling gems design. /-t's so delicate, .&st li$e m! girl,/ Fere!doon had re#lied. /-ndeed,/ Gostaham said, /it is %ased on women's .ewelr! from the so&th./ Fere!doon had imitated the so&thern accent, and Gostaham had la&ghed and told him that was how his visiting niece tal$ed. Remem%ering the wa! - had sna##ed at Fere!doon in that ver! accent, - reali+ed that he now $new e(actl! who - was. - consoled m!self that he m&st not have ta$en offense at m! a%r&#t words, for he had acce#ted the design. 3fter his meeting with Fere!doon, Gostaham #raised me and told m! mother - had %een a lo!al hel#er. 3s a reward, he #romised to ta$e me to see a s#ecial r&g, which he descri%ed as one of the lights of the age. BE43U E FERE09OO5' 4O66- -O5 was so im#ortant, Gostaham decided to have the wool for the car#et d!ed to his s#ecifications. )e favored a d!er named ;ahanshah who had a sho# on the %an$s of the Eternal River, and he allowed me to accom#an! him one morning to see how he commissioned indigo, that most coveted of colors, whose reci#e is cloa$ed in secrec!. ;ahanshah had thic$ white e!e%rows, a white %eard, and r&dd! chee$s. )e greeted &s near his metal #ots, which

were f&ll of water. ince the #ots were cool, - tho&ght he had forgotten a%o&t o&r visit. /)er first time1/ ;ahanshah as$ed Gostaham. /0es./ /3h2/ he re#lied, with a %road smile. /'atch closel!./ )e wet a few s$eins of wool and #&t them gentl! into a #ot. *he water inside was a strange greenish color, and when - #eered at the wool, it loo$ed &nchanged. 'e sat on stools overloo$ing the river. 'hile the men disc&ssed the rising #rice of lam%'s wool, - watched #edestrians cross the old hahrestan Bridge, with its thic$ #ilings, %&ilt fo&r cent&ries %efore - was %orn. Older still were the swordli$e :agros 6o&ntains, which thr&st their #ointed ti#s heavenward as if to carve the s$!. 5o one had ever clim%ed to the to# of those m!sterio&s #ea$s, not even she#herds. 3 g&st of wind lifted off the water, threatening to #&ll off m! head cloth. - held the ends down and waited im#atientl! for ;ahanshah to add the magical indigo, %&t he seemed in no h&rr!. 'e dran$ tea while he lang&idl! stirred the wool. 5ear%!, another d!e ma$er was hard at wor$ over his %oiling #ots. )e #o&red in a %ag of dried !ellow lar$s#&r flowers, which danced their wa! into the li,&id and whirled into a %right strea$ of !ellow. - watched him dro# in the s$eins of white wool. *he! lic$ed &# the shade, transforming into the color of s&nshine. - wanted to o%serve more closel!, %&t ;ahanshah handed me a #ronged tool and said, /Lift o&t one of m! s$eins./ - di##ed the tool into his #ot and fished &ntil - ca&ght a s$ein, which - raised in the air. -t had t&rned an &na##ealing shade of green, li$e the #&ddles left %ehind %! a sic$ horse.

- t&rned to ;ahanshah, #&++led. /3ren't !o& going to add the indigo1/ - as$ed. )e %&rst o&t la&ghing, and Gostaham .oined him while stood holding the dri##ing s$ein. - co&ldn't see an! reason for their great mirth. /9on't ta$e !o&r e!es off the wool,/ Gostaham said. For some reason, the s$ein didn't loo$ as sic$l! as %efore. - %lin$ed, feeling li$e one of those wear! travelers who imagine greener! in the desert. B&t %lin$ing didn't change what - saw: *he s$ein now %ore the color of a #ale emerald. 3fter a few moments, it changed into an intense green li$e the first leaves of s#ring, which dee#ened into a %l&e"green, #erha#s li$e the 4as#ian ea, and then %ecame dee#er still, li$e the color at the %ottom of a la$e. - thr&st the #rong toward ;ahanshah and e(claimed, /6a! God #rotect &s from the tric$s of .inn2/ ;ahanshah la&ghed again and said, /9on't worr!, it is onl! one of the tric$s of man./ *he s$ein was now s&ch a rich %l&e that it %ro&ght .o! to m! e!es with its %o&ndlessness and de#th. - watched it, ama+ed, and then - demanded, /3gain2/ ;ahanshah let me #&ll o&t another s$ein and o%serve its transformation thro&gh a rain%ow of green and %l&e h&es &ntil it %ecame a rich la#is la+&li. /)ow1/ - as$ed, astonished. B&t ;ahanshah onl! smiled. /*hat has %een a famil! secret for a little more than a tho&sand !ears,/ he said, /ever since the Pro#het 6ohammad led his followers to 6edina, home of m! ancestors./ Gostaham wanted the wool to %e a slightl! dar$er h&e, so ;ahanshah immersed it again &ntil Gostaham was satisfied. *hen he c&t a strand of it for Gostaham and $e#t the rest for

himself, so %oth men wo&ld %e a%le to verif! the color of the order. 'hen we arrived home, - had hardl! removed m! o&tdoor coverings %efore - as$ed Gostaham what - co&ld do ne(t. )e loo$ed s&r#rised. /9on't !o& want to rest1/ /5ot even for a moment,/ - said, for seeing the magic of indigo had made me eager. Gostaham smiled and #&t me to wor$ on another grid. From then on, the more - %egged Gostaham to allow me to hel# him, the more he wanted me %! his side. *here was alwa!s something to do: grids to %e drawn, colors to %e mi(ed, #a#er to %e si+ed. Before long, he let me co#! the sim#lest #arts of his designs onto the master grid. ometimes, he even snatched me awa! from $itchen wor$. relished those moments, for - des#ised the long ho&rs of cleaning and cho##ing. 'hen he %ec$oned to me, relin,&ished m! $nife or mortar and #estle gratef&ll! to .oin him. *he other servants m&m%led with indignation %ehind me, es#eciall! 4oo$, who as$ed sarcasticall! if the deer and onagers - was learning to draw wo&ld fill m! %ell! at the evening meal. Gordi!eh didn't li$e it, either. /'ith so man! mo&ths to feed, ever!one has to hel#,/ she once said, %&t Gostaham ignored her. 'ith m! assistance, he was starting to com#lete his commissions more ,&ic$l!, and - thin$ he en.o!ed m! com#an! d&ring the long ho&rs of design wor$, for no one co&ld have %een more $een. *hings were not as eas! in -sfahan for m! mother. he remained in the $itchen at Gordi!eh's merc! and had to do the .o%s - left %ehind. Gordi!eh alwa!s corrected her wor$ as if scornf&l of o&r village wa!s. - %elieve she felt m! mother's resistance to her and tried to %rea$ it whenever she co&ld. he m&st rinse the rice si( times, no more or less, to remove the starch8 m&st c&t the radishes lengthwise instead of into

roses8 m&st ma$e chic$#ea coo$ies with e(tra #istachio chi#s on the o&tside8 !et for the heavenl! shar%at, m&st &se less fr&it and more rose water. 6! mother, who had %een mistress of her own ho&sehold since she was m! age, was %eing ordered aro&nd li$e a child. One da!, d&ring the afternoon rest, m! mother %&rst into o&r little room so angr! that - co&ld feel the heat %&rning off her s$in. /3!, =hoda,/ she said, calling on God for merc!, /- can't %ear it an!more2/ /'hat is it1 'hat ha##ened1/ / he didn't li$e the #astries - made,/ re#lied m! mother. / he wanted s,&ares, not ovals2 - had to throw all the do&gh to the dogs and ma$e it again./ *hat $ind of waste wo&ld have %een &nimagina%le in m! village, %&t Gordi!eh demanded #erfection. /-'m sorr!,/ - said, feeling g&ilt!. - had s#ent the da! with Gostaham, and m! wor$ had %een #leasant and light. /-t's not .&st the #astr!,/ m! mother said. /-'m tired of %eing a servant. -f onl! !o&r father were alive, we co&ld %e in o&r own home again, doing things o&r own wa!2/ - tried to console her, for - loved what - was learning. /3t least now we eat well and have no fear of starving./ /Unless she throws &s o&t./ /'h! wo&ld she do that1/ 6! mother snorted in e(as#eration. /0o& have no idea how m&ch Gordi!eh wo&ld li$e to %e rid of &s,/ she said. he was e(aggerating, - tho&ght. /B&t loo$ at how m&ch we do for the ho&sehold2/ he $ic$ed off her shoes and colla#sed on her %edroll. )er feet were %right red from standing so long while ma$ing

the #astr!. /Oh, how the! ache2/ she moaned. - arose and #&t a c&shion &nderneath them. /-n Gordi!eh's mind, we are draining this ho&sehold, !et we're not hired hel# that she can dismiss whenever she li$es. he told me toda! that do+ens of -sfahani women wo&ld give one of their e!es to wor$ in her $itchen. 'omen who are !o&ng and who can wor$ long and hard witho&t com#laint. 5ot women who want to s#end val&a%le $itchen time learning a%o&t r&gs./ /'hat can we do1/ - as$ed. /'e can onl! #ra! for a h&s%and for !o& so that !o& can start a ho&sehold of !o&r own,/ she said. /3 good man who will consider it his d&t! to care for !o&r mother./ - had tho&ght the disc&ssions a%o&t m! marriage had ended now that we had nothing to offer. /'itho&t a dowr!, how am - to find s&ch a h&s%and1/ 6! mother stretched her feet to release the #ain. /'hat an &n$ind comet, to have ta$en him awa! %efore !o& were settled2/ she com#lained. /- have decided to ma$e her%al remedies and sell them to neigh%ors to hel# %&ild a dowr! for !o&. 'e m&st not wait m&ch longer,/ she added, in a tone of warning. -t was tr&e that - was getting old. Ever!one - $new had %een married %! the age of si(teen, and most were married well %efore. /- will start another car#et for m! dowr!,/ - #romised. /6arr!ing !o& is the onl! wa! we can ho#e to live on o&r own again,/ said m! mother. he t&rned awa! and fell aslee# almost immediatel!. - wished there were a wa! to ma$e her life sweeter. - t&rned toward 6ecca and #ra!ed for a s#eed! end to the evil infl&ences of the comet.

O5E E7E5-5G, when - didn't have an!thing to do, #ic$ed &# a large #iece of #a#er Gostaham had thrown awa! and too$ it to the room - shared with m! mother. )&nching &nder an oil lam#, - %egan drawing a design for a car#et that - ho#ed wo&ld grace a wealth! man's g&est room and ma$e his other r&gs %l&sh. 6! design was filled with all the motifs had %een learning""- managed to fit in ever! one of them. s$etched lea#ing steeds, #eacoc$s with m&lticolored tails, ga+elles feeding on grasses, elongated c!#ress trees, #ainted vases, #ools of water, swimming d&c$s, and silver fish, all connected %! vines, leaves, and flowers. 'hile - was wor$ing, - tho&ght a%o&t an &nforgetta%le car#et - had seen in the %a+aar. -t showed a magnificent tree, %&t rather than s#ro&ting leaves, its %ranches ended in the heads of ga+elles, lions, onagers, and %ears. *he merchant called it a /va,"va, tree,/ and it ill&strated a #oem in which the animals disc&ssed h&mans and their m!sterio&s wa!s. - tho&ght that s&ch a tree co&ld gossi# all night a%o&t the m!steries of o&r new ho&sehold. - waited &ntil Gostaham seemed in a cheerf&l mood %efore as$ing if - co&ld show him the design. )e seemed s&r#rised %! the re,&est, %&t %ec$oned me to follow him into his wor$room. 'e sat on c&shions, and he &nrolled the #a#er onto the floor in front of &s. -t was so ,&iet in the room that - co&ld hear the last call to #ra!er from the Frida! mos,&e. *he evening caller, who sat high in the minaret, had a clear, sweet voice that alwa!s filled me with ha##iness and ho#e. - tho&ght his call might %e a good omen. Gostaham glanced at the design for onl! a moment. /'hat's the meaning of all this1/ he as$ed, loo$ing at me. /'"well,/ - stammered, /- wanted to ma$e something ver! fine, something that. . ./ 3n &n#leasant silence fell on the room. Gostaham #&shed aside the #a#er, which c&rled &# and rolled awa!. /Listen,

.oonam,/ he said, /!o& #ro%a%l! thin$ that car#ets are .&st things""things to %&!, sell, and sit down on. B&t once !o& %ecome initiated as a r&g ma$er, !o& learn that their #&r#ose is m&ch greater, for those who care to see./ /- $now that,/ - said, altho&gh - didn't gras# what he meant. /0o& thin$ !o& $now,/ said Gostaham. / o tell me""what do all these #atterns have in common1/ - tried to thin$ of something, %&t - co&ldn't. - had drawn them %eca&se the! were #rett! decorations. /5othing,/ finall! admitted. /4orrect,/ said Gostaham, sighing as if he had never had to wor$ ,&ite this hard %efore. )e t&gged at one side of his t&r%an as if tr!ing to #&ll o&t a tho&ght. /'hen - was a%o&t !o&r age,/ he said, /- learned a stor! in hira+ that affected me dee#l!. -t was a%o&t *amerlane, the 6ongolian con,&eror who lim#ed his wa! toward -sfahan more than two h&ndred !ears ago and ordered o&r #eo#le to s&rrender or %e destro!ed. Even so, o&r cit! revolted against his iron hand. -t was a small re%ellion with no militar! might %ehind it, %&t in revenge *amerlane had his soldiers r&n their swords thro&gh fift! tho&sand citi+ens. Onl! one gro&# was s#ared: the r&g ma$ers, whose val&e was too great for them to %e destro!ed. Even after that calamit!, do !o& thin$ the r&g ma$ers $notted death, destr&ction, and chaos into their r&gs1/ /5o,/ - said softl!. /5ever, not once2/ re#lied Gostaham, his voice rising. /-f an!thing, the designers created images of even more #erfect %ea&t!. *his is how we, the r&g ma$ers, #rotest all that is evil. O&r res#onse to cr&elt!, s&ffering, and sorrow is to remind the world of the face of %ea&t!, which can %est restore a man's tran,&illit!, cleanse his heart of evil, and lead

him to the #ath of tr&th. 3ll r&g ma$ers $now that %ea&t! is a tonic li$e no other. B&t witho&t &nit!, there can %e no %ea&t!. 'itho&t integrit!, there can %e no %ea&t!. 5ow do !o& &nderstand1/ - loo$ed at m! design again, and it was as if - were seeing it thro&gh Gostaham's e!es. -t was a design that tried to cover its ignorance thro&gh %old #atterns, one that wo&ld sell onl! to an &nwashed farangi who didn't $now %etter. /'ill !o& hel# me ma$e it right1/ - as$ed in a mee$ voice. /- will,/ said Gostaham, reaching for his #en. )is corrections were so severe that there was almost nothing left of m! design. Using a fresh sheet of #a#er, he chose to draw .&st one of the motifs that - had selected: a teardro#"sha#ed %oteh called a mother and da&ghter %eca&se it had its own #rogen! within it. )e drew it neatl! and cleanl!, intending for there to %e three across the car#et and seven down. *hat was all8 and !et it was far more %ea&tif&l than the design had made. -t was a so%ering lesson. - felt as if - had more to learn than - had time on earth. - leaned %ac$ in the c&shions, feeling tired. Gostaham leaned %ac$, too. /-'ve never $nown someone as eager to learn as !o&,/ he said. - tho&ght #erha#s he had""himself. 0et - felt ashamed8 it was not a womanl! ,&alit! to %e so eager, - $new. /Ever!thing changed after m! father . . ./ /-ndeed, it was the worst l&c$ for !o& and 6aheen,/ Gostaham said gravel!. /Perha#s it's not s&ch a %ad thing for !o& to distract !o&rself %! learning./ - had more than distraction on m! mind. /- was ho#ing that with !o&r #ermission, - might ma$e the car#et !o& .&st designed for &se as m! dowr! . . . in case - ever need one./

/-t's not a %ad idea,/ said Gostaham. /B&t how will !o& afford the wool1/ /- wo&ld have to %orrow the mone!,/ - re#lied. Gostaham considered for a moment. /*ho&gh it wo&ld %e sim#le com#ared with the car#ets we ma$e at the ro!al wor$sho#, it wo&ld certainl! %e worth man! times more than the cost of the wool./ /- wo&ld wor$ ver! hard,/ - said. /- #romise - won't disa##oint !o&./ Gostaham was loo$ing at me in a fi(ed fashion, and for a moment he didn't sa! an!thing. 3ll of a s&dden, he .&m#ed off his c&shion as if he had %een startled %! a .inn. /'hat is it1/ - as$ed, alarmed. Gostaham &ttered a %ig sigh and settled %ac$ into the c&shions. /For a moment,/ he said, /- had the strangest feeling that - was sitting ne(t to m! !o&nger self./ - smiled, remem%ering his stor!. /*he !o&ng man who gave his finest #ossession to a shah1/ /*he ver! one./ /- wo&ld have done the same thing./ /- $now,/ said Gostaham. /3nd therefore, as a tri%&te to all the good fort&ne that has come to m! door, - will give !o& m! #ermission to ma$e the r&g. 'hen !o& finish it, !o& can $ee# what !o& earn after #a!ing me %ac$ for the wool. B&t remem%er: 0o& are still res#onsi%le to Gordi!eh for !o&r ho&sehold d&ties./ - %ent and $issed Gostaham's feet %efore going to tell m! mother the good news. 53)EE9 9-95'* )37E to tro&%le herself with ma$ing her own dowr!, %&t she had other #ro%lems. 'hen she $noc$ed at Gostaham's door and invited me to visit her, - $new what she wanted to do. ometimes we went to her ho&se and -

contin&ed m! writing lessons &nder her s&#ervision. Other times, instead of going where we said we wo&ld, we too$ a shortc&t to the -mage of the 'orld and went to the #erch near the %a+aar where 5aheed had first shown -s$andar a glim#se of her face. - watched in fascination the #eo#le milling aro&nd d&ring the game""s&n%&rned soldiers with long swords, dervishes with ragged hair and %egging %owls, strolling minstrels, -ndians with trained mon$e!s, 4hristians who lived across the ;&lfa Bridge, traveling merchants come to trade their wares, veiled women with their h&s%ands. 'e tried to lose o&rselves in the crowd, as if we were attached to the families aro&nd &s. 'hen the game started, 5aheed so&ght o&t her %eloved and followed his form the wa! other s#ectators followed the %all, her %od! straining toward his. -s$andar was handsome li$e 0&s&f, who in tales was so renowned for his %ea&t! that he made women lose their reason. - remem%ered a line that m! mother alwa!s &sed: /Blinded %! his %ea&t!, the Eg!#tian ladies merril! sliced their own fingers, their shin! red %lood dri##ing onto the #&r#le #l&ms./ *he! wo&ld have done the same for -s$andar, - tho&ght. - was es#eciall! drawn to the %ea&t! of his mo&th. )is white, even teeth s#ar$led li$e stars when he smiled. wondered how it wo&ld feel to %e a girl li$e 5aheed, who co&ld set her heart on s&ch a man and con,&er him. - had no s&ch ho#es of m! own. One afternoon, we arrived at the s,&are .&st %efore the game started. - noticed that #eo#le $e#t loo$ing toward the hah's #alace with an air of e(citement. &ddenl!, the ro!al tr&m#ets %lasted and the hah emerged onto his %alcon! high a%ove the s,&are. )e wore a long dar$ %l&e velvet ro%e em%roidered with small golden flowers, a green t&nic, and a sash that married la!ers of green, %l&e, and gold. )is t&r%an was white, with an emerald aigrette8 his m&stache was long

and gra!8 and even at a distance - co&ld see that most of his teeth were missing. /7ohhh2/ - said in s&r#rise and awe at m! first glim#se of ro!alt!. 5aheed la&ghed at me, for she was a child of the cit!. *he hah sat &#on a low throne #laced in the middle of a %l&e"and"gold car#et. Once he was comforta%le, the men in his retin&e $nelt aro&nd him in a semicircle and sat %ac$ on their heels. *he hah made a sign with his hand and the game %egan. 'hen - had had m! fill of staring at him thro&gh m! #icheh, - left 5aheed to e(amine the car#ets for sale in the %a+aar. - didn't en.o! #olo that m&ch, with all the d&st and dirt $ic$ed &# %! the horses, and the #eo#le weaving %ac$ and forth for a %etter view and !elling o&t for their favorites. chec$ed on the car#et that - had made and discovered that it was no longer hanging in the sho#. *he merchant told me it had sold the da! %efore to a foreigner. 'hen - ret&rned to 5aheed's side to tell her the news, her res#onse was short and f&ll of re#roach. he wore her #icheh and chador so she co&ldn't %e recogni+ed, %&t still, she o&ghtn't to %e there at all, and to %e seen alone was even worse. he needed me. 5aheed t&rned %ac$ to the game. he was ho#ing for a sign from -s$andar, even tho&gh the s,&are was thronged with s#ectators. )ow co&ld he disting&ish her tin!, white" shro&ded form among h&ndreds of other women1 he was standing in the same corner where she had shown him her face. *hat afternoon, we watched him score three goals in a row and drive the s#ectators into a fren+! of delight. 3fter the game, he was called %ac$ to ride to each of the fo&r corners and sal&te the crowd. 'hen he arrived at o&rs, he reached into his %elt and drew o&t a leather #olo %all, which he threw in the air. -t rose high %efore dro##ing straight into 5aheed's

o&tstretched hand. -t was as if a #ari""a fire"%orn fair!""had %ro&ght it right to her. 'e lingered as the #la!ers were %eing congrat&lated and the crowd thinned. 5aheed was still holding the %all in the #alm of her hand. 3fter a while, a little %o! with croo$ed teeth a##eared in front of &s and revealed a sli# of #a#er hidden in his sleeve. 5aheed too$ his hand discreetl! and sli##ed the letter into her own sleeve %efore #a!ing him with a small coin. 3fter concealing the %all &nder her clothes, she lin$ed her arm thro&gh mine and we %egan wal$ing home. he &nf&rled the letter when we were awa! from the crowd, and #eered over her sho&lder, wishing - co&ld read. /'hat does it sa!1/ - as$ed eagerl!. /*here's .&st one line, written in haste,/ she said. /'-n a crowd of tho&sands, no one else shines li$e !o&, the %rightest star of m! heart.' -t is signed, '0o&r loving servant, -s$andar.'1/ - co&ldn't see 5aheed's face, since she was com#letel! covered in her #icheh and chador, %&t - co&ld hear the e(citement in her voice. /Perha#s !o&r fates are intertwined,/ - said with ama+ement. /- m&st $now if that's #ossi%le,/ said 5aheed. /Let's have =o%ra tell o&r fort&nes2/ =o%ra was an old servant of 5aheed's famil! who was $nown thro&gho&t the neigh%orhood for the acc&rac! of her readings. he reminded me of some of the women of m! village who co&ld loo$ at the s$! or a handf&l of #eas and tell !o& whether the moment was a&s#icio&s for !o&r desires. )er s$in was the color of dates, and the fine wrin$les in her forehead and chee$s made her loo$ wise. 5aheed s&mmoned =o%ra to her rooms a few moments after we arrived, and she came %earing two vessels of coffee

and told &s to drin$ it witho&t dist&r%ing the gro&nds. 'e cons&med it in one or two g&l#s so that she co&ld read o&r f&t&re in the remaining froth. First, she #eered into 5aheed's c&# and smiled, showing &s her nearl! toothless g&ms. he %egan descri%ing 5aheed's marriage to a handsome !o&ng man with lots of mone! and a %od! as strong as the hero Rostam's, an event that was to %e followed %! the %irth of more children than she co&ld co&nt. /0o&'ll %e s#ending a lot of time with !o&r feet in the air2/ she said. *he #rediction was e(actl! what her mistress wished to hear, which made me wonder a%o&t its tr&th. 'hen it was m! t&rn, =o%ra #eered into m! c&# for a long while. everal times it seemed as if she wished to sa! something, %&t then she stared into the c&# again as if its message were tro&%ling. /'hat does it sa!1/ 5aheed #rom#ted. Loo$ing at the gro&nds, =o%ra m&m%led that m! f&t&re wo&ld %e e(actl! li$e 5aheed's. *hen she gathered the c&#s and fled the room, declaring that she had wor$ to do. /*hat was strange,/ - said. /'h! didn't she sa! what she saw1/ / he did2/ /)ow co&ld m! f&t&re %e the same as !o&rs1/ /'h! not1/ said 5aheed. /0o&, too, can marr! a handsome !o&ng man and have #lent! of sons./ /B&t if it was that sim#le, wh! did she seem so afraid1/ /Oh, #a! no attention to her,/ said 5aheed. / he's old. he #ro%a%l! .&st needed to visit the latrines./ /-'m afraid the evil comet m&st still %e following me,/ - said in des#air. /-t seems as if =o%ra thin$s m! f&t&re is fated to %e dar$2/

/4ertainl! not,/ said 5aheed. he s&mmoned =o%ra again and as$ed her to tell &s more a%o&t what she had seen. =o%ra cla##ed %oth her hands to her chest, one on to# of the other. /*here's nothing more - can wring from the gro&nds,/ she #rotested, /%&t - can tell !o& the old tale that came to m! mind while - was loo$ing at them, altho&gh - don't $now what it means./ 5aheed and - settled %ac$ into the c&shions and listened to =o%ra's stor!. First there wasn't and then there was. Before God, no one was. Once there was a #rince whose slee# was tro&%led almost ever! night. -n his dreams, he saw the image of a woman who was moonli$e %e!ond com#are. )er c&rl! hair framed a mil$"white face. Beneath her rose sil$ t&nic, the womanl! #arts of her %od! swelled li$e melons. 3s the #rince dreamed more dee#l!, he co&ld see that she was cr!ing, o#ening her arms to the s$! to show her des#eration and hel#lessness. *he #rince awo$e in a sweat, for he co&ld not %ear to see her s&ffer. )e longed to hel# her, %&t first he had to find her. One da!, the #rince set o&t to do %attle with a fierce warlord who ro%%ed travelers when the! tried to cross a %ridge thro&gh his territor!. *he #rince and his men stam#ed across the %ridge to invite an am%&sh, then fo&ght the warlord and his tri%e for ho&rs in the midda! s&n. 3t one #oint, the warlord ran his sword thro&gh one of the #rince's %est soldiers %efore heaving his %od! off the %ridge. 'ith a great roar of rage, the #rince .&m#ed on the warlord, vowing to avenge his friend's death. *he two clashed swords %&t the #rince was stronger, and he forced the wea#on o&t of his o##onent's hands, threw him onto the gro&nd, and sat on his armored chest. *hen he drew his dagger, #lanning to savor

the end of the man who had tossed his %est man over the %ridge li$e a leaf. / to#2/ cried the warlord. /0o& $now not what !o& $ill./ /3ll men %eg for merc! in their final moments,/ said the #rince, /%&t !o& shall soon %e %egging %efore God./ )e raised his dagger. /3t least let me remove m! armor so !o& can see who am./ *he warlord lifted off his helmet, revealing a face as smooth as a woman's and long, dar$ c&rl! hair. *he #rince was astonished. /'hat a #it! that s&ch a fair !o&th shall soon %e d&st2 0o& fo&ght so fiercel!, - tho&ght !o& m&st %e a grown man./ /5ot even,/ said the warlord. )e removed his chest armor and raised his t&nic to reveal a m&scled a%domen and tin! %reasts, li$e red rose%&ds in the s&n. *he #rince's dagger wavered, then dro##ed. *he l&st to $ill had %een re#laced %! a different $ind of l&st. )e %ent forward and $issed the !o&ng woman's tender li#s. /'hat ca&sed !o& to don armor1/ he as$ed. *he woman's face to&ghened so that she loo$ed li$e a warrior again. /6! father was a warlord who raised me to $ill. 3fter he died, - contin&ed to care for his men and #rotect his #ro#ert!./ 9&ring the ne(t few da!s, the #rince came to $now and admire the fierce !o&ng woman. he co&ld ride as well as he co&ld, goad him into a sweat when the! .o&sted with swords, and %est him in a race &# a hill. )er m&scles were tight and lean, and she was as agile as a deer. he was nothing li$e the woman he had dreamed a%o&t so often, %&t %efore long he was smitten, and he married her.

3fter a !ear of ha##iness, the #rince started %eing tro&%led again %! his dreams. *he moonli$e woman %egan a##earing to him ever! night on her $nees, her head %ent, as if her #light were more severe than ever. One morning, after another dist&r%ed night, he $issed his warrior woman good"%!e. /'here are !o& going1/ she #rotested. /- have to find someone,/ he said. /-nsh'3llah, we'll see each other again one da!./ )e mo&nted his horse and rode awa! witho&t loo$ing %ehind him to see the e(#ression on her face. *he #rince traveled for months, descri%ing what he had seen in his dreams to an!one who wo&ld listen, onl! to hear the re#l!, /*here's no one li$e that in this town./ Finall!, he came to a cit! where #eo#le wo&ldn't answer his ,&estion, and the #rince $new he was in the right #lace. 3t night, &nder a f&ll moon, he wal$ed silentl! to the town's #alace and hid himself o&tside its walls. Before long, he heard a #iteo&s wail. )e scaled the #alace walls, landing on the other side as softl! as a cat, and o%served the woman his heart had longed for. he was $neeling on a roof, her arms stretched toward the heavens, her %od! sh&ddering with so%s. )er c&rl! %lac$ hair gleamed in the moonlight, and the sight of her ro&nded form filled him with longing. )e called to her from the #alace gro&nds. /9ear distressed woman, don't ma$e the clo&ds wee#. have come to hel# !o&./ *he lovel! #rincess raised her head and loo$ed aro&nd, astonished. /*ell me the so&rce of !o&r s&ffering, and - will destro! it,/ said the #rince, his m&scles fle(ing with #leas&re at the tho&ght. /'ho are !o&1/ she as$ed s&s#icio&sl!.

*he #rince revealed himself in the moonlight, recited his lineage and the great deeds of his famil!, and re#eated his desire to hel# the #rincess van,&ish her sorrow. he wi#ed awa! her tears. /6! maidservant has m! father's ear,/ she said. /B! da! she serves me8 %! night she wra#s herself aro&nd his %od!. he has threatened to tell m! father - have %een cons#iring against him with his to# advisor. - have alread! given her all m! .ewelr! and mone!. 'hat if m! father sho&ld %elieve her lies1 -'ll %e %anished or $illed./ *he #rince ha&led himself onto the roof and offered to ta$e the lad! awa!. Revealing his love, which had #ersisted in his dreams for so man! !ears, he #romised to treat her honora%l! %! marr!ing her. *ogether the! fled the town on horse%ac$, and as soon as the! reached a si+a%le settlement, the #rince married his lad! &nder the a&thorit! of a m&llah. *he two s#ent their first night as man and wife in a caravanserai fit for shahs. *he #rincess was .&st as the #rince had imagined, ro&nd and ri#e li$e a s&mmer #each. 3t last, his dream of man! !ears had %een f&lfilled. *he #rince too$ his new %ride to the ho&se of his first wife, the warrior woman, who %ared her teeth at his new ac,&isition. 5onetheless, all three ret&rned together to his father's ho&se. 6&ch had changed since he had left. )e was a married man now and a #roven warrior, not the dreamer who had set off on a seemingl! im#ossi%le ,&est !ears %efore. )is father invited the #rince to a s#ecial dinner in honor of his ret&rn. *he warrior woman advised him to %e caref&l a%o&t an! food that he was served. )e too$ her advice and fed his #ortion to a cat, who immediatel! had conv&lsions and died. )is father, who had decided he wanted to ta$e the warrior woman as his own wife, ordered his favorites to tear o&t his son's e!es and set him loose in the desert.

Left alone, the #rince wandered for ho&rs with his e!es in his hands, &na%le even to cr!. 'hen he heard the so&nd of a s#ring, he #atted the earth &ntil he felt wetness. )e dran$ to satiation and sat down to rest. Leaves fell on him from a%ove, and he cr&shed them in his #alms and r&%%ed his e!e soc$ets, see$ing relief. *he! immediatel! sto##ed %&rning. *he #rince too$ each e!e and #o##ed it %ac$ in its soc$et. )e co&ld see again2 *he #rince ret&rned toward the cit!. 3t its o&ts$irts, he came &#on a f&ll"fledged %attle. Even from far awa!, among the armor"clad soldiers he recogni+ed the lithe fig&re of his warrior woman, whose sword flew mercilessl! thro&gh the air. 'ith a great war cr!, he .oined her in %attle, and together the! van,&ished his father's men. 'hen the %attle was over, the #rince and the warrior woman ret&rned to the cit!. )e %ecame shah and installed each of his women in her own lodgings, ma$ing s&re he visited them e,&all! and gave them the same n&m%er of gifts. 'ith his first wife he h&nted, .o&sted, and disc&ssed %attle #lans8 with his second, he e(#lored the art of #assion and lived contentedl! &ntil the end of his da!s. 'hen =o%ra finished her stor!, 5aheed and - were %oth silent. =o%ra stood &# and ret&rned to her wor$. /*hat was a strange tale,/ - said. /-'ve never heard that one %efore./ /5or -,/ said 5aheed. /'hat a l&c$! talisman that #rince m&st have had, to get ever!thing he wanted2/ he !awned and stretched o&t on her side on a gro&# of flat c&shions, #&tting her hands &nder her chee$. - had the feeling 5aheed imagined herself as l&c$! as the #rince. remem%ered sadl! how - &sed to feel the same wa! a%o&t the tale of a #rincess who re.ected all s&itors &ntil the right one wooed her.

O##osite 5aheed, - stretched o&t on m! c&shions so we faced each other, and #&t m! hands &nder m! chee$ to match hers. /9o !o& thin$ he told his second wife that he alread! had a woman1/ 5aheed as$ed. /- ho#e so./ /- wo&ld hate that,/ said 5aheed, loo$ing angr!. /Being a second wife1/ /Or a third, or fo&rth,/ she said. /6! #arents will never let that ha##en. -'ll %e the first wife or nothing./ /*hat's the onl! good thing a%o&t coming from a h&m%le famil!,/ - said. /6ost s&itors of mine wo&ldn't %e a%le to afford a second wife, or even a conc&%ine./ 5aheed raised her e!e%rows. /Rich men alwa!s seem to have a few,/ she said. /- thin$ if m! h&s%and married another woman, - wo&ld tr! to ca&se her grief./ )er smile had a wic$ed edge. - tho&ght a%o&t what had ha##ened in m! own famil!. /3fter m! grandfather too$ his second wife, who was m! grandmother, the two families remained a#art, and m! father and m! &ncle Gostaham almost never saw each other,/ said. /B&t sometimes it's not li$e that. 'hen the richest merchant in m! village married a !o&nger woman, his first wife loathed her. B&t then she %ecame ill, and the !o&nger one too$ s&ch good care of her that the! %ecame fast friends./ 5aheed sh&ddered. /-nsh'3llah, that will never ha##en to me./ /- don't want to share, either,/ - said. /B&t we don't $now what ha##ened to the wives in =o%ra's stor!. he didn't tell &s that #art./

/*hat's %eca&se the stor! wasn't reall! a%o&t them,/ said 5aheed. /'hat man wo&ldn't want a warrior woman to ride with and a flesh! woman to ride in %ed1/ 'e la&ghed together, $nowing that we co&ld %e looser with o&r lang&age when onl! the two of &s were #resent. - had sta!ed with 5aheed m&ch longer than - had intended. Beca&se it was nearl! dar$, she insisted on having a maid accom#an! me home. 'hen we arrived, the maid handed me a large #arcel, sa!ing it was a gift. -t was #ac$ed with %right cotton ro%es in shades of saffron, #in$, and red, with matching sheaths to wear &nderneath and loose em%roidered tro&sers that loo$ed as if the! had hardl! ever %een worn. *he most da++ling item was a thic$ #&r#le ro%e that fell to the $nees, with f&r at the c&ffs, aro&nd the hem, and at the %reast. - danced with .o! at the sight of the %right clothing, and when - showed it to m! mother, she gave me #ermission to sto# wearing m! mo&rning clothes, altho&gh she herself #lanned to wear %lac$ for the rest of her life. was over.o!ed8 - co&ld hardl! %elieve m! l&c$ in having 5aheed as a friend. 4ha#ter *)REE - awo$e one s&mmer morning, after we had %een in -sfahan for half a !ear, thin$ing of a #oem m! mother often recited, a%o&t a %eloved with chee$s li$e roses, hair as %lac$ as coal, and a teasing %ea&t! mar$ near r&%! li#s. Loo$ in the face of !o&r %eloved, For in that mirror, !o& will see !o&rself. 6! %eloved was not 5aheed's handsome #olo #la!er, nor the #owerf&l old hah, nor an! of the tho&sands of sweet" faced !o&ng men who congregated on -sfahan's %ridges, smo$ed in its coffeeho&ses, or lingered aro&nd Fo&r Gardens. *he one - loved was more &n$nowa%le, more

varied, and more marvelo&s: the cit! itself. Ever! da!, %o&nded o&t of m! %edroll, longing to e(#lore it. 5o e!es were h&ngrier than mine, for the! had so memori+ed the %&ildings, #eo#le, and animals in m! village that - was eager to feed m!self with new sights. -sfahan's %ridges were the #erfect #lace to %egin. From there, - co&ld see the might! :agros 6o&ntains, the river r&shing %elow me, and the cit!'s domes twin$ling li$e stars amid its earth"colored %&ildings. One of m! favorite s#ots was the *hirt!"three 3rches Bridge, o&r first #oint of entr! into the cit!. tanding in one of its famed archwa!s, - wo&ld stare at the #eo#le streaming in and o&t of -sfahan. ome were from the G&lf, with s$in as %lac$ as na#htha, while others, from the northeast, had 6ongol ancestors who %e,&eathed them slanting e!es and straight %lac$ hair. ometimes - even saw nomads with legs li$e tree tr&n$s, for the! wal$ed high into the mo&ntains in search of #ast&re for their lam%s, carr!ing the new%orns on their %ac$s. *he cit! also fed m! love of car#ets, %eca&se ever!where - loo$ed, - saw #atterns. - st&died the #lants, trees, and flowers in Fo&r Gardens to &nderstand how r&g designs were modeled on nat&re8 the district itself seemed to me li$e a garden car#et writ large. For the same reason, - so&ght o&t the dead game and tro#h! animals for sale in the %a+aar: the to&gh, m&scled onager, the air! ga+elle, even the magisterial lion, whose mane was tric$! to draw. /*he! sa! !o& can draw steeds for a h&ndred !ears %efore the animal s#rings to life &nder !o&r #en,/ Gostaham had said. - also scr&tini+ed the car#ets, which hailed from all #arts of -ran, and learned to recogni+e the $nots and #atterns from each region. Even the %&ildings in the -mage of the 'orld had something to teach me. One da!, - was #assing the hah's #rivate mos,&e when - o%served that the tile #anels near the doorwa! were li$e #ra!er r&gs. *he! were indigo,

with vivid white and !ellow flowers s&rro&nded %! a field of clover"green. - #romised m!self that one da!, - wo&ld learn to ma$e a design .&st as intricate. 3t home, car#ets cons&med most of m! wa$ing tho&ghts. - was determined to learn what Gostaham $new, and wor$ed da! and night on the #ro.ects he gave me. - ,&ic$l! finished drawing the %oteh design and received his a##roval to ma$e the r&g. One of his wor$ers set &# a sim#le loom in o&r co&rt!ard, which - str&ng with cotton. *a$ing the mone! Gostaham had lent me to %&! wool, - went to the %a+aar to sho# for colors, .&st as he had as a !o&ng man. - had #lanned to %&! sim#le h&es li$e those we &sed in m! village"" rich camel"%rown made from waln&t h&s$s, #&r#le from the roots of old madder #lants, red made from cochineal %&gs, and !ellow from safflowers. B&t in the Great Ba+aar, what a richness of shades was at hand2 - was enra#t&red %! the sight of tho&sands of %alls of wool hanging li$e fr&it on a tree. Bl&es ranging from the t&r,&oise radiance of a s&mmer s$! all the wa! to dar$est indigo. 3nd that was .&st %l&e2 - stared at the %olts of wool and imagined different colors side %! side in a r&g. )ow a%o&t that lime"green with a startling orange1 Or wine ne(t to ro!al %l&e1 - chose twelve h&es that delighted m! e!es, more colors than - had ever &sed in a r&g. - fo&nd m!self drawn to the %right colors: %a%!"chic$ !ellow, grass! green, s&nset"orange, #omegranate"red. *a$ing the %rilliant %alls of wool home, attached them to the to# of m! loom and #ainted m! design with watercolors, so that - wo&ld have a g&ide to $notting the colors - #lanned to &se. - was eager to ma$e the r&g, $nowing how im#ortant it was to #rove m! worth to the ho&sehold. 'hile ever!one else was slee#ing in the afternoons, - $notted for ho&rs, and the r&g ,&ic$l! too$ sha#e &nder m! fingers.

'hile - was cons&med %! the r&g, m! mother managed to se#arate herself from Gordi!eh's s&#ervision %! ma$ing her%al c&res. 6edicines were costl!, and altho&gh m! mother had never %een ade#t at %rewing them, Gordi!eh agreed to the #ro#osal %eca&se she seemed to thin$ that m! mother's village origins gave her s#ecial #owers. 6! mother too$ da!long e(c&rsions to the foothills of the :agros 6o&ntains, where she collected #lants, roots, her%s, and insects. he also ha&nted the a#othecaries in the %a+aar for information a%o&t her%s local to -sfahan. Bac$ in o&r village, =olsoom had given her a few reci#es for fever medicine when - had %een ill, which she still remem%ered. he also %egan learning a%o&t medicines for headaches and womanl! com#laints, %rewing them over a fire in the co&rt!ard. *he res&lting concoctions were %lac$ and slim!, %&t Gordi!eh %elieved in their #owers. Once when her head was aching, m! mother gave her a li,&id that relieved her #ain and made her slee#. / &ch fine medicines sho&ld %e made in a%&ndance,/ Gordi!eh declared. he #romised m! mother that once she had %rewed eno&gh for the ho&sehold's &se, she co&ld sell what remained and $ee# the mone!. *hat gladdened m! mother's heart, for now she co&ld #reside over her own domain, one that Gordi!eh $new nothing a%o&t. 53)EE9 7- -*E9 6E one da! to see how - loo$ed in her old clothes. - donned her saffron sheath and tro&sers, which m! mother had hemmed, and the dashing #&r#le ro%e. /0o& loo$ so #rett!2/ 5aheed said. /0o&r chee$s are as #in$ as roses./ /-t's nice to wear %right colors after more than a !ear of %lac$,/ - re#lied. /*han$ !o& for !o&r generosit!./ /-t is !o&rs for the as$ing,/ she re#lied. /3nd now - ho#e ma! call on !o&rs. 'ill !o& come with me to #olo1/

- hadn't #lanned on going to the -mage of the 'orld that da!, %eca&se - had too m&ch wor$ to do. /5aheed".oon, wish - co&ld, %&t - have m! chores,/ - re#lied. /Please,/ she %egged. /- need !o&r hel# so m&ch./ /)ow will - finish all m! wor$1/ /4all in hamsi,/ said 5aheed, in an a&thoritative tone. hamsi arrived wearing a #rett! orange head scarf and a chea# %eaded nec$lace from the %a+aar. 5aheed #&t a few coins in her hand and whis#ered to her that there were more coming to her if she too$ care of m! wor$ for the da!. hamsi left .ingling the coins, a gleef&l smile &#on her face. - still didn't want to go, tho&gh. /3ren't !o& afraid we're going to %e ca&ght someda!1/ /'e never have %een %efore,/ she said. /5ow let's go./ /Onl! for a short while, then,/ - said, altho&gh - felt a##rehensive a%o&t leaving. 'e sli##ed o&t when Gordi!eh wasn't loo$ing. 5aheed's #&r#ose this time was to conve! a letter to -s$andar revealing her feelings for him. he didn't read it alo&d, sa!ing she wanted his e!es to %e the first to see it. -t #rofessed eternal love and admiration for him in fine sentiments li$e the #oets &se, she said. - $new that her elegant calligra#h! wo&ld ma$e her words go straight to his heart. *he s&n %eat down witho&t merc! as we wal$ed to the -mage of the 'orld. *he s$! was a %l&e dome with not a single clo&d to shelter &s from the s&n. Breathing &nder m! #icheh was li$e inhaling fire, and - was sweating thro&gh m! clothes. 'hen we arrived, the game had alread! started. *he s#ectators were sho&ting more than &s&al, for neither side co&ld win. 9&st h&ng in the air and settled on o&r garments. - ho#ed the game wo&ld end soon so that wo&ldn't %e discovered awa! from m! chores. B&t it went on

and on &ntil the #la!ers %ecame sl&ggish and the game was finall! called a draw. 5aheed hardl! seemed to notice that -s$andar's team had not won. /9id !o& see how masterf&ll! he #la!ed1/ she as$ed. )er voice so&nded high"#itched and e(cited, as it alwa!s did after she had watched her %eloved. 3s the crowd %egan to dis#erse, she fo&nd -s$andar's %o! and caref&ll! sli##ed him her letter and a coin. *hen we ret&rned to o&r homes, #arting shortl! after we left the s,&are. Beca&se the horses had $ic$ed &# a veil of d&st that coated m! o&ter clothes, - #lanned to hide them as soon as - arrived home, %&t :ohreh was waiting for me at the door &nder orders to lead me straight to Gordi!eh. *hat had never ha##ened %efore. 'ith m! heart #o&nding, - shed the o&tdoor clothing and %alled it &# in m! arms as - went to her rooms, ho#ing she wo&ldn't notice the d&st. he was sitting on a c&shion and a##l!ing henna #aste to the to#s of her feet. 'itho&t a word of greeting, she as$ed me angril!, /'here have !o& %een1/ /3t 5aheed's,/ - said, altho&gh the lie st&c$ to m! tong&e. /0o& were not at 5aheed's,/ said Gordi!eh. /- co&ldn't find !o&, and - sent hamsi to her ho&se to fetch !o&. 0o& weren't there./ he %ec$oned me toward her %eca&se she didn't want to dist&r% the henna. /Give me !o&r hand,/ she said. - stretched m! hand o&t innocentl!, and she str&c$ the to# of it with the thin wooden #addle she &sed to a##l! the henna. - roc$ed %ac$ on m! heels, m! hand aflame. - was far too old to %e hit li$e a child. /;&st loo$ at !o&r clothes,/ she said. /)ow co&ld the! %ecome so dirt! if !o& had sta!ed inside1/

3fraid of %eing str&c$ again, - ,&ic$l! confessed. /'e were at the game./ /5aheed doesn't have #ermission to go to the game,/ said Gordi!eh. /3 girl li$e her can lose ever!thing if #eo#le start to tal$""even if she has done nothing./ *here was a $noc$ at the door and a servant showed in 5aheed's mother. L&dmila entered the room loo$ing as sorrowf&l as if she had lost her onl! child. /)ow co&ld !o&1/ she said to me in a ,&iet, disa##ointed tone that was even worse than Gordi!eh's sla#. he s#o$e ver! slowl! in Farsi accented %! her native R&ssian. /'hat !o& did was ver! wrong. 0o& don't &nderstand how m&ch a girl li$e 5aheed can s&ffer if seen in the wrong #laces./ /-'m ver!, ver! sorr!,/ - said, with m! wo&nded hand %ehind m! %ac$. Li$e m! mother and me, L&dmila was an o&tsider to -sfahan. he alwa!s reminded me of a delicate %ird, flitting aro&nd her home as if she didn't %elong there, even after twent! !ears. Beca&se of what she had seen d&ring the wars in her co&ntr!, she had an aversion to h&man %lood. -f a servant c&t her finger while cho##ing meat, she trem%led and too$ to her %ed. ometimes, 5aheed told me, she screamed in her slee# a%o&t fo&ntains of %lood g&shing o&t of men's chests and e!es. L&dmila's face was white and scared. /5aheed told me how m&ch !o& love #olo and how often !o& %eg her to go to the games. *hat is ver! selfish of !o&. - ho#e !o& &nderstand the disr&#tiveness of !o&r actions./ - m&st have loo$ed startled, for - co&ldn't %elieve 5aheed had %lamed her mis%ehavior on me. B&t - decided to $ee# silent, $nowing she wo&ld %e in dire tro&%le if her mother fo&nd o&t what drew her to the games.

/- don't alwa!s &nderstand the wa!s of the cit!,/ - said in a mee$ voice. /- will never do s&ch a thing again./ /3s #&nishment, !o& are to collect the night soil ever! morning from all the rooms of the ho&se &ntil the ne(t moon,/ said Gordi!eh. -t was as if - were the lowliest of servants. *o $now the state of ever! #erson's innards, ever! da!, and to have to #o&r all the slo# into one %ig %asin for the night"soil collectors and then clean all the #ans""- co&ld hardl! thin$ of the tas$ witho&t feeling as if - might lose what was in m! %ell!. - was told to go to m! room and confess to m! mother what had ha##ened. he was not at all s!m#athetic. /Bi%i, she hit me2/ - com#lained. /'h! did !o& do s&ch a tho&ghtless thing1/ she as$ed. /0o& co&ld have r&ined 5aheed's re#&tation in a single da!, not to mention !o&r own2/ /0o& $now that - have never li$ed #olo,/ - said, wanting m! mother to ta$e m! side. /5aheed was the one who alwa!s %egged me to go./ /'h!1/ - didn't want to reveal 5aheed's secret, for that wo&ld %ring her grave tro&%le. /-t was e(citing for her. )er #arents $ee# s&ch a close watch over her otherwise./ /0o& sho&ld have ref&sed,/ said m! mother. /0o& $now %etter2/ /-'m sorr!,/ - said. /- .&st wanted to do her a favor./ 6! mother softened. /- $now !o& were onl! tr!ing to hel#,/ she said. /B&t since !o& were wrong, - e(#ect !o& to ta$e !o&r #&nishment witho&t com#laint./ /- will,/ - said %itterl!.

/5ow come here./ he r&%%ed the %&rning s#ot on m! hand with a #o&ltice made of lam%'s fat, which she had concocted from reci#es that =olsoom had once &sed. *he #o&ltice soothed awa! the sting. /*hat's m&ch %etter,/ - said. /- finall! fo&nd the right her%s,/ m! mother said. he was tho&ghtf&l for a moment. /*ell me this: 9idn't 5aheed %lame her esca#ade on !o&1/ /0es,/ - said. /'hat $ind of a friend wo&ld do that1/ /-'m s&re she didn't mean an!thing %! it./ /- certainl! ho#e not,/ said m! mother shar#l!. /5o do&%t she was ca&ght %! s&r#rise,/ - re#lied, %&t the tho&ght that she had sacrificed me to save herself #lag&ed me for da!s. *hat was the last time 5aheed and - went to the games. For the ne(t two wee$s, she was #&nished %! not %eing allowed to leave home, as - was. - sta!ed home, did m! chores, and collected the night soil. 3fter that, when 5aheed wanted to see me, a servant accom#anied her to m! ho&se and waited for her there &ntil it was time for her to go home. 9es#airing over how to contact -s$andar d&ring her confinement, 5aheed confided in =o%ra and offered silver for her hel#. *he ne(t time there was a game, =o%ra went %! herself and fo&nd the s#ot where 5aheed and - &sed to stand. he %ro&ght the #olo %all 5aheed had ca&ght, cas&all! holding it in view after the game. -s$andar's %o! was shar# eno&gh to reali+e that she was a messenger from 5aheed, who had after all %een holding the %all the first time he fo&nd her. From then on, =o%ra met the child near the %a+aar ever! few da!s to allow the lovers to e(change letters.

3F*ER 53)EE9 359 - had f&lfilled o&r #&nishments, we started meeting on *h&rsda! afternoons at the s#ar$ling hammam &sed %! the wealth! residents of o&r district. 3s a #reca&tion against f&rther stra!ing, 5aheed's famil! warned her that a maid wo&ld %e dis#atched sometime d&ring the afternoon to ma$e s&re we were there. - had %een to that hammam a few times after - arrived in -sfahan, %&t it was too e(#ensive to attend reg&larl!, so 5aheed #aid the coin for me. - was gratef&l to her, %eca&se the hammam was one of o&r greatest #leas&res. 'e s#ent most of the afternoon soa$ing, tal$ing, and #ee$ing at other women's %odies. -t was there that we learned of %irths, deaths, and engagements in the neigh%orhood, or discovered that a woman was #regnant from the slight thic$ening of her %ell!, or gleaned that a new %ride had mingled with her h&s%and the night %efore, and therefore had to ma$e the Grand 3%l&tion on a different da! than &s&al. )oma, the head %ath attendant, was a great"grandmother whose s$in had sta!ed almost as moist as a !o&ng woman's from all her !ears in the steam. he washed and massaged me li$e a mother, and she alwa!s had stories to tell a%o&t the comings and goings of ever!one at the %ath. )oma was a s$illf&l ,&estioner, and often - let sli# information a%o&t m!self when - was nearl! senseless from soa$ing in hot water and %eing massaged. he $new all a%o&t m! life in the village, m! father's death, o&r #overt!, and how it had r&ined m! marriage #lans. - even whis#ered to her from time to time a%o&t the hardshi#s in m! ho&sehold and m! desire to marr! one da! and have a home of m! own. /6a! God grant !o&r fondest wish2/ she wo&ld alwa!s sa!, %&t sometimes tho&ght - saw a do&%tf&l loo$ in her e!es. )oma had to leave -sfahan for several months to ta$e care of a sic$ &ncle. *he first time - saw her after her ret&rn,

she was wal$ing aro&nd the hammam as &s&al with her white hair loose, her long %reasts nearl! reaching the thin cloth tied aro&nd her waist. 3fter man! $isses and greetings of delight, 5aheed and - disro%ed and gave her o&r clothes, which she #iled into a %as$et for safe$ee#ing. *hen )oma scr&%%ed 5aheed with a $isseh to remove the dead s$in from her %od! and washed her hair, while - rested in one of the hammam's warm #ools. 'hen )oma was read! for me, she called o&t m! name. )er ro&nd face and white hair were ill&minated %! a %eam of light that entered the hammam from oval windows in the roof. 3s - wal$ed na$ed o&t of the dar$ness to the ta# where she was cro&ched, )oma's e!es widened with s&r#rise. /)ow !o& have changed2/ she said. /*hings are so different here in the cit!,/ - m&m%led. /5o, that's not what - meant,/ said )oma. he #&lled me into the light. /Loo$ at !o&2/ she said in a lo&d voice. 5aheed loo$ed &# from where she was soa$ing, and several women who were %athing near%! stared at me, too. 6! %od! was e(#osed in the s&nlight streaming down from a%ove. - tried to %end over at the waist to shield m!self, %&t )oma wo&ldn't let me. /Last time - saw !o&, !o& loo$ed li$e a little girl,/ said )oma. /0o& had almost nothing here,/ she said, #o$ing the to# of m! chest, /and nothing there,/ sla##ing m! hi#. /5ow see what has ha##ened in onl! a few months2/ -t was tr&e. - was still as short as ever, and m! hands and feet had remained the si+e of a child's. B&t from nec$ to hi#s, m! %od! had ro&nded in wa!s that s&r#rised me. 6! %reasts, which had %een so small, were now li$e two ri#e a##les, and m! hi#s c&rved li$e a melon. /'hat is the reason, are !o& secretl! engaged1/

/5o,/ - said, %l&shing. 3ll - $new was that - had %een eating more meat, cheese, and %read than ever. /'ell, soon !o& will %e,/ she said good"nat&redl!. )oma t&rned me this wa! and that, #eering at ever! c&rve. - fl&shed red all over. -n the hammam, there was nowhere to hide. /0o&r %od! is as #erfect as a !o&ng rose,/ )oma anno&nced with finalit!. /0o& will soon %e %lessed with a h&s%and, God willing, who will cherish ever! #etal./ )oma %egan singing an old marriage song from the so&th in a voice as %ea&tif&l as a nightingale's: Oh mo&ntain girl among the flowers, 'ith hair li$e violets and t&li#s on !o&r chee$s. Listen to the song of the %irds no more, For a fine !o&ng she#herd has come to sing !o&r heart awa!. 3 few of the women in the hammam .oined in, and %efore $new it, a gro&# of them were on their feet, stam#ing and cla##ing. 5ot $nowing what else to do, - %egan singing, too. *he women enco&raged me as if it were m! wedding da!. 3s - sang, - stood tall and forgot m! shame. 'hen the song was over, there was m&ch la&ghter and teasing. /- hear those fine !o&ng she#herds $now how to tend to their wives2/ said one woman, smir$ing. /'h! sho&ldn't the!, the! watch their floc$s at it all da!2/ cried another. -t was )oma's gift to me to sing o&t m! mat&rit! to all the women in the hammam, who might $now of a s&ita%le h&s%and. he was also showing me that - had something worth offering. /5ow !o& are one of &s,/ )oma said with a##roval, /e(ce#t for a few details that !o& will learn a%o&t soon./ 3s

the women in the hammam settled %ac$ into their %athing ro&tines, she #&lled me close and %egan scr&%%ing m! %ac$ with the $isseh. he loo$ed over at 5aheed, whose %od! was still long and thin li$e a c!#ress tree. /'hatever !o& have %een eating, 5aheed sho&ld %e eating, too,/ she said. 5aheed's e!es were closed, and she didn't re#l!. - co&ldn't tell if she was aslee# or .&st #retending. 'h! is it that we alwa!s thin$ o&r neigh%or's chic$en m&st %e tastier than o&r own goose1 For the rest of that afternoon, it didn't %other me that 5aheed's s$in was so white, her hair so c&rl!, and her e!es so emerald"green. 3 60 RE'3R9 for hel#ing him with the dangling gems car#et, Gostaham had #romised to show me a rare and wonderf&l r&g, and one da! he instr&cted me to meet him at the ro!al wor$sho# after the last call to #ra!er to see a car#et that wo&ld %e cherished for cent&ries to come. - co&ld not imagine s&ch a treas&re: *he r&gs in m! village were &sed &ntil the! fra!ed and were gro&nd into d&st. - wal$ed thro&gh Fo&r Gardens right after the last call to #ra!er. Peo#le were streaming o&t of the -mage of the 'orld, for that call mar$ed the end of the da!. *he haw$ers in the s,&are had loaded &# their wares and were heading home. #assed a man with a cargo of &nri#ened almonds, which loved. *he almond flesh was as soft as cheese, %&t more delicate. - fo&nd Gostaham in the wor$sho# - had visited #revio&sl!, the one with all the looms. -t was silent and em#t! of wor$ers. / alaam,/ - said, loo$ing aro&nd. /'here has ever!one gone1/ /)ome,/ said Gostaham. /Follow me ,&ic$l!./ )e led me thro&gh room after room of car#ets in vario&s stages of com#letion. 3t the end of a long hallwa!, we

reached a door %olted with a thic$ metal loc$ sha#ed li$e a scor#ion. Loo$ing aro&nd to ma$e s&re no one was near, Gostaham #&lled a $e! o&t of his t&nic and &nloc$ed it. )e lit two small oil lam#s and handed me one of them. -n the soft light, - co&ld ma$e o&t a large r&g on the loom. 'e a##roached it together, holding o&r lam#s %efore &s. /Loo$ closel!,/ he said, holding the light to the s&rface of the r&g. /Eight men have %een wor$ing on it for a !ear, and it is onl! one",&arter com#leted./ *he car#et was alread! as tall as - was, %&t it was to %e fo&r times m! height when finished. -t had nearl! ninet! $nots #er rad., which made the design as detailed as a miniat&rist's drawing. )orsemen dressed in orange and green sil$ t&nics, with white and gold t&r%ans, #&rs&ed antelo#e and ga+elle. tri#ed tigers and wild asses wrestled together li$e co&sins. 6&sicians #la!ed their l&tes. 4elestial %irds #reened, dis#la!ing their .ewel"%edec$ed tails. *he creat&res and h&mans loo$ed alive, the! were so tr&e to nat&re. -t was the finest r&g - had ever seen. /'ho co&ld ever afford s&ch a costl! r&g1/ - as$ed. /-t is for the hah himself, to decorate his #ersonal rooms,/ said Gostaham. /-t em%odies all that is finest in o&r land""the softest sil$, the richest d!es, and the %est designers and $notters. *his car#et will last long after !o& and -, and the children of o&r children, are d&st./ - #eered more closel! at the r&g, holding m! lam# well awa! from it. 3 fig&re seated near a c!#ress tree ca&ght m! e!e. /)ow do the! ca#t&re a man so well1/ - as$ed. /-t is not so m&ch his fig&re, %&t rather his face, that re,&ires s$ill of the highest order,/ said Gostaham. /*he other $notters %ow to s#ecialists when it is time to ma$e a

man's e!e. Otherwise, a face might loo$ distracted, vacant, or even malicio&s./ /'hat do !o& thin$ of the colors1/ - as$ed Gostaham. /*he! are what is %est in a r&g that e(cels a%ove others,/ he said, with a teasing smile that - didn't &nderstand at first. /Loo$ how the s#ar$ling gold lightens the densit! of the #attern. 5otice in #artic&lar how the d&ll tones""the faded green, the h&m%le %eige, the #ale %l&e""em#hasi+e the %ea&t! of the more %rilliant colors, .&st as the female #eacoc$ highlights the male's more da++ling #l&mage./ /*he choices are remar$a%le,/ - re#lied. /'hose wor$ is it1/ /6! own,/ re#lied Gostaham, and we %oth had a good la&gh. 3fter that, we loo$ed at Fere!doon's r&g, which was almost finished. *he gems in its design glimmered in the light of o&r lam#s as if the! were real stones. Gostaham had set each one of them off with thin lines of color, .&st as a .eweler se#arates gems with gold or silver. *he car#et loo$ed ver! delicate and feminine, - tho&ght, com#ared to the hah's h&nting r&g. /-t is even more %ea&tif&l than !o&r design,/ said Gostaham, as if - had done it all m!self. )is generosit! $new no %o&nds. 3s we left the wor$sho#, - felt a twinge of sorrow. )ad %een a %o!, - might %e wor$ing as one of the a##rentices at Gostaham's side, learning all the techni,&es he $new so well. - tho&ght %ac$ with env! to the !o&ng $notters - had seen in the wor$sho# on m! last visit. *he! co&ld devote themselves all da! to their learning, while - had to wor$ for long ho&rs in the $itchen %efore t&rning m! attention to car#et ma$ing. 0et - $new - had more #rivileges than most

girls, for Gostaham had ta$en me &nder his care and hel#ed me im#rove at m! craft. For that - was gratef&l ever! da!. - RE*UR5E9 )O6E elated. Gostaham had shown me a #earl that few e!es were ever #ermitted to see8 and .&st a few da!s %efore, )oma had #raised m! new womanliness at the hammam. For the first time since m! father had left &s, felt f&ll of ho#e. Passing thro&gh the co&rt!ard, - sto##ed to loo$ at m! r&g and saw m! wor$ in a new light. *he %oteh design was fine: Gostaham had seen to that. B&t - worried that - had done a #oor .o% choosing the colors. - had once seen Gostaham loo$ing at the r&g with an odd e(#ression, as if he had tasted something so&r. 3ltho&gh he had not commented on m! choices, he had told me several times that he wo&ld hel# me select the colors for m! ne(t car#et. 5ow - was s&re - $new wh!. - had chosen each color for its %ea&t! rather than how well it wor$ed with the others. 'h! hadn't - as$ed for Gostaham's hel#1 - had %een so eager to #ress forward, and so into(icated %! all the colors availa%le, that - had lea#t ahead. - hadn't &nderstood that a design of s&ch intricac! demanded a more masterf&l a##roach to choosing h&es. - co&ld hardl! slee# that night. 'hile the stars were still shining, - arose and loo$ed at m! car#et again. *he colors were not onl! %ad, the! were at war. - had an &rge to stri# the r&g off the loom and %egin again. 'hat had %een good eno&gh in m! village was la&ghed at here. Ever since we had arrived in -sfahan, - had %een reminded of m! h&m%le origins. Unli$e a wealth! child of the cit!, - had not learned to read and write, to enro%e m!self li$e a flower, or to %ehave with co&rtl! co&rtes!. - wanted to shine as %right as an!one in -sfahan, the onl! cit! worth the title /half the world./ -f m! first car#et showed how m&ch - had learned, #erha#s - co&ld esca#e the ill effects of the comet

and set m!self and m! mother on the #erf&med #ath of good fort&ne. - had never heard of an!one starting a r&g over. - co&ld almost hear m! father's voice telling me not to do it, for - had alread! com#leted tho&sands of $nots. B&t then - tho&ght a%o&t how - had gone to -%rahim's d!e ho&se to discover the secret of the t&r,&oise d!e and made a car#et that had delighted the e!es of strangers, even tho&gh m! #arents had at first disa##roved. - tho&ght a%o&t how - had %orrowed Gostaham's #en and drawn a design that had resolved his ,&andar!, even tho&gh he !elled at me for to&ching his things. Filled with the same fierce desire as - had felt on those other occasions, - gra%%ed the shar# $nife - &sed for slashing wool and %egan c&tting the r&g off the loom, string %! string. Each one went slac$ as - released it. *he tho&sands and tho&sands of $nots - had made %egan to lose their sha#e8 the ver! s&rface of the car#et war#ed and wo%%led. 'hen Gostaham arises, - tho&ght, -'ll admit m! error in choosing the colors right awa!. -'ll as$ him for hel#, and then -'ll ma$e a r&g he'll %e #ro&d of. Before the first light of morning, - had removed the r&g and started to restring the loom with cotton thread. Gordi!eh was the first #erson to see what - had done. he was %ringing a large .ar of so&r cherr! .am from the storerooms to the $itchen when she saw the em#t! loom and the r&ined r&g. he screamed, dro##ing the .ar, which crac$ed and s#illed its stic$! contents aro&nd her feet, forming a dee# red #ool that loo$ed li$e %lood. 'ithin seconds, the servants were all r&shing into the co&rt!ard. - stood rooted near the loom, ,&a$ing. /4ra+!2/ Gordi!eh sho&ted. /0o& are cra+! li$e that madman of the desert, 6a.noon2 'hat were !o& thin$ing1/

*here was a %ig commotion as ever!one tried to &nderstand what had ha##ened. 3li"3sghar %ent down to as$ *aghee, the errand %o!, for information. hamsi r&shed to Gordi!eh's side to as$ if she needed a whiff of rose water to revive herself. 4oo$ #&t her hands on either side of her head as if she were at a f&neral. Gostaham h&rried into the co&rt!ard and stared at the car#et, which sagged on the gro&nd as if %ro$en. )e loo$ed from me to the car#et and %ac$ again, dis%elief in his e!es. 6! mother arrived in a #anic, #atting her scarf into #lace on her head. /'hat has ha##ened1/ she as$ed in a #leading voice. 5o one even loo$ed at her. /0o& village idiot2/ Gordi!eh !elled at me. Onl! then did she t&rn to m! mother, a##ealing for an e(#lanation, %&t m! mother stood d&m%fo&nded when she reali+ed what - had done. /9o !o& have an! idea how m&ch wool !o&'ve wasted"" how m&ch wool and how m&ch wor$1 3re !o& tr!ing to destro! this ho&sehold1/ as$ed Gordi!eh, hitting her chest over and over with the #alm of her hand. /'e ta$e them in, and the! tr! to r&in &s2 'h!1 'h! has God #&t this %&rden on &s1 *ell me wh!2/ Gordi!eh demanded of her h&s%and. )er words chilled m! %ones. Gostaham t&rned to me with anger in his e!es. /E(#lain !o&rself,/ he commanded. )e was the one #erson - had ho#ed to #lease. - co&ld hardl! force words o&t of m! throat. /*he colors were %ad,/ - said haltingl!. - #&t m! hands to m! fl&shed face, tr!ing to hide m!self.

Gostaham didn't contradict me. /0o&r e!es were da++led after last night, which is what ha##ens to novices. B&t now !o& have destro!ed months of wor$2 'h! didn't !o& as$ me first1/ /- h&m%l! %eg !o&r #ardon,/ - whis#ered, for - still co&ld not find m! voice. /- did it %eca&se - tho&ght - co&ld ma$e a %etter one./ /Of co&rse !o& co&ld ma$e a %etter one,/ he said. /B&t wh! didn't !o& sto# to thin$ that !o& might sell the first one and ma$e the second one s&#erior1/ /'hat a fool2/ e(claimed Gordi!eh. - cringed at that word. *he! were right8 - sho&ld have tho&ght of that, %&t - had %een too e(cited that morning, #ossessed %! the tho&ght that - co&ld do %etter. 5ow - co&ld hardl! %elieve what - had done. - stood a%.ectl! %! the loom, s&ffering even more &nder the #itiless ga+e of the servants, who stared at me with scorn and dis%elief. 6! mother threw herself on her $nees and reached forward to $iss Gordi!eh's feet, her %lac$ sash trailing in the .am. /Get &#2/ said Gordi!eh, with anno!ance in her voice. 6! mother arose, her arms o&tstretched in a #lea. /Please #ardon m! wa!ward da&ghter,/ she said. /-'ll #a! !o& for the wool. -'ll %rew e(tra medicines and sell them to neigh%ors. 6! da&ghter .&st wanted to ma$e something #leasing. he has alwa!s %een that wa!""sometimes she loses her reason./ - hadn't $nown that %efore she said it, %&t it was tr&e. stood there, shamed %! m! own ina%ilit! to see the difference %etween a good idea and a calamito&s one. /Loses her reason1 'hat reason1/ as$ed Gordi!eh, hitting her own chest again.

Gostaham grimaced and #ressed his hands together, as if he were tr!ing to hold himself %ac$. / &ch a rec$less action cannot go &n#&nished,/ he said angril!. /From this moon &ntil the ne(t, !o& will not leave the ho&se. 0o& will do whatever m! wife sa!s. 0o& will not even draw a %reath witho&t her #ermission./ - $new %etter than to s#ea$ &nless as$ed a ,&estion. $e#t m! e!es averted, m! face %&rning with shame. /First she goes to the #olo games,/ said Gordi!eh, /and now this. 'h! do we even give s&ch #eo#le shelter1/ she contin&ed, as tho&gh tal$ing to herself. 6! mother shivered, her worst fears hanging in the air. Gordi!eh tried to wal$ awa! %&t co&ldn't move. he loo$ed down in horror. 4l&m#s of .am had #asted her feet to the gro&nd. he $ic$ed off her shoes and contin&ed %arefoot to her rooms, m&ttering, /-m%ecile2/ as she left. Gostaham followed, tr!ing to console her. *he servants %egan cleaning the .am and %ro$en croc$er!, whis#ering together a%o&t the waste. /*hat was a lot of wor$,/ said 4oo$, who had made the .am herself. /'hen will %rea$fast %e sweet again1/ as$ed 3li"3sghar sadl!, for we all $new that Gordi!eh wo&ldn't %&! an! for o&r %read. - followed m! mother, head %owed, &ntil we reached o&r room. /3 #otato is smarter,/ - heard 4oo$ sa!ing. /-t's her %ad star,/ added hamsi. -n o&r room, m! mother didn't loo$ at me or %erate me, even tho&gh - $new she tho&ght - had lost m! reason. he #&t her chador over her head and %egan #ra!ing, to&ching her head to the mohr"" cla! ta%let""she had #laced on the gro&nd. 3fter #ra!ing, she sat on her heels and called for hel#. /Please, God, #rotect &s. Please, God, don't let &s %ecome %eggars in the street. - call on !o&, 0a, -mam

)ossein, 0a, )a+rat"e"3li, !o& who $now what it means to %e mart!red, #lease save m! da&ghter, who has made a child's mista$e./ - wished - had considered m! mother's concerns a%o&t o&r f&t&re %efore - had removed the r&g from the loom. 'hen, at last, she finished her a##eals, - crawled over to where she sat, staring straight ahead. /Bi%i,/ - said, to&ching her arm. /- %eg !o&r forgiveness with m! whole heart. -f - had $nown how angr! ever!one wo&ld %e, - never wo&ld have made s&ch a %ad decision./ 6! mother's arm was stiff, and she didn't loo$ at me. he moved awa! from m! gras#. /)ow man! times have !o&r father and - told !o& not to %e rash1/ she as$ed. /)ow man! times1/ - sighed. /- $now,/ - said. 6! mother loo$ed &# to the ceiling as if a##ealing to God for a %etter da&ghter. /0o& don't &nderstand how l&c$! !o& have %een,/ she re#lied. /B&t this time, - am certain that !o&r l&c$ has ended./ /Bi%i, - was onl! tr!ing to ma$e it %etter,/ - whined. /6a! !o&r throat close2/ - t&rned m! face to the wall and sat there, m! e!es dr!, m! agon! all inside. - wo&ld have given the life that #&lses thro&gh m! heart to relieve m! mother's s&ffering. he went right %ac$ to #ra!ing o&t lo&d, as if the stream of her words co&ld wash awa! m! error. *)E 6O5*) *)3* - s#ent f&lfilling m! #&nishment seemed as vast as the desert. - %egan m! da! %! collecting and em#t!ing the #ots f&ll of night soil, which made me green with na&sea. *hen, after Gordi!eh cons&lted with 4oo$ and 3li"3sghar a%o&t the tas$s at hand, she assigned me the ones no one else wanted to do. - washed the greas! $itchen floor, cho##ed slim! $idne!s, stom#ed filth! la&ndr!

in a %asin and wr&ng it &ntil m! arms ached. Even in the afternoons, when ever!one was slee#ing, Gordi!eh loaded me with tas$s. 6! hands %ecame as ro&gh as goats' horns, and - fell on m! %ed ever! evening wea$ with e(ha&stion. %itterl! regretted what - had done, %&t - also felt that m! #&nishment was more severe than - deserved, and that Gordi!eh was en.o!ing her #ower over me. One morning, when m! month of la%or was nearl! finished, a servant s&mmoned me and m! mother into the %irooni at Gostaham's command. 6! legs were trem%ling as we wal$ed thro&gh the co&rt!ard, for - was certain the! were going to tell &s that we were no longer welcome in their home. -n the Great Room, - was s&r#rised to find Gostaham seated in the #lace of honor, near the to# of the car#et, with Gordi!eh on his right. )e %ec$oned to m! mother to .oin him on a c&shion at his left. - sat alone facing them on the other side of the car#et. /)ow are !o&, =hanoom1/ Gordi!eh as$ed m! mother, &sing the #olite term for married women. /-s !o&r health good1/ )er s&dden co&rtes! was &ne(#ected. /'h!, !es,/ said m! mother, mimic$ing the same tone of #oliteness. /- am ver! well, than$ !o&./ /3nd !o&, m! little one,/ contin&ed Gordi!eh. /)ow are !o&1/ 6! s$in #ric$led with s&r#rise at the endearment, and answered that - was in good health. - loo$ed at Gostaham to tr! to &nderstand the meaning of the meeting. *ho&gh normall! a%le to sit cross"legged for ho&rs witho&t moving, his %ac$ straight as a loom, now he $e#t shifting his weight and rearranging his legs. 'hen the coffee arrived, Gordi!eh made a great show of #assing it to &s and offering &s dates to accom#an! it. 3n aw$ward silence fell over the room as we si##ed o&r coffee.

/=hanoom,/ Gostaham finall! said, addressing m! mother, /it is m! d&t! to tell !o& a%o&t a letter - received this morning from Fere!doon, the horse merchant who commissioned a car#et from &s some months ago./ 6! mother loo$ed s&r#rised, for she had onl! heard the name once %efore, when - told her a%o&t m! contri%&tions to the dangling gems design. 'hat had - done wrong now1 wondered. 'as there something in m! design that had &#set him1 /-t is o%vio&s that Fere!doon is #leased with the car#et, .&dging %! what he said after seeing it on the loom,/ said Gostaham. /B&t the letter he wrote made ver! little mention of it, in fact, almost none at all./ 6! hand shoo$ so m&ch that - had to #&t down m! c&# for fear of s#illing coffee on the sil$ r&g, leaving %ehind a large %rown stain that co&ld never %e removed. /*here is reall! onl! one other thing a wealth! man li$e that might desire,/ contin&ed Gostaham, /and that is !o&r da&ghter./ )e was s#ea$ing in a straightforward, %&sinessli$e tone similar to the one he &sed to negotiate the #rice of a r&g. 6! mother #ressed her #alms to her chee$s. /*here is no God %&t God,/ she said, as she alwa!s did when she was s&r#rised. Gostaham #&t %oth hands on his t&r%an and read.&sted it as if he co&ld no longer %ear its weight. - $new him well eno&gh to %e a%le to read the fidget! mar$s of his distress. B&t wh!1 'hat co&ld %e more flattering than the offer of a wealth! man1 Gordi!eh .&m#ed in, &na%le to hide her e(citement. /)e wishes to ma$e !o&r da&ghter his wife,/ she said %reathlessl!.

Gostaham gave Gordi!eh a warning loo$, which m! mother didn't see. he lea#t to her feet, her coffee c&# teetering and almost s#illing. /3t last2/ she cried, o#ening her arms to the s$!. /3 match sent from the heavens for m! onl! child2 3fter all that we have end&red, o&r fic$le fort&nes have finall! changed2 Praise %e to 6ohammad2 Praise %e to 3li2/ Gordi!eh loo$ed am&sed %! her o&t%&rst, %&t her re#l! was $ind. /6! mother's heart $nows how !o&rs m&st feel,/ she said. /Few are the women %lessed with s&ch good fort&ne, as welcome as rain./ /9a&ghter of mine, s#ring of m! heart,/ cried m! mother, o#ening her arms toward me. / ince the moment of !o&r %irth, !o& have %ro&ght wonders to o&r h&m%le famil!. 0o&'re the light of m! e!es./ 6! heart %egan to swell with ho#e. 3s the wife of a rich man, - wo&ld %ecome one of those fat, #am#ered ladies the women of m! village had teased me a%o&t. -n the !ear of the comet, co&ld s&ch good fort&ne %e #ossi%le1 Once m! mother had calmed herself, she had ,&estions. /)ow does Fere!doon $now he desires m! da&ghter1/ she said. /O&tside the ho&se, she's alwa!s covered from head to toe2/ - $e#t m! silence8 the last thing - wanted the famil! to $now was that - had &ncovered m!self in the #resence of a stranger. /- &nderstand that )oma was singing !o&r #raises at the hammam,/ Gordi!eh said to me. /One of Fere!doon's woman servants ha##ened to %e there, and she told him of !o&r charms./ - %reathed with relief. )e had waited to ma$e the offer &ntil he had fo&nd a #ro#er e(c&se. *hen - %l&shed, wondering whether the woman servant had descri%ed how - loo$ed witho&t m! clothes.

6! mother m&st have ass&med that m! silence grew o&t of modest!. /'hen shall we hold the ceremon!1/ she as$ed Gordi!eh. /3s soon as we can, - thin$./ /- agree,/ said Gordi!eh, /altho&gh - don't %elieve he will re,&ire a grand wedding. 0o&r da&ghter and Fere!doon wo&ld onl! need to meet with a m&llah to ma$e ever!thing legal./ - had no e(#erience of wealth! weddings, %&t in m! village, weddings were cele%rated for three da!s, if not more. 'hat Gordi!eh descri%ed so&nded more li$e signing a contract. /- don't &nderstand,/ said m! mother, loo$ing #&++led. /*he #ro#osal - have here,/ said Gostaham, showing &s the elegantl! written letter, /is not for a lifetime marriage contract. -t's for a sigheh of three months./ - had heard the word sigheh %&t didn't $now all that it meant, e(ce#t that it was short. /3 sigheh1/ said m! mother, loo$ing #&++led. /- $now that #ilgrims to >om ma! contract a sigheh for an ho&r or a night"" %&t these are arrangements for #leas&re. 0o& want m! da&ghter to marr! for that1/ Gordi!eh m&st have read the disma! on o&r faces. /-t's tr&e that it won't last forever,/ she said, /%&t nothing on this earth is #ermanent %! God's own design. *he im#ortant #oint is that it will %ring !o& financial %enefits !o& co&ld never claim elsewhere./ 6! mother's instincts as a tradeswoman had sta!ed shar#. he straightened her %ac$, and a fierce e(#ression entered her e!es. he loo$ed .&st li$e she had on the da! she s,&ee+ed high #rices o&t of the harem women. /)ow m&ch1/ she as$ed, a steel! tone in her voice.

Gostaham &nfolded the letter and read o&t the s&m. -t was the same amo&nt Fere!doon had offered to #a! for the car#et he had commissioned from Gostaham. -t wo&ld %e a tid! s&m of mone! for &s %&t ins&fficient to %&! o&r inde#endence. 6! mother clic$ed her tong&e against her teeth. /-t's not eno&gh. Once m! da&ghter's virginit! is gone, who will want her then1 -t's far %etter for her to marr! a man for life./ Gostaham loo$ed as if he were a%o&t to agree, %&t Gordi!eh c&t him short. /0o& mean !o&'d rather give her to a %a$er's son with hair!, flo&r"coated arms than to a man of wealth1/ she as$ed. /9on't forget that the sigheh is renewa%le. -f !o&r da&ghter #leases Fere!doon, he ma! wish to $ee# her indefinitel!. Each time he renews, he will #a! the agreed"&#on s&m. )e ma! also grace her with gifts of .ewelr! or even a ho&se. -f she is l&c$! and clever, the alliance co&ld ma$e !o&r fort&ne./ Gostaham shifted again on his #illow, loo$ing m&ch less o#timistic. /Let's not forget it co&ld also end ,&ic$l!,/ he said. /*he onl! g&arantee is three months. Be!ond that, it's entirel! his decision./ Gordi!eh s#o$e to m! mother in a s&gar"coated tone that made her h&s%and's words seem slight. /'h! wo&ldn't a fine girl li$e !o&r da&ghter #lease Fere!doon1 &ch a moon wo&ld shine on him all night, ever! night2/ /0es, she wo&ld,/ said m! mother. /B&t if he li$es her so m&ch, wh! doesn't he ma$e &s a #ro#er offer1/ /)e can't,/ said Gordi!eh. /)is first wife is dead, carried off %! the cholera that wasted his da&ghter. 3s the son of a wealth! man, he is %o&nd to marr! a high%orn woman who can %ear his heirs./ - $new that a village girl li$e m!self wo&ld not do.

/)oma is alread! loo$ing for a s&ita%le !o&ng woman,/ said Gordi!eh. /B&t - imagine that Fere!doon is craving com#anionshi#, now that he has mo&rned his first wife. )e co&ld have an!one in the land for the #&r#ose""and !et !o&r da&ghter is his choice./ - felt a s&rge of e(citement. )e had ta$en notice and made me an offer""me, a village girl whose fingerti#s %ore call&ses from car#et ma$ing and cleaning2 /0o&r dangling gems car#et m&st have made him ta$e a fanc! to !o&,/ Gordi!eh said to me as if she co&ld hear m! tho&ghts. /3%ove all other women, he has fi(ed his attention on !o&. *hat m&st %e more than !o& had ever ho#ed for""to catch the e!e of s&ch a wealth! man2/ /*r&e,/ - said, %l&shing. /Reall!, there is no wa! !o& can err,/ said Gordi!eh. /3n! children !o& conceive will %e legitimate offs#ring, and will %e s&##orted. 5o man in his #osition wo&ld let the mother of his children go h&ngr!. 3nd .&st imagine what might ha##en if !o& $ee# him ha##! and satisfied2/ Gostaham held &# his hands as if sto##ing the flow of Gordi!eh's words. /Remem%er, =hanoom,/ he said to m! mother, /altho&gh an! children wo&ld %e legitimate, the!'ll never have the same stat&s as the offs#ring of his #ermanent wives./ Gordi!eh made a cho##ing movement with her hand as if to #&sh his words awa!. /Onl! God $nows what will ha##en,/ she said. /-t's not for &s to decide./ Gostaham loo$ed at m! mother. /-t %ehooves !o& to thin$ ver! caref&ll! a%o&t this offer, =hanoom. 0o& can't #redict whether he will leave or sta!. 0o& don't $now if !o& and !o&r da&ghter will live in l&(&r! or %e red&ced to %egging. 3nd even if !o&r da&ghter has children, she will have no inheritance rights""none./

Gordi!eh sighed in e(as#eration. /6an! odd twists of fate co&ld also occ&r if she marries a %a$er,/ she said. /From one da! to the ne(t, he co&ld fall sic$ and die. *he hah co&ld acc&se him of cheating on the weight of %read and coo$ him in his own oven. )e co&ld %e thrown off a m&le and crac$ his head./ /5o do&%t,/ re#lied Gostaham. /B&t then she wo&ld have a legitimate famil! to rel! on""her h&s%and's #arents, %rothers, and co&sins. he wo&ld %e less li$el! to %e alone and sorr! after onl! three months./ / orr!1/ - as$ed. /'ell, reall!, there is nothing to worr! a%o&t,/ said Gordi!eh. /3 sigheh is a legal &nion./ /Legal, !es, %&t some #eo#le consider it %eneath them,/ re.oined Gostaham. 6! face %&rned for a moment, altho&gh - didn't $now e(actl! what he meant. Gostaham t&rned to m! mother. /-f he were offering a reg&lar marriage, - wo&ldn't hesitate to &rge !o& to acce#t,/ he said. / till,/ said Gordi!eh ,&ic$l!, /there's m&ch ca&se for cele%rating. -t wo&ld %e %est if !o& acce#ted the offer and &sed it as another so&rce of income, es#eciall! since o&r finances here at home are so &nsta%le./ /Unsta%le1/ said m! mother, loo$ing aro&nd at the well" $e#t room. Following her ga+e, - o%served thic$ %o&,&ets of red and !ellow roses, mo&nds of hone!ed sweets, #latters heav! with sweet melons and c&c&m%ers, and %owls f&ll of roasted #istachios. /0o&'re worried a%o&t mone!1/ she as$ed. /6! h&s%and's salar! from the ro!al r&g wor$sho# is hardl! eno&gh to meet o&r e(#enses,/ Gordi!eh said. /*he hah #ermits him to #erform e(tra commissions in his own time, which are what $ee# &s comforta%le, %&t the! come

and go with the wind. 3 new sil$ car#et is the first thing a financiall! tro&%led famil! can do witho&t./ he t&rned to Gostaham. /3nd isn't it tr&e that even the ro!al famil! can't %e tr&sted as #atrons1 - remem%er the stories a%o&t how the late hah *ahmas# fired h&ndreds of miniat&re #ainters, gilders, calligra#hers, and %oo$%inders after he %ecame #io&s. &ch a calamit! co&ld ha##en again./ Gostaham loo$ed disg&sted for a moment. / hah 3%%as is nothing li$e his grandfather. )e has no reason to sto# s&##orting the ro!al r&g wor$sho#, which is ver! #rofita%le./ / till,/ said Gordi!eh im#atientl!, /who can #redict what will ha##en1 Of co&rse, a mother and da&ghter on their own sho&ld alwa!s %e ca&tio&s a%o&t their financial f&t&re./ 6! mother roc$ed %ac$ at those words as if %attered %! a fierce desert wind. 5othing co&ld have terrified her more than the tho&ght that we might have to str&ggle on o&r own again, as we had in the months after m! father's death. /Fere!doon and his relatives have do+ens of ho&ses in -sfahan and thro&gho&t the co&ntr!,/ Gordi!eh contin&ed. /Ever! ho&se the! %&! and ever! tent the! #itch in the desert needs car#ets""good car#ets. &ch a famil! orders sil$, not wool./ he t&rned to me. /*hin$ how s&ch an alliance wo&ld %enefit o&r famil!2/ -t was the first time - had heard her sa! /o&r famil!/ in a wa! that incl&ded m! mother and me. 3ltho&gh the sigheh mone! wo&ld %e o&rs to $ee#, - %egan to &nderstand that Gordi!eh had her own reasons for #romoting the &nion. /- wo&ld do an!thing to aid o&r famil!,/ - re#lied. /3nd -, too,/ added m! mother. /'hat does he sa! a%o&t #roviding a ho&se for m! da&ghter1/

/)e hasn't offered one,/ said Gordi!eh. /B&t if !o&r da&ghter is #leasing and o%edient, that ma! come./ 6! mother sighed. /-t's certainl! not the offer - tho&ght it was at first./ /- &nderstand,/ said Gordi!eh in a soothing tone. /Of co&rse !o& want the %est for !o&r da&ghter. B&t what %etter offer co&ld a !o&ng woman with no dowr! e(#ect1/ 6! mother's %row f&rrowed, and - saw a loo$ of hel#lessness in her e!es. /-'ll have an answer for !o& in a few da!s,/ she finall! said. /;&st don't $ee# him waiting too long,/ re#lied Gordi!eh. /3nd do not sa! a word a%o&t the offer to an!one,/ added Gostaham. /'e'll want to $ee# ,&iet a%o&t it even if !o&r da&ghter does marr! Fere!doon./ /'h!1/ - as$ed. Gordi!eh loo$ed awa!. /-t's #erfectl! legal,/ she re#eated, and then there was a long, &ncomforta%le silence d&ring which Gostaham cleared his throat. 6! mother loo$ed at him, waiting for an answer. /-t's not the t!#e of thing a famil! li$e o&rs wo&ld advertise,/ he finall! said. - had another concern that felt li$e salt &nder m! s$in. /'hat a%o&t m! schooling1/ - as$ed. /Gostaham is still teaching me a%o&t car#ets./ For the first time that morning, Gostaham loo$ed #leased, as if - were tr&l! the child of his heart. /5o matter what !o&r mother decides a%o&t the marriage, - will contin&e to instr&ct !o& for as long as !o& want to learn,/ he said. -t was as tho&gh a light had #assed from his heart to mine. /- want to $ee# learning,/ - said. /'hat if - have to live far awa!1/

/ ince Fere!doon hasn't offered a ho&se, !o& will remain here,/ said Gordi!eh. /'on't he insist on sh&tting her awa! from the e!es of strangers1/ m! mother as$ed. /)e's rich, %&t he's not from a high"class -sfahani famil!,/ Gordi!eh said. /*he onl! women he's li$el! to se,&ester are his #ermanent wives./ he t&rned to me. /9on't worr!""-'m s&re it won't matter to him what !o& do d&ring the da!./ 3F*ER *)E 6EE*-5G, - went to the cham%er where m! mother and - sle#t and loo$ed aro&nd witho&t seeing an!thing, then clim%ed the stairs to the roof as if to chec$ on la&ndr!, altho&gh there was none, then visited 4oo$ to see if she needed hel#. - cho##ed onions for a few min&tes &ntil s#illed a %owl of cleaned fen&gree$ onto the floor, after which - was thrown o&t of the $itchen and told not to ret&rn. -t was not that - o%.ected to Fere!doon's #erson, for even tho&gh he was not as handsome as -s$andar, he was erect, well m&scled, and gave off the a##ealing smell of horses. B&t his #ro#osal was not the res#ectf&l offer - had ho#ed to receive from a s&itor. -f Fere!doon wanted me, wh! didn't he offer to marr! me forever1 3nd if he re,&ired a high%orn woman to %ear his heirs, wh! not marr! her first and then offer to ma$e me his second wife1 - fretted at m! chores, $nowing that m! fort&nes might change in a single da!. -f - married, - wo&ld give &# m! virginit!, once and alwa!s8 and - might %ear children. - wo&ld %e forever changed. - imagined the da!s of leis&re and nights of love, the %owls of hone! and dates, the growing rolls of flesh on m! %ell!. B&t what if - was no longer married after onl! three months1 - wo&ld hardl! have time to grow fat.

- wished - co&ld go to 5aheed's and as$ her and her mother what the! tho&ght. B&t Gostaham had instr&cted &s to remain silent a%o&t the offer. -f the sigheh ended after three months witho&t a #regnanc!, so m&ch the %etter for m! later #ros#ects if no one $new. *hat seemed odd to me, since ever! marriage - had ever heard a%o&t was anno&nced and cele%rated with great .o!. 'h! was there a veil of secrec! over this one1 /9a&ghter of m! heart,/ said m! mother when we met in o&r room that evening, /what have !o& %een thin$ing1/ *here were dar$ circles &nder her e!es, and her feet were red again. *he wor$ in the $itchen had %een ver! hard that da!. - too$ a c&shion and #&t it &nder her feet as she stretched o&t on her %edroll. /0o& and m! Ba%a alwa!s told me !o& wo&ld marr! me to a good man,/ - said. /)ow can Fere!doon %e that man, if he onl! wants me for a few months1/ 6! mother sighed. /From ever!thing we've heard, his re#&tation is &#standing,/ she said. /*here's no reason to %elieve otherwise./ /- feel as if he wants to %&! me chea#l!,/ - re#lied. /0o& and m! Ba%a raised me to e(#ect %etter./ 6! mother too$ m! hands in hers. /'e cannot have the same ho#es we once had,/ she said. /*his offer s&r#asses what - tho&ght #ossi%le./ /'hat else is #ossi%le1/ /5othing,/ m! mother re#lied dar$l!. /Gordi!eh is right. )ow can two #enniless women e(#ect more1/ - ad.&sted the white cloth that covered m! hair and ret&rned m! hands to m! mother's warm ones. /-f it were m! decision, - wo&ld sa! no. 3fter all, )a.. 3li said that marriages made in this #eriod wo&ld %e f&ll of #assion and strife./

6! mother withdrew her hands from mine. /-t's not !o&r decision,/ she said with iron in her voice. /- have the right to tell the m&llah no if - o%.ect,/ - re#lied angril!, remem%ering what Goli had once told me. /-f !o& do that, !o& will forever estrange !o&rself from this famil!, and that incl&des me./ 6! heart was chilled %! her re#l!. /0o& mean !o& wo&ld have me marr! Fere!doon against m! will1/ /O&r #osition in this ho&sehold is &nso&nd,/ she re#lied. /-'m sorr!,/ - said, $nowing that - was m&ch to %lame. /*hat's wh! - am as$ing !o& not to %e so im#r&dent for the first time in !o&r life,/ said m! mother more gentl!. /*his decision is %est left to !o&r elders, who have !o&r interests at heart./ *he merest all&sion to m! mista$e made me want to hide m! face in shame. )aving acted rashl!, - longed to show that - co&ld learn from m! miscond&ct. /4hashm,/ - said mee$l!, &sing the word of o%edience that soldiers give their commanders. /- s&%mit to !o&r will./ 3nd with that, - to&ched m! head to m! mother's swollen feet, determined to do whatever she as$ed of me. *)E 5E<* 6OR5-5G, m! mother gave her consent to the #ro#osal. Gostaham wrote a letter of acce#tance to Fere!doon and offered his congrat&lations to &s witho&t enth&siasm. 3lmost immediatel!, we received a note %ac$ from Fere!doon #ro#osing to formali+e o&r &nion the ne(t da!, the first of Rama+an. 'e sle#t late that morning %eca&se we $new we wo&ld %e o%serving the fast &ntil nightfall. 6! mother hel#ed 4oo$ cho# vegeta%les and fr! meat, while - #ic$ed %&gs and stones o&t of the rice and soa$ed it to remove its starch. Even that sim#le tas$ seemed to ta$e longer than &s&al

%eca&se - was h&ngr! and #arched. 6! tho&ghts wandered often to Fere!doon as - wor$ed. ince - had not seen him for several months, - wondered how he wo&ld loo$ and whether - wo&ld regret %owing to m! mother's decision. B! midafternoon, m! tong&e was stic$ing to the roof of m! mo&th and it was diffic&lt to s#ea$. *he da!s had %ecome hot, so ever!one was thirst! and had to str&ggle not to thin$ of water. *he da!s were also long, which meant an endless wait &ntil nightfall, when we were #ermitted to eat. Ever! moment re,&ired strength of will. B! earl! evening, we were all enervated from lac$ of food and drin$. Gordi!eh's children and grandchildren gathered at the ho&se, gidd! with antici#ation. 3s the thic$ aroma of 4oo$'s lam% and chic$en stews #ermeated the air, - %egan salivating in a wa! that h&rt m! tong&e. *he ad&lts fed the children who were too !o&ng to $ee# the fast. *ension %&ilt in the ho&se as the moment of satisfaction drew near. 4oo$, who seemed es#eciall! nervo&s, %ar$ed orders at &s as if we were soldiers. he wanted all the food to %e read! on time, %&t not so soon that it wo&ld grow cold. - felt as if might sna# from the clo&d of feelings that h&ng over me. 3t last, the great cannon's %oom stirred ever!one to life. hel#ed hamsi and :ohreh carr! the food to the Great Room. Gostaham's famil! descended on the meal li$e leo#ards tearing into deer. *here was no other so&nd than that of chewing. Gostaham, who co&ld scoo# rice into his %read and lift it to his mo&th witho&t dro##ing a grain, now let the rice fall where it ma!. 5o one said a word &ntil %ellies had %een filled and throats soothed with drin$. -n the $itchen, m! mother and - and the servants were e,&all! ,&iet as we served the food. 5ormall! we wo&ld have waited &ntil the famil! had finished eating, %&t not d&ring Rama+an. 'e were too de#leted. - co&ld hardl! decide whether to eat or drin$ first, %&t - started with a c&# of

4oo$'s thirst",&enching shar%at, a mi( of fr&it .&ices, s&gar, vinegar, and the essence of roses. *he drin$ was sweet and so&r at the same time, which enlivened m! a##etite. B&t when - sat down to eat, - co&ldn't swallow a morsel. 'hile we were drin$ing o&r tea, Fere!doon arrived at o&r door with his acco&ntant and the m&llah. Gostaham escorted them into the Great Room and treated them to drin$s and sweetmeats %efore calling &s in. - was f&ll! covered in m! chador, as was #ro#er in mi(ed com#an!. - #ee$ed at Fere!doon, who was s&m#t&o&sl! dressed in a %rown velvet ro%e #atterned with golden steeds to##ed with horsemen li$e himself. Gostaham read the marriage contract o&t lo&d to verif! its d&ration and the amo&nt we wo&ld %e #aid. 'hen the m&llah as$ed for m! consent, - gave it right awa!, as had #romised m! mother. Fere!doon signed the doc&ment, and m! mother, Gostaham, the m&llah, and Fere!doon's acco&ntant were the witnesses. Fere!doon was ver! %&sinessli$e a%o&t the #roceedings, %&t when no one was loo$ing, he gave me a long, fran$ stare of a##reciation that made me trem%le. )is ga+e made m! %od! feel heav! and ri#e, li$e a date %athing in its own .&ices. - shivered at the tho&ght of what it wo&ld %e li$e to %e alone with him for the first time. - $new - wo&ld have to shed m! clothes, %&t - had ver! little idea what wo&ld ha##en after that. - ho#ed - wo&ld li$e it, and - #ra!ed that he wo&ld li$e me. - drew comfort thin$ing of Goli's words. /Ever!one li$es it,/ she had once said. 6! mother collected a sac$ of coins from the acco&ntant. Fere!doon and his ento&rage than$ed &s and de#arted. 3s we ret&rned to o&r room, - heard the silver clin$ing within m! mother's clothes, which made m! wedding seem more li$e a matter of trade than cele%ration. Beca&se it seemed odd to sta! at home ,&ietl! on m! wedding da!, m! mother and - wal$ed to the -mage of the

'orld for am&sement later that evening. *he sho#$ee#ers had festooned their alcoves with lights so that #eo#le co&ld e(amine merchandise &ntil the earl! ho&rs. ;&gglers and stor!tellers am&sed the crowd with their tric$s, and %o!s sold hone!ed almonds and s&gar cr!stals inf&sed with saffron. Families %o&ght stic$s of grilled lam% and ate them while wal$ing from sho# to sho#. -t was livel!, %&t it felt #ec&liar to %e lost in this nameless crowd rather than cele%rating m! marriage as - wo&ld have in m! village. 'ell"wishers wo&ld have s&rro&nded me for a da! and a night. *ogether, we wo&ld have danced, s&ng songs, told stories, and recited verse, and after we were all sated on rice with chic$en, orange #eel, and s&gar, m! h&s%and wo&ld have arrived to claim me for his own. - tho&ght a%o&t how #ro&d m! father wo&ld have %een, and - missed him with all m! heart. -t was nearl! dawn %efore we wal$ed home again. 6! mother and - ate a meal of c&rds, her%s, n&ts, sweets, and %read to $ee# &s going thro&gh the da!. - had a final glass of so&r cherr! shar%at %efore sin$ing into slee# not long %efore the s&n's first ra!s a##eared. 3s - #&lled the %lan$ets aro&nd me, - ho#ed - wo&ld not awa$en %efore the s&n reached its +enith. B&t - tossed on m! %edroll, for m! %od! was not &sed to slee#ing while it was light. - felt di++! and &nsettled %! the changes that had occ&rred so s&ddenl!. -t reminded me of the time when m! father had left &s alone forever d&ring the co&rse of a single night. *he ver! gro&nd - wal$ed on then had seemed to trem%le, as if an earth,&a$e were a%o&t to red&ce o&r village to r&%%le. - 9-95'* )37E to wait long for m! first s&mmons from Fere!doon. -t came on the fo&rth da! of Rama+an in the form of a letter that directed me to %e %athed, dressed, and read! to meet him %efore the cannon went off the following evening. - was finall! going to %ecome a mat&re woman: Li$e Goli, - wo&ld $now ever!thing.

*he ne(t afternoon, m! mother and Gordi!eh too$ me to the elegant hammam in o&r district. For the first time, m! mother directed )oma to ta$e me into one of the #rivate c&%icles. he s#read a thic$, so&r"smelling cream made from the lemon"colored or#iment #lant on m! legs and &nderarms. 3fter a few min&tes, she #o&red a %&c$et f&ll of water over me and the hair melted awa!, leaving m! legs and &nderarms as smooth as a little girl's. *hen she tilted m! head %ac$ and groomed m! e!e%rows, not as strictl! as if had %een a mat&re woman, %&t .&st eno&gh so that the! c&rved li$e crescent moons. /0o&'re loo$ing #rettier and #rettier,/ said )oma. - %l&shed, for - was not &sed to thin$ing of m!self that wa!. 'hen - was smooth, - re.oined the other women in the main #art of the %ath. - felt the new sensation of m! hairless thighs whis#ering to each other as - wal$ed. Ret&rning to where m! mother and Gordi!eh were lo&nging and la&ghing, - stretched o&t %eside them. *he! #re#ared a %atch of henna #aste in a %owl, and Gordi!eh #ainted m! #alms to the wrist and half the length of the to#s of m! fingers. 6! mother did the %ottoms of m! feet and half the length of the to#s of m! toes. 6an! ho&rs later, when the! removed the #aste, m! toes and fingers loo$ed li$e ornaments. *he! didn't .o$e with me or tease me, which is what ha##ened to most %rides, for the! were determined to $ee# m! marriage a secret. *hen it was finall! time to %athe. 3s )oma scr&%%ed m! %ac$, she said, /)air and henna, it's as if !o&'re getting married2/ /0o&'d %e the first to $now a%o&t it, )oma".oon2/ - said, in what - ho#ed was a lighthearted tone. - was &nacc&stomed to l!ing, and the words seemed to stic$ in m! throat. )oma la&ghed and #o&red a vessel of water over m! head to rinse me. 3fter that, we made the Grand 3%l&tion in the hammam's largest t&%. *he hot water &s&all! made me

slee#! and indifferent, %&t this time, - fidgeted &ntil the other women %egged me to sto#. 'hen we arrived home, Gordi!eh led me and m! mother into her dressing room, a small cham%er in the andarooni. -t was filled with tr&n$s containing garments for s#ecial occasions. 3s the! #&lled o&t the #recio&s sil$s, Gordi!eh as$ed m! mother a%o&t her own wedding. /- tho&ght - was the l&c$iest girl in the village,/ she re#lied with a smile, /%eca&se - was marr!ing the comeliest man./ /3h, %&t %ea&t! comes and goes2/ re#lied Gordi!eh. /was a lovel! thing once m!self, not heav! and sagging the wa! - am now./ 6! mother sighed. /- wo&ldn't have minded if his %ea&t! had fled, if onl! his life had remained2 B&t if God is willing, m! da&ghter's f&t&re will %e sweeter./ 3fter - shed m! clothes, Gordi!eh hel#ed me into a trans#arent white sil$ sheath. - shivered, wondering how it wo&ld feel to show m!self in that attire to Fere!doon, for co&ld not imagine revealing m!self to him f&ll! &nclad. 5e(t came a loose sil$ t&nic, as red as an a##le, matching tro&sers, and s#ar$ling golden sli##ers with #ointed toes. *he .ewel of the o&tfit was a golden ro%e #atterned with red rose%&shes, which loo$ed as fine as if #ainted. Each %&sh s#ro&ted a tender %&d, a half"o#ened flower, and a rose at the height of its %ea&t!. 3 %&tterfl! stretched its wing toward the heart of the %lossoming rose, eager to feed. 6! mother held o#en the ro%e for me, and - sli##ed it on. /9a&ghter of mine, see how these roses have no thorns,/ she said. /Let that g&ide !o& when !o& are with !o&r h&s%and./ &ddenl! - felt di++!, #ro%a%l! %eca&se - hadn't eaten an!thing since %efore the s&n rose, o&t of res#ect for Rama+an. - san$ onto a stool to stead! m!self. Gordi!eh

#ainted m! e!elids with $ohl and dar$ened m! e!e%rows. *hen she da%%ed a %it of rose"colored #aint on m! li#s, ma$ing them loo$ smaller, and created a tin! %lac$ %ea&t! mar$ %elow the o&tside corner of m! left e!e. 6! mother covered m! hair with a %it of white lace, allowing a few stra! loc$s to decorate m! face. 3 string of Gordi!eh's #earls went &nder m! chin, o&tlining m! face from tem#le to tem#le. Gordi!eh fastened another strand of #earls aro&nd m! head. - co&ld feel each .ewel resting on m! forehead, as cool as a stream. / tand &#, a+i+am""m! dear,/ said m! mother. - arose and the! loo$ed at me. *he! seemed transfi(ed, as if the! were ga+ing at a %ea&tif&l #ainting - had never seen. 6! mother #&t a hand on each of m! chee$s. /0o& are as lovel! as the f&ll moon,/ she said. Once dressed, - was afraid to move for fear of dist&r%ing their fine wor$. 6! mother led me to a container of %&rning incense, %idding me #lace one foot on either side of it to #erf&me m! clothes. /3nd ever!thing &nder them,/ Gordi!eh said with a l&st! la&gh. *he sweet, strong smell of the incense clo&ded m! thin$ing and made me feel di++! again. 5e(t, Gordi!eh covered me in a white sil$ chador and a #icheh so that - wo&ldn't %e recogni+ed. 6! mother #&t her own %lac$ chador over her mo&rning clothes. 3s it was Rama+an and too earl! to eat, the! did not feed me a sweet dri##ing with almonds and rose water, %&t instead %r&shed it against m! li#s and wished me sweetness in m! married life. 6! mother and - had %een directed to meet Fere!doon at one of his homes near the old Frida! mos,&e. 'e left Gostaham's and wal$ed awa! from the river in the direction of the 5orth Gate, following the %a+aar &ntil we arrived at the cit!'s old main s,&are. From there, we #assed fo&r caravanserais, three hammams, and two religio&s schools %efore reaching the old Frida! mos,&e, which had %een %&ilt

some five h&ndred !ears %efore. *he mos,&e was made of %ric$ that was neither #ainted nor tiled. 'hile the hah's s,&are and his Frida! mos,&e were magnificent %e!ond com#are, this area of town had a ,&iet grande&r %orn of end&rance. Even the 6ongols had not destro!ed it. /Let's go in the mos,&e for a moment,/ - said. 'e #assed thro&gh its immense doorwa! into a dar$ corridor with solid %ric$ walls and thic$ col&mns. - tho&ght of all those who had #ra!ed here %efore me, es#eciall! women who had %een virgins one da! and married the ne(t. -t seemed to me as if - were now in the dar$ness of ignorance, %&t soon -, too, ho#ed to #ass into the %right light of $nowledge. - ste##ed from the dim corridor into the mos,&e's o&tdoor #ra!er s#ace, which %as$ed in the s&n's radiance. - stood for a moment in the light, &ttering #ra!ers, and m! mother let me %e &ntil - was done. /-'m read! now,/ - told her. 'e left the s,&are and t&rned down a narrow street where the onl! visi%le sign of homes was their tall gates. *he cannon was a%o&t to fire, and the streets were f&ll of #eo#le h&rr!ing to the #laces where the! #lanned to cons&me their ne(t meal. *heir faces loo$ed strained and f&ll of antici#ation. 6! mother as$ed a %o! for directions to Fere!doon's, and he led &s to a carved wooden door. 'e &sed the women's $noc$er, which made a high"#itched so&nd. 3lmost immediatel!, an older woman servant o#ened the door and introd&ced herself as )a!edeh. - recogni+ed her, for she had .oined in the festivities the da! that )oma had s&ng m! #raises. 'e ste##ed inside and removed o&r chadors. he #aid &s her res#ects, !et, with a clear sense of her s&#erior #osition, told m! mother that she wo&ld ta$e charge of me from that

moment. - hadn't e(#ected to sa! good"%!e so ,&ic$l!. 6! mother #&t her #alms against m! chee$s and whis#ered, /9on't forget !o& are named for a woman of strength and wisdom. - $now !o& will live &# to !o&r name./ 3s she t&rned to go, - saw a flood rising in her e!es, and there was a matching one in mine. - don't thin$ -'ve ever felt more alone than in that moment. 5oting m! distress, )a!edeh said sim#l!, /0o& will li$e it here./ *he ho&se had fo&r rooms arranged aro&nd an o#en co&rt!ard with a #rett! fo&ntain that so&nded li$e m&sic. )a!edeh collected m! o&tdoor wra#s and scr&tini+ed m! attire. he m&st have deemed it s&ita%le, for she led me into one of the cham%ers and told me to remove m! shoes and wait. *he room was li$e a treas&re chest. -ts walls had n&mero&s niches, which were #ainted with a design of orange #o##ies and fancif&l t&r,&oise flowers. *he ceiling was decorated with a s&n%&rst #attern li$e a car#et's carved o&t of white #laster. -t had %een inlaid with small mirrors, which shimmered li$e stars. 3 ver! fine sil$ r&g with a floral #attern covered the floor. *wo smaller car#ets that showed %irds singing together in a flowering tree h&ng on the walls, too #recio&s to %e wal$ed &#on. 'ithin arm's reach la! %owls filled with melons, gra#es, and tin! c&c&m%ers, as well as tall ewers containing water and red wine. - have no sense of how m&ch time #assed %efore Fere!doon arrived. Each min&te seemed as long as a !ear, and - hardl! moved for fear of r&ining m! a##earance. - thin$ - m&st have loo$ed as fro+en as a #rincess in a #ainting. Ever! detail was as #erfect, !et - was not m!self. - e(amined m! hennaed hands and toes as if the! %elonged to another, for - had never %een decorated %efore. - tho&ght of m! friend Goli, and of how m&ch - had longed to $now the m!steries

she had $nown for !ears. 5ow - wished - didn't have to $now them. *he cannon fired, and within moments the door to the room o#ened and Fere!doon strode in, trailed %! a half do+en servants %earing #latters of steaming food. / alaam,/ he said, sitting down on a c&shion close to mine. )e was wearing a lavender ro%e over a green t&nic, and a white t&r%an shot with silver thread. *wo servants whi##ed o#en a dining cloth and #laced it in front of &s, while others laid o&t #latters with eno&gh food for twent! #eo#le. *hen the! all res#ectf&ll! withdrew. Fere!doon seemed as comforta%le as when he had first seen me &ncovered. /0o& m&st %e famished,/ he said. /Let's %rea$ o&r fast together./ )e tore a #iece of %read, scoo#ed &# a morsel of lam% and rice coo$ed with dill, and offered it to me. - loo$ed at it in alarm. - had never %efore acce#ted food from a strange man's hand. /5o need to %e sh!,/ said Fere!doon, leaning toward me. /'e are man and wife./ 'hen - recoiled, he la&ghed. /3h, virgins2/ he said, with a smile of delight. - too$ the food from his fingerti#s and #laced it in m! mo&th. -t was as savor! as an! - had ever eaten, and there were mo&ntains of it. 'e had also %een served two stewed chic$ens, the ha&nch of a roasted lam%, rice with fava %eans and onions, and a sweet rice dish made with saffron, %ar%erries, orange #eel, and s&gar. - co&ldn't cons&me m&ch, %&t Fere!doon ate magnificentl! of ever!thing, as might %e e(#ected of one in his #osition. From time to time, he sto##ed and #re#ared a choice morsel for me. ;&st as at home, we didn't s#ea$ as we ate, the %etter to a##reciate the gift of food.

'hen we had finished, Fere!doon called for the servants and ordered the dishes to %e removed. - co&ld see them assessing how m&ch food remained on the #latters and calc&lating whether or not the!'d %e eating well tonight. )aving done the same thing m!self, - $new the! wo&ld. 5ow Fere!doon called for a water #i#e and a m&sician. 3 large glass #i#e with a %&rning em%er on to# of the to%acco a##eared at the same time as the smooth"s$inned !o&ng #la!er, who still didn't have his first %eard. Fere!doon too$ a #&ll on the #i#e and offered it to me, %&t - declined, never having smo$ed %efore. *he m&sician seated himself across from Fere!doon and waited &ntil he commanded him to #la! %! lifting his hand. *hen the m&sician %egan moving his %ow over his $amancheh, whose melodies seared m! heart. 3s watched the d&o, so in harmon! with one another, - felt a #iercing loneliness. *he $amancheh and its #la!er called o&t to me a%o&t a life of closeness - had never $nown, and #erha#s never wo&ld. - s&ddenl! %egan missing m! father. too$ a %reath to tr! to calm m!self, %&t m! e(#ression ca&ght Fere!doon's e!e. /'hat's this1/ he said. - co&ldn't re#l!, as - was fighting m! feelings. *he m&sician $e#t #la!ing. Fere!doon signaled him to sto#, %&t he didn't notice. Finall! Fere!doon said lo&dl!, /Eno&gh2 0o& ma! go./ *he !o&ng man #la!ed a %it longer %efore he finall! loo$ed &#. - noticed a strangel! flirtatio&s smile at the corners of his li#s as he than$ed his master and de#arted. - felt wretched, as if - had alread! made a terri%le %l&nder. B&t rather than %eing angr!, Fere!doon reached over to me and %egan stro$ing the to# of m! hennaed hand. )is hands were twice as large as mine, and his s$in was the color of %rewed tea against m! red fingerti#s. )is hand was softer than an! - had ever felt %efore. )e lingered over m! call&sed fingerti#s, smiling as if he li$ed the wa! the! felt.

'hile Fere!doon was loo$ing at m! hand, - glanced at his face. )e had a thic$ %lac$ m&stache and a closel! cro##ed %eard that reached all the wa! to his ears. - co&ld smell to%acco in the vicinit! of his li#s, which were as red as m! t&nic. - had never %een so close to a man's face %efore, e(ce#t for m! father's, and - m&st have loo$ed frightened. Fere!doon drew me into his arms and stro$ed the hair near m! face and each of m! hands. *he warmth of his s$in started to ma$e mine glow in ret&rn. / o,/ he said, /this is m! little mo&ntain girl from the so&th, so to&gh and hard on the o&tside, !et so %&tter! &nderneath2 'ho wo&ld have tho&ght1/ - wo&ldn't have descri%ed m!self that wa!, !et it m&st have %een tr&e. 3fter m! father's death, tenderness had seemed an emotion for other #eo#le to en.o!. /From the da! - saw !o& shed !o&r coverings, - wanted to have !o&,/ he said. /3nd !et, - sna##ed at !o&,/ - re#lied, remem%ering how had told him to sto# loo$ing. /3s !o& sho&ld have2/ /'h! did !o& wait &ntil now to as$ m! famil! for me1/ as$ed. /0o& weren't read!,/ he said. /B&t things had changed when )a!edeh saw !o& at the hammam./ - %l&shed, and Fere!doon $issed m! forehead right &nderneath the string of hanging #earls. 6! %od! fl&shed. -t was a wonder to %e the one #erson who mattered to someone, if onl! for a moment, more than an!one else. - wanted to tal$ more, %&t Fere!doon too$ m! hand and led me into a small %edcham%er located thro&gh a carved wooden door. Light flic$ered from a few oil lam#s #laced in niches in the walls. 3 large %edroll with a #illow %ig eno&gh

for a co&#le filled most of the room. -t was a cham%er made for .&st two things: slee# and love. 'e sat down on the %edroll, and m! heart %egan to %eat so fast - co&ld see the sil$ t&nic res#ond to its th&ds. Fere!doon removed Gordi!eh's #recio&s golden ro%e, tossing it aside with the cas&alness of a #erson acc&stomed to things of val&e. *hen he gentl! lifted the t&nic over m! head. - shivered in the sheer sil$ &ndergarment that revealed almost ever!thing. Fere!doon #&t his hands on m! waist for a moment, and their warmth calmed and stilled me. - co&ld feel him waiting for that. 'hen - rela(ed, he %egan caressing the front of m! %od! ver!, ver! lightl! with .&st the ti#s of his fingers, which were hot thro&gh the sil$. - wanted him to contin&e, %&t Fere!doon removed the last of m! garments rather ,&ic$l! and ga+ed &#on m! na$ed %od!, while - tried not to twist awa! li$e a worm on a hoo$. 3 loo$ of delight filled his e!es. /Breasts as firm as #omegranates, hi#s li$e an oasis2 omehow, - alwa!s $now2/ - was %l&shing from his words of #raise. /Red roses are %looming on !o&r chee$s,/ he said gentl!. )e cast aside his own garments, the #recio&s fa%ric twisting &# li$e rags. 'hen Fere!doon removed his t&r%an for the first time, - drew in m! %reath. )is hair fell to his sho&lders in thic$ %lac$ shining waves. - wanted to to&ch it, %&t didn't dare. *he wir! hairs against his %od! loo$ed li$e velvet #atterns on %rocade. *ho&gh - didn't loo$ directl! at his middle, glim#sed something that made me thin$ of shee# organs for sale in the meat %a+aar: $idne!, liver, and tong&e. 'hen Fere!doon too$ me in his arms, with nothing %etween &s, - smelled fresh a##le"flavored to%acco at his li#s and felt the %ristl! hair on his face and chest. )is %od! felt delicio&sl! warm against mine. - was so innocent - didn't $now what to e(#ect ne(t. - had seen animals r&tting in the fields, and - $new men and women did something similar.

B&t when Fere!doon .oined his %od! to mine, - held on to the %edroll to %race m!self, for it seemed violent. 3s his #assion flowered, - $new it was ins#ired %! me, %&t - felt far awa! from it. - was indeed li$e a #rincess fro+en in a #ainting, watching Fere!doon as he devo&red me. 'hen he ascended the seven heavens and sho&ted with .o!, o%served him c&rio&sl! thro&gh a half"o#en e!e. 3fter he fell aslee#, - felt thwarted and conf&sed. 'h! was what we were doing the so&rce of so man! .o$es among the women of m! village and, no do&%t, among the men1 'h! had Goli loo$ed ra#t&ro&s when she tal$ed a%o&t it1 ometime in the earl! ho&rs, Fere!doon wo$e &# and too$ me in his arms. -t seemed he wanted to do the same thing again. - com#lied, altho&gh - felt li$e a raw sore. -ns#ired %! his actions, - %egan moving m! hi#s against his as if - $new what to do, increasing m! efforts when - saw his e!es fl&tter li$e the wings of a %&tterfl!. 3s - contin&ed, he reared &# o&t of the %edclothes and s,&ee+ed m! %ac$ fiercel! with his soft hands, as if he were tr!ing to cr&sh his %od! into mine. 3fter a few long moments, his arms rela(ed and he slid onto one side of the %ed. /*hat was %e!ond com#are,/ he said, $issing one of m! %reasts. Before he sle#t, he smiled at me, and - had the feeling - had done .&st the right thing. - had a dream that night a%o&t #olo. *he rival horsemen were #&rs&ing the %all fiercel! and %loc$ing each other from it. 'hen one of them finall! drove the %all thro&gh the goal#osts, - e(#ected the crowd to lea# and roar, %&t no so&nds emerged from their throats. - awo$e with a start, thin$ing a%o&t Fere!doon's thighs shooting %etween mine, and wondering wh! the feeling hadn't %een as delightf&l as tho&ght it was going to %e. 3 - '3L=E9 home that morning, ever!thing - saw""the old Frida! mos,&e, the %&stling %a+aar, the #lane trees

sheltering the road thro&gh Fo&r Gardens""seemed newl! %orn &nder the hot s&n. 6! s$in tingled with the memor! of Fere!doon's em%race. 6! heart raced, li$e the da! - had stood on the %ridge loo$ing into -sfahan and had longed to &nloc$ the cit!'s m!steries. 0et - felt a hollowness inside as if something were missing, something - co&ld not name. 3s - #assed thro&gh Fo&r Gardens, m! e!e was ca&ght %! a wealth! man's #leas&re gro&nds, which were #lanted with %right #in$ dog roses and lilies in an &nearthl! shade of %l&e. - wondered what it wo&ld %e li$e to recline in the thic$ green clover &nder those shad! #o#lars, with a #icnic of %read, almonds, and shee#'s cheese"" and a h&s%and. 3 co&#le of l&st! !o&ng men noticed - was dawdling and %egan %egging for a sign from me. / he's as #l&m# and as #lia%le as a #each,/ one of them whis#ered lo&dl! to the other. /0o& can tell from the sha#e of their an$les./ 3s - t&rned toward Gostaham's street, ignoring them, smiled secretl! &nder m! #icheh. 5ow - $new e(actl! what %othered them so m&ch %eneath their ro%es. - loo$ed aro&nd at other women, delightf&ll! hidden %ehind their veils. 'e were a s&r#rise to %e &nwra##ed la!er %! la!er. 6! e(hilaration was not #&re. omething had %een missing in m! night with Fere!doon8 something that ca&sed others to cele%rate the act in co&ntless songs, #oems, and $nowing loo$s. /-t is li$e a fire that catches dr! grass and .o!f&ll! cons&mes it,/ Goli had once said. B&t what did that mean1 'hen - arrived home, m! mother greeted me with affection and as$ed how m! health was. - re#lied that - was well, than$s %e to God. /3nd how was !o&r evening1/ she as$ed, an(io&s to $now ever!thing.

- stretched o&t on m! %edroll, s&ddenl! tired. /- %elieve that ever!thing ha##ened as it was s&##osed to,/ - re#lied. /Praise %e to God2/ she said. /'as Fere!doon #leased1/ /3s far as - co&ld tell,/ - said flatl!, remem%ering how im#ortant his #leas&re was to o&r f&t&re. 6! mother stro$ed the hair awa! from m! face. /0o& so&nd as if !o& didn't en.o! !o&rself./ -t was as if she co&ld read m! tho&ghts. /)ow did !o& $now1/ /9on't worr!, m! child,/ m! mother said. /-t will im#rove from one time to the ne(t. ;&st have #atience./ /'h! will it im#rove1/ /0o&'ll get &sed to each other, and !o&'ll do things to #lease each other./ /*r&l!1/ /- #romise./ - longed to tal$ with a married friend li$e Goli a%o&t what had ha##ened, %&t - $new no one li$e that in -sfahan. 5aheed came to visit me that afternoon, $nowing nothing of where - had %een. - had not seen her in more than a month, for - had %een #&nished most of that time and not allowed to leave the ho&se or have visitors. 'hen she arrived, - was slee#ing. - arose to greet her, !awning. he hardl! noticed m! tiredness and didn't even remar$ on m! hennaed hands and feet. 5aheed was in love, and she was &na%le to thin$ of an!thing else. 'e $issed each other on %oth chee$s and sat on m! %edroll while m! mother went to the $itchen to have her tea. /-'m so e(cited,/ 5aheed said. *here was a red %l&sh on her chee$s, and her li#s seemed f&ll and soft. - had never seen her loo$ing so %ea&tif&l. 4om#ared with her, - $new loo$ed fatig&ed, with circles &nder m! e!es from lac$ of rest.

/)as an!thing ha##ened latel!1/ - as$ed. - glanced at her hi#s, which loo$ed thic$er than &s&al. he was $ee#ing his letters inside her clothes, tied &# in the sash that h&ng low. /0es,/ she said, /-'ve %ro&ght his latest missive, which -'ve alread! read a tho&sand times over./ he #&lled it o&t of her sash. /-t is f&ll of %ea&tif&l sentiments, %&t - will read !o& the line that is the most im#ortant./ Unfolding the letter, she read: Give me ass&rance that !o&r e!es, as green as emeralds, will shine their love on me, and %e ass&red that - will %e as eternall! tr&e to !o& as a diamond. /*hat so&nds li$e a marriage #ro#osal2/ - said. /*hat's e(actl! what - tho&ght,/ she re#lied, /altho&gh he wo&ld have to ma$e a formal offer to m! famil!./ he sighed and leaned %ac$ into the c&shions, her face a #ict&re of %liss. - wished - co&ld tell her that in the last few ho&rs, while she was e(&lting over a letter, - had revealed m! most secret #arts to a man""and seen all of his. B&t then - wo&ld have had to tell her it wasn't as wonderf&l as - had ho#ed it wo&ld %e. 5aheed sighed. /- can't sto# thin$ing of his e!es. *he! are so %lac$ and shin!, even from far awa!./ - tho&ght a%o&t Fere!doon's e!es. *he! were a warm %rown color, and the! had %een so close to mine that - had seen the #&#ils contracting in res#onse to the light of the oil lam#s. /)e is as handsome as 0&s&f,/ - said, /the #earl of his age./ /3nd his li#s2/ she said, as if she hadn't heard me. /*he! are so thic$ and red./ he %l&shed, her cream! chee$s going #in$ all at once. /- wonder what it m&st %e li$e to $iss him2/

- co&ld have told her what a $iss was li$e. 'hen Fere!doon first #&t his tong&e in m! mo&th, it seemed as fat as a worm, and he had #&shed it %etween m! li#s and cr&shed m! nose against his witho&t giving me room to %reathe. B&t - li$ed the wa! his tong&e felt when it darted in and o&t of m! mo&th. 5aheed, - %elieved, was imagining a $iss that wo&ld sto# chastel! at the li#s. /- thin$ of nothing %&t %eing wra##ed in his em%race, feeling his chest against mine and the m&scles in his arms./ )ow co&ld she $now of the strangel! #leasant ro&ghness of a man's wir! chest against her %reasts, as - did1 B&t the other things we had done had %een less #leasing: the strange hot #ress&re when - o#ened m! legs, the shar# #ain, and his e(#loding wetness later. - grew &ncomforta%le thin$ing a%o&t it. /0o&'re %l&shing,/ said 5aheed. /9o these things em%arrass !o&1/ /Perha#s,/ - said, willing m!self to %ring m! mind %ac$ to her concerns. -f Fere!doon and - had %een as dee#l! in love as -s$andar and 5aheed, wo&ld - have con,&ered m! sh!ness and en.o!ed m! night with him more1 /- have onl! !o& to than$, dear friend, for m! ha##iness,/ 5aheed contin&ed. /*his never wo&ld have ha##ened if !o& hadn't agreed to come with me to #olo./ /-t is nothing2/ /6! heart is !earning to hear from him again,/ contin&ed 5aheed. /- need to hear more words of love to $now if his feelings match mine./ - longed to tell 5aheed a%o&t m! sigheh, %&t Gordi!eh and Gostaham's demand for silence made me fear that m! new sit&ation wo&ld diminish me in her esteem. Even if - had %een a%le to confide in her, - wo&ldn't %e a%le to descri%e Fere!doon with the .o! with which she disc&ssed -s$andar.

6! marriage had %een one of necessit!8 hers wo&ld %e one of choice. /0o& aren't listening to me,/ said 5aheed with a frown. /'hat is it1 0o& loo$ sad toda!./ - had %een tr!ing to $ee# m! feelings o&t of o&r conversation, %&t it was im#ossi%le. /- .&st wish . . . that - was married to someone - loved2/ said a%r&#tl!, %&t it was more than that. 'h! co&ldn't - have a fair! face, with cream! white s$in1 'h! co&ldn't m! father %e alive, to rain his %lessings &#on me1 3nd wh! co&ldn't %e with a man who wanted me so m&ch that he wo&ld marr! me forever1 /-t will ha##en for !o&, too,/ said 5aheed. /'hen !o& discover love, !o& will see that it is the most e(alted feeling of the heart./ he threw her arms aro&nd me %efore we #arted, &na%le to contain her emotions. - wondered if she was right. 5aheed seemed to %e swe#t awa! %! the force of her own desires. 'as that love1 - didn't $now, %&t - was ha##! to see her %looming li$e a rose garden, even tho&gh m! own heart felt hollow. FERE09OO5 4L3-6E9 6E %! night, %&t %! da! - still %elonged to Gostaham. hortl! after m! first night with Fere!doon, he s&mmoned me to his wor$room. 5ow that $new the wa!s of men, - felt sh! aro&nd him, %&t he treated me .&st the same, as an a##rentice with a .o% to com#lete. 6! mother and - had alread! re#aid Gordi!eh for the wool - had s,&andered &sing #art of the sigheh mone!8 the rest of the silver #aid off the de%ts we had inc&rred in o&r village. 3fter - #romised to ta$e Gostaham's advice in choosing colors, he agreed to #&rchase the wool for another r&g. swore %! the )ol! >&r'an that - wo&ld not remove the r&g from the loom &ntil it was com#leted.

Gostaham had drawn a new design in %lac$ in$ and offered to t&tor me as to how he chose his colors. - tried to $ee# m! attention on o&r wor$ rather than on m! night with Fere!doon as he s#read o&t the design in his wor$room. -t #ortra!ed a vase s&rro&nded %! a garden of large fancif&l %looms. / hah 3%%as favors this design so m&ch, it has %een named after him,/ Gostaham said with a ch&c$le. /*he design is not #artic&larl! com#licated, which means that the colors %ecome most im#ortant of all./ *he vase had a narrow mo&th and a %od! c&rved as genero&sl! as a woman's. 'as m! own made as fine1 %l&shed to thin$ of m!self na$ed %efore Fere!doon, and of how genero&sl! he had #raised m! %reasts and hi#s. Gostaham #&lled o&t his tra! of #owdered #igments from a niche in the wall %ehind him. /5ow watch caref&ll!,/ he said. 3t the ver! center of the vase was a rosette. 9i##ing his %r&sh in water, he colored the rosette %lac$ with a cream center. *he #o##! holding the rosette %ecame a %right orange, which he made float in a cream! sea of mil$. *he %lossom enclosing the #o##! %ecame %lac$, and the sides of the vase s&rro&nding it, magenta. /*ell me the colors !o& see, in order./ - started at the vase. /4ream, %lac$, orange8 cream, %lac$, magenta,/ - said, %ecoming e(cited as - s#o$e. /-t's a #attern2/ /4orrect,/ said Gostaham. *he three large %lossoms s&rro&nding the vase contained s&cc&lent interior worlds of flowers, leaves, and ara%es,&es. *he first he colored mostl! orange, #&nct&ated with green8 the second was mostl! green with to&ches of %lac$, orange,

and #in$ li$e s#ots on a %&tterfl!'s wings. -t was no s&r#rise that the third %lossom was largel! #in$. /'atch the colors again,/ he said. *he third %lossom %egan as a tin! #in$ flower with a cream center s&rro&nded %! %lac$ #etals, which e(#loded into a mat&re magenta rose in a %lac$ sea #&nct&ated %! tin! orange flowers. -t was li$e seeing a flower %lossom thro&gh all the #hases of its life. -t reminded me of how Fere!doon's middle had seemed to &nfold, stand tall, %&rst forth, and come #eacef&ll! to rest. /0o& didn't answer m! ,&estion,/ said Gostaham. - hadn't even heard his re,&est for me to name the colors. /4ream, #in$, %lac$8 magenta, orange, %lac$,/ - said, with more e(citement than %efore. *here was the #attern again, %&t in a different arrangement. /Good. 5ow loo$ at all the %lossoms as a gro&#. ince -'m &sing the same colors re#eatedl!, wh! is it that the e!e does not grow %ored1/ *he answer was #lain. /3ltho&gh the %lossoms are related, li$e mem%ers of a famil!, each is an &n#aralleled treas&re./ /;&st so./ Gostaham s$etched ro#es of smaller flowers aro&nd each of the large %lossoms, encircling them loosel! %&t affectionatel!, in m&ch the same wa! that Fere!doon had first held me aro&nd the waist. From Gostaham's #en emerged the wild red t&li#, with its %lac$ center, #&r#le"%lac$ violets, red"%ric$ #omegranate flowers, %lac$ narciss&s, and #in$ roses. /5ow - have a test for !o&,/ Gostaham said. On another #iece of #a#er, he s$etched a %lossom from the side and colored it with a green"and"%lac$ center and %l&e leaves.

/'here shall - #&t this in the design1/ he as$ed, handing me the #a#er. - held the new drawing against the design, %&t it seemed to ,&arrel with the magenta and orange. Finall! - said, /can't find a #lace for it./ Gostaham smiled. /*hat's right,/ he said. /*he colors don't fit, even tho&gh the! are %ea&tif&l on their own./ /Unit! and integrit!,/ - m&rm&red, remem%ering his last lesson. /Praise God2/ said Gostaham, his face lit %! one of his rare smiles. /5ow co#! this design and its colors &ntil !o& &nderstand it with !o&r own e!es and fingerti#s. *hen, and onl! then, will - give !o& #ermission to %egin $notting./ - did as - was told. 3fter Gostaham gave his a##roval, we went to the %a+aar together and loo$ed for shades that matched the ones he had selected. )ad we %een wor$ing on a car#et for the ro!al r&g wor$sho#, he wo&ld have had those shades d!ed to his s#ecifications. till, -sfahan's wool sellers were so well stoc$ed that we were a%le to find h&es close to the ones he recommended. - was .&%ilant, for now co&ld $not a car#et that wo&ld ma$e %oth of &s #ro&d. 3 FE' 930 L3*ER, Fere!doon s&mmoned me again. 3fter receiving a letter from him in the morning, Gostaham fo&nd me in the co&rt!ard wor$ing on the new car#et and told me, /0o&'ll %e wanted tonight./ -t too$ me a moment to &nderstand what he meant, and then - colored with em%arrassment at the tho&ght that he and ever!one else in the ho&sehold $new what -'d %e doing that evening. B&t after Gostaham left me to m!self, - felt ha##! that Fere!doon wanted to see me, for - did not feel certain of how well - had #erformed as a wife. 'hen - finished m! $notting for the da!, - covered m!self in m! wra#s and wal$ed to the small, elegant home where -

had given m! virginit! to Fere!doon. On the wa!, - tho&ght a%o&t how affectionatel! m! mother and Gordi!eh had #re#ared me for him, and how m! %athing and dressing had ta$en all da!. *his time, and from then on, - was to %e #re#ared %! the women of Fere!doon's ho&sehold. - worried a%o&t how it wo&ld feel to %e handled %! women - didn't $now, women who served him instead of me. 'hen - arrived, )a!edeh greeted me and led me into the small hammam in Fere!doon's ho&se. he had a firm, no" nonsense manner, as if she had done this man! times %efore. *he hammam was in a #rett! white room with a mar%le floor and two dee# mar%le t&%s. - %egan to disro%e, as - did when - visited )oma's hammam, &ntil - noticed that )a!edeh and her fat assistant, 3+i+, were loo$ing at me with something a$in to scorn. /- can do it m!self,/ - said, thin$ing to save them effort. )a!edeh wo&ld hear nothing of it. /'e wo&ld %e in great tro&%le if !o& were fo&nd to have %athed witho&t o&r hel#,/ she said, ma$ing a noise that so&nded li$e a snort. 4hastened, - allowed the women to finish disro%ing me. *he! removed m! clothes gentl! and folded them with care, altho&gh the! were .&st the sim#le cotton garments - wore at home. 'hen - was na$ed, the! g&ided me into the hottest t&%, as if - co&ldn't get there on m! own. Beca&se - had cared for m!self in man! wa!s since - was small, it felt #ec&liar to %e treated li$e a vessel made of glass. 'hile - was resting in the water and letting the heat see# into m! s$in, 3+i+ offered me cool water and fragrant c&c&m%er. 3s it was still Rama+an, - told her - wo&ld wait &ntil after - heard the cannon. - wanted to get o&t of the hot water after onl! a few min&tes, %&t the! insisted - sta! &ntil m! %od! felt lim#. 'hen m! s$in was soft all over, the! hel#ed me o&t of the t&%, scr&%%ed me with soa#! cloths, and e(amined m! legs, &nderarms, and e!e%rows for stra!

hairs. 3fter ma$ing s&re - wo&ld not offend Fere!doon with an! forests of growth, )a!edeh washed the hair on m! head and anointed it with a sweet"smelling oil made of cloves. 3+i+ massaged m! sho&lders and nec$ with her large, fat hands, and - #retended to fall aslee#. -f these servants $new an! gossi# a%o&t Fere!doon, - was s&re the! wo&ldn't %e a%le to resist tal$ing a%o&t him. - have alwa!s $nown how to feign slee#, as that was the onl! wa! - co&ld eavesdro# on m! #arents at night. 6! leg gave a shar# s#asm and m! mo&th fell o#en. 'hen a tric$le of drool s#illed down m! chee$, - $new - wo&ld have convinced even those closest to me that - was as good as dead. /'hat else is there to do1/ as$ed 3+i+ in a whis#er. /;&st dress her./ /Pit! to cover her &#,/ re#lied the heav! one with a sigh. /Loo$ at her2/ Loo$ at what1 - wondered. - co&ldn't see where their e!es were loo$ing, and - %egan to feel heat rising on m! chee$s and chest. /-t's as if he can see right thro&gh their clothes,/ re#lied )a!edeh. /)e'd never have %een a%le to tell .&st %! loo$ing at her face./ /0et she's so dar$: almost the color of cinnamon./ /*r&e,/ re#lied )a!edeh, /%&t loo$ at what she hides %eneath those old clothes2/ *he heav! one la&ghed. /- was li$e that once, -'m s&re2/ /5o do&%t !o& were, %&t have !o& ever seen s&ch tin! hands and feet, as delicate as a child's1/ 3+i+ sighed. /*hen again, her fingerti#s are as ro&gh as a goat's horn,/ she said. /-'m s&re he doesn't li$e that./

/-t's not her fingerti#s he's going to mo&nt,/ re#lied )a!edeh, and the two women cac$led together as if it were the f&nniest .o$e the! had ever heard. /0es,/ said the heav! one wistf&ll!, /s&mmer figs don't get as ri#e./ /3nd s&mmer roses fade within a wee$. 'ait till she gets #regnant8 then the c&rves of her %od! will %&rst and sag./ /0o& mean if she gets #regnant,/ said 3+i+, and the two women la&ghed again, even harder this time. /3fter all, she onl! has three months./ /*he da! is waning8 we'd %etter wa$e her &#,/ said )a!edeh, and she %egan massaging one of m! feet. started and stretched as if - were .&st emerging o&t of a fast slee#. 9es#ite all their ministrations, - ached as if - had %een #o$ed in the liver. )ow long wo&ld Fere!doon contin&e to want someone that even two old servants had fo&nd wa!s to #it!1 /Loo$: he's cold2/ said 3+i+ to )a!edeh. he seemed to have forgotten that - was awa$e and co&ld hear what she was sa!ing. *he attendants sat me on a wooden stool and %egan dressing me in clothing that a woman can wear onl! for her h&s%and. *he! g&ided m! legs into sheer tro&sers and m! arms into a sil$ &ndergarment that tied onl! once at the nec$. Over those - donned a #ale #in$ sheath and a t&r,&oise ro%e, which fell o#en to reveal m! sheer t&nic and the #lace where %reast .oined %reast. On m! hair, - wore a delicate wis# of white sil$, more for adornment than for modest!, and a string of #earls across m! forehead. *he sil$s swished softl! against m! %od! as the women led me into the small cham%er, the same one where - had met Fere!doon the first time. *he! lit %ra+iers of fran$incense, which - stood over to #erf&me m! clothes and s$in. *he!

also %ro&ght in flas$s of red wine and mil$ in vessels made of #orcelain. - sli##ed off m! shoes and #laced them side %! side on one of the tiles that adorned the floor. *he strong, smo$! incense seemed to catch in m! throat. - ho#ed m! mother was right, and that things wo&ld %e different this time. - didn't have to wait ver! long, for Fere!doon arrived .&st after d&s$. )e entered the room, removed his shoes, and sat heavil! on a c&shion near me. *he dagger at his waist glittered in the light of the oil lam#s, which - wished had %een less %right. /)ow is !o&r health1/ he as$ed in an a%r&#t tone. 6! s$in #ric$led at his shar#ness, %&t - answered as calml! as - co&ld, /- am well, than$s %e to God./ 'hen as$ed in t&rn how he was, he merel! gr&nted in re#l!. tho&ght we wo&ld have food and drin$ first, for neither of &s had cons&med an!thing all da!, %&t Fere!doon led me into the %edcham%er and %ris$l! #&shed the t&r,&oise ro%e off m! sho&lders. Off it came faster than a rose #etal falls to the gro&nd, followed %! m! #in$ t&nic. Fere!doon #&lled off m! sheer tro&sers and cast them aside. - remained in m! thin sil$ shift, which tied at the nec$ %&t o#ened to reveal all else. /- thin$ -'ll have !o& .&st li$e this,/ he said. Fere!doon shr&gged off his clothes and doffed his t&r%an, sending it s#inning across the room li$e a s$i##ing %all. 'itho&t %othering to remove m! hair covering, he #arted m! shift and crawled on to# of me on the %edroll. Unli$e o&r first time together, he thr&st into me witho&t dela!. - winced, %&t he was not loo$ing at me, and so, remem%ering what - o&ght to do, - %egan moving m! hi#s in the wa! - had learned the last time, altho&gh - ached. -t was onl! moments %efore Fere!doon sh&ddered and colla#sed on m! chest. - la! there %eneath him, disa##ointed again, listening as the so&nd of his %reathing ,&ieted to normal. 'as this the wa! it was to %e with &s1 - felt a strong desire to caress his thic$, wav!

hair, which he revealed to m! e!es onl!. B&t he was alread! nearl! aslee#, and - didn't dare ro&se him. - la! there slee#less, m! e!es wide o#en. *his was nothing li$e what had e(#ected of marriage. -t didn't remind me at all of how m! father had adored m! mother, or how Gostaham treated Gordi!eh. 3fter a while, the cannon %oomed and Fere!doon stirred, stretched, #&t on his clothing, and told me to do the same. )e cla##ed for the servants, who ret&rned hastil! with food and with the im#ertinent m&sician - remem%ered from o&r first evening. 'e ate another s&m#t&o&s meal of roasted meats, saffron rice, and fresh greens while the m&sician entertained &s. - tho&ght he was the #rettiest !o&ng man had ever seen. )e had large almond"sha#ed e!es, thic$ %rown c&rls, and the co,&etr! of a dancing girl. )e co&ldn't have %een m&ch !o&nger than - was, %&t the s$in on his %eardless face was smoother than mine. Fere!doon loo$ed trans#orted %! his #la!ing. 'hen he reached high notes that shivered with %ea&t!, Fere!doon nearl! seemed to swoon. tho&ght - ca&ght the m&sician sneering at the sight of Fere!doon's #leas&re, %&t when Fere!doon o#ened his e!es, the !o&ng man's face was caref&ll! ne&tral. 'hen Fere!doon had had eno&gh of the m&sician, he sent him awa! along with the servants. Po&ring mil$ into a large vessel of wine, he %ade me drin$ it. - had never had an! wine, as man! of the women of m! village ref&sed to drin$ it for religio&s reasons ?altho&gh - $now some of them tasted it #rivatel!@. *he %everage had the aroma of a ri#e gra#e and the comforting froth of fresh mil$. - dran$ it ver! ,&ic$l! and la! %ac$ on the %edroll, stretching o&t m! arms and letting m! legs #art in a wa! that was starting to seem nat&ral. - felt as rela(ed and lim# as - had in the %ath. imagined that Fere!doon might hold me in his arms and $iss m! face, and that, after .oining o&r %odies, he wo&ld listen as

- told him stories a%o&t m! life at home. B&t Fere!doon's e!es %egan to glitter, and witho&t a word, he tore off all m! garments again, this time with violence""- was alarmed to witness the fate of s&ch costl! clothes""and lifted me in his arms. )e had me against the inlaid wooden doors that led to the room, which %anged lo&dl! with his ever! thr&st. cringed as - imagined what the servants m&st %e thin$ing of the %anging, as rh!thmic as a dr&m, for the! were right o&tside the door, listening for Fere!doon's ,&ietest handcla#. B&t that was not all. Fere!doon dragged me awa! from the doors and threw some c&shions on the floor so that he co&ld have me $neeling in the wa! that dogs r&t, and finall!, as the s$! lightened, he too$ me standing &# and s&##orted in his arms, with m! legs wra##ed aro&nd his %ac$. *hat night, had no reason to worr! a%o&t whether Fere!doon wanted me""whether m! s$in was too dar$ or whether - delighted him as a wife. 9iligent tho&gh - was in his arms, m! %od! didn't soar with #leas&re. 'here were the ra#t&res ever!one had #romised1 - was even more disa##ointed than - had %een after o&r first meeting, for nothing had changed. B&t - did whatever Fere!doon told me to do, mindf&l that he co&ld sa! good"%!e to me after a few months, and leave m! mother and me de#endent on the $indness of Gordi!eh and Gostaham. co&ld not imagine end&ring ever again the winter of de#rivation we had s&ffered in m! village. )ere in -sfahan, we were warm, comforta%le, and well fed. o if Fere!doon told me to leave m! clothes on or ta$e them off, to go here or there, or to %end over li$e a dog, - felt - m&st o%e!. Fere!doon seemed well #leased %! o&r evening together. )e reached for me again in the morning, groaning ,&ic$l!, and then h&mmed to himself as he wra##ed his %od! in a ro%e %efore his %ath. - #&t on m! cotton clothes to wear home. *he servants a##eared with coffee and %read,

averting their e!es from me. - tho&ght - ca&ght )a!edeh smir$ing as she collected the c&shions Fere!doon had arranged on the floor, for she co&ld tell e(actl! what we had done and in which corner of the room. 9UR-5G *)E F-R * few wee$s of m! sigheh, - wor$ed hard on the car#et. 3s it grew on m! loom, - %ecame more and more ha##! with it. *he colors were felicito&s8 Gostaham had seen to that. *here was no do&%t that the r&g o&tshone the last one. Even Gordi!eh co&ldn't den! it. )aving end&red her f&r!, - re.oiced a%o&t that. One afternoon, - was in the co&rt!ard $notting the r&g when a servant came %! to tell me that Gostaham had ret&rned home with a 9&tchman. *hat was m! signal to go &#stairs to the secret noo$ and #ee$ thro&gh the white carvings. Gostaham and the 9&tchman were sitting on c&shions in a semicircle with the acco&ntant Parvee+, who was #resent to write down an! agreement the two might achieve. 3ltho&gh - had seen foreigners %efore, - had never seen one from the 4hristian lands to the west. 3ll - $new was that the farangis %elieved in worshi##ing idols, and that their women tho&ght nothing of dis#la!ing their hair and their %osoms in #&%lic. *he 9&tchman had hair li$e straw and %l&e e!es li$e a dog's. Rather than wearing a long, cool t&nic, he was attired in a tight %l&e velvet .ac$et and short %l&e #ants that formed #o&ches near the to#s of his thighs, as if he had %&ttoc$s %oth front and %ac$. )is legs were covered with white stoc$ings, which m&st have %een hot. 'hen he raised his arm, - saw that sweat had %itten white rings into his coat. /-t is a great honor to have !o& as a g&est in m! home,/ Gostaham was sa!ing to him. /*he honor is ver! m&ch mine,/ re#lied the 9&tchman in fl&ent Farsi. Li$e children, he had tro&%le ma$ing $h and gh so&nds, %&t otherwise he was ver! eas! to &nderstand.

/'e don't see foreigners li$e !o&rself ver! often,/ Gostaham contin&ed. /-t's %eca&se the .o&rne! is long and ard&o&s,/ re#lied the 9&tchman. /6an! of m! colleag&es have died in their #&rs&it of %&siness here. B&t we are gratef&l that !o&r esteemed hah 3%%as has o#ened !o&r co&ntr! so warml! to trade. 0o&r sil$ is far chea#er than 4hina's, and .&st as good./ Gostaham smiled. /-t's o&r %iggest e(#ort. Ever! famil! who can afford it has a shed for sil$worms./ Gostaham had one of his own near his ho&se. - loved to go inside the cool, dar$ shed and stro$e the soft white fi%ers that grew a little ro&nder ever! da!. /*he sil$ certainl! ma$es some of the finest r&gs - have ever seen,/ said the 9&tchman, who seemed eager to steer the conversation to %&siness. /-ndeed,/ said Gostaham, %&t he was not read! for that disc&ssion. )e changed the s&%.ect to a friendlier to#ic. /imagine that if !o& have %een traveling for more than a !ear, !o& m&st miss !o&r famil!,/ he said. /7er! m&ch,/ said the 9&tchman, sighing heavil!. - was eager to hear something of his wife, %&t he didn't ela%orate. /-t's $ind of !o& to as$ a%o&t m! famil!,/ he said, /%&t what - wanted to tal$ a%o&t toda! was car#ets, and the #ossi%ilit! of commissioning one from a great master li$e !o&rself./ - stiffened in m! noo$. 9idn't the 9&tchman have an! manners1 -t was r&de to %egin disc&ssing %&siness so ,&ic$l!. - co&ld tell Gostaham was offended from the wa! he loo$ed awa! witho&t s#ea$ing. Parvee+ stiffened8 he was em%arrassed for the man. *he 9&tchman's forehead creased with heav! folds, as if he reali+ed he had made a mista$e. Fort&natel!, the aw$ward moment was interr&#ted %! *aghee, who entered

the room %earing vessels of so&r cherr! shar%at. -t was st&ff! in the noo$, and - craved a taste of the tart drin$. /Please tell &s a%o&t !o&r co&ntr!,/ said Gostaham, demon"strating his &nerring hos#italit!. /'e have heard so m&ch a%o&t its %ea&ties./ *he 9&tchman too$ a dee# drin$ of his shar%at and leaned %ac$ into the c&shions. /3h,/ he said, smiling. /6! land is a land of rivers. 0o& needn't carr! water when !o& travel, as !o& do here./ Parvee+ s#o$e for the first time. /0o&r land m&st %e ver! green, li$e an emerald,/ he said. )e was an acco&ntant in training who li$ed to imagine himself as a #oet. /Green ever!where,/ re#lied the merchant. /'hen s#ring comes, the green is so #iercing it h&rts to loo$ at it, and it rains almost ever! da!./ Parvee+ sighed again, no do&%t at the tho&ght of so m&ch water, and his long e!elashes fl&ttered li$e a woman's. don't thin$ the 9&tchman noticed. /'e have cows that get fat from the rich green grass, and dairies that ma$e the creamiest cheese. 'e grow !ellow and red t&li#s, which re,&ire m&ch water to thrive. Beca&se we are a nation of water, we are also sailors. 'e have a sa!ing: '0o& m&st never t&rn !o&r %ac$ on the sea.' 'e are alwa!s finding wa!s to tame her./ /0o& have %l&e e!es,/ said Parvee+, /li$e the water./ - giggled ,&ietl!. - s&s#ected that Parvee+ was thin$ing of attaching himself to this fellow, #erha#s as a traveling com#anion whose #oetr! wo&ld %e ins#ired %! the sight of foreign lands. *he 9&tchman smiled. /Even o&r ho&ses sit on the sea. 6! own is %&ilt on one of the canals that r&n thro&gh the cit!. Beca&se of the dam#, m! #eo#le li$e to warm their floors with !o&r r&gs. On to# of them the! #&t man! items made of

wood""things to sit on, things to eat on, things to lie on at night. 'e don't li$e to %e near the floor, where it is moist and chill!./ /'e have no need for that here,/ Gostaham said. /*he gro&nd is dr! and comforta%le./ /'here do !o& find so m&ch wood1/ Parvee+ as$ed the merchant with astonishment. /0o&r co&ntr! so&nds li$e a #aradise./ /O&r forests grow thic$ all over the co&ntr!. 3 man can wal$ in with an a( and c&t more wood than a horse can carr!./ /9oes it loo$ li$e the co&ntr!side aro&nd the 4as#ian ea, which is the greenest in all of -ran1/ as$ed Parvee+. *he 9&tchman la&ghed. /'hat !o& call green, we call %rown,/ he re#lied. /'e have one h&ndred trees for ever! one of !o&rs, even in the most l&(&riant #art of !o&r land./ - tho&ght %ac$ to the single c!#ress in m! village. Peo#le who lived in a land as fertile as the 9&tchman's m&st never have to e(#erience the #ain of a h&ngr! %ell!. *he 9&tchman wi#ed awa! the sweat on his forehead and dran$ the last of his shar%at. Gostaham and Parvee+ were drin$ing hot tea, which of co&rse wo&ld cool them down more ,&ic$l!, %&t the 9&tchman didn't seem to $now that. /'ith so m&ch water, !o& m&st have hammams %e!ond o&r &nderstanding,/ Parvee+ said. /- can imagine h&ge #ools of water, hot and cold, with fo&ntains and cascades streaming from on high. 0o& m&st %e the cleanest #eo#le in all the world./ *he farangi #a&sed. /'ell, no. 'e have no hammams./ Parvee+ loo$ed s&r#rised. /)ow do !o& $ee# clean1/

/O&r women heat &# a %asin of water over the fire at home for s#ecial occasions, %&t we never %athe in the winter when it is cold./ Parvee+'s face twisted in dis%elief, and - m!self felt a disg&st almost as dee# as when - had had to em#t! the #ans of night soil. /3ll winter""witho&t a %ath1/ /3nd all fall, and all s#ring, too. Us&all!, we %athe at the %eginning of s&mmer,/ said the merchant nonchalantl!. - tho&ght of the rings &nder his arms. 'itho&t a %ath, he wo&ld sweat over and over into his clothes &ntil the! smelled as ran$ as fields covered with d&ng. - was glad - wasn't sitting near him. *he room fell ,&iet for a moment. *he 9&tchman scratched his head, and fla$es of dandr&ff drifted onto his sho&lders. /- will miss !o&r %aths when - ret&rn home,/ he conceded. /*he land of -ran is the #aragon of #&re, the %aths are the #romised land of #&rging, and the rose water is the #erf&me of #aradise2/ )is e(#ressions in Farsi were flawless and co&ld see that Gostaham and Parvee+ were delighted %! his #oetic words of #raise. 3 servant %ro&ght in tra!s of food and laid them in front of the g&est. /Reall!, there is no need to go to so m&ch tro&%le,/ said the 9&tchman. /- sim#l! wanted to in,&ire if we might do %&siness together./ Gostaham twitched as he tried to contain his anger at this dis#la! of r&deness. )e loo$ed down at the car#et as he said, /Please, m! friend, eat. 'e won't allow !o& to leave with an em#t! %ell!./ *he 9&tchman ate a few morsels gr&dgingl!, with an &nconcealed air of o%ligation. - was astonished %! his %ar%aro&s manners. )e seemed li$e an animal, inca#a%le of normal h&man #leasantries.

-t was ver! hot in the noo$, %&t Gostaham #ro%a%l! wanted me to wait and hear what the 9&tchman desired. 'hen he had finished eating, he invited the 9&tchman to e(#lain wh! he was honoring &s with his visit. /- need to commission two matching r&gs for an owner of the 9&tch East -ndia 4om#an!,/ he re#lied. /*he! are to %e made with his famil!'s coat of arms, and #re#ared with the finest of sil$ and the tightest of $nots./ Gostaham ,&i++ed him a%o&t the si+e, the colors, and the $nots, and #ro#osed a #rice so high it made me gas#. *he 9&tchman loo$ed #ained. *he two %egan negotiating, %&t when neither wo&ld %&dge, Gostaham as$ed amad to %ring in coffee and sweetmeats, and %roached another to#ic. /-t seems that the 9&tch East -ndia 4om#an! is ma$ing fora!s into ever! corner of the glo%e these da!s,/ Gostaham said. /'hat is the latest from the 5ew 'orld1/ /3 fledgling concern has %een esta%lished called the 9&tch 'est -ndia 4om#an!,/ re#lied the 9&tchman, /which is develo#ing a l&crative trade in f&rs. *he firm is also tr!ing to %&! a vast island from the savages to ma$e it easier to do %&siness./ /-ndeed2/ Gostaham said, with a %rief, shrewd smile. $new that he wo&ld not %e offering a %argain #rice to the 9&tchman now that he had learned how well his #atron's %&siness was doing. - went %ac$ to m! loom. Before long, amad a##eared and told me to cover m!self ,&ic$l!, and - retrieved m! chador from m! room, wra##ed it aro&nd m!self, and ret&rned to m! $notting. 3fter a few moments, Gostaham led the 9&tchman into the co&rt!ard. - s#ied Gordi!eh in the $itchen, where she co&ld listen witho&t %eing seen.

/*his girl is a #art of m! famil!,/ Gostaham said to the 9&tchman, /and she is a fine $notter and designer. 'hat !o& see on the loom is all her own./ *hat wasn't tr&e, of co&rse. /'hat - can see is that talent r&ns in the famil!,/ re#lied the 9&tchman gracio&sl!. /'ill the car#et %e for sale1/ /0es, as soon as it is done,/ Gostaham said. /-t is ver! %ea&tif&l,/ said the 9&tchman. /0o&r fingers are so fast, - can hardl! follow them./ *hat #leased me. - had %ecome faster in the last few months %eca&se Gostaham had shown me how to save time with each $not. /)&s%and,/ called Gordi!eh from the $itchen, where she remained hidden from view, /wh! don't !o& incl&de her car#et as a s#ecial gift for o&r esteemed 9&tchman1 *hen #erha#s he will #a! &s the #rice !o& as$ed for the other two./ - fro+e. /5ow !o&'re sweetening things2/ said the 9&tchman immediatel!, no do&%t reali+ing he co&ld charge his #atron for two sil$ car#ets while rolling &# a free one for himself. /Let's sign an agreement2/ - ho#ed Gostaham wo&ld o%.ect, %&t he said nothing. *he men ret&rned to the Great Room so Parvee+ co&ld commit the agreement to #a#er. - sat at m! loom, too da+ed %! dis%elief to contin&e m! wor$. 3fter the 9&tchman left, - tho&ght - heard Gostaham and Gordi!eh arg&ing at the entrance of the ho&se. Gordi!eh was sa!ing something a%o&t how the 9&tchman wo&ld %e #a!ing twice the -ranian #rice for the commissioned car#et, an!wa!. Gostaham's voice was too low for me to hear. -f he tho&ght his wife had erred, he didn't sa! an!thing to me. B&t how co&ld he1 )e loved her too m&ch to cross her.

Gordi!eh came into the co&rt!ard and said, /-'m sorr! had to do that, %&t - was s&re the 9&tchman wo&ld not %e a%le to resist s&ch an offer. 3nd !o& $now how m&ch we need the mone!./ -t never loo$ed to me li$e the famil! needed mone!, at least not the wa! m! mother and - did. B&t %e!ond that, there was the matter of fairness. /Gostaham #romised that we co&ld sell the car#et, and that the mone! wo&ld %e o&rs after we #aid him for the wool,/ - said. Gordi!eh shr&gged. /0o& can alwa!s ma$e another car#et,/ she said lightl!, as if m! wor$ didn't matter. *hat was all - co&ld %ear. - went to o&r little room and sta!ed there for the rest of the da!. 'hen m! mother learned what had ha##ened, she &ttered a string of c&rses on Gordi!eh's head that - tho&ght wo&ld stri$e her down that min&te. B&t she held %ac$ from sa!ing an!thing to her, fearf&l of her shar# tong&e and of how she might e(act revenge. - s&s#ected o&r %lac$ l&c$ was d&e to the comet. Ever!one was tal$ing a%o&t its malevolence and how it ca&sed chaos s&ch as earth,&a$es and la#ses in %ehavior. 3li"3sghar had told &s a%o&t a ro!al groom who invited a fellow groomsman to share the %read and salt of his ta%le, onl! to %e sta%%ed o&t of env! over his higher ran$. 3ltho&gh - didn't dare sa! so, - wondered if Gordi!eh's actions co&ld %e ascri%ed to the same disr&#tive so&rce. - '3 O 35GR0 that night, - co&ldn't slee#, and the ne(t da!'s wor$ was more ta(ing than &s&al. - washed the la&ndr! with the servants, drawing water from the well and %eating the clothing with the strength of m! whole %od!, wringing it o&t with m! hands, and hanging it in the s&n to dr!. *hen - had to #eel and slice a hill of #otatoes for 4oo$

and #ic$ all the stems o&t of the dried %ar%erries she #lanned to &se in a stew. Gordi!eh told me - needed to wor$ faster, for she was e(#ecting a ho&sef&l of g&ests that da!. had never felt more li$e a servant. 'hen the $itchen wor$ was done, - $notted the car#et &ntil m! nec$ was sore and m! legs were cram#ed %eneath me, for now - wanted nothing more than to finish it so - co&ld finall! %egin one of m! own. - had no chance to rest, and %efore m! afternoon chores were finished, - received an &ne(#ected s&mmons from Fere!doon. 5ormall!, he sent a note in the morning or the da! %efore, allowing me time to ma$e m!self read!. Fatig&ed %e!ond reason, - had to h&rr! to his ho&se to %e #re#ared for him, altho&gh it was the last thing - desired that da!. -n the late afternoon, - r&shed thro&gh the streets, which were deserted %eca&se it was so hot. 3 veil of d&st seemed to hang in the air, and even the Frida! mos,&e's %l&e dome loo$ed d&lled %! the heat. 'hen - arrived at Fere!doon's ho&se, - was hot, thirst!, and tired, %&t the women gave me no res#ite. *he! #&lled hair o&t of m! e!e%rows, which %ro&ght tears to m! e!es, and removed it from m! legs, which h&rt even more. - fell aslee# while - was in the t&%. B! the time the! had finished with me, - hardl! cared that Fere!doon had arranged for me to have a new sil$ t&nic as %l&e as the Eternal River, with a %rilliant !ellow sheath &nderneath, nor that the! were %inding the ends of m! hair with matching !ellow ties em%roidered with golden %irds. didn't even loo$ at m!self in the metal mirror. 'hen the women led me into the room where - awaited Fere!doon, tried to fight slee#, %&t m! head was nearl! on m! chest when - heard him at the door. 3ltho&gh - had %een with Fere!doon more times than co&ld co&nt, nothing had im#roved for me in o&r %edcham%er. *hat filled me with regret, %&t at least - had

sto##ed worr!ing a%o&t whether - was a##ealing to him. )e seemed to ta$e all his #leas&res with great +est, whether food, wine, to%acco, or me. Fere!doon %&rst in that evening as if he were %ringing the wind with him, so ,&ic$ were his movements. 'ith twice his &s&al vigor, he #&lled me into his arms and said, /- co&ldn't wait &ntil tomorrow, so - s&mmoned !o& on short notice. had a long slee# this afternoon, .&st so - co&ld %e awa$e with !o& &ntil da! chases awa! night./ - tried to smile. - wanted nothing more than to rest, !et now - m&st %e livel! &ntil dawn. 'hen the evening meal arrived, he #assed me tender #ieces of lam% and chic$en. ate little so as not to %e heav! with slee#. 'hen he offered me wine mi(ed with mil$, - ref&sed it for the same reason. )e loo$ed disa##ointed as he #o&red it for himself. 3fter the servants cleared awa! the #lates and de#arted, Fere!doon as$ed me to show him m! new clothes. - stood and twirled, so that m! wefts flew wide and - co&ld see their !ellow tails %rightening the air and wra##ing aro&nd m! face and %od!. / weet child of the so&th2/ said Fere!doon, rising to .oin me and #lacing his hands on m! waist. /0o& c&rve .&st li$e the moon./ )e raised his hands to m! face and smoothed m! e!e%rows with his fingerti#s, ma$ing me glad the women had sha#ed them, and said, /4rescent moons./ *hen, swee#ing his hands over m! %reasts, he smiled and said, /)alf" moons./ 3nd finall!, gra%%ing m! %&ttoc$s in his two hands, /F&ll moon./ - la&ghed at %eing so admired, which was a welcome change from the rest of m! dail! life. Fere!doon was teaching me that altho&gh m! s$in was not fair, - had c&rves %eneath m! clothes that co&ld stir a man, even one as

#rivileged and e(#erienced as he was. - also felt something different in his manner, something softer than %efore. - didn't %elieve it had an!thing to do with me. Perha#s he had made a fine deal on an 3ra%ian mare and wanted to cele%rate with me in his %ed. Fere!doon c&##ed his hand on m! %ell! and slid it lower, holding it there. /B&t this is what - li$e to see most of all""this #l&m# mo&nd rising from !o&r %od! and swelling over !o&r %ell! li$e the moon over the earth./ Fere!doon removed all m! clothing and his and for a few moments he contin&ed r&nning his hands over the moons of m! %od!. - loved it when he #la!ed with me this wa! and made m! s$in warm %eneath his to&ch. - %ecame heated and eager, craving more. B&t all too soon, he slid his thighs %etween mine, n&dged m! legs o#en, and %egan the wor$ of sowing his seeds. - closed m! e!es and #anted a little %eca&se - $new that e(cited him, and - moved m! hi#s in time to his. 6a!%e we wo&ld finish ,&ic$l! tonight, - tho&ght, imagining how delicio&s it wo&ld feel to close m! e!es and slee#. 6! lim%s felt as leaden as the heav! weights that athletes lift in the )o&ses of trength. Perha#s - even fell aslee# for a moment, %eca&se - %elieve - sto##ed moving. Ro&sing m!self with a start, - ,&ic$l! %egan thr&sting m! hi#s again to meet Fere!doon's while #ee$ing at his face. )is e!es were closed, and he seemed to %e concentrating on something. *here was a tric$le of sweat at his tem#les. sh&t m! e!es and $e#t at m! wor$. 3fter what seemed li$e a long time, he sto##ed moving and s#rawled on to# of me as if he were e(ha&sted. - didn't move, ho#ing that we were done. /Lift !o&r arms,/ he instr&cted. 9&tif&ll! - #&t m! arms overhead. )e %it m! %reasts and %egan moving his hi#s again, and - made s&re to concentrate on the tas$ %efore me. 'e contin&ed that wa!

for a while, %&t Fere!doon was failing to meet his moment of %liss. )e sighed""a short, fr&strated e(halation""and #a&sed again. /Gra% m! %ac$ with !o&r arms""gra% me2/ he said with longing in his voice. - #&t m! arms aro&nd his %ac$ lightl! as he thr&st with what seemed li$e des#eration. - %egan to feel dr! and sore %etween m! legs and wished that he wo&ld h&rr!. *his act had never ta$en so long %efore. - glanced at Fere!doon's face again and was alarmed to see a loo$ that reminded me of a man and his don$e! - had seen earlier that da! at a mill. 3ro&nd and aro&nd the! wal$ed, #&shing the heav! stone that cr&shes the grain, man and %east st&#efied %! the re#etition of the tas$. 'as Fere!doon tired of me so soon1 - la! rigidl! in his arms, not $nowing what to do. 'hen nothing seemed to %e ha##ening, Fere!doon #&lled his %od! awa! from mine and la! on his %ac$, staring at the ceiling. O&t of the corner of m! e!e, - was s&r#rised to see the stiffness %etween his thighs, li$e a #ole holding &# a tent, .&st li$e on the first night we had shared together. B&t in his e!es was a loo$ of d&llness that seemed as endless as the s$!. 6in&te after min&te #assed, so man! that - %ecame aware of the so&nd of #eo#le wal$ing %! the ho&se in the dar$. /Roll onto !o&r side,/ Fere!doon said finall!, so&nding anno!ed. - o%edientl! t&rned so that m! %ac$ was facing his %od! and remained there with m! legs closed, wondering what wo&ld ha##en ne(t. )e sighed again %efore lifting m! right leg with his arm and %ending m! $nee so m! leg slid over his right hi#. B! then - was as dr! as the desert sands, and when he tried to #&t himself inside me, he co&ld no longer slide in. lee# %egan cree#ing &# on me again, with its soft, insistent #&ll.

Fere!doon #&lled awa! from m! %od! and la! on his %ac$. )e gra%%ed m! hand and #&t it %etween his legs, showing me how to move it &# and down. /Faster,/ he said at first. *hen: /5ot so hard./ 3nd later: /U# near the to#./ 3nd finall!: /5ever mind2/ Fere!doon t&rned awa!, and - heard the so&nd of s$in sla##ing against s$in, a noise that %ecame lo&der and lo&der as the s#eed of his hand increased. Before long, he %egan to #ant with #leas&re and within .&st a few min&tes he groaned and shed tears into his own #alm. - had never $nown him to handle himself this wa! %efore. 'h! hadn't he fo&nd his #leas&re with me1 - tho&ght - had done ever!thing he had instr&cted me to do. 'itho&t Fere!doon's %od! close to mine, - %egan shivering, %&t he didn't move. - rolled m!self in the %ed covers, feeling alone. 'e s#o$e together for a few moments, %&t o&r conversation left me even more conf&sed. Before long, - heard Fere!doon snoring softl! li$e a child. *ho&gh was fatig&ed, slee# wo&ld not come to relieve me. - la! awa$e for a long time, tr!ing to &nderstand wh! - had failed. $new - sho&ld have %ehaved as tho&gh - were delighted %! Fere!doon's #resence. B&t - had %een tired %e!ond tho&ght, and #leasing him felt li$e .&st one more tas$ - had to do for someone else. - was wear!, wear! and worn. *he last thing heard %efore - finall! fell aslee# was the so&nd of don$e!s %ra!ing as their masters led them to mar$et. -t seemed li$e the saddest so&nd - had ever heard. 'hen - o#ened m! e!es the ne(t morning, Fere!doon was gone. -t was the first time he had left me witho&t sa!ing good"%!e. *he room seemed em#t! and l&sterless witho&t him. 3fter donning m! clothes, - r&shed o&t the door and h&rried home. *)3* 3F*ER5OO5, after - finished m! chores, - left Gostaham's ho&se for 5aheed's. 5ow, more than ever, -

needed a friend. - longed to &n%&rden m! heart and hear her advice, %&t - $new - co&ld not reveal m!self to her. 3ll she wo&ld have to do was tell )oma too m&ch one afternoon at the hammam, and the town wo&ld $now m! stor! %efore nightfall. -f Fere!doon wasn't going to renew m! contract"" and now - had reason to %elieve he was dissatisfied""it wo&ld %e %etter to let the sigheh die ,&ic$l!. 3ll the wa! thro&gh Fo&r Gardens, the s&n %eat on m! head and the gro&nd seemed to %&rn thro&gh m! thin shoes. *he light was so %right it h&rt m! e!es thro&gh m! #icheh. Even the river glinted shar#l! in the heat. omeone was grilling liver $e%a%, and the dirt! smell of it seemed to catch inside m! #icheh. *he tho&ght of eating in this heat na&seated me. 6! %ell! ch&rned. - sto##ed and %ent over, longing to vomit, %&t nothing wo&ld come o&t. 'hen - arrived at 5aheed's, she &shered me into her rooms and as$ed the servants to %ring in lemon shar%at right awa!. /0o& loo$ hot,/ she told me. 3fter - had refreshed m!self and the servants were o&t of earshot, 5aheed removed the latest letter from its hiding #lace in the sash aro&nd her waist. /0o& won't %elieve this,/ she said. /;&st listen to what he writes./ Light of m! heart, in recent months, - have come to $now !o& %etter than an! woman e(ce#t those in m! own famil!. God gave &s the %lessings of the word and the #en, %&t never did - e(#ect that a woman co&ld wield %oth with s&ch %ea&t!. 0o&r alefs are li$e a c!#ress tree, straight and tall8 !o&r %ehs, with their sweet dot %eneath, are li$e the %ea&t! mar$ on a lover's chee$. *he! have ta$en me ca#tive8 with ever! letter !o& write, m! heart is more and more dee#l! ensnared. o com#letel! have !o&r words im#risoned me that - have %eg&n seeing them in !o&r face""glim#sed onl! once, alas, %&t eno&gh %ea&t! seen in that moment to last a lifetime. *he loc$s aro&nd !o&r face are li$e the letter .im,

c&rling witho&t regard to the wa! the! hoo$ a lover's heart. 0o&r rose%&d mo&th, which is #iercingl! red, is tin! and #recio&s li$e the letter mim. B&t most of all, when - dream of !o& - imagine !o&r emerald e!es, as #rett! and elegant as the letter saad. - am in a state of longing for !o&r ever! word. Leave me in this state of distress no more2 4onsent to %e m! wife, to share ever! moment of !o&r da!s and nights ne(t to me, and - will #romise to cherish !o& &ntil the last letter of o&r lives is written. 'hen 5aheed finished reading, her e!es overflowed with tears and she sat still witho&t wi#ing them. - had never seen a woman fall in love %efore, and - envied the #&rit! of her feelings. /7o!, vo!2/ - said. /'hat a gem, what a #rince among men./ B&t even as - said that, m! heart was shedding the tears that 5aheed was a%le to shed o#enl! with her e!es. 5o one loved me the wa! -s$andar loved 5aheed. - had not learned how to ma$e Fere!doon's heart soar with love and longing, %&t, des#ite m! grief, - m&st remain silent. - co&ld not share m! sorrows and di# into the s!m#ath! and comfort - $new 5aheed wo&ld have showered on me. *hat was the worst of all. /0es, -s$andar loves me,/ said 5aheed, the words li$e hone! on her tong&e. /3nd m! heart has %een lost to his. want nothing more than to s#end m! ho&rs %! his side, listening to his sweet words of love./ 5ow that - $new more a%o&t men and women, - didn't %elieve the #olo #la!er wo&ld onl! whis#er words of love. )e wo&ld want to n&++le 5aheed and to #art her thighs, li$e Fere!doon had #arted mine. /-nsh'3llah, he will love !o& with his words, %&t also with his %od!,/ - %l&rted o&t.

5aheed's e!es seemed to get clearer for a moment. /have never heard !o& s#ea$ that wa!,/ she said. /'hat do !o& mean1/ - sho&ldn't have said an!thing, %&t it was too late. tho&ght %ac$ ,&ic$l! to the things - had heard in m! village. /Bac$ home, after m! friend Goli got married, she told me how im#ortant it was to her h&s%and to ta$e her at night,/ said. /Oh, that2/ said 5aheed with a loo$ of disdain. /- s&##ose he will do whatever he wants to""that will %e his #rivilege when - am his wife./ - too$ a si# of coffee. /0o&'re not worried a%o&t that, not even a little1/ /'h! sho&ld - worr!1 - .&st want him to hold me in his arms and &tter the hone!ed words he writes in his letters. -f have that, - will %e content./ *he last few wee$s had ta&ght me that things had to wor$ %etween a man and a woman in the dar$, things that had nothing to do with words. 'o&ld it %e different for 5aheed and -s$andar %eca&se the! loved each other alread!1 /'e will %e .&st li$e hireen and =hosrow, the ha##iest of lovers once the! were finall! &nited2/ said 5aheed e(&ltantl!, and to me she loo$ed li$e a woman in the middle of a ha##! dream. - smiled. /-s$andar didn't see !o& %athing na$ed in a stream, %&t - %elieve he saw eno&gh of !o&r face to %e as entranced as when =hosrow s&r#rised hireen witho&t her clothes./ /- $new - co&ld ensnare him2 - $new it2/ said 5aheed. *he more - tho&ght a%o&t it, tho&gh, the more 5aheed and -s$andar reminded me of La!li and 6a.noon, for those two lovers had loved witho&t the %enefit of %eing together. 'hat did the! $now a%o&t each other1 6a.noon had starved

himself in the wilderness, com#osing #oetr! a%o&t La!li that fo&nd a home on ever! Bedo&in's li#s. La!li had %een se,&estered %! her famil!, who were certain he was mad. *he two had gone to their graves filled with longing, !et what wo&ld have ha##ened if the! had %een &nited1 'hat if the! had f&m%led in the dar$, and what if La!li had had to listen to the lonel! so&nd of s$in sla##ing against s$in1 5aheed co&ldn't $now if %eing with her %eloved was a taste of #aradise &ntil the! shared the same #illow. - $new - m&st sto# getting lost in m! own sad tho&ghts and tr! to hel# 5aheed concl&de her ,&est. /)ow will !o& get !o&r #arents to a##rove the marriage1/ - as$ed. 5aheed's craft! smile lit &# her face, and - was glad to see her %ac$ to her #lotting self. /-s$andar wrote to me that his mother and his sisters alwa!s %athe at )oma's hammam on the first da! of the wee$. )e told them to start loo$ing for a #rett! girl for him to marr!, and he descri%ed someone e(actl! li$e me./ /*hat was clever,/ - said. /- wish - had the ri#eness that )oma #raised !o& for at the hammam. -'ve %een tr!ing to eat more, %&t it doesn't hel#./ - #rotested. /5aheed".oon, !o& are the #rettiest girl -'ve ever seen. *here will %e no do&%t of their interest2/ 5aheed smiled, sec&re after all in her %ea&t!. /- will tr! to get them to notice me. -f the! li$e me, and if an offer is made from his famil! to mine, m! #arents will never $now that -s$andar and - have secretl! corres#onded all this time./ /3nd what a%o&t his famil!""will !o&r #arents a##rove of them1/ 5aheed #&t on a %rave face. /)is father tends horses for a governor in the #rovinces,/ she said.

- was astonished that he came from s&ch h&m%le stoc$. /'on't !o&r #arents insist on a rich man1/ /'h! sho&ld the!, when - have mone! eno&gh for two1/ /B&t 5aheed""/ - said. he loo$ed awa!, and - didn't have the heart to contin&e. /6a! God grant !o&r ever! wish2/ - #ra!ed for her ha##iness with all m! heart, %&t - felt m&ch older than her, and wiser, too. 'hile 5aheed was singing the %lessings of love from afar, - was mired in the #ro%lems of a marriage &nf&lfilled. 3nd altho&gh - had arrived wanting to &n%&rden m! heart to her, - was %eginning to &nderstand that it #ro%a%l! wo&ld have %een of no &se. he was ca&ght in the we% of her dreams, and the! were m&ch #rettier than the tr&th of married life that - had come to $now. 5aheed #&t her arms aro&nd me and laid her chee$ against mine. - smelled the sweet m&s$ she &sed to #erf&me her clothes. /-f - co&ldn't &n%&rden m! heart to !o&, -'m s&re wo&ld die,/ she said. /*han$ !o& for %eing s&ch a lo!al friend./ -t was good to feel the strength of her affection, for - had s&ffered a crim# in m! heart ever since we had %een ca&ght at #olo. - ret&rned her em%race, %&t then sat &#right and alone. /For a while,/ - confessed, /- tho&ght !o& wanted to %e friends .&st so that !o&'d have a com#anion for the games./ *wo #in$ s#ots a##eared on 5aheed's chee$s, and she loo$ed awa!. /Perha#s that was tr&e at first,/ she admitted, /%&t not an!more. 0o& are the $indest friend, the most &naffected, and the most tr&e. -'ll alwa!s %e gratef&l !o& too$ the %lame for me at #olo. -f it wasn't for !o&, m! love for -s$andar wo&ld have %een discovered and destro!ed./ /-t was nothing,/ - m&m%led, %l&shing.

5aheed's e!es were %right and ha##!. /- ho#e !o& and will share o&r secrets and o&r hearts forever,/ she said. /- ho#e so, too,/ - said, and a m&ch"needed s#ring of .o! welled &# in m! heart, altho&gh it was ,&ic$l! followed %! melanchol!, for - ached to confide in her as she had confided in me. B&t - didn't mind ta$ing the %lame for #olo now that she had revealed how m&ch it had meant to her. 5aheed's love for -s$andar had softened her, li$e La!li's for 6a.noon. First there wasn't and then there was. Before God, no one was. 'hen La!li's mother told her a%o&t the man she was to marr!, she res#onded with neither anger nor tears. Bowing her head, La!li re#lied o%edientl!, /- am !o&rs to command, 6other./ For what did it matter1 La!li's #arents had chosen a wealth! man from a res#ected Bedo&in tri%e. For her wedding da!, the families erected tall %lac$ tents in the desert and f&rnished them with soft car#ets, %owls of fr&it, %ra+iers of incense, and oil lam#s. La!li wore a red gown em%roidered with silver thread and silver shoes. 3ro&nd her nec$ were fine silver chains with carnelian stones inscri%ed with verses from the )ol! >&r'an. 'hen La!li's h&s%and greeted her for the first time, she felt nothing %&t indifference. )e smiled at her, revealing a ga# where he had lost a tooth. 3s the! e(changed their wedding vows, La!li co&ld thin$ onl! of the man she loved, 6a.noon. 6a.noon was #art of her tri%e, and the! had #la!ed together in the desert as children. )e had once %ro&ght her a %looming !ellow desert flower and dro##ed it sh!l! in her la#. Even when she reached the age of ten, had %een veiled, and co&ld no longer #la! with %o!s, she tho&ght a%o&t 6a.noon and loved him. )e grew into a handsome !o&ng

man, tall and thin in his long white t&nic and t&r%an. )e co&ld not s&##ress a smile when she wal$ed #ast. 3nd altho&gh he co&ld not see her, her %ea&t! was something well $nown a%o&t the tri%e, as acce#ted as the light of the moon. 'hen he was old eno&gh, 6a.noon %egged his father to a##roach La!li's #arents for their da&ghter. *he! ref&sed, for 6a.noon had strange ha%its. )e had alread! ta$en to s#ending da!s %! himself in the desert. )e wo&ld ret&rn thin, wasted, clad in nothing %&t a white t&r%an and white loincloth, and it too$ time %efore his senses ret&rned. *hat was how he had earned his nic$name 6a.noon, which means /cra+!./ /'hat is wrong with !o&r son1/ as$ed La!li's father. 6a.noon's father co&ld not answer, for he did not $now what drove his son into the desert, or wh! he ret&rned shattered, as if he had glim#sed the 9ivine. 3fter La!li's #arents ref&sed him, 6a.noon fled to the desert and lived alone, s&rviving almost witho&t food or water. 'henever he saw a ga+elle or another animal in a tra#, he released it, and soon the animals %egan gathering aro&nd his cam# and l!ing down %eside his fire. Predators %ecame friends in his #resence, and one and all #rotected him from harm. 'ith his %easts aro&nd him, 6a.noon %egan com#osing #oetr! that mentioned the name of his %eloved, verses so %ea&tif&l that #assing strangers memori+ed them and %ro&ght them to other Bedo&in cam#s. oon La!li's name was heard ever!where and her #arents decided she m&st marr!, for the sa$e of her honor. =nowing she had no ho#e of marr!ing her tr&e love, La!li acce#ted her #arents' choice, for she m&st not def! them. 3nd one man was .&st as &ns&ita%le as the ne(t if it was not 6a.noon.

3fter the wedding festivities, La!li sat ,&ietl! on her marriage %ed, waiting for her h&s%and, -%n alam. 9elighted to claim her as his #ri+e, he entered and offered her a #late of the sweetest dates, caref&ll! selected from the date #alms he owned. he tasted them #olitel! and s#o$e with him amica%l!, the ver! #ict&re of an o%edient wife. B&t when he to&ched her hand, she withdrew it. Even as the night fled, he did not dare a##roach her li#s with his or #&t his s&n" %rowned hands on her small waist. 3t dawn, he fell aslee# %eside her, f&ll! clothed, and she c&rled &# near him and did the same. Life contin&ed in this fashion for months. La!li greeted -%n alam with res#ect, #re#ared his tea and his meals, and even massaged his feet when he was tired, %&t wo&ld never allow him near her flawless treas&re. For he was an ordinar! man. )e co&ld ride a horse, h&nt with a falcon, and earn eno&gh from his date #alms to $ee# them in comfort. B&t he wo&ld never com#ose #oetr! li$e 6a.noon, nor ma$e her heart soar with longing. La!li res#ected her h&s%and and even admired him %&t felt no stirrings of desire. 9es#ite her indifference, -%n alam was falling more and more in love with La!li. *hat she sho&ld ref&se to o#en her heart h&rt him dee#l!. )e once considered ta$ing her against her will, for after all, she was his. B&t what good wo&ld that do1 La!li was a woman who wo&ld come to him herself, or not at all. )e resolved to wait and ho#e that she might one da! soften, and that made his heart grow %igger with each #assing da!. 3ltho&gh she was as closed to him as a shell, he %ecame as wide o#en to her as the sea. 5o man treated his wife with more tenderness or loved her more com#letel!. 3s months t&rned into !ears, and still La!li remained chaste, she at last %egan to wonder a%o&t her decision. 3ll her friends had married and were %earing children. he alone $new nothing of a man's %od! or of holding her own

child in her arms. 9idn't she deserve the same life as others1 ho&ldn't she, the glor! of her tri%e, offer her h&s%and all of herself, and ho#e that her love wo&ld one da! %lossom to match his1 -n the mar$et a few da!s later, she heard a new verse a%o&t 6a.noon's love for La!li on an old man's li#s. 6! foot welcomes #ain, For it reminds me of m! %eloved. - wo&ld rather wal$ in La!li's field of thorns *han in another's garden of roses. La!li drew in a %reath. /'here is he1/ she as$ed the man, $nowing 6a.noon m&st %e near. /)e has ret&rned,/ re#lied the man, /and loo$s for no one %&t !o&./ /3nd - him,/ she re#lied. /*ell him to meet me this evening, in the grove of #alms./ For she had to test her love to see if it remained #&re and strong. La!li told her h&s%and she was going to her mother's tent to drin$ tea. he arrived at the #alm grove, wra##ed in her veils, after dar$. 6a.noon sat in a #atch of moonlight, clad onl! in a loincloth. )e loo$ed taller and thinner, for he had wasted awa!8 she co&ld see all the ri%s .&tting o&t of his %od!. )e seemed li$e a creat&re of the wild now, na$ed %efore God and the s$!. /3t last, m! %eloved2/ he cried. /3t last2/ she echoed. he had not seen him for more !ears than she co&ld co&nt. /6! La!li2 0o&r tresses are as %lac$ as the night8 !o&r e!es as dar$ and lovel! as a ga+elle's. - shall love !o& alwa!s./ /3nd - !o&, life of mine2/ he sat down .&st o&tside the circle of moonlight that %athed him.

/0et now - m&st ,&estion !o&r love,/ 6a.noon added, his e!es f&ll of sorrow. /'h! have !o& %etra!ed me1/ /'hat do !o& mean1/ she re#lied, drawing %ac$ with s&r#rise. /0o& have a h&s%and2/ he said, shivering, tho&gh the night air had not grown cool. /'h! sho&ld - %elieve that !o& love me still1/ /- have a h&s%and in name onl!,/ she re#lied. /-n all these !ears, - co&ld have given m!self to him a tho&sand times over, !et m! fortress has remained &nvan,&ished./ /For me,/ he re#lied, and there was .o! in his e!es. /For !o&,/ she answered. /For what is he com#ared to !o&1/ he wra##ed her garments more closel! aro&nd her, as if to #rotect herself from #r!ing e!es. /0et, tr&th %e told, latel! have come to wonder a%o&t the life - have chosen,/ she added. /0o& are free. 0o& ma! go as !o& #lease, live with !o&r animals, and com#ose !o&r verse. 0o& ma! sing o&t what ails !o&, and all will re#eat !o&r sorrow. B&t - am confined here, alone, and ma! tell no one for fear of losing m! honor. 5ow tell me: For whom is it harder to %e faithf&l1/ 6a.noon sighed. /For !o&, m! %eloved. For !o&. *hat is wh!, with m! whole heart, - a%andon !o& to !o&r h&s%and's love, if !o& choose to give !o&rself to him. For !o& deserve love as m&ch as an! woman. For m! #art, - shall alwa!s love !o& no matter what !o& do./ La!li remained silent, for she was dee# in tho&ght. /La!li, m! %eloved, - am !o&r slave. 'hen - see a c&r that has #assed near !o&r ho&se, - $iss its dirt! #aws with reverence, for it has %een close to !o&. 'hen - loo$ in the mirror, - no longer see m!self, %&t onl! !o&. 9on't call me %! m! name an!more. 4all me La!li, for that's who - have %ecome2/

La!li felt her heart %lossom. 'hat was the good of the love of a man li$e -%n alam""what was the &se of his tired feet, the stin$ of his t&nic after a da! at the h&nt, the stories he had s#o$en a tho&sand times1 0et how co&ld she #romise herself to 6a.noon, who wo&ld never %elong to her1 /)ow do !o& $ee# the faith of !o&r love1/ she as$ed. /9o !o& not shiver with disa##ointment and dr! &# with !earning1 9o !o& never wish to a%andon me1/ 6a.noon la&ghed. /'hat good wo&ld m! love %e if it were so easil! dist&r%ed %! o%stacles1/ he as$ed. /'hen - was !o&nger, - s&ffered so m&ch disa##ointment over !o&r #arents' ref&sal that - tho&ght m! heart wo&ld %&rst. B&t the more - tho&ght of !o& and we#t over !o&, the dee#er and clearer m! love %ecame. &ffering has revealed to me the de#ths of m! own heart. 'hat is ordinar! love com#ared to that1 -t e%%s and flows and is easil! swa!ed. B&t m! love for !o& has %ecome so dee# and strong it will never wane. *here are few certainties in this world, %&t s&ch love is one of them./ La!li wanted to melt into 6a.noon's thin, wasted %od!, to live with him and his animals &nder the clear desert s$!, to hear the verses on his li#s. B&t there co&ld %e no honor in s&ch a life, for all good #eo#le wo&ld sh&n her. *here was no ho#e of ever living with him on earth. B&t #erha#s that was not the most #recio&s thing. Even if La!li co&ld not have 6a.noon %! her side, she co&ld alwa!s have his love. he felt her heart e(#anding, growing %igger and %igger &ntil it encom#assed nothing %&t him. *hat was love, she tho&ght, not the ever!da! fare that -%n alam was offering her. *hat was what loosened tears from her e!es and made her wild with ecstas!. /6! %eloved, m! heart is !o&rs2/ she e(claimed. /'hen - see m! reflection in a %asin of water, - shall see onl! !o&. 'e are so close it matters little whether we are near or far./

/6! La!li,/ he re#lied, /!o& are li$e the %lood circ&lating in m! veins. -f - c&t m!self, - re.oice, for - feel !o&r warmth./ -t was late, and La!li dared not sta! an! longer. he wal$ed %ac$ to her tent alone, her heart %&rsting with .o!. he wo&ld remain -%n alam's wife, %&t in name onl!. )er love for 6a.noon was so dee# it needed nothing %&t itself. From now on, he wo&ld alwa!s %e La!li, and she wo&ld alwa!s %e 6a.noon. 4ha#ter FOUR 3 wee$ went %! with no word from Fere!doon. Perha#s he had gone to the so&th on %&siness, - tho&ght, $nowing his father often sent him to e(amine costl! steeds to determine their worth. Or #erha#s he had gone to visit his #arents or his sister, or ta$en a h&nting tri# for #leas&re. Ever! evening, - as$ed Gostaham and Gordi!eh if an! letters had arrived that #ertained to me. 3t first the! sim#l! said no, %&t as the da!s #assed, the! %egan to answer m! ,&estion with #it!ing loo$s. 3fter another wee$, - started to .&m# when - heard the $noc$er and sc&rried to the door on an! e(c&se. 3ltho&gh he had %een angr! with me the last time we #arted, still - ho#ed he wo&ld want me for another three months. 6! mother and - needed the mone!. 3nd altho&gh wasn't in love, at least not the wa! 5aheed loved -s$andar, there were m!steries - still ho#ed to &nderstand. Perha#s if we had more time together, - wo&ld learn to love him. 3nd there was alwa!s the ho#e that he wo&ld ma$e me a #ermanent wife, or that - wo&ld get #regnant. - had alread! %led twice since - had married Fere!doon. Before each time, m! mother had watched me closel! for signs that - was carr!ing a child. 3fter - %egan %leeding, m! mother said, /9on't worr!, a+i+am. *here is alwa!s ne(t month./ B&t - $new she was disa##ointed and worried that wo&ld %e as slow to conceive as she had %een.

-n the third month of m! marriage, m! mother made me a s#ecial medicine that was s&##osed to enco&rage #regnanc!, a green %rew that reminded me of %rac$ish water. he also commented on ever!thing - ate and did. /Praise %e to God2/ she said one da! when - had cons&med a mo&nd of so&r fr&it torshi with m! meal. /*hat's .&st what - craved when - was #regnant with !o&./ - was delighted, for - ho#ed for a child as m&ch as she did. *hen it wo&ld %e certain that we wo&ld have a home of o&r own, and wo&ld %e ta$en care of %! Fere!doon for the rest of o&r da!s. *hat evening, m! mother s#ent a long time on the roof reading the stars. 'hen she ret&rned to o&r room, she told me the child wo&ld %e a %o!, for 6ars was in ascendanc!. /)e will have !o&r father's good loo$s,/ she said, more #leased than - had seen her in a long time. Gordi!eh enco&raged m! mother's ho#es. /0o&'re loo$ing ver! ro&nd toda!,/ she said to me one morning, staring at m! face and m! stomach. 3nd then, t&rning to m! mother, she said, /Being a grandmother is even %etter than %eing a mother./ /- ho#e - will hold m! grandchild soon,/ she re#lied. B&t didn't feel an! different. - %egan co&nting the time remaining &ntil the end of m! contract, feeling more restless with each #assing da!. *)E 3FFE4*-O53*E *-E %etween Gordi!eh and Gostaham never ceased to %affle me. - had seen m! father #erform $indnesses for m! mother""massaging her feet when the! were wear!, or s&r#rising her with new leather shoes""%&t - had never seen a man give as m&ch as Gostaham gave to Gordi!eh. )e was alwa!s %ringing her gifts, s&ch as date coo$ies, %olts of velvet, or flas$s of #erf&me. 'h! did he love her so1 'hat did she do to %ind

him to her li$e a moth circling a flame1 From the o&tside, she had little to offer. )er face was do&gh! li$e &n%a$ed %read, and she moved heavil!, her flesh l&m#! and dim#led. he often wielded a shar# tong&e, es#eciall! when she was worried a%o&t mone!. 3nd !et Gordi!eh was li$e a diamond, hard %&t with a flash in her e!es that made her desira%le. One afternoon at the midda! meal, Gordi!eh came into the Great Room dressed in a fine sil$ t&nic the color of a la$e, the c&rve of her large %reasts visi%le %eneath the fa%ric. 3 single emerald on a gold chain drew the e!es there. he had covered her hair with em%roider!, drawn a line of $ohl on her e!elids, dar$ened her l&sh e!e%rows, and #&t a to&ch of color on her chee$s and li#s. 'hen Gostaham arrived, she told him she had s#ent the morning hel#ing 4oo$ ma$e one of his favorite dishes, rice with lentils and lam%. 3s - %ro&ght hot %read into the Great Room, - watched her offer him the most tender %its of lam% and refill his drin$ing vessel with sweet #omegranate shar%at. he even %ro&ght o&t some wine, closel! g&arded in her storerooms, and served him a few glasses with his food. Gostaham's e!es softened and his ro&nd %od! rela(ed into the c&shions. Before long, he %egan telling .o$es. /Once there was a woman who married three times and was still a virgin,/ he was sa!ing to her as - %ro&ght in some of the candied almonds we had made earlier that !ear. /*he first h&s%and was a Rashti who co&ldn't do an!thing %eca&se he was as lim# as old celer!. *he second was a >a+vini who li$ed %o!s, so that's the onl! wa! he too$ her./ /3nd the third1/ as$ed Gordi!eh, with a teasing smile. /*he third was a lang&age teacher who onl! &sed his tong&e./ he la&ghed dee# in her %ell!, and - saw Gostaham's e!es alight on the o#&lent flesh that trem%led aro&nd her emerald. he was co&rting him2 B&t wh!1 -t was not

something - imagined that older co&#les needed to do. 3nd what did he mean %! the teacher who onl! &sed his tong&e1 B! the end of the meal, the air aro&nd Gostaham seemed heav! with desire. 'hen he s&ggested it was time for an afternoon na#, Gordi!eh arose and followed him o&t of the room with a long, h&s$! la&gh. - watched her go with him into his rooms rather than her own, which was #ec&liar. - had never seen her %ehave this wa! %efore. 6! mother and - hel#ed 4oo$ clear the dishes from the Great Room and #&t them into %&c$ets for washing. 3fter cleaned the serving #lates, she rinsed them and stac$ed them to dr!. -t wasn't long %efore - %egan to hear Gordi!eh ma$e a noise that so&nded li$e small re#eated screams. strained to hear what she was sa!ing, %racing m!self for %ad news, %&t her cries were wordless. /'hat's wrong with Gordi!eh1/ - as$ed 4oo$. he was #&tting awa! the leftover rice. /5ot a thing,/ she re#lied, avoiding m! e!es. 6! mother and - contin&ed washing in silence. 3fter we finished the serving s#oons and vessels, we %egan scr&%%ing the oil! #ots &sed to coo$ the meat and rice. 3ll was ,&iet for another half ho&r, at which #oint - heard the same lo&d cries again. /7o!2/ said m! mother. /Even after all these !ears2/ /*hat's how she gets what she wants,/ re#lied 4oo$. /;&st wait and see./ /-t doesn't so&nd real./ 4oo$ la&ghed so hard she %egan co&ghing and had to #&t down the #ot she was scr&%%ing. /0o& ma! %e right, %&t it still wor$s,/ she said when she had finall! recovered.

'hat e(actl! was ma$ing her scream with s&ch a%andonment and #leas&re1 'ith Fere!doon, - had had occasion to #ant, %&t nothing - had ever done with him had made me feel li$e howling li$e that. - wished - $new wh!. Earl! the ne(t morning, Gostaham sent a servant to s&mmon me to his wor$room. )e loo$ed %etter rested than had seen him in wee$s8 even the %ags &nder his e!es were less dar$ than &s&al. - wondered if that was %eca&se of what Gordi!eh had given him the afternoon %efore. / it here,/ said Gostaham, #atting the c&shion %eside him. /- need !o&r hel# on a sewing #ro.ect./ )e &nrolled a scra# of car#et a%o&t two hand%readths long. -t had a coarse #attern of wild red t&li#s and had %een a%andoned %efore its fringes were finished. /- %o&ght this !esterda! evening for Gordi!eh,/ he said. - m&st have loo$ed s&r#rised, for s&rel! she wo&ld not a##reciate s&ch an ordinar! car#et when her h&s%and was a master of the craft. Gostaham la&ghed at m! e(#ression. /)ere's the real gift,/ he said, #&lling something o&t of his sash. -t was a heav! gold chain with r&%ies set in s,&are mo&nts, each of which was s&rro&nded %! hanging #earls. - ca&ght m! %reath. /- want !o& to sew this onto the s&rface of the car#et, tr!ing !o&r %est to conceal the r&%ies among the h&m%le t&li#s,/ he said. Gordi!eh wo&ld &nroll the car#et, thin$ing it was nothing, and wo&ld have to search for a moment to &ncover the hidden gems. / he will %e da++led,/ - said. /'o&ldn't it %e a wonder to $not a whole r&g with .ewels li$e these2/

/-t ha##ened once,/ re#lied Gostaham. /*he most famo&s treas&re of the last assanian shah, 0a+degerd, was a .ewel"st&dded car#et. *hat's what gave me the idea, altho&gh m! a##roach is necessaril! more modest./ /'here is it now1/ - as$ed, eager to see it. /9estro!ed,/ Gostaham re#lied. /5earl! one tho&sand !ears ago, the 3ra% general a'd i%n 3%i 'a,,is marched to 0a+degerd's white stone #alace and stormed it with an arm! of si(t! tho&sand men. 'hen the! entered the #alace to loot its %oot!, the! were awestr&c$ %! its wondro&s car#et, a l&sh garden whose roses gleamed with r&%ies and whose river s#ar$led with %l&e sa##hires. Even its trees were $notted in silver, with white %lossoms made of #earls. a'd and his looters slashed the car#et into #arcels of %oot!""according to their own acco&nts2""e(tracting the .ewels to sell and &sing the remaining scra#s as tro#hies./ /-t is an o&trage,/ - said softl!. Gostaham smiled. /B&t what a stor!2/ he re#lied. )e left me to go to the ro!al r&g wor$sho#, and - ret&rned to the andarooni to %orrow a thic$ needle and some red thread from hamsi. Bac$ in Gostaham's wor$room, where - $new wo&ld not %e dist&r%ed, - held the nec$lace against m! own %osom. *he stones were delicio&sl! heav! and cool on m! chest. - wondered what it wo&ld %e li$e to %e so admired that a man wo&ld want to #lease me with s&ch a costl! gift. *hreading m! needle, - #&shed it thro&gh the %ac$ of the car#et in the middle of a t&li# and lightl! affi(ed the first r&%! in #lace. -t almost seemed to vanish, e(ce#t for its s#ar$le. contin&ed that wa! with ever! gem, arranging the gold chain so it loo$ed li$e vines s#iraling thro&gh the car#et's s&rface. - had a lot of time to thin$ as - sewed Gordi!eh's gift. he was not %ea&tif&l, and she was often ill"tem#ered and ca#ricio&s. 0et with a single afternoon of love, she had made

her h&s%and's heart soar and loosened his #&rse strings. Perha#s it was %eca&se she was a se!!edeh: *he descendants of the Pro#het were $nown for having se(&al #owers %e!ond those of other women. 3fter !ears of marriage, Gordi!eh was still getting her h&s%and to do e(actl! what she wanted, while - co&ld hardl! $ee# m! h&s%and's attention for three months. - longed to $now all the things Gordi!eh $new so that - co&ld %ind Fere!doon to me. ')-LE - '3 waiting to hear from Fere!doon, - was not idle. *o $ee# m!self from thin$ing a%o&t him, - wor$ed long ho&rs on the 9&tchman's car#et. ometimes, when - was stiff from $notting, m! mother hel#ed me. he'd sit %eside me in the co&rt!ard and - wo&ld call o&t the colors for %oth of &s, since the #attern was com#licated and &nfamiliar to her. -t was then that - had a %old idea: 'hat if - co&ld find a few women $notters and hire them to ma$e m! designs1 *hat's e(actl! what the! did in the ro!al r&g wor$sho# and in the r&g factories that dotted the cit!. - even $new who - wo&ld as$. On one of m! tri#s to the %a+aar, - had noticed a woman selling her own r&gs among the other #eddlers at the -mage of the 'orld. he had made several woolen car#ets in the -sfahani st!le, with a s&n%&rst in the center radiating o&t to a starr! s$! or to a garden %&rsting with flowers. - had sto##ed to loo$ at her wor$. /6a! God #raise the %looms of !o&r hands2/ - said. /0o&r wor$ is ver! fine./ *he woman than$ed me %&t loo$ed &ncomforta%le. as$ed her if she had %een selling car#ets in the %a+aar for a long time, $nowing that most women wo&ld #refer it if male famil! mem%ers #eddled their wares. /5o, onl! recentl!,/ she re#lied, again loo$ing &neas!. /6! h&s%and is ill and can't wor$. - have two %o!s to feed""/ 3nd here her face cr&m#led, as if she might %&rst into tears.

- #itied her. /6a! !o&r l&c$ soon %e %righter2/ - said. /'ith s&ch fine wor$, - $now it will./ )er sh! smile made her face loo$ radiant. From then on, whenever - went to the %a+aar, - sto##ed and said hello to 6ale$eh. )er car#ets did not sell &ntil she offered one of them for almost nothing. he nearl! we#t when she told me a%o&t it, for she had %arel! recovered the cost of the wool. /B&t what co&ld - do1/ she as$ed. /6! children had to eat./ he was in an even worse #osition than m! mother and me, and - wondered if there might %e some wa! to hel# her. *he first thing - had to do, tho&gh, was finish the 9&tch" man's car#et. - wor$ed on it steadil! with m! mother's hel#, and now that - was a m&ch faster $notter, it grew ,&ic$l!. 3ltho&gh - still %&rned with rage that Gordi!eh had given it awa! witho&t cons&lting me, - also felt comforted %! the %ea&t! of the #in$, orange, and magenta flowers that were %lossoming on m! loom. -n the f&t&re, - wo&ld &se what Gostaham had ta&ght me a%o&t color for m! own gain. *he da! that m! mother and - lifted the r&g off the loom and made the fringes was a ha##! one for ever!one in the ho&sehold. For Gordi!eh and Gostaham, it meant the! co&ld satisf! an im#ortant client with a fine gift. For m! mother, it meant that - co&ld start another car#et that might hel# &s earn o&r inde#endence. For me, it mar$ed the end of a long, %itter a#olog!. 'hen the 9&tchman came to claim the car#et, - hid m!self in the noo$ off the stairwell to o%serve events in the Great Room. Gostaham called for coffee and melon, %atting awa! the 9&tchman's eager re,&ests to see the r&g &ntil the #ro#er amo&nt of conversation had occ&rred. *hen he had 3li"3sghar fetch it and roll it o&t %efore the 9&tchman's feet. From m! #erch, - had a view of the car#et that allowed me to

see it in a new wa!. -f - had %een a %ird fl!ing overhead, that's what a garden might have loo$ed li$e, with its wealth of %lossoms in .o!f&l shades. *he 9&tchman's e!es o#ened wide for a moment. /-t ma$es me thin$ of the gardens of heaven,/ he said. /6a! we all ho#e to see them when o&r time on earth has e(#ired2/ /God willing,/ re#lied Gostaham. *he 9&tchman fingered the car#et. /- am certain that even >&een Eli+a%eth of En"gland never #ossessed a car#et that co&ld rival s&ch fine wor$,/ he said. /Please acce#t m! than$s for s&ch an &n#aralleled treas&re./ 6! heart overflowed with .o! to hear m! wor$ descri%ed as %etter than an!thing owned %! a great ,&een, even if the 9&tchman was e(aggerating. Perha#s now Gostaham and Gordi!eh wo&ld see m! val&e. /- am delighted that !o& are so satisfied with the #rod&ct of m! looms,/ Gostaham said, and he %eamed his %road smile toward the carved #laster, where he $new - was listening. *he men %egan disc&ssing the car#ets that the 9&tchman had commissioned on %ehalf of the wealth! merchant, which were %eing made %! wor$ers at the ro!al r&g wor$sho#. *he! arranged an a##ointment for him to see them, and then a servant showed him to the door. *)E0 30 *)3* the glorio&s Pro#het 6ohammad, who wi#ed the sweat off his %row while ascending to the throne of God, s#ent seven lifetimes in each of the seven heavens, !et ret&rned to earth %efore his sweat reached the gro&nd. )ow is this #ossi%le1 *he! sa! it's #ossi%le for time to e(#and into !ears for one #erson, while for another it cons&mes onl! an instant. -ndeed, each da! that - didn't have word from Fere!doon seemed to stretch longer than the last. 3s - s,&atted in the

co&rt!ard two da!s %efore the e(#iration of m! marriage, crac$ing waln&ts and #&lling o&t the to&gh dividers that $e#t the two halves of the flesh a#art, - felt as if - were living o&t a lifetime in ever! %reath. 5ot long after dawn, the s&n was alread! hot, and #a&sed to wi#e the sweat off m! face. 6ore o&t of distress than h&nger, - #&t half a waln&t in m! mo&th witho&t loo$ing at it. -t was so rotten m! tong&e c&rled. ;&st at that moment, %efore - co&ld swallow m! theft, Gordi!eh came o&t of the $itchen, crossing the co&rt!ard in the direction of the storerooms. /3re the! flavorf&l1/ she as$ed, ma$ing it clear she had seen me eating. - swallowed with diffic&lt! and smiled at her as if - hadn't &nderstood her meaning. / alaam alei$&m,/ - said. /4oo$ is ma$ing #omegranate"waln&t chic$en""isn't that !o&r favorite1/ /3ll e(ce#t for her lam% with so&r lemon,/ - re#lied, $nowing that Gordi!eh li$ed to remind me where m! %read and salt were coming from. Gordi!eh #eered into the mortar, which was f&ll of n&t meats. /Be caref&l""!o&'ve got a shell in there,/ she said. -t was so .agged it co&ld have crac$ed a tooth. - was not &s&all! so cl&ms! at m! wor$, !et #erha#s it was no s&r#rise, since m! mind $e#t stra!ing. - tossed the shell awa!, %&t now Gordi!eh was di##ing her fingers into the gro&nd n&ts to chec$ their si+e. /6a$e them more li$e #owder,/ she said. /*he! need to almost dissolve in the s!r&#./ 4oo$ was distilling it right now, %oiling the .&ice of #omegranates with s#oonf&ls of s&gar. *he air was heav!

with the tart"sweet scent, which normall! made m! mo&th water, %&t not toda!. /4hashm,/ - said. Gordi!eh loo$ed satisfied, for she li$ed me to %e o%edient. Under m! %reath, - m&ttered, /*he!'re %etter cr&nch!./ - la&nched m! #estle at the n&ts, grinding them into nothingness. *he sweat rose again on m! forehead, and %egan to feel stic$! &nder m! clothes. 3 few min&tes later, Gordi!eh emerged from the storerooms with her hands f&ll of onions. /3!, =hoda2/ she said as she came o&t. /*he wa! ever!one has %een eating, there's nothing left in there./ - tried to loo$ s!m#athetic, altho&gh - $new the storerooms were #ac$ed with #!ramids of costl! red saffron, fat dates from the so&th %athing in their own s&gar! .&ices, cas$s of strong wine, and eno&gh rice to feed a famil! for a !ear. / hall - #o&nd fewer n&ts1/ - as$ed, ho#ing her concern a%o&t wasting food might save me wor$. Gordi!eh #a&sed, as if she co&ldn't decide whether more wor$ or less wasting wo&ld %e %etter. /Go ahead and #o&nd them""we'll save them for later if we don't need them,/ she finall! said. - ti##ed o&t the n&ts - had finished #&lveri+ing and scoo#ed &# others, tr!ing to %ehave as tho&gh this were an! other da!. Gordi!eh #a&sed for a moment longer, her e!es on the waln&ts. / till no word1/ she as$ed. -f there had %een a letter, with Fere!doon's signat&re swoo#ing li$e a %ird in flight, she wo&ld have heard a%o&t it from Gostaham. *here was no need to as$, other than to remind me that m! stat&s was falling in the ho&sehold. alread! felt it in the t!#e of tas$s Gordi!eh assigned to me, li$e the n&t #o&nding, which was normall! hamsi's .o%. Perha#s she had alread! given &# on him, and indeed, if -

didn't hear from Fere!doon toda!, - #ro%a%l! never wo&ld. was too overcome for a moment to contin&e m! wor$. /Poor animal2/ said Gordi!eh, as she ret&rned to the $itchen. /-nsh'3llah, !o&'ll receive a message from him soon./ 'henever - tho&ght a%o&t the last time - had %een with Fere!doon, it was li$e to&ching a #ot that had %een stewing over a fire. - drew %ac$ ,&ic$l!, %listered to the core. 'hen he had wanted to tal$, - listened, and when he wanted m! %od!, - let him do as he #leased. - didn't &nderstand how had failed him. - contin&ed slamming the #estle into the n&ts. )ow m&ch had changed since m! mother and - had moved from m! village to -sfahan2 - had %een as #rotected as a sil$worm in its cocoon. - longed to %e a fifteen"!ear"old virgin again who $new nothing of the im#et&o&s shifts of the stars. 3t the midda! meal, - co&ldn't eat m&ch, which s&r#rised 4oo$, who $new how - relished her #omegranate sa&ce. /3$h2/ - cried o&t when - cr&nched on a shar# shell hidden in the sa&ce. Otherwise, the meal was ,&ieter than &s&al, and m! mother loo$ed worried whenever o&r glances met. 3fterward, - hel#ed clean &# and scr&%%ed the %&rnt rice o&t of a #ot &ntil m! fingers were raw. Before ever!one went to ta$e their afternoon rest, - as$ed Gordi!eh whether an! errands needed to %e done. 'ith a #leased e(#ression, she told me to go to the %a+aar to %&! ga+, the stic$! no&gat with #istachios that her grandchildren loved. - left Gostaham's ho&se, wra##ed in m! chador, with m! #icheh covering m! face, and wal$ed ,&ic$l! to the ga+ sho#s in the Great Ba+aar. - made m! #&rchase and then, instead of going home, - traversed the -mage of the 'orld and entered the %a+aar at its so&th end. *a$ing a long ro&te to the river to avoid seeing an!one - $new, - wal$ed #ast t&nic ma$ers, fr&it and vegeta%le haw$ers, and #ot and #an sellers &ntil - was

o&tside the %a+aar near the *hirt!"three 3rches Bridge. loo$ed aro&nd ,&ic$l! to ma$e s&re no one recogni+ed me %efore - crossed it and wal$ed &#stream to the new 3rmenian #art of the cit!. - had never vent&red alone among so man! 4hristians. hah 3%%as had moved tho&sands of 3rmenians to 5ew ;&lfa""some sa! against their will""to serve him as merchants in the sil$ trade. 6an! had %ecome rich. - wal$ed %! their ornate ch&rch and #ee$ed inside. *he walls and ceiling were covered with images of men and women, incl&ding a #ainting of a gro&# of men eating together. *he! had halos aro&nd their heads, as if the! were meant to %e worshi##ed. - saw another #ainting of a man carr!ing a #iece of wood on his %ac$, with a terri%le loo$ of s&ffering in his e!es, followed %! a woman who loo$ed as if she wo&ld give her life for his. o #erha#s it was tr&e that the 4hristians worshi##ed h&man idols as well as God. Gostaham had told me that the hah graced the 3rmenians with his #resence d&ring religio&s cele%rations twice a !ear, !et when an 3rmenian architect had designed a ch&rch that was taller than the tallest mos,&e, his hands had %een c&t off. - shivered at the tho&ght, for what co&ld an architect""or a r&g ma$er""do witho&t hands1 Leaving the ch&rch, - t&rned down a small alle! and contin&ed &ntil - s#otted the sign that =o%ra had once mentioned: a #age of writing affi(ed to a door #ainted s#ring" green. - co&ldn't read m&ch of it, %&t - $new this was where was s&##osed to %e. - $noc$ed, loo$ing aro&nd again an(io&sl!, for - had never gone on an errand li$e this %efore. *he door was o#ened %! an older woman with startling %l&e e!es and long hone!"colored hair lightl! covered with a #&r#le head scarf. 'itho&t a word, she %ec$oned me inside and sh&t the door. - followed her thro&gh a small co&rt!ard and into a ho&se with low ceilings and whitewashed walls.

*he room we sat down in was f&ll of strange things: animal %ones in ceramic #ots, ewers of red and golden li,&ids, %as$ets overflowing with roots and her%s. 3strological s!m%ols and cosmological charts were #inned to the walls. - removed m! coverings and sat against a c&shion. Rather than as$ me an!thing, the woman lit a cl&m# of wild r&e, closed her e!es, and %egan reciting #oetr! in a singsong voice. *hen she o#ened her e!es and said, /0o&r #ro%lem is a man./ /0es,/ - re#lied. /)ow did !o& $now1/ *he charm ma$er didn't answer. /)ow did !o& come to -sfahan1/ 5o do&%t she co&ld tell from m! accent that - was from the so&th. - told her m! mother and - had left o&r village after m! father had died and we had almost starved, and that - was em%roiled in a three"month sigheh with a wealth! man. *he charm ma$er's %l&e e!es loo$ed tro&%led. /'h! didn't he offer to ma$e !o& his f&ll"fledged wife1/ she as$ed. /-'m told he m&st marr! a woman who can %ear him s&ita%le heirs./ /-n that case, wh! didn't !o&r famil! wait to find !o& a #ro#er marriage1/ /- don't $now./ - didn't want to tell her a%o&t how - had destro!ed the r&g. *he woman loo$ed #&++led. he e!ed m! attire, a sim#le red cotton t&nic and orange cotton ro%e, %o&nd with a red sash. /3re there mone! #ro%lems in !o&r ho&sehold1/ /6! &ncle and his famil! are ver! comforta%le, %&t his wife alwa!s worries a%o&t the %&rden of feeding m! mother and me./ / o the! were gam%ling that !o&r h&s%and wo&ld $ee# !o& a long time, and #erha#s shower !o& with gifts./

/0es,/ - re#lied, /%&t m! marriage ends the da! after to" morrow./ /7o!2/ re#lied the charm ma$er, loo$ing alarmed. /'e don't have m&ch time./ /4an !o& ma$e a charm to ma$e him want me1/ - as$ed. /-t's #ossi%le,/ she said, %&t she seemed to %e searching m! face for cl&es. /'hat is !o&r h&s%and li$e1/ /)e has a lot of energ!,/ - said. /)e tells ever!one aro&nd him what to do. )e is often ver! im#atient./ /9oes he love !o&1/ /)e has never said so,/ - re#lied, /%&t last time, he %o&ght me new clothes, and it was almost as if he li$ed me./ - said this in a tone f&ll of wonder, for - had onl! .&st gras#ed it m!self. /0et !o& are not s#ea$ing li$e a woman in love, her e!es shining %right with .o!./ /5o,/ - admitted with a sigh. /9o !o& love !o&r h&s%and1/ - tho&ght for a moment %efore answering. /- don't trem%le the wa! one of m! friends does when she tal$s a%o&t her %eloved,/ - said. /Being with him is something -'ve had to do./ /-n that case, do !o& have an! idea wh! he might not have sent for !o&1/ /5o,/ - said misera%l!. )er %l&e e!es seemed to #ierce mine. he fanned the r&e, whose shar# smell made m! e!es water. /)ow have !o&r nights %een together1/ - told her how sh! - had felt, !et how Fere!doon had often $e#t me &# &ntil dawn, ta$ing me in the fo&r corners of the room.

/*hat's what might %e e(#ected in the %eginning,/ she said. /- s&##ose so, %&t now it seems as if the fire of his #assion is d!ing./ /3lread!1/ he #a&sed and again seemed to %e striving to &nderstand something. /'hat ha##ened the last time !o& saw him1/ /- don't $now,/ - said, tr!ing to avoid the ,&estion. /alwa!s do what -'m told, %&t - sense his weariness./ /3s if he was %ored1/ /0es,/ - said, shifting &ncomforta%l! on m! c&shion and loo$ing awa!. *here was a long silence, %ro$en onl! when admitted in a halting voice that Fere!doon had #leased himself witho&t me. /9id he sa! an!thing to !o& afterward1/ - had not allowed m!self to thin$ a%o&t this for man! da!s. /)e as$ed me if - en.o!ed %eing with him. - was so startled %! the ,&estion that - said, '- am honored %e!ond m! !ears to %e in !o&r world"%rightening #resence.'/ *he charm ma$er smiled, %&t it was not a ha##! smile. /*hat was ver! formal of !o&./ 5ow that - had %eg&n, - tho&ght - might as well tell her ever!thing. /*hen he lifted his e!e%rows and said, '0o& needn't tal$ with me li$e that when we're alone.'/ / o then !o& told him the tr&th a%o&t how !o& felt1/ /5ot e(actl!8 it was the first time he had given me #ermission to s#ea$ m! mind. 'hat - said was, '6! onl! concern has %een #leasing !o&.' )e %ent his %od! over mine, stro$ed the hair awa! from m! face, and said, '4hild of the so&th, - $now that. 3nd so far, !o& have. B&t there's more to this than #leasing me, !o& $now.' *hen he as$ed me if li$ed what we did together at night, and - said !es./

/-s that the tr&th1/ - shr&gged. /- don't &nderstand wh! #eo#le tal$ a%o&t it so m&ch all the time./ *he charm ma$er loo$ed at me so s!m#atheticall! tho&ght - might wee#. /'h! don't !o& li$e it as m&ch as he does1/ /- don't $now,/ - said again, shifting on m! c&shion and wishing - had not come. *he charm ma$er too$ one of m! hands and held it %etween hers to comfort me. - felt .&st the wa! - had right %efore m! father's death, as if - were a%o&t to lose ever!thing at once. /- can't end&re the wa! things &nravel,/ - said all of a s&dden, not $nowing wh!. *he charm ma$er loo$ed as if she &nderstood. /6! child, !o& can't sto# what God gives and ta$es awa!, %&t !o&, too, can end things. Promise me !o&'ll remem%er that./ /- #romise,/ - said, tho&gh it was the last of m! worries. /5ow that - &nderstand !o&r #ro%lem, there are a few things - can do to hel# !o&,/ said the charm ma$er. /B&t first - want to $now this: -sn't it #ossi%le that !o&r h&s%and will ta$e a #ermanent wife1/ - #a&sed for a moment, remem%ering that right %efore got married, Gordi!eh had said that )oma was alread! loo$ing for a girl s&ita%le to %e the mother of his heirs. /Of co&rse,/ - said. /*hen let me ma$e !o& a charm to $not their #ath,/ she said. he reached into a %as$et that contained man! %alls of thread. 4hoosing the seven colors of the rain%ow, she $notted the threads together in seven #laces and then %o&nd the cord aro&nd m! throat. /'ear it &ntil it falls off,/ she said. /3nd don't tell !o&r h&s%and what it's for./

/-f - see him again,/ - said misera%l!. /God willing, !o& shall,/ she re#lied. /3nd if !o& do, !o& m&st tr! harder to #lease him./ - was ta$en a%ac$ %! her s&ggestion. /- tho&ght - was alread! doing ever!thing he wanted./ *he charm ma$er stro$ed m! hand as if she were soothing a diffic&lt child. /- don't thin$ so,/ she said gentl!. 6! chee$s fl&shed with shame. /- wish - $new the things m! mother $new when she was m! age,/ - said %itterl!. /6! father loved her ever! min&te of their life together./ /'hat do !o& thin$ her secret was1/ - told her that m! mother's a%ilit! to tell stories had magneti+ed m! father's love, even tho&gh he was once the most handsome man in the village. - did not have s&ch gifts. *he charm ma$er sto##ed me. /-magine for a moment that !o& were the one telling a stor! instead of !o&r mother,/ she said. /Let's sa! it's the one a%o&t Fatemeh the s#inner girl. 3t the %eginning, !o& ca#tivate !o&r listeners %! telling them how Fatemeh's father drowns in a shi#wrec$, leaving her to fend for herself. B&t what if, rather than waiting &ntil the end of the stor! to tell them how she fares, !o& tell them right awa!1/ /*hat wo&ld %e sill!,/ - said. /-ndeed,/ she re#lied. / o how do !o& thin$ a stor! sho&ld %e told1/ /'hen m! mother tells tales, she #&ts the %eginning, the middle, and the end in their #ro#er #lace./ /*hat's right,/ said the charm ma$er. /*he stor!teller teases !o& with a little %it of information here and a little there. he $ee#s !o& in a state of wonder &ntil the ver! end, when she finall! sates !o&r desire./

- $new e(actl! what she meant. 6! mother's listeners %ecame entranced, staring at her with gla+ed e!es and o#en mo&ths as if the! had forgotten where the! were. *he charm ma$er smoothed %ac$ her hone!"h&ed hair. / o thin$ of !o&r evenings with !o&r h&s%and as a time when !o& tell him a stor!, %&t not with words. *o him, it's an old tale, so !o& need to learn to tell it in new wa!s./ - %l&shed again, %&t this time it felt li$e a %&rn starting dee# within m! liver and s#reading &ntil even m! toes were tingling. /-'ve alread! had a few ideas,/ - admitted, /%&t -'ve %een too ashamed to tr! them o&t./ /9on't dela!,/ said the charm ma$er with an edge of warning in her voice that let me $now she %elieved - was in #eril. /0et - don't $now where to start,/ - said, in almost a whis#er. /*here is a cl&e in the ,&estion !o&r h&s%and as$ed the last time he saw !o&,/ re#lied the charm ma$er. /-s there an!thing !o& li$e doing with him1/ /- li$e his $isses and caresses,/ - said, /%&t the! alwa!s end when he .oins his %od! to mine. *hen he forgets all a%o&t me and #&shes toward the moment of his greatest #leas&re./ /3nd what a%o&t !o&1/ /- tr! to do ever!thing - can to hel# him./ /)e doesn't need hel#,/ said the charm ma$er. - stared at her, ho#ing she wo&ld contin&e, %&t she remained silent. *he moments #assed slowl!, while - twisted on m! c&shion with antici#ation and ho#e. /*ell me,/ - #leaded. he smiled. / o now - have !o&r f&ll attention./ /0es,/ - re#lied.

/3nd !o& won't %e satisfied &ntil - give !o& what !o& need./ 6! head felt light from the acrid smell of r&e lingering in the air. /- m&st $now./ /0o& are in thrall, and if - wanted to $ee# !o& there,/ she said, /- might tell !o& a side stor!, #erha#s a ,&ic$ one a%o&t Fatemeh's mother and the circ&mstances of her %irth./ /- wish !o& wo&ldn't,/ - said, hearing a %egging tone in m! voice. 6! heart was %eating faster than &s&al and m! hands felt moist. *he charm ma$er was watching me caref&ll!. / o now !o& &nderstand,/ she said with a smile. /0es,/ - re#lied. /-n that case, - shall not fr&strate !o& an! longer,/ she said. /*he ending is alwa!s necessar!, tho&gh it is never as e(citing as the clim%./ *hen she as$ed if - had ever seen a certain #art of m! %od!, one that was &s&all! $e#t hidden. /Of co&rse not2/ - re#lied, recoiling in s&r#rise. -n m! village, - had alwa!s shared a room with m! #arents. 3t the hammam, - had alwa!s %een s&rro&nded %! other women. *he onl! #rivate #lace - ever visited was the latrines, which were too dar$ and smell! to linger in. /3nd !et, !o& m&st $now what - mean./ 9es#ite what - had .&st said, - tho&ght - did. - co&ld feel it, after all. /Before !o&r h&s%and moves too far &# the mo&ntain of %liss, #lace !o&rself in a #innacle"#leas&ring #osition, and .oin him as he clim%s. ome of the #ositions !o& can tr! are the frog, the twisting scissors, the -ndian, and the nail in the shoe./

*o ma$e s&re - $new what she meant, she demonstrated the #ositions with her fingers. - %egan imagining how the! wo&ld feel with Fere!doon and wondered if - co&ld arrange m!self so he tho&ght the! were his own #lan. /- can do what !o& s&ggest,/ - said. /B&t - never tho&ght m! h&s%and cared m&ch a%o&t m! #leas&re./ /Perha#s he doesn't,/ she said. /B&t imagine how !o& wo&ld feel if ever! night !o& met him, he failed to ascend./ -t had %een agoni+ing not %eing a%le to #lease him. - had %een li$e a st&ffed doll that doesn't move &ntil the child #la!ing with her #&ts an arm or a leg in a new #lace. 5o wonder Fere!doon had %ecome %ored. /- %end m! head low %efore !o&r $nowledge,/ - said to the charm ma$er. he smiled. /'hen !o& are as old as - am, !o& will $now .&st as m&ch, and #ro%a%l! more,/ she re#lied. - #aid the charm ma$er with mone! m! mother had given me from the sigheh, for she had done her %est for me. -t was onl! when - arrived home that - reali+ed she hadn't given me a charm to ma$e Fere!doon want me, %&t rather one to #revent him from wanting someone else. *hat seemed ver! odd to me, &ntil - &nderstood that - m&st discover wa!s to charm him m!self. *)3* 5-G)*, - co&ld hardl! %ear to %e near m! mother, Gostaham, or Gordi!eh. 'henever - met their e!es, it seemed as if the! were loo$ing at me with #it!, confirming with their silence that no letter had arrived from Fere!doon. 6! mother didn't sa! an!thing, %&t at night she #atted the %lan$ets aro&nd me gentl! and told me one of m! favorite tales, the one a%o&t Bahram and his slave girl Fitna. - loved that stor!, for Fitna had won Bahram thro&gh a clever tric$ that revealed to him his own wea$nesses. - onl! wished co&ld do the same with Fere!doon.

- fell aslee# and %egan dreaming that we had ret&rned to o&r old ho&se in m! village. 'hen we o#ened the front door, the whole room was filled with snow. 6! mother and - had no choice %&t to %&rrow into it. 'e tried to ins&late o&r %&rrow with scra#s of clothing and car#ets, %&t we were #iteo&sl! cold. *he whiteness of the snow h&rt m! e!es and its wet cold #enetrated m! fingers and toes. - felt as if - had %een %&ried alive in a %ed of white. - wo$e &# shivering, with sweat on m! forehead and chest. L!ing in the dar$, - wondered what fate held in store for &s. )ow long wo&ld Gordi!eh and Gostaham %e willing to $ee# &s if we didn't get more mone! from Fere!doon1 'e wo&ld %e h&ngr! again8 we wo&ld have to acce#t the generosit! of others, which wo&ld sometimes mas$ sinister desires. 3nd - wanted to sta! in the cit!. - li$ed the wa! m! %od! had filled o&t in the ca#ital, %ecoming womanl! and ro&nded %eca&se we ate well ever! da!. - loved what - was learning from Gostaham, who was now teaching me how to draw lions, dragons, %irds of #aradise, and some of the other fancif&l animals - had seen in the hah's h&nting r&g. B&t more than that, m! mind was filled with ideas a%o&t how to win Fere!doon if - sho&ld have another chance. -f were a #eacoc$, li$e the one - had %een tr!ing to draw recentl!, - wo&ld r&% m! soft, iridescent feathers all over his %ac$. -f a fo(, - wo&ld %lindfold his e!es with m! tail while lic$ing him with m! ,&ic$ tong&e. 5ow that wo&ld r&% the %ored loo$ o&t of his e!es2 *he ne(t morning, - was awa$ened %! the so&nd of a vendor with a nasal voice advertising his %arle! so&#, and went to as$ 4oo$ what she needed me to do. 3s we were s#ea$ing, - heard the $noc$er for women. hamsi fetched me and led me to Gordi!eh and Gostaham, for a letter had arrived for me at last.

/'hat does it sa!1/ - as$ed, forgetting to greet them #ro#erl!, for - feared the letter wo&ld confirm the end of m! alliance. /Good morning to !o&, too,/ Gordi!eh re#lied, reminding me of m! manners, and - ,&ic$l! ret&rned her greeting. Gostaham %ro$e the letter's wa( seal, which %ore Fere!doon's &nmista$a%le signat&re. 3s - watched his e!es move %ac$ and forth, - had an &rge to sei+e the letter and tr! to read it m!self. /'ell1/ Gordi!eh said. Gostaham contin&ed to read. /-f onl! he wo&ld sto# &sing so man! flower! e(#ressions and get to the #oint,/ he said, scanning the lines of handwriting. /3h""here it is at last. Fere!doon is re,&esting her this evening. Praise %e to God2/ - was s#eechless with relief. Gordi!eh smiled. / &ch good fort&ne is a sign of favor from heaven,/ she said. - didn't want to ma$e the mista$e of %eing fatig&ed, the wa! - had %een d&ring m! last visit. /- will need time to #re#are for him,/ - said. Gordi!eh seemed to &nderstand. /0o& are e(c&sed from all !o&r d&ties,/ she re#lied. /-'ll tell hamsi to wor$ in the $itchen toda! in !o&r #lace./ )er generosit! s&r#rised me, &ntil - remem%ered she had her own reasons for desiring this &nion. From time to time, she wo&ld as$ me if Fere!doon had mentioned that he wanted new r&gs and wo&ld s&ggest that - #rom#t him to commission one from &s. - never had. - as$ed m! mother to let me %e alone the whole morning, and she left to gather her%s for her medicines. h&tting m!self in o&r little room, - hennaed m! feet and hands and decided to s&r#rise Fere!doon %! a##l!ing the designs to a

#lace onl! he wo&ld see. -t too$ several ho&rs and - had to remain ver! still while the #aste was dr!ing, which was diffic&lt %eca&se - was so restless. - also had to $ee# m!self lightl! covered o&t of fear that m! mother wo&ld ret&rn and discover the daring thing - had done. -n the afternoon, - wal$ed to Fere!doon's ho&se for what tho&ght might %e the last time. ince o&r contract e(#ired the ne(t da!, - didn't $now whether he wanted to en.o! me onl! once more or if he had other #lans for me. 5at&rall!, - was at #ains to conceal what - had done from the shar# e!es of )a!edeh and 3+i+. 'hen the! sal&ted me, the! seemed more nonchalant than %efore. - %egan removing m! own clothes. *he! didn't sto# me, which made me s&s#ect that the! didn't %elieve - wo&ld ever ret&rn. Before - descended into the t&%, - said, /9on't !o& want to ins#ect me for stra! hairs1/ )a!edeh made a #retense of loo$ing for them while contin&ing her conversation with 3+i+. /3n!wa!,/ she said to her, /the wedding ta$es #lace in a wee$ at the home of the groom's father, who is a #istachio farmer./ he cas&all! scr&%%ed m! %ac$ with a $isseh as she descri%ed what her da&ghter was going to wear. 'itho&t her hel#, - immersed m!self in the t&%. 3fter the! had dressed me, - went into the %edcham%er had shared with Fere!doon so man! times and sat in m! &s&al #lace, %&t - was restless and co&ldn't $ee# still. - arose and wal$ed into the ad.acent room, where we too$ o&r meals. 'hat e(actl! wo&ld - do1 - a##roached the sil$ r&gs hanging on the wall that showed #airs of %irds singing together in a tree. *heir $nots were so tight that their s&rface was slee$er than s$in. 3 s&dden im#&lse sei+ed me to remove one of them. - too$ it into the %edcham%er and s#read it on the floor at some distance from the %edroll. *hen - ret&rned to the main cham%er and waited.

'hen Fere!doon arrived, he was in a dar$ mood. )e %ar$ed at the servants for wine and a water #i#e %efore even coming thro&gh the door. 'ithin seconds, he noticed that the r&g had %een removed from the wall, leaving a %lan$ s#ace ne(t to its mate. /'hat m&le removed that r&g1/ Fere!doon growled. *he servants cowered and #rotested their innocence with flower! words. - was afraid, %&t - said, /-t was me./ /-t loo$s terri%le li$e that./ /- have a reason,/ - re#lied. Fere!doon ignored me, lifting his arms so that a manservant co&ld remove his ro%e and sash and &n%&c$le his #earl"st&dded $nife. 3nother servant ti#toed in with the wine and #i#e and %ac$ed awa!, %owing. Fere!doon #&lled his t&r%an off his head and cons&med his li%ations witho&t offering me an!. 'hen the food arrived, he ate it ,&ic$l!, almost angril!. - hardl! dared to #&t a morsel to m! li#s. *he coffee arrived in two delicate green vessels. Fere!doon tasted it %efore the coffee %o! had left the room and gr&m%led, /-t's not hot eno&gh./ *he coffee %o! ret&rned to remove the c&#s, %&t he didn't loo$ a#ologetic, nor did he offer words to soothe Fere!doon's anger. /'ait a min&te,/ said Fere!doon. *he coffee %o!, who was #ro%a%l! no more than twelve, stood %efore him with the c&#s on the tra!. Fere!doon gra%%ed m! c&# and threw the li,&id in the %o!'s face. )e staggered, the tra! nearl! dro##ing o&t of his hands. /0o& see1/ Fere!doon roared. /-t's not even hot eno&gh to h&rt !o&. 5ow %ring me something that is2/ *here were scalded #atches near the %o!'s e!es. )e stammered a few words of a#olog! and %ac$ed o&t of the room with tears streaming down his face.

/9on$e!2/ Fere!doon cried after him. - had never seen him %ehave this wa!. )is anger had %een as s&dden and &n#redicta%le as a hailstorm, and .&st as indifferent. 3nother servant ret&rned min&tes later with coffee so hot it %&rned m! throat. Fere!doon dran$ his in a g&l#, strode into the other cham%er, and threw himself onto the %edroll, closing his e!es. -t wasn't long %efore - heard lo&d snores. 'as this how m! final night with Fere!doon m&st #ass, with no chance of saving m!self1 - was filled with t&rmoil, !et fro+en in #lace as if - were st&c$ in the %ed of snow - had dreamed a%o&t the night %efore. - remem%ered the slow, chill! death - had almost e(#erienced in m! village and s&ddenl! - lea#t to m! feet, $nowing - had to do something. 5ight was falling and the room was %ecoming dar$. - lit an oil lam# and #laced it near the sil$ r&g %efore tearing off m! clothes e(ce#t for m! #in$ sil$ tro&sers. 4rawling on to# of the %edroll %eside Fere!doon, - did m! %est to %e cl&ms! and awa$en him. -t wor$ed: )is e!es fl&ttered o#en. /- have something to show !o&,/ - whis#ered, m! voice a des#erate hiss. /'hat1/ he m&m%led, so&nding anno!ed. - was ,&iet for a moment, and then - said, /-t is for !o&, and onl! !o&, to find./ /Find what1/ he as$ed, half aslee#. /*he secret - have #re#ared for !o&,/ - said. )e rolled onto one el%ow, %lin$ing his e!es to wa$e &#. - rolled awa! a little, and when he reached for me, - rolled awa! again. /Let me see !o&,/ he said. - got on m! hands and $nees, %&t t&rned aro&nd slightl! to show him a view of m! tro&sered hi#s and %are %reasts. *hen - %egan crawling toward the oil lam#. 'ith a s&r#rised loo$, Fere!doon got on all fo&rs and followed. - let him gra% m! hi#s, %&t - wo&ldn't t&rn aro&nd. From %ehind, he %egan

e(#loring m! %are chest with his soft hands. 'hen - li$ed what he was doing, - leaned %ac$ against his chest, covered his hands with mine and $e#t them there. /'hat's the secret1/ as$ed Fere!doon softl!. )e was awa$e now, his e!es more alive than the! had %een in months. - wrested m!self from his em%race and crawled awa! again as fast as - co&ld. )e gra%%ed at m! tro&sers %&t missed, then came crawling after me again, la&ghing. 'hen - was read!, - let him catch the edge of m! tro&sers and #ress me down with m! stomach on the gro&nd. /*&rn over,/ he said. - la! still, teasing him with a smile and resisting him as he tried to fli# me. /3h2/ he said, in a delighted tone, when - ref&sed to %&dge. )e didn't force me, %&t rather lifted the waist of m! tro&sers and tore the fa%ric off m! %od!. *he sil$ made a lo&d ri##ing so&nd, and satisfaction ill&minated his face. *hen he shr&gged off his own clothes. - still ref&sed to t&rn over. /0o& haven't fo&nd it !et,/ teased. Fere!doon %ecame wild then. )e searched m! na$ed %ac$ in the light of the oil lam#, caressing me with his hands and li#s. )is caresses were different this time8 the! seemed intended to inflame me. 'hen he tried to t&rn me again, - still wo&ldn't let him: - li$ed what he was doing too m&ch. Fere!doon %ecame wild, $issing and %iting m! sho&lders and lifting &# the front of m! %od! to stro$e m! %reasts from &nderneath. - %egan to feel as li,&id as hot #omegranate s!r&#, and when - was #anting and co&ld no longer %ear to hold m!self %ac$ from him, - rolled over to allow him to e(#lore me f&rther. /'here is the secret1/ he as$ed im#atientl!. - teased him with a smile, and Fere!doon dragged me into the light of the

oil lam#, $issing and caressing me &ntil he came closer and closer to m! treas&re. - $e#t m! legs tightl! closed and wo&ldn't let him o#en them, indicating #arts of m! %od! as if to sa!, first to&ch me here, then $iss me there. -t was as tho&gh he were discovering me for the first time. )is mo&th and hands crisscrossed m! %od! li$e a caravan, ma$ing sto#s at oases along the wa!. 'hen - was %oiling with #leas&re, m! legs fell o#en, for - no longer desired to %e se#arate from him. *hat's when he saw what - had done. 'ith a /vo!2/ of s&r#rise, he moved his head %etween m! legs to loo$ more closel!. Rather than .&st dar$ening the %ottoms of m! feet and m! hands with henna, as women &s&all! did, - had %orrowed one of Gostaham's single"haired %r&shes and #ainted m! thighs where the flesh was heaviest and softest. 6! design was of #ointed #etals li$e those that wo&ld encircle the inmost center of a car#et. -n %etween each #etal, - had #ainted s#ra!s of tin! roses, lilies, and narciss&s. Fere!doon dragged me closer to the lam# to see %etter, and then he co&ldn't $ee# his hands or his tong&e awa! from m! thighs. - remem%ered Gostaham's .o$e a%o&t the lang&age teacher, and it was onl! moments %efore &nderstood that the woman in his stor! had fo&nd a #earl %e!ond #rice in h&s%and n&m%er three. 5ow, with Fere!doon's li#s in a new #lace, and his hands reaching all over m! %od!, - %egan to %reathe harder and faster. *oo ,&ic$l!, he sto##ed what he was doing, o#ened m! legs, and san$ his hi#s into mine. /'ait2/ - wanted to sho&t. - loo$ed into his clo&ded e!es and felt that he had forgotten all a%o&t me, for he was lost in his own ecstas!. - %egan %reathing normall!, even as his gr&nts started to come faster. - don't $now what em%oldened me to do this, %&t as his hi#s were moving awa! from mine, - closed m! $nees, twisted aro&nd ,&ic$l!, and crawled awa!.

/7ohhh2/ he said in fr&stration. )e c&rsed and #leaded and called m! name, %&t as ref&sed to ret&rn, he followed on all fo&rs. - let him chase me aro&nd the room, and then - made haste to the sil$ r&g - had laid on the floor, with his %reath #racticall! at m! ear. )e gra%%ed m! hi#s as if he were still master, %&t - co&ld sense that he was waiting for me to do something. - t&rned aro&nd and #&shed him ver! gentl! %ac$ onto the sil$ r&g, and there he la! staring &# at me, waiting to do m! %idding. - #&t m! $nees on either side of him and %egan r&%%ing the length of m! %od! along his. )e reached his hands to m! %reasts, at last, and - moaned as the #assion ret&rned to m! %od!. For the first time ever, - caressed his %ea&tif&l hair, which fell in shimmering %lac$ waves aro&nd his head. *he softness of his hair in m! hands, the sli##er! sil$ &nder m! $nees and feet, and the %ristl! hairs on his chest stirred a warmth in m! groin - had never felt %efore. - too$ him this time, gl&ing m! hi#s to his and roc$ing %ac$ and forth, slowl! at first and then faster, &ntil we were no more se#arate than war# and weft. Fere!doon followed along at m! s#eed, meeting me this time as - had so often met him. *he world, which - had alwa!s tho&ght of as solid, s&ddenl! %egan to lose its s&%stance. - screamed and #erha#s roared, and Fere!doon roared with me, and - felt m!self dissolve in an instant the wa! the moth is cons&med %! the flame, with nothing remaining %&t a #&ff of smo$e. O&r roars m&st have alarmed the servants, for the! %anged on the door, as$ing if Fere!doon was well, and he %ar$ed at them to give him #eace. *he two of &s didn't s#ea$ at all, %&t sta!ed #anting on the r&g. 3s soon as his %reath had ,&ieted, Fere!doon co&ld not $ee# his hands se#arate from m! %od!. )e %egan caressing me again, and - reached down and to&ched his middle. -t was as stiff as a #ole, even tho&gh we had .&st finished. 'e %egan s#orting again li$e

animals. *hin$ing of the fo('s tail, - gra%%ed m! sash, tied it aro&nd Fere!doon's e!es, and ni%%led him with m! tong&e &ntil he %egan ma$ing small cries of ecstas! that had never iss&ed from his li#s %efore. 'e contin&ed that wa! for the rest of the night. -n the morning, - awo$e with Fere!doon's face close to mine, his e!es o#en. *ho&gh he had %&siness to attend to, he didn't seem to want to leave. Even after he had %athed and dressed, he co&ld not sto# himself from #arting m! legs again to see the design - had drawn, and di##ing his fingers there. For m! #art, - co&ld hardl! %elieve what - had learned to do. 3t last - &nderstood the ra#t&re that Goli had descri%ed2 5ow -, too, co&ld smile $nowingl! to m!self when women .o$ed a%o&t relations with men, for m! %od! had finall! gras#ed the .o! of it. 5ot long after - ret&rned home that morning, Gostaham received a letter from Fere!doon renewing m! sigheh for another three months. )e m&st have written it right after we said good"%!e. 'ith .&%ilation, we sent %ac$ a letter of agreement. Gordi!eh congrat&lated me, s&r#rised that - had s&cceeded. /- tho&ght he had done with !o&,/ she said. Gostaham gave &s another sac$ of coins from Fere!doon's acco&ntant, after ta$ing his share to #a! for o&r $ee#. 6! mother #&t %oth her hands to m! chee$s and told me - was li$e the moon. - glowed with tri&m#h. Unli$e Gordi!eh, m! mother, and all the other women - $new, - had had to #rove m!self after marriage or ris$ losing m! h&s%and. - had s&cceeded with onl! ho&rs remaining, and vowed not to ma$e the same mista$e again. Right awa!, %egan #lanning what - wo&ld do the ne(t time Fere!doon s&mmoned me to his %ed. *)3* 3F*ER5OO5, a messenger from 5aheed $noc$ed on Gostaham's door to tell me that - was invited for coffee.

3ltho&gh m! e!es were %&rning with fatig&e and - longed to rest, - had to go with her to avoid %eing r&de. 5aheed had sent for me several times d&ring the last few da!s, %&t - had ret&rned m! a#ologies, for - had %een too #er#le(ed %! m! own #ro%lems. - alread! $new what 5aheed was going to tell me. Onl! a few da!s %efore, she had #ro%a%l! met -s$andar's mother and sister at the hammam, and the! wo&ld have e(changed #leasantries all afternoon as the! %athed. 3t the end of the da!, his mother wo&ld have %een enchanted eno&gh to reveal that she was searching for a good match for her son. ince -s$andar was alread! in love, - s&s#ected that his famil!'s offer had come ,&ic$l! and that 5aheed's had alread! acce#ted. Girls li$e 5aheed were destined to marr! wealth! men8 %&t her fate wo&ld %e even %etter, for she wo&ld %e marr!ing someone she had chosen herself. - h&mmed to m!self as - wal$ed thro&gh Fo&r Gardens. Rose%&shes were %looming in a garden near the river, and sto##ed to admire them. mall !ellow %&ds with delicate #etals were #lanted near fat red %lossoms that had alread! s#read their #etals wide. *he song that - loved to sing with m! father came to me: - shall #lant roses at her feet, For - am dr&n$, dr&n$, dr&n$ on love. -f a girl li$e 5aheed co&ld get what she wanted, #erha#s so co&ld a girl li$e me. - had won Fere!doon as a lover8 ma!%e with more cleverness - co&ld ensnare him as a #ermanent h&s%and. 'hen - arrived at 5aheed's, we greeted each other with a $iss on each chee$. 3s her mother's %irds chir#ed merril! in their cages, - loo$ed at 5aheed for signs of the good news. B&t as soon as the servants left &s alone, 5aheed's face twisted into grief, and she colla#sed onto a c&shion, cr!ing.

- was astonished. /5aheed, m! dear, m! life2 'hat has ha##ened1/ he loo$ed &# for a moment, her green e!es %ea&tif&l thro&gh her tears. /*he! said no,/ she said, %efore cho$ing on more so%s. /'ho said no1 -s$andar's #arents1/ /5o, no. 6! own #arents2/ /'h!1/ 5aheed sat &# and tried not to cho$e on her own so%s. /*he! fo&nd the letters,/ she said when she finall! recovered. /*here were too man! for me to $ee# them in m! sash. - hid them &nderneath m! %edroll, %&t - m&st have %een careless. One of m! mother's maids %etra!ed me. he is a wealth! woman now, -'m s&re./ /0o& #oor animal2/ - said. /9id the! even consider -s$andar as a h&s%and for !o&1/ /5o./ /'h! not1/ /)e's too #oor2/ said 5aheed, so%%ing even more. reached forward and #&t m! arms aro&nd her waist, and she leaned toward me and cried on m! sho&lder. 'hen she had sto##ed for a moment, she loo$ed at me with so m&ch #ain in her e!es that m! heart felt heav! with grief. /- love him2/ she %&rst o&t. /- will alwa!s love him2 'hatever ha##ens, he and - will alwa!s %e as close as a clo&d and its life"giving rain2/ - sighed, tho&gh - was not s&r#rised that her #arents had ref&sed a #oor man. /)ave !o& heard from -s$andar1/ /)e sent me a letter thro&gh =o%ra, %&t we have to %e ver! caref&l now %eca&se m! #arents are watching me. *he! said - had shamed the famil! name %! having a secret romance, and that #eo#le wo&ld tal$. *he! have instr&cted

the head servants to #at down the others for missives when the! come in the door./ /'hat did he write to !o&1/ /*hat even if - am old and sic$l!, if m! hair is gra! and wal$ with a lim#, he will love me alwa!s./ /-'m so sorr!,/ - said. /- $now how m&ch !o& love him./ 5aheed clic$ed her tong&e against her teeth. /)ow co&ld !o& $now1 0o& have never %een in love,/ she said almost angril!. - admitted that was tr&e, altho&gh now that - had en.o!ed an evening of newl! awa$ened delights with Fere!doon, m! feelings had %eg&n to change. - wondered if the! co&ld %e considered love. /5aheed".oon,/ - said, /on m! wa! here, - was so certain !o& were going to tell me !o& were engaged to -s$andar and were a%o&t to o%tain !o&r heart's greatest desire that - was singing to m!self with .o!./ /- tho&ght so, too,/ she re#lied. - considered for a moment. /'hat if -s$andar does well for himself1 -s it #ossi%le that !o&r #arents will change their mind one da!1/ /5o,/ she said dar$l!. 3nd .&st when - tho&ght her tears had started to dr!, she %ent over and moaned li$e an animal in a tra#. - hadn't heard $eening li$e that since m! father had died, and the so&nds tore at m! heart. - tried to comfort her. /5aheed, m! life, !o& m&st have ho#e. Let's #ra! to God, and tr&st that )e has a com#assionate fate in store for !o& and -s$andar./ /0o& don't &nderstand,/ 5aheed re#lied, and ret&rned to her low, g&tt&ral wailing. 3 servant $noc$ed at the door with o&r coffee. - .&m#ed &# and too$ the tra! from her hands so that she wo&ldn't enter and see 5aheed's tear"strea$ed face.

/-t's all right,/ she said, /the! all $now a%o&t m! engagement./ - was #&++led. /'hat do !o& mean1/ 5aheed's tears flowed even faster, li$e a heav! s#ring rain. /-f - had reno&nced -s$andar, m! #arents #ro%a%l! wo&ld have done nothing, %&t - we#t and told them - wo&ld never forget him. For that reason, the! have contracted a marriage for me with another man. - am to %e married when the moon is f&ll again./ *his news was even cr&eler than the last. )ow co&ld 5aheed's #arents, who had loved and s#oiled their girl all her life, throw her at a man while she was still mo&rning her first love1 - felt ver!, ver! sorr! for her. - #&t m! arms aro&nd 5aheed again, inclining m! head toward hers. /3nd whom are !o& to marr!1/ - as$ed, ho#ing it was a good choice who wo&ld ma$e her ha##!. /6! mother called on )oma, who she said $new of .&st the man,/ said 5aheed %itterl!. /Of co&rse, - have never seen him in m! life./ /9o !o& $now an!thing at all a%o&t him1/ )er #arents wo&ld have %een a%le to choose from among tho&sands, for 5aheed had mone! and %ea&t! in e,&al meas&re. Perha#s he wo&ld %e her match in those things and &nveil the nighttime #leas&res that - now had learned to en.o!. he shr&gged. /)e's a horseman, which m! #arents tho&ght wo&ld ma$e him a good s&%stit&te for -s$andar./ *he hair on m! arms stood on end s&ddenl!, as if there was a draft in the room. /'hat else1/ - as$ed. /;&st that he is the son of a wealth! horse %reeder who lives in the north./

- stared at 5aheed. - $new - had to sa! something, %&t co&ldn't get m! li#s to form words. -nstead, - %egan co&ghing and gas#ing for %reath. - %ent over at the waist, head %owed, tr!ing to find air. /7o!2/ said 5aheed. /3re !o& all right1/ -t seemed as if the attac$ wo&ld not end. - co&ghed &ntil tears ran o&t of m! e!es, and then - remained wordless. /0o& loo$ misera%le,/ 5aheed said as - was wi#ing m! e!es. /-f !o& onl! $new how m&ch,/ - re#lied. - forced m!self to hold m! tong&e, since - had %een hast! man! times %efore. 'eren't there h&ndreds of wealth! horse traders1 Or at least do+ens1 3nd didn't most of them have sons1 &rel! it m&st %e another man. /0o&r #arents m&st have told !o& more,/ - said enco&ragingl!. 5aheed #a&sed to thin$ for a moment. /)e lost his first wife, %&t that's reall! all - $now,/ she re#lied. - felt a chill inside that made me want to wra# m! arms aro&nd m!self to dis#el it. /'hat's his name1/ - as$ed a%r&#tl!, m! voice tight in m! throat. /- don't $now wh! it wo&ld mean an!thing to !o&,/ 5aheed re#lied, /for it doesn't to me./ he sighed. /)e co&ld %e hah 3%%as himself, and - wo&ldn't care./ /B&t who is he1/ - insisted, feeling as if - might %&rst o&t of m! s$in. 5aheed loo$ed s&r#rised at m! #ersistence. /- hesitate to sa! his name""- disli$e the ver! so&nd of it,/ she re#lied. /B&t if !o& m&st $now, it is Fere!doon./ - had another fit of co&ghing which felt as if - might lose m! vital organs. - co&ld have told her ever!thing a%o&t her

h&s%and to %e, of co&rse8 how his hair loo$ed when released from his t&r%an, how he closed his e!es in ra#t&re at the so&nd of the $amancheh, the wa! he smelled when he was e(cited. 5ow - even $new how to #lease him, !et onl! she wo&ld have the right to %ecome his #ro#er wife for the rest of her da!s. 3 hot s&rge of .ealo&s! co&rsed thro&gh me. 3t the tho&ght that he might #refer her, - started s#&ttering so hard, it was a wonder that she didn't s&s#ect what was wrong. 5aheed loo$ed ver! moved %! m! o&t%&rst. /6! dearest friend, -'m sorr! that m! #light has dist&r%ed !o& so dee#l!. Please don't allow m! %ad l&c$ to dim !o&r life's %lood./ - tho&ght ,&ic$l! a%o&t how to e(#lain m!self. /-t's .&st that - wanted !o& to %e ha##!,/ - said. /3ll the things !o& have told me have torn m! heart./ *he tears slid o&t of her e!es, and mine too were veiled with mist. B&t while 5aheed's tears were mi(ed with gratit&de for m! friendshi#, mine sheltered a g&ilt! secret. *he last call to #ra!er er&#ted in the air, signaling that it was time for me to go home. - left 5aheed with her grief and wal$ed %ac$ slowl! with mine. 3lone on the street, - co&ld finall! sto# #retending wh! - was heartsic$. 5o wonder Fere!doon had ignored me for so man! wee$s8 he m&st have %een %&s! disc&ssing the marriage contract with 5aheed's #arents and arranging the details of the wedding. 3nd what a%o&t o&r night of #leas&re1 )e had let me gratif! him &ntil the coc$s crowed, ta$ing all m! gifts as if the! were his right. 6! %lood %egan to seethe, and - wal$ed faster and faster thro&gh Fo&r Gardens &ntil - %&m#ed into a h&nched old woman with a cane and had to e(c&se m!self for dist&r%ing her. - heard a cat !owl in the %&shes, #ro%a%l! in search of a mate, .&st li$e me. - had never desired an!thing %&t to %e married to a good man. 'h! m&st - %e the #leas&re girl,

while 5aheed, who alread! had ever!thing, co&ld %e the #ermanent wife1 3nd wh!, of all the men in -sfahan, did her intended have to %e Fere!doon1 'hen - arrived home, 4oo$ heard m! ste#s and called o&t to me from the $itchen. /0o&'re late,/ she com#lained. /4ome hel# &s clean the dill./ /Leave me alone2/ - sna##ed. 4oo$ was so s&r#rised, she dro##ed her $nife. /- don't $now how !o& manage s&ch a m&le,/ she said to m! mother. - ignored her and stormed thro&gh the co&rt!ard to o&r little room. )ow co&ld Fere!doon have contracted a marriage witho&t telling me1 )e didn't $now 5aheed was m! friend, %&t concealing s&ch a momento&s ste# showed how little - mattered in his e!es. ')E5 FERE09OO5 U66O5E9 me the ne(t da!, went to his ho&se %&t ref&sed to let )a!edeh and 3+i+ %athe me, #erf&me me, or %r&sh m! hair. 5ow that m! stat&s had %een restored, the! were afraid of me again. *he! %egged and #leaded &ntil - !elled at them to retreat, and the! left, cowed. - sat in the little room where we &s&all! frolic$ed and waited for Fere!doon, still wearing all m! street wra#s. - was so angr! - co&ld feel the air getting hot aro&nd me, and m! chee$s %&rned. 'hen Fere!doon arrived, he noticed m! &n&s&al attire %&t didn't sa! an!thing. )e removed his shoes and his t&r%an and told his servants to leave. *hen he sat down %eside me and too$ m! hand in his. /Listen, .oonam,/ he %egan, as if he were going to e(#lain something. -t was the first time he had ever &sed the term /so&l of mine./ - didn't let him contin&e. /0o& don't want me an!more,/ said.

/'h! wo&ldn't - want !o& an!more1 Es#eciall! after that last night./ )e smiled and tried to #&sh o#en m! $nees. $e#t them s,&ee+ed sh&t. /B&t !o&'re getting married./ /- have to,/ he said. /9on't worr!: 5othing else will change./ )is answer im#lied onl! one thing. /0o& mean, !o& intend to $ee# &s %oth1/ /Of co&rse./ /0o& don't $now what #ro%lems that will ca&se./ /'h!1/ /5aheed is m! %est friend2/ )e loo$ed tr&l! s&r#rised. /Of all the women in -sfahan""/ /3nd she doesn't $now a%o&t m! sigheh with !o&./ /'h! not1/ /6! famil! told me to $ee# it ,&iet./ Fere!doon shr&gged. /0o&r famil! is concerned a%o&t their social standing,/ he said, /%&t #eo#le do this $ind of thing all the time./ /9oesn't it affect !o&r standing1/ /3 man can marr! the wa! he li$es,/ he re#lied. - loo$ed at his costl! %l&e velvet ro%e #atterned with falcons, and in that moment he seemed to #ossess ever!thing, while - had nothing. /'hat does it matter what #eo#le thin$, an!wa!1/ he said. /'ives who li$e each other can hel# each other with children and other womanl! matters./ /-'m not even !o&r real wife2/ /*hat doesn't matter, either./

- remained silent, for it certainl! mattered to me. 6arriage to a wealth! man li$e Fere!doon wo&ld ease all m! worries. waited, ho#ing he wo&ld #ledge to marr! me, %&t he did not. Fere!doon wra##ed his arms aro&nd me, %&t - did not !ield. /*his is what m! father wants,/ he said, his %reath warm on m! ear. /)e has alwa!s craved an alliance with one of the esta%lished families of -sfahan. *his will aid his chances of %eing a##ointed a governor one da!./ )e sighed. /B&t don't thin$ for a min&te that - don't want !o&. -f - didn't, - wo&ld have let !o& go the wa! a tree sheds its leaves in a&t&mn./ - didn't re#l!. )e never wo&ld have made a #ro#osal to 5aheed's famil! if their da&ghter had not %een as radiant as the five fingers of the s&n. / he's ver! #rett!,/ - said, almost #eevishl!. /*hat's what - hear,/ he re#lied. /-'ll %e meeting her in a da! or two to see for m!self./ Fere!doon %egan stro$ing m! chee$ with his soft hands. /don't $now an!thing a%o&t what she's li$e. B&t from the moment - met !o& and !o& ordered me not to loo$ at !o&, li$ed !o&. 6ost women wo&ld have #retended to %e #olite and slithered awa!8 !o& showed me !o&r shar# tong&e. admired !o&r %lac$ hair and %rown s$in, so li$e two rich, dar$ velvets. - tho&ght !o& were too !o&ng to %e one of Gostaham's da&ghters, and when the servant %o! ret&rned, #aid him to tell me who !o& were. 'hen - hired Gostaham to ma$e the car#et, - as$ed him to incl&de the talismans %eca&se - wanted !o&r fingers in the design. Once - saw the r&g on the loom, with its shimmering .ewels, - decided to have !o&./ )is words made m! heart soar for the first time. /- never $new wh! !o& wanted me,/ - said.

Fere!doon sighed. /6! life is f&ll of #eo#le who sing m! #raises so the! can win a larger coin. Before she died, even m! first wife &sed to coddle me to win the things she wanted. 0o& don't do that, and - li$e it./ *his s&r#rised me, for - did ever!thing - co&ld to #lease him with m! %od!. 0et it was tr&e that - withheld the hone! from m! tong&e. Fere!doon smoothed his hands across his face as if wi#ing off the d&st of the da!. /- can't change the facts of m! #osition,/ he said. /6! father needs me to marr! well" connected women, and - will. B&t that doesn't mean - don't want !o&""li$e this""and often./ Fere!doon #&lled m! %od! %etween his legs, m! %ac$ against his chest, and %egan stro$ing me altho&gh - was swathed in clothes. - didn't want to let him #lease me, %&t his to&ch made m! $nees #art, es#eciall! when - remem%ered what - now $new how to do. - allowed him to remove m! street garments as if he were stri##ing off the la!ers of an onion. /3fter last night,/ he said, /- tho&ght all da! a%o&t what new s&r#rise !o& might %e #re#aring for me tonight./ /- did nothing,/ - said with iron in m! voice. /3h, well,/ he re#lied. /0o& were &#set. -t doesn't matter./ )e %egan caressing m! legs, and - #&shed awa! his hand, %&t he didn't mind. - saw right awa! that he wo&ld en.o! the novelt! of ta$ing me &n#re#ared""&n%athed, in m! street clothes, resistant to his to&ch. - #&shed him awa! again, %&t - didn't mean it8 he ,&ic$l! saw that it was a game and co&rted me as if he were the co&rtesan, and - the one who had to %e satisfied. )e stro$ed m! %od! &ntil - co&ld not $ee# m!self awa! from him. *hen he let me have him in an! wa! - chose. )e watched in wonder as - swoo#ed over the mo&ntain not once, %&t three times. )e delighted in

t&rna%o&t, the s&r#rise this time %eing that he m&st devote himself to m! #leas&re. - too$ it and too$ it from him that night, &ntil - was as sated with him as he had ever %een with me. Before - fell aslee#, - tho&ght %ac$ to the stor! m! mother had told me a few da!s earlier a%o&t the slave girl Fitna and how she had tested and tamed her shah. )e had not &nderstood her val&e &ntil he %elieved her to %e gone forever. - wondered if -, too, co&ld find a clever wa! to ma$e Fere!doon declare me the most treas&red affliction of his heart. First there wasn't and then there was. Before God, no one was. Once there was a shah of -ran named Bahram who was $nown far and wide for his %raver!. )e had once slain a man"eating dragon and resc&ed the child inside its %ell!, and he had wrenched his own gold crown from the .aws of a lion. B&t in his moments of leis&re, his greatest love was the h&nt. Bahram had a slave girl named Fitna who .oined him on ever! h&nting e(#edition. Fitna was lean and strong, and she co&ld ride a horse as fast as her master. *he! &sed to gallo# together for miles, searching for wild asses and other %easts of #re!. 3t night Fitna feasted at his ta%le, and he delighted in her a%ove all others. Even his two sisters, whose arms were adorned with %racelets of gold, didn't shine in his e!es li$e Fitna, whose %are arms were as white as #earls. One da! the! were h&nting dee# in the desert, where #re! was scarce. *he shah's men fanned o&t far and wide, forming a h&man net to drive the %easts toward him. Bahram and Fitna rode together, conversing, &ntil the shah s#otted a wild ass. 'ith a sho&t, he s#&rred his horse and chased the animal, aiming an arrow at its heart. *he ass dro##ed to its $nees and relin,&ished its life to the shah. eeing that Fitna watched %&t failed to &tter a word of #raise, Bahram s#o$e.

/9idn't !o& see how well - aimed1/ he in,&ired. /)ere comes another %east now. )ow shall - $ill this one1/ Fitna smiled, $nowing how well he loved to %e tested. /can thin$ of a fine wa! to stri$e it down,/ she re#lied. /'h! not #in its #aw to its tem#le1/ Bahram tho&ght for a moment &ntil a #lan formed in his mind. Placing a metal %all within his sling, he la&nched it at the ass's ear. t&ng, the %east #awed at its tem#le to clear awa! the headache. *he shah swiftl! drew his %ow and with a single arrow fastened the animal's #aw to its head. Pleased with himself, he t&rned to Fitna for the e(#ected #raise. -n an even tone, she said onl!, /0o& are well #racticed at the h&nt, sire. )e who wor$s at a s$ill will one da! master it./ *he shah was s&rro&nded %! co&rtiers who fawned &#on him when he merel! %reathed. )ow co&ld this slave %e so %old1 =nowing it wo&ld %e wrong to stri$e her down, he withheld his %lows. ecretl!, he called an old, gri++led officer to his side and iss&ed a command. /*hat woman has tro&%led the ro!al #eace,/ he said. /9estro! her %efore - do it m!self./ *he officer swe#t Fitna onto his horse and gallo#ed to a distant cit!, where he owned a #alace with a tall tower. 3s the! traveled, his heart was heav! with the tho&ght of the tas$ that la! ahead. )e had $illed man! men in %attle %&t co&ld not %ear the tho&ght of destro!ing an &narmed slave girl. 'hen the! arrived, he led Fitna &# si(t! ste#s to the to# of his tower, where he #lanned to f&lfill the shah's command. B&t %efore he co&ld draw his wea#on, she sto##ed him with these words. /9o not forget that - am the shah's favorite,/ she said, her e!es filling with tears. / ta! !o&r hand from $illing me for a few da!s, %&t tell the shah !o& have followed

his orders. -f he is satisfied, !o& ma! ta$e m! life witho&t fa&lt. B&t if he is not, !o& will one da! earn his %lessings./ *he $ind officer considered for a moment. )e had alwa!s %een lo!al, %&t this time the shah's order seemed &n.&st. 'hat did he have to lose %! waiting1 -f the shah's heart was hardened, he had onl! to ret&rn and carr! o&t the deed. 3nd if it wasn't, then he wo&ld %e shielding his leader from his own error. )e left Fitna in his tower and ret&rned to Bahram's #alace. 'hen he was received %! that lion of lions, he re#orted that he had sent the girl to her grave. *he shah's e!es filled with stinging tears, and he t&rned awa! to hide his grief. *he officer ret&rned to his tower to tell Fitna the news. he was ha##! %&t not hast!, $nowing the shah well eno&gh to let time do its wor$. Fitna s#ent her da!s at the officer's #alace %efriending a calf, who %ecame her main com#anion. ince the calf wo&ld not clim% the si(t! stairs to the tower, she &sed to carr! it all the wa! &# on her %ac$, where it wo&ld gra+e in the green grass that grew on the roof. Ever! morning she %ro&ght the calf there, and ever! evening she ret&rned him to the animal #ens %elow, whis#ering to herself, /6a! - %e worth! of this trial./ 3t the end of si( !ears the calf had %ecome a f&ll"si+ed o(, and Fitna's m&scles were as strong as a wrestler's. One da!, Fitna #&lled the r&%! earrings from her ears and gave them to the officer. /*a$e these gems and sell them, and %&! s&##lies for a fine feast,/ she said. /'e'll need incense and candles, rice and lam%, #astries and wine. Bring all these things here, and then invite the shah to dine with !o& after the h&nt./ *he officer, who had grown fond of his #risoner, ref&sed to ta$e her .ewels. -nstead, he o#ened his own %ags of treas&re to #&rchase the things she had re,&ested. *he ne(t time he saw the shah, he %egged the favor of his visit. /-t wo&ld do

great honor to !o&r h&m%le slave,/ said he, /if !o& wo&ld drin$ and s&# with me on to# of m! tower./ )earing this fine s#eech, Bahram granted his re,&est. 'hile the shah went off to h&nt, the officer ret&rned to his tower and hel#ed Fitna #re#are a grand cele%ration. *ogether, the! &nrolled his finest car#ets on the roof and arranged #illows for reclining. *hen Fitna coo$ed a %ea&tif&l meal, singing as she stirred a %it of amator! m&s$ into the shah's favorite dish of lam% with dates. *oward evening, Bahram arrived with his men, and the officer ate and dran$ with them &ntil the! co&ld cons&me no more. 'hile the! were smo$ing their water #i#es, the shah said, /0o& have a fine #alace here, m! friend, and a l&sh garden. B&t these si(t! ste#s are a long wa! to go, - sho&ld thin$, for a man of !o&r age. -s it not one ste# for ever! !ear1/ *he officer conc&rred that his age was indeed near si(t!. /For a man &sed to the militar! life, the ste#s are no trial,/ he added ,&ic$l!. /B&t - $now a woman who can mo&nt all these ste#s with the weight of an o( on her %ac$. - don't thin$ there's a man in the em#ire who co&ld do the same./ /)ow co&ld a woman lift s&ch a %east1/ the shah as$ed. /Bring her here so that we all ma! witness this feat./ *he officer descended to find Fitna, ho#ing that when the evening meal was over, %oth of them wo&ld still %e in #ossession of their lives. )e trem%led a little as he searched for her. B&t when he lifted the c&rtain leading to her ,&arters and %eheld her, all his nervo&sness dro##ed awa!. he wore la!ers of white 4hinese sil$, which she had scented with incense. 3 white veil hid ever!thing %&t her e!es, and a scarf lined with seed #earls covered her hair. )er almond e!es were lined with $ohl. he was read! for %attle.

Fitna loaded the heav! o( onto her %ac$ and mo&nted the stairs one %! one. 'hen she reached the to#, she sal&ted Bahram and laid the o( at his feet. /O shah of shahs,/ said she, /#lease acce#t m! gift of this o(, which - was a%le to offer to !o& here thro&gh m! s$ill alone./ *he shah loo$ed awestr&c$, %&t his re#l! was f&ll of reason. /*his thing !o& call s$ill,/ he said, /is .&st re#etition. 0o&'ve %orne the %&rden of this o( so man! times that now it seems eas!./ Fitna smiled and %owed down to the gro&nd. / ire, !o& are right,/ she said. /- have %orne this o( ever! da! for si( long !ears. B&t sho&ld someone who shoots a wild ass %e cele%rated for s$ill, while someone who lifts an o( %e $nown onl! for re#etition1/ 5ow the shah was s#eechless. )e loo$ed from Fitna to the officer and %ac$ again as if he were seeing the dead. *hen he s#rang to his feet and lifted Fitna's veil. 'hen he saw her moonli$e face, he cried o&t with .o!. *ears streamed from his e!es, matched %! those that flowed from hers. For a few moments the! were li$e two river s#irits, s#ea$ing onl! thro&gh water. *he shah cleared the tower of all his men, incl&ding the officer. *hen he seated Fitna on the car#et %eside him and said, /- h&m%l! re,&est !o&r forgiveness. -n a moment of wea$ness - coveted !o&r #raise, %&t now - see that !o&r wisdom is an even greater gift./ /6! dear shah,/ re#lied she, /the sorrow - have felt in !o&r a%sence is so great it co&ld red&ce a town to r&%%le. Loving !o& too m&ch, - almost lost !o& forever./ *he shah as$ed for Fitna's hand in marriage. /0o& are tr&l! a desira%le trial2/ he said teasingl!, for /trial/ was the meaning of her name.

*he ne(t da!, the two were married at a s&m#t&o&s wedding, and the $ind officer was rewarded with a tho&sand #earls for the one he had sheltered. B&t that was onl! the %eginning. Fitna, tr&e to her name, contin&ed to test the shah for the rest of his da!s. 4ha#ter F-7E 3s - wal$ed home from Fere!doon's the ne(t morning, felt a conv&lsion in m! %ell! followed %! a stead! #ain. 4o&ld - %e #regnant1 - held m! chador with one hand while holding m! %ell! with the other, as if to feel for a %a%!. *hat was the onl! thing that might tie me to Fere!doon forever. 'h! wo&ld he contin&e to want me otherwise, when he was soon to %e %o&nd to a green"e!ed %ea&t!1 'anting to get home ,&ic$l! to chec$ m!self, - r&shed thro&gh the old s,&are near Fere!doon's and into the %a+aar connected to it li$e a long s#ine. - h&rried #ast a cl&ster of gold sho#s with gleaming #iles of %racelets on dis#la! and wealth! women crowded aro&nd them li$e h&ngr! crows. wasn't even slowed %! the meat! aroma of a %rea$fast so&# made of lam% #arts, altho&gh ever! vendor called o&t to me, swearing his /#aws and %rains/ tasted the %est. 'hen - arrived home, %reathless, - greeted m! mother %efore r&shing to the latrines. hortl! after - loosened m! t&nic and removed m! tro&sers, - $new. Even tho&gh it was too dar$ to see, - co&ld feel a trace of the slic$ %lood, which wo&ld soon r&sh forth li$e a river. - #laced a thic$ cloth %etween m! legs and ret&rned to the room - shared with m! mother. 'itho&t a f&rther word, - stretched o&t on a %edroll and closed m! e!es. 6! mother too$ m! hand in hers, sa!ing, /Light of m! e!es, what ails !o&1/

- co&ldn't %ear to reveal what - had learned from 5aheed, so - decided to tell her what - had discovered. /-'m not #regnant,/ - said. /Even after all this time./ 6! mother %egan stro$ing m! hand. /3+i+am, it has %een less than three c!cles of the moon. 0o& m&st %e #atient./ /Patient1/ - said. /Goli got #regnant in the first month of her marriage. 'h! is it ta$ing me so long1/ 6! mother sighed. /-t too$ a long time %efore God granted !o& to me,/ she said. - was &nconsoled. - hadn't tho&ght m! mother's #ro%lems with conceiving wo&ld %ecome m! own. /'hat if -'m %arren1/ - said. - co&ld %arel! s#it the words o&t of m! mo&th, so fearsome was the tho&ght. /0o& are !o&ng, with #lent! of !ears ahead of !o&,/ said m! mother. /-f man! more months go %! witho&t a child, - will ma$e s#ecial charms to hel# !o&. 6a! God grant that !o& conceive ,&ic$l!2/ - wondered if m! mother &nderstood how different it was for me than it had %een for her and m! father. /Bi%i, - don't have fifteen !ears to tr!, the wa! !o& did,/ re#lied. 6! mother averted her e!es as if she didn't care to %e reminded that m! marriage co&ld end at an! moment. *hen she #atted m! hand with resol&tion. /'e will ma$e a na+r together, and sla&ghter an animal for the #oor once !o&r wish is granted,/ she re#lied. - t&rned m! head awa!. 6! mother loo$ed s&r#rised that didn't feel a na+r wo&ld %e eno&gh. /9id something ha##en1/ she as$ed. /)as he told !o& he no longer wants !o&1/ /5o,/ - said, %&t m! li#s trem%led so m&ch that she $new there was more to sa!. - drew in a %reath.

/)e is ta$ing another,/ - added. /3 #ermanent wife./ /5o wonder !o& are so distra&ght2/ said m! mother. /B&t #erha#s that doesn't mean an!thing, as far as !o&r marriage is concerned./ /-f - were to get #regnant, - wo&ld worr! less./ /0es, of co&rse,/ said m! mother. /'hen did he tell !o&1/ /5aheed told me./ /5aheed1/ she as$ed, drawing %ac$ in s&r#rise. -nstead of answering her &ns#o$en ,&estion, - la! silent. 6! throat closed and m! face com#ressed &ntil it felt as small as a #olo %all. /3!, =hoda2/ m! mother said when she &nderstood. he loo$ed at me, ho#ing for a denial, %&t there was nothing co&ld sa!. 6! mother %egan #ra!ing. /Lord of the Universe, remem%er &s in !o&r infinite merc!. Blessed 6ohammad, listen to o&r #ra!ers. 3li, #rince among men, grant &s !o&r fortit&de and strength./ /Bi%i, - can't %ear it,/ - said. /5ow at least one of them is s&re to hate me./ /9id !o& tell 5aheed1/ m! mother as$ed, loo$ing worried. /5o./ /*han$s %e to God,/ she re#lied. /0o& are right""we m&st do something ,&ic$l!. For now, !o& m&st ,&iet !o&rself. -n the morning, we will have #lent! to do and !o& will need to %e fresh./ he la!ered the %lan$ets over me and #&t a #illow &nder m! head. *hen she gathered m! hair %ehind the #illow and %egan com%ing it ver! gentl!, while she told me a%o&t the advent&res of a sl! mo&se and the large, d&m% cat who wanted to eat it. )er soothing words, com%ined with the

feeling of the com% massaging m! scal#, ,&ic$l! carried me awa! into a restf&l slee#. -t was fort&nate that the ne(t da! was *h&rsda!, %eca&se we were at li%ert! in the afternoon. 'e waited in the co&rt!ard &ntil hamsi crossed from the $itchen to the storerooms. 6! mother followed her, s#ea$ing hone!ed words so that she wo&ld allow her to fill her #oc$ets with waln&ts in the shell and a handf&l of raisins. -n e(change, she had to #romise her a %ottle of her %est %lac$ medicine for ras#! throats. /'hat a miserl! ho&sehold,/ m! mother gr&m%led. 'e #&t on o&r #ichehs and chadors and wal$ed arm in arm toward the e!!ed 3hmadio&n district to visit the mos,&e with the famo&s %rass minaret. 3long the wa!, we #assed a !o&ng mother she#herding her fo&r children home. -t loo$ed as if she had %orne them one right after the other, for the! were close in age. - wondered if a fertile woman li$e her had ever had to go on an errand s&ch as mine. Even from far awa!, we s#otted the %rass minaret %la+ing li$e a flame in the afternoon s&n. *his %eacon g&ided &s thro&gh &nfamiliar districts &ntil we arrived at the doorwa! of the mos,&e. -n the women's section, we #ra!ed together, to&ching o&r heads to dis$s of cla!. 'hen - was done, m! woes seemed lighter. *he minaret was wra##ed in gleaming sheets of %rass inscri%ed with hol! words. -nside, it was narrow, cool, and dar$, and its stone ste#s were worn smooth from s&##lication. - stood on the %ottom ste# while m! mother handed me a small, flat %oard and a waln&t. /Brea$ it,/ she said. - #&t the waln&t on the ste# in front of me, #laced the %oard on to# of it, and sat on it with all m! weight. *he n&t

shattered with a satisf!ing crac$, and - smiled at this first s&ccess. *he cr&shed n&t went into m! #oc$et. /Praise %e to God,/ said m! mother, handing me the ne(t n&t. - ascended and contin&ed crac$ing, #ra!ing with each crac$ that m! wom% wo&ld s#lit o#en to receive a seed and s#it o&t a tender n&t meat of its own. )igher and higher - rose in the tower, with m! mother %ehind me cheering m! #rogress. Other women %egan their ascent %elow &s. 3%o&t halfwa! to the to#, - heard a woman so%%ing. - cl&tched at m! mother, and we listened &ntil we &nderstood. *he woman's n&ts had %een too hard to crac$, a sign that she wo&ld %e %arren forever. - #itied her. 'e contin&ed &# the stairs. 3s - sat on the %oard and crac$ed another n&t, - tho&ght of Goli and wondered if she was #regnant again. - imagined %ringing a child of m! own to m! village and showing it to her #ro&dl!. 'hat wo&ld ever!one thin$ when the! $new that in m! child's veins ran the %lood of a wealth! man2 6! mother t&gged at m! chador. /3+i+am, there are women %ehind &s who are waiting to ascend. 0o& sho&ld $ee# going./ - contin&ed m! ascent. 3ll the n&ts $e#t crac$ing as if the! were waiting to s#lit o#en at m! to&ch. 'hen - reached the to# of the staircase, we t&rned and descended the wa! we had come, m&rm&ring wishes of good fort&ne to the other women, es#eciall! to the one whose red, swollen e!es told me her l&c$ had %een %itter. O&tside, we cleaned the n&t meats and m! mother gave me a #almf&l of raisins to mi( with them. /5ow don't %e sh!,/ she said, as we %egan wal$ing home. - too$ a dee# %reath and chose the first man %eca&se he loo$ed as if he might %e m! father's age, and had the same fine s#ider's we% of lines at the corners of his e!es.

/E!, gra!%eard2/ - said, showing him the n&ts and raisins. /6a! - offer !o& the fr&it of m! hands1/ )is e!es softened with tenderness, .&st as - ho#ed the! wo&ld. )e o#ened %oth of his hands, #alms wide. /Blessings &#on !o&, little mother"to"%e2/ he re#lied. /6a! !o& %ear seven health! sons, one ever! !ear2/ - smiled and gave him a handf&l of the n&ts, wishing him %o&ntif&l %lessings in ret&rn. )is $ind words filled me with ho#e. &rel! this was a sign of God's grace and merc!, to have a man who reminded me of m! father wish me seven sons2 3s we contin&ed wal$ing, it seemed as if ever! man we met had a $ind word. /6a! !o& %loom li$e a s&mmer rose2/ said a !o&ng fellow mo&nted on a m&le, stoo#ing to acce#t m! offering. /6a! !o& %e as fr&itf&l as a #omegranate2/ said an old man with a h&m#, who loo$ed as if he co&ld &se a good meal. - gave him an es#eciall! large handf&l. /6a! !o&r %ell! swell to the si+e of m! t&r%an2/ said a fellow whose head wra##ing was so white and clean it m&st have .&st %een la&ndered. Onl! one handf&l of n&ts remained when - s#otted a !o&ng man with a friendl! face who was seated on his heels. )is long arms and legs reminded me of Fere!doon's. stretched o&t m! hand and %egged him to #arta$e of m! last handf&l of n&ts. )e ignored me, scanning the street as if he were waiting for a friend. - tried again. /Please, $ind sir, taste a morsel of m! offering,/ - said. *his time he loo$ed at me, his e!es hard. /- don't want an!,/ he said. /'h! don't !o& eat them !o&rself1/ - recoiled8 it was an act of deli%erate cr&elt!. 6! mother too$ m! arm and led me awa!, sa!ing / hame2 hame2/ *he

man didn't care8 he never loo$ed in o&r direction again. 3s m! mother #&lled me awa!, the n&ts fell o&t of m! hand and scattered, and a co&#le of #igeons descended to claim them. 6! mother tried to ma$e light of it %! reminding me of o&r good fort&ne &ntil that moment. /One %ad man can't confo&nd the will of God,/ she said, %&t - co&ld not %e consoled. 3s we wal$ed home in the twilight, - tho&ght of the woman with the swollen e!es whose la%ors had come to nothing, and how her #iteo&s so%s had made the minaret a tem#le of sorrow. -5 *)E 3F*ER5OO5, after serving Gordi!eh and Gostaham tea and sweets in the Great Room, m! mother told them a%o&t 5aheed's engagement. Gostaham said, /E!, Ba%a2/ in s&r#rise and as$ed &s if we were s&re it was the same Fere!doon. *hen there was a long silence, %ro$en onl! %! Gordi!eh's anno!ed e(clamation. /'h! did he have to choose 5aheed2 'hat terri%le l&c$2/ Gostaham motioned to &s to .oin them on the c&shions. 6! mother and - sat side %! side and watched them drin$ their tea. Gordi!eh did not call for refreshments for &s. /Perha#s we sho&ld %rea$ the new contract, since it has %arel! %eg&n,/ m! mother said. /- don't $now if we can,/ said Gostaham. /-t's a legal agreement now that we have acce#ted the mone!./ /*hat doesn't mean we co&ldn't as$ Fere!doon, as a man of honor, to release &s,/ said m! mother. /'h! wo&ld he1 )e made the renewal offer even tho&gh he $new he was getting engaged to 5aheed,/ said Gostaham. /B&t he didn't $now we were friends,/ - #rotested. /0o& never told him1/ as$ed m! mother.

/- mentioned that - had a friend, %&t - didn't ever sa! her name. 5ow - wish - had./ /-'m not s&re it wo&ld have mattered, an!wa!,/ said Gostaham. /)e can marr! whomever he wants./ Gordi!eh sighed lo&dl!. /'hat a shame he didn't choose !o&,/ she said. /B&t at least he renewed the sigheh. )e m&st li$e !o& well eno&gh./ - twitched with irritation. Li$e most women, Gordi!eh had married sec&re in the $nowledge that she had gained a lifetime contract. )ow co&ld she &nderstand what it was li$e to have a marriage that e(#ired after onl! three months1 /Let's loo$ at the #ossi%ilities,/ Gostaham said to m! mother. /0o& can either acce#t the contract or %eg for release. -t wo&ld %e %etter to go along with it, - thin$, es#eciall! now that !o&r da&ghter is no longer a virgin. 0o& might still have something to gain./ /Es#eciall! if there's a child,/ said Gordi!eh, and - tho&ght of the !o&ng man with the hard, handsome face who had ref&sed m! final offering of n&ts. /B&t ever!%od! wo&ld have to $now a%o&t it then,/ said m! mother. /*hat's tr&e,/ re#lied Gordi!eh, /%&t the advantages to !o& wo&ld %e so great that it wo&ldn't matter./ /B&t what wo&ld 5aheed and her #arents thin$1/ - as$ed. Gordi!eh loo$ed awa!8 Gostaham loo$ed down, and a long silence followed that inflamed m! greatest fears. -f it had %een some other famil!, no%od! wo&ld have cared, since ever! famil! strives for its own advantages. B&t this sit&ation was as stic$! as na#htha. /0o& m&st thin$ of !o&rself,/ said Gordi!eh. /5aheed has ever!thing in the world, and !o& have nothing./

- %egan seething li$e a #ot of %oiling water. 'hose fa&lt was it that we still had so little of o&r own1 *he! had sold the most #recio&s thing - had""m! virginit!""witho&t rea#ing lifetime gains. 6! car#et had %een given awa! with no #rofit to m!self. Ever! da!, m! mother was afraid that we'd have to fend for o&rselves again. &rel! we deserved more than that2 6! mother t&rned to me. /'hat do !o& desire, da&ghter of mine1 3fter all, 5aheed is !o&r closest friend./ Before - co&ld sa! an!thing, Gordi!eh %ro$e in. /Beca&se of who Fere!doon is, - wo&ldn't do an!thing witho&t thin$ing a%o&t it caref&ll!,/ she said. - had the feeling that she was %eing ver! ca&tio&s with me, $nowing how hast! - co&ld %e. /-'m not s&re what to do,/ - said honestl!. /'hat's !o&r advice1/ m! mother as$ed Gordi!eh. / ince !o& alread! have a contract, f&lfill its terms,/ she said. /*hen !o& can let it end witho&t an! ris$ of offense, or reconsider it if he renews again./ /B&t what if 5aheed's famil! learns the tr&th1 'on't the! des#ise &s1/ - as$ed. /*here's no reason for them to ever $now,/ Gordi!eh said ,&ic$l!. /5o man wo&ld mention s&ch an entanglement to his in"laws or to his virginal fiancee./ 6! mother t&rned to me. /'ell1/ she said. 'itho&t thin$ing, - had %eg&n to stro$e the r&g &nder m! fingerti#s. -t was as velvet! as the one - had removed from Fere!doon's walls, and - was reminded of how m! %ac$ had glided against it while Fere!doon's %od! was on to# of mine. 6! face %egan to fl&sh. 5ow that m! %od! had o#ened to Fere!doon's #leas&res, - wanted to ret&rn to those #laces of delight as often as - co&ld. 3nd tho&gh - loved 5aheed,

Gordi!eh's words had %een correct: he had ever!thing, and - had nothing""e(ce#t for a few months with Fere!doon. /-'ll do what !o& sa!,/ - told Gordi!eh. he loo$ed well satisfied, #ro%a%l! %eca&se there was still a chance that Fere!doon or his famil! wo&ld commission a car#et. /0o&r wisdom is large %e!ond !o&r !ears,/ she re#lied. 6! mother was #leased, too, $nowing that we need not worr! a%o&t o&r $ee# for at least another three months. *)ERE - 5O*)-5G sadder than a %ride who is misera%le on her wedding da!. *o see a girl who has %een raised in one of the leading families of -sfahan, who has %een treated as tenderl! as a lil!, and who is %ea&tif&l as well, to see that girl with red"rimmed e!es in her red"and" gold wedding dress, and to hear a sniffle that charita%le g&ests ass&me res&lts from a chill""that was too m&ch to %ear. - was gratef&l that - was not a mem%er of 5aheed's famil!, for then - wo&ld have had to attend the 'a,d""the wedding ceremon! held .&st for relatives of the %ride and groom, led %! a m&llah. *hat afternoon, he had as$ed her three times if she consented to marr! Fere!doon, and she had remained silent &ntil the third time, when she said !es. he and Fere!doon had signed the lifetime contract, after which the men and women se#arated to go to their res#ective #arties. 6! mother and - and Gordi!eh had to go to the #art! for women in the evening, for there co&ld %e no e(c&se for missing it. -t was held in the Great Room of 5aheed's home, which was ill&minated %! delicate green oil lam#s and decorated with large %o&,&ets of flowers. 'hen we entered, servants offered cold fr&it drin$s, hot c&#s of tea, and tra!s of sweetmeats. 5aheed sat %! herself on a divan inlaid with mother"of"#earl. G&ests streamed in, having removed their

o&tdoor wra#s, to greet her and dis#la! their finer!. - wore the #rett! #&r#le ro%e 5aheed had given me with the f&r c&ffs, and an orange t&nic &nderneath. /)ow well that s&its !o&2/ she said after - $issed her on %oth chee$s. /5aheed".oon, !o& loo$ more %ea&tif&l than !o& co&ld ever $now,/ - said. For it was tr&e. )er dar$ hair was decorated with #earls, and her e!es seemed even greener than &s&al %eca&se of her red sil$ dress, which was em%roidered with gold"wra##ed thread. he was so lovel! co&ldn't %ear to loo$ at her for too long, so - loo$ed awa!. /9on't %e so sad for me,/ she whis#ered. /- can't end&re it./ /3ll this time, - have %elieved &rgentl! in !o&r ha##iness2/ - re#lied. - meant with -s$andar, not Fere!doon. /0o& are the onl! tr&e sweetness in m! life,/ 5aheed said. /- shall alwa!s %e gratef&l to !o& for no&rishing m! secret./ he t&rned her head aside to conceal from others the tear that was lea$ing onto her chee$. G&ests were still arriving, and - had to ma$e wa! for those who wanted to greet her. - re.oined m! mother, who was on her own while Gordi!eh s#o$e to friends. 5aheed's mother, L&dmila, .oined &s for a moment. /4ongrat&lations to !o& and !o&r famil!,/ said m! mother. /6a! !o&r da&ghter's %lessings %e eternal./ /-sn't it wonderf&l1/ said L&dmila, her green e!es e(actl! li$e her da&ghter's, e(ce#t that the! loo$ed clearer and ha##ier. /-t's .&st the match -'d ho#ed for. -'m relieved this da! has finall! come./ - had to str&ggle to ma$e m! face loo$ as delighted as hers. /- ho#e from the wells#rings of m! heart that the! will %e ha##!,/ - said, %&t m! voice was d&ll.

- co&ldn't have felt more li$e a traitor than - did at that moment. L&dmila loo$ed at me as if she $new something was wrong, %&t then a friend called o&t to her, and she moved awa!. *he servants %egan to sc&rr! aro&nd, &nrolling ta%lecloths on to# of the r&gs in #re#aration for the food. *he! r&shed in all at once with #latters of whole roasted lam%, oven"coo$ed s,&a%s, wild game, incl&ding the flesh of onager and hare, thic$ vegeta%le stews, and steaming #latters of rice. 6! mother and - claimed two c&shions and ate o&r meal together. *he meat from the lam%'s ha&nch was as soft as %&tter. 6! mother lifted some off the %one with a #iece of %read and &rged me to eat it. /-t melts,/ she said. - #&t it in m! mo&th %&t didn't notice how it tasted. *he din of the women rose higher and %othered m! ears. - wished co&ld go home and do something ,&iet, li$e wor$ on a car#et. - tho&ght of m! own marriage and how it had involved no cele%rations, onl! the clin$ of silver. 3fter the food was cleared, two female m&sicians %egan #la!ing their dr&m and $amancheh and singing ro&sing songs a%o&t marriage. Gro&#s of women stood &# and danced together, re#eating the refrains. 5aheed had to sing with them and smile, altho&gh her heart was in the grave. /Loo$ at the ha##! %ride2/ sho&ted a g&est. /6a! !o&r f&t&re alwa!s %e as %right as toda!2/ 3s the evening grew later, the l!rics %ecame more %awd!. 3 gro&# of women %egan singing a%o&t finding .&st the right fit %etween a $noc$er and its door. 5aheed's face %ecame ashen, even when others ass&red her that she wo&ld soon en.o! it as m&ch as the! did. - ho#ed she didn't, for her h&s%and was mine8 and !et - ho#ed she did, for she was m! friend. *he #art! contin&ed dee# into the night, even as the town aro&nd &s grew silent. - droo#ed, craving m! %edroll. B&t it

was not over !et. 5ear dawn, the servants %ro&ght o&t another meal of lam%, liver, and $idne! $e%a%, fresh hot %read, and !og&rt with mint. *he e(citement %egan to mo&nt, for we $new that Fere!doon was d&e to arrive. L&dmila and the women of her ho&sehold wra##ed 5aheed in a white chador em%roidered with gold, covering her face with a #icheh so she wo&ld not %e seen on the street. *he $noc$er for men %oomed thro&gh the ho&se, and Fere!doon swe#t into the co&rt!ard, dressed in a #&r#le velvet ro%e with a s$!"%l&e t&nic &nderneath. *he women made a show of throwing their wra#s aro&nd their %odies, witho&t real concern a%o&t %eing seen, for the &s&al r&les were rela(ed at a wedding. Ever!one %&t me and m! mother sho&ted %lessings at Fere!doon: /6a! !o&r marriage %e fr&itf&l2/ /6a! !o&r wealth increase2/ /6a! !o&r sons ta$e after their father2/ Fere!doon t&rned to the women, grinning and %as$ing in their good wishes. 3ltho&gh he saw me, he did not ac$nowledge m! #resence. 3 #ang of .ealo&s! invaded m! %od! as he too$ 5aheed's hand and led her thro&gh the ho&se and o&t the door, while the rest of &s s&rged %ehind her into the ,&iet street. 3 #air of da##led 3ra%ian horses awaited her. Fere!doon lifted her %! the waist so that she co&ld #&t her foot into the stirr&# and mo&nt the mare. *hen he hoisted himself onto the steed and flashed a tri&m#hant smile. - imagined how he wo&ld lift 5aheed's #icheh and loo$ on her %ea&tif&l face, and - tried to cr&sh the tho&ghts that $e#t arising a%o&t what the! wo&ld do once the! were alone. wondered if he wo&ld admire her long, slender %od!, so different from mine, and if the! wo&ld fit together the wa! he and - did. 3s the! %egan to ride awa!, the women sho&ted %lessings to the new h&s%and and wife. 3ll of &s trotted %ehind the horses, which, in their e(citement, left dar$, heav! dro##ings in o&r #ath. *he women's cries grew so

high"#itched - wanted to cover m! ears. - gra%%ed m! mother's arm for fear - wo&ld colla#se in the street. *hen, at last, the animals gained s#eed and disa##eared, and we co&ld go home. *)E 5E<* 6OR5-5G, Gordi!eh sto##ed into the $itchen while - was mi(ing flo&r and water to ma$e %read. ha##ened to %e alone, for m! mother was in the co&rt!ard %oiling her%s, and 4oo$ had gone to the latrines. /Good news2/ she said. /5aheed's #arents have commissioned a large sil$ r&g from &s as a gift to cele%rate her marriage. -t is to %e made with saffron d!e./ /*hat's wonderf&l,/ - said, feeling as heav! as the do&gh. il$ loved saffron, %&t the cost was %e!ond com#are. 'or$ers wo&ld harvest tho&sands of lavender"colored flowers when the! %loomed in the fall and remove the three stigmata""so thin as to %e almost weightless""from each flower. *he %right red stigmata wo&ld %e dried and #owdered, and a d!e %rewed to create the dearest of !ellows. /-t's a sign from a%ove that it was wise to $ee# the sigheh secret,/ Gordi!eh said. /0o& did right, !o& $now./ - m&st have shown m! &nease, for Gordi!eh leaned toward me and said in a whis#er, /*he conse,&ences will %e ver! grave if 5aheed's famil! ever learns a%o&t !o&r sigheh. 9o !o& &nderstand me1/ - tho&ght - did8 she meant she wo&ld #&t &s o&t. B&t - also reali+ed that the commission made Gordi!eh v&lnera%le. -f 5aheed's famil! ever fo&nd o&t a%o&t the sigheh, the! wo&ld %elieve she hadn't told them o&t of greed. /- will not s#ea$ of it,/ - said cooll!, /&nder one condition./ /'hat1/

/- need to %e e(c&sed from $itchen d&ties so - can ma$e a r&g./ /For how long1/ /3 few months. 3nd - need to %ring some women here to hel# me./ Gordi!eh la&ghed. /0o& are a craft! little thing. *he cit! has changed !o&./ /Perha#s it has,/ - said. /B&t as !o& have said !o&rself, a mother and da&ghter on their own sho&ld alwa!s %e ca&tio&s a%o&t their financial f&t&re./ Gordi!eh snorted as - threw her words %ac$ at her, and her e!es were cold. /0o& drive a diffic&lt %argain,/ she said. /B&t well worth its #rice to this ho&sehold./ he co&ldn't den! that. /- agree,/ she said rel&ctantl!, /%&t let me hear !o&r #romise./ /3nd let me hear !o&rs,/ - re#lied. )er e!e%rows .&m#ed at that, %&t she had little choice. /- #romise,/ we said together. -t was the first time that Gordi!eh had not %ested me. wo&ld no longer %e docile &nder her orders if - co&ld thin$ of a wa! to get something in ret&rn. he didn't li$e it, %&t she had to ta$e note of it. ')E5 'OUL9 - hear from him again1 )ow long %efore he wo&ld tire of her and want me in his %ed1 *he da!s came and went with no word. )e wo&ld %e s#ending a lot of time with his #rett! new wife. *here was onl! one thing - co&ld thin$ of to do to soothe m!self, and that was to #ic$ &# m! #en and draw. - s#ent ho&rs wor$ing on a design in the new hah 3%%as st!le that Gostaham had shown me, %&t tho&ght -'d tr! something a little different, ins#ired %! the foliage in the Fo&r Gardens district. - drew long, ta#ered leaves that loo$ed li$e scimitars, which wo&ld cross the r&g

hori+ontall!. Once - had the #attern for the leaves, - drew small %o&,&ets of flowers and arranged them verticall! a%ove and %elow. *he design led the e!e in %oth directions, left to right and %ac$ again, &sing the leaves8 and &# and down and %ac$ again, &sing the %lossoms. 'hen - showed Gostaham the design, he st&died it for a long time. )e made a few corrections and changes %efore giving me his a##roval. *hen he sighed and e(claimed, /-f !o& had onl! %een a %o! . . .2/ - sighed, too. /0o& ta$e after me more than m! own da&ghters""!o& have a nat&ral gift. -f !o& had %een a %o!, !o& co&ld have risen thro&gh the ran$s and learned to ma$e car#ets that wo&ld %e treas&red forever and cited %! the masters after !o&. Perha#s, as a sign of recognition from the hah, !o& might even have %een #ermitted to inscri%e !o&r name on one of !o&r finest wor$s. - $now !o& wo&ld have made me #ro&d. 3s it is, !o& have made a ver! good design./ - fl&shed, imagining m! name $notted in silver thread on an indigo car#et, identif!ing me as a master for h&ndreds of !ears to come. 5o one in m! village ever signed their r&gs. )e contin&ed st&d!ing m! design. /'hat are !o& going to do for the colors1/ /- tho&ght -'d as$ for !o&r hel#,/ - said, having learned m! lesson on the last one. /4hoose !o&r color sam#les !o&rself, and then show them to me,/ he re#lied. - s#ent entire afternoons in the %a+aar loo$ing at %alls of wool and thin$ing of how the h&es wo&ld fit together. %ro&ght Gostaham fo&rteen color sam#les and m! design, which - had o&tlined on a grid, and descri%ed which colors tho&ght wo&ld go where. - #lanned to &se a grass! green on the long leaves.

/0o& co&ld ma$e this r&g,/ he said, /%&t it wo&ldn't %e as %ea&tif&l as !o& had ho#ed./ /'h!1/ /*he colors don't sing together,/ he said. /*hat's the difference %etween an ade,&ate r&g and the r&g of a master. -t's also the difference %etween ma$ing a good #rofit and a vast one./ - went %ac$ to the %a+aar and tried again. 3ltho&gh m! #attern was %ased on leaves, the long, ta#ered sha#es that crisscrossed the r&g also loo$ed li$e feathers. *he! made me thin$ of the lightness of %irds and the coolness of wind. decided to ma$e the feather sha#es as white as a dove against a cer&lean %l&e, with a %ac$gro&nd of dee# wine and a dar$ %l&e %order. *he dee#er colors wo&ld ma$e the #aler feathers a##ear to %e light, as if floating from the s$!. Gostaham a##roved the main colors %&t felt that the contrasting h&es weren't ,&ite right. )e told me to find slightl! different ones: a dar$er gra!"green for the flower stems, a %righter shade of red for accents within the %lossoms. - went %ac$ to the %a+aar, as$ing im#ossi%le ,&estions. /9on't !o& have a gra!"green that loo$s li$e the stem of a flower in the shade1/ /)ow a%o&t a richer red, li$e so&r cherr! .am1/ *he merchants soon tired of me. /*his is all -'ve got,/ one of them told me, waving his arm at his wares. /-f !o& need more #recision, #a! someone to d!e the wool for !o&./ - didn't have that m&ch mone!, so - #ersisted &ntil - fo&nd sam#les that seemed right. 3fter Gostaham a##roved all the color choices, he told me to #aint a co#! of m! design and show him. - colored it in #ainsta$ingl!, tr!ing to demonstrate that - had learned his lessons well: 9elight the e!e with #atterns, %&t refresh it8 s&r#rise the e!e, %&t don't overwhelm it. Even so, Gostaham still didn't li$e m! #lan.

/0o& have large %lotches of color witho&t eno&gh com#le(it!. Parado(icall!, more detail ma$es the design lighter. *r! again./ -t was the hardest thing to achieve as a designer !et the sim#lest and clearest thing to see as a viewer. - tried three more times. B! the time - colored the last co#!, - felt - had fo&nd the %alance - needed among the #arts. - %egged m! mother to give me some of m! sigheh mone! to hire wor$ers. 3lone, it wo&ld ta$e me a long time to ma$e a r&g as tall as - was. B&t with two wor$ers, it co&ld %e done in a few months. 6! mother didn't want to #art with the mone! %eca&se it was all we had, %&t she changed her mind after she saw m! design. /6ash'3llah2/ she said. /*hat is more %ea&tif&l than an! #attern !o&'ve ever made./ 3s soon as she gave me the mone!, - went to the %a+aar and %o&ght all the wool, and - hired 6ale$eh to hel# me. )er h&s%and's health had not im#roved, and she was gratef&l for a chance to earn mone! witho&t having to sell her wares on the street. he had a !o&ng co&sin named =ata!oon who was a fast $notter, and - hired her, too. 5either one $new how to follow a design on #a#er, so - #romised to call o&t the colors for them. Before we started the car#et, - showed m! final design to Gostaham and as$ed for his a##roval. -t too$ him onl! a few moments %efore he smiled and said sim#l!, /0o& have &nderstood./ *here was something li$e wonder in his e!es. /3ltho&gh !o& are not a child of m! own, !o& are indeed a child of m! heart,/ he said. /- have alwa!s wished to share the secrets of m! wor$ with a son. 3ltho&gh God never granted me a %o!, )e has %ro&ght me !o&./ )e fi(ed a loo$ on me that was so tender, - felt as if - co&ld see m! father's %right e!es shining thro&gh his.

/*han$ !o&, dear amoo,/ - said, %athing in his love. -t was the first time - had dared to address him as /&ncle./ 53)EE9 )39 6O7E9 to one of the man! homes Fere!doon owned, this one located close to the Eternal River with a view of the water and the mo&ntains. 3fter she was settled, she sent a messenger as$ing me to visit her. didn't want to go, %&t - $new that - m&st, to ma$e things loo$ right. 3s - wal$ed thro&gh Fo&r Gardens toward the river, - was glad her ho&se was far from the old Frida! mos,&e and the .ewel"li$e home where - met Fere!doon. - t&rned onto a street near *hirt!"three 3rches Bridge. *he air was fresh, for it was cooled %! the river. - &nderstood that the ho&ses were large from the vast distances %etween one tall gate and the ne(t. 5aheed's messenger had told me to loo$ for a new ho&se with a lot of wind catchers on its roof. *he! s&c$ed air inside and cooled it over #ools of water in the %asement, $ee#ing its occ&#ants fresh on even the hottest da!s. 'hen - ste##ed thro&gh the tall gates that g&arded the o&tside of 5aheed's home, - was ta$en a%ac$. -t was a small #alace, as if Fere!doon ho#ed to #o#&late it with a do+en sons and da&ghters. 3 deferential servant too$ m! chador and led me into a g&est room with sil$ car#ets $notted with rosettes so small the! co&ld onl! have %een made %! children. *he vessels for flowers and li%ations were all of silver. *he c&shions s#ar$led, for the! were woven with silver thread. - tried to ,&ell the env! that s&rged in m! heart. 'hen 5aheed entered the room, - was s&r#rised at how ,&ic$l! she had ass&med the role of a woman of wealth and #ower. he wore thic$ gold arm%ands with hanging t&r,&oise and #earls, and the same com%ination of stones on her forehead, str&ng on a gold %and that held her lac! white head covering in #lace. )er #ale %l&e sil$ ro%e and t&nic were s&%d&ed, ma$ing her loo$ older. )er face was ,&iet

and com#osed. )er e!es seemed larger than ever, %&t the! were not red. he now reigned over a domicile with twelve servants who attended onl! to her needs. /5aheed".oon2/ - said, $issing her on each chee$""/tho&gh - s&##ose now that !o&'re married, - sho&ld call !o& 5aheed" =hanoom2 )ow are !o&1/ /)ow do - loo$1/ she as$ed wearil!. /Li$e the moon,/ - said, /%&t older than %efore./ /3nd sadder./ /0es, and sadder,/ - said. 'e loo$ed at each other, and the sadness in her e!es fo&nd a reflection in m! own. 'e sat on c&shions close to each other, and 5aheed called for coffee and sweets. /)ow is married life1/ - as$ed, tr!ing to so&nd nonchalant. /-t's as good as can %e e(#ected,/ she said with a shr&g. /- don't see him m&ch./ *hat seemed odd for a new %ride, !et - co&ldn't hel# ho#ing that the reason was me. /'h! not1/ /)e is ver! %&s! with his land, his horses, and his d&ties to his father./ /B&t s&rel! he s#ends time with !o&./ /Onl! at night,/ she said. *hat was not what - wished to hear. - searched her %od! and face for signs of satisfaction that - ho#ed not to find. co&ldn't %ear to $now if the! were en.o!ing each other, so said ,&ic$l!, /- s&##ose !o& can't forget -s$andar./ )er e!es %ecame %igger and sadder, %&t she retained her com#os&re. /5ever,/ she whis#ered. he %ec$oned me closer. /- m&st s#ea$ ,&ietl!. - cannot show m!self here &ntil - $now who is lo!al to him and who is

lo!al to me. - m&st #retend that ever!thing is e(actl! as want it to %e./ /-'m sorr! !o& are so &nha##!,/ - whis#ered %ac$. /)ow can - %e ha##!1/ she said. /)e is nothing li$e -s$andar. )e is neither handsome nor $ind./ -n m! e!es, Fere!doon had %ecome more handsome than -s$andar. - tho&ght a%o&t his m&scled thighs wra##ed aro&nd m! hi#s and his warm wir! chest #ressed close to m! own. - wanted to #rotest, /B&t what a%o&t his %ea&tif&l hair1 3nd what a%o&t when his tong&e is drawing #atterns on !o&r thighs1/ -nstead, - %egan s#ea$ing of other things""the car#et - was wor$ing on, the wedding #resents 5aheed had received, her calligra#h!""%&t the conversation $e#t ret&rning to Fere!doon. /- co&ld almost stand %eing married to him""an! man is as %ad as the ne(t if he isn't -s$andar""e(ce#t for what ha##ens at night,/ she said, and then she sto##ed s#ea$ing a%r&#tl!. he too$ a si# of coffee from a fine %l&e #orcelain c&#. /wish !o& were married so - co&ld tell !o& all a%o&t it./ Even as she said this, - $new 5aheed wo&ld tell me ever!thing %eca&se she needed to tal$, and - was the onl! woman she tr&sted. B&t - didn't want to hear. /)ave !o& gotten to $now his da&ghter1/ - as$ed ,&ic$l!, tr!ing to change the s&%.ect. 5aheed loo$ed s&r#rised. /'ho told !o& a%o&t her1/ For a moment - didn't $now how to answer. - had to %e ver! caref&l now not to reveal too m&ch. /3hhh""the car#et,/ - s#&ttered. /Remem%er the car#et he commissioned with talismans to than$ God for his da&ghter's ret&rn to health1/

/0o& mentioned that car#et long ago, when !o& were hel#ing Gostaham,/ said 5aheed. /B&t !o& never told me that Fere!doon commissioned it./ - %reathed with diffic&lt!. /- didn't #&t him together with the man !o& were marr!ing &ntil recentl!,/ - lied. /Oh,/ she said. /- wo&ld have e(#ected to %e told ever!thing !o& $new a%o&t the man - was marr!ing./ )er tone was shar#. /-'m tr&l! sorr!,/ - said. /- m&st have forgotten./ /)ow strange,/ she re#lied. /-s there an!thing else !o& $now a%o&t him1/ 6! heart was t&rning %lac$er than ever, li$e a lam%'s heart roasting over a fire. /Onl! that Gostaham ho#es for more commissions2/ - said ,&ic$l!, tr!ing to so&nd lighthearted. 5aheed raised her e!e%rows, for as the wife of a wealth! man, it was now in her #ower to offer them. - d&c$ed m! head, em%arrassed %! what - had said. /- didn't mean an!thing %! that,/ - said ,&ic$l!. he waved her hand. /- $now./ 5aheed too$ another si# of coffee while - felt sweat lea$ down m! %ac$. /-'m glad !o&r home is so %ea&tif&l,/ - said. 5aheed loo$ed aro&nd herself with dead e!es. /- wo&ld have #referred a hovel, if it co&ld %e one - shared with -s$andar,/ she said, and then her face tightened aro&nd her e!es. /Remem%er when the women were teasing me at the wedding1 - was afraid, %&t - never tho&ght having a man in m! %ed wo&ld %e as %ad as this./ - felt a thrill in m! %lac$ heart. *he %etter #art of me wanted to tell her: -t will im#rove. 5aheed shivered, and the #earls hanging from her &##er arms shivered, too. /9&ring the da!, he e(hi%its good

manners and good %reeding. B&t at night, he transforms into an animal. 'hen - feel his hot %reath at m! nec$, - want to scream./ *hat was e(actl! what - li$ed a%o&t him. )e was li$e an animal in the dar$, and %eing with him allowed me to %e the same wa!. 3t home, with Gordi!eh, - had to %e deferential and show m!self to %e a good wor$er8 with Gostaham, - tried to %e a good #&#il8 with m! mother, to show res#ect8 with visitors, to #rove m!self a well"mannered da&ghter. Onl! with him co&ld - show the tr&th of m! flesh. -t had ta$en me a long time to discover that, and on the nights - didn't see him, it was what - longed for. - cleared m! throat, em%arrassed. /0o&'re %l&shing,/ said 5aheed with a smile. /- s&##ose that's onl! nat&ral, for a virgin./ /9o !o& thin$ !o&'d li$e it %etter if he were -s$andar1/ as$ed. /Of co&rse,/ she said. /*he sight of him witho&t his clothes ma$es me long for m! %eloved. )is hands on m! %od! feel as ro&gh as a cat's claws. Even his %eard scratches m! face. - want to throw him off, %&t - m&st lie there and wait &ntil he is done./ /)ow does he li$e that1/ - %l&rted o&t. - had felt sh! when had first lain with him, %&t never re#&lsed in the wa! 5aheed descri%ed. *he one time - had failed to #lease him, he had #&nished me for wee$s. 'hat wo&ld he do to her1 5aheed loo$ed at me with an odd e(#ression, the corners of her mo&th t&rning down. /)e doesn't seem to notice ver! m&ch. -t's as if he's .&st doing his d&t! as a h&s%and./ 'as it #ossi%le that he went to her %ed %eca&se it was re,&ired, %&t saved himself for me1 - wanted to %elieve it. /'hat if !o& #raised him1/

/- tell him that he's as fierce as a falcon and as strong as a lion. - give him hone! all the time, %&t it doesn't matter./ Fere!doon disli$ed s&ch hollow words, - $new. he wo&ld have to do %etter than that. /B&t !o& don't %elieve those things a%o&t him1/ /5o./ /Perha#s, in time, !o& co&ld learn to li$e it./ /- do&%t it,/ she said. /B&t - co&ld live with it, if not for having lost the one thing - cared a%o&t./ /-s$andar1/ /5ot .&st him, %&t also his letters. Right %efore - got married, he and - agreed it wo&ld %e too dangero&s to contin&e./ /0o& were right,/ - said. /B&t 5aheed, now that !o& are married forever, do !o& thin$ !o& can tr! to li$e !o&r h&s%and after all1/ - co&ld hardl! %elieve - had &ttered those words. - was ca&ght %etween wanting m! friend to %e ha##!, and wanting her h&s%and""and mine""for m!self. /5ever,/ she said. /B&t then, how will !o& live1/ - as$ed gentl!. /- don't $now,/ she said, loo$ing as if she were going to cr!. B&t rather than so%%ing in m! arms, as she had done %efore her marriage, she ,&ic$l! gained control of her face, tho&gh - co&ld see how #ainf&l it was for her to hold herself %ac$. /5aheed".oon2/ - said s!m#atheticall!. /- cannot show m!self here,/ she whis#ered, and onl! then did she grind her teeth together to #revent her tears from rising. )er li#s #&lled %ac$ from her teeth, and frown lines etched themselves near her mo&th. 'hen she had

assassinated the tears, she loo$ed as %ea&tif&l as ever, %&t the grief in her e!es was terri%le to see. 3s - was leaving, - remem%ered with a #ang of g&ilt the twist of rain%ow"colored threads hidden &nder m! clothes, at m! throat. *he charm ma$er had %een right: -t had $notted &# her love. - sho&ld have #&lled the threads off m! nec$, %&t - co&ld not %ear to relin,&ish Fere!doon. *)E 930 3F*ER - saw 5aheed, Fere!doon s&mmoned me again. 3s - sat in the little room antici#ating how Fere!doon and - wo&ld come together, - shivered with #leas&re. 'hile 5aheed recoiled from him with her whole %od!, mine o#ened &# #ore %! #ore at the tho&ght of him. )ow different it was from when - had first lain &nderneath him2 *hen - had %een the slave, and he the master. 5ow he was sometimes slave to me. - waited for him that afternoon with the fore$nowledge of where we wo&ld go together, !et with l&(&riant &ncertaint! a%o&t how we wo&ld travel there. Fere!doon, - $new, did not #low a groove in the same wa! twice. 'hen he arrived that da!, it was with a large %&ndle that he told me #romised heavenl! delights. 3fter the servants de#arted, Fere!doon as$ed me to remove m! clothes on m! own. - did so slowl! in the semidar$ness, while he sat cross" legged on a c&shion with the %&ndle %eside him. - started aw$wardl!, %&t %! the time - reached m! &ndergarments, %egan to en.o! his ga+e. 'hen - was %are, he arose and lifted me into his arms, twirling me gentl! aro&nd the room. - felt gidd! with m! long hair swinging %ehind me and the air stro$ing m! %od!. 'hen we were close to the %edroll, he lowered me on to# of it and told me to close m! e!es. - la! there, warm and waiting. co&ld hear him &nt!ing the %&ndle8 then he stood a%ove me ,&ietl!. 3fter a moment, - felt a delicate #itter"#atter on m! %ell!, the gentlest of showers. - smiled and arched m! %ac$.

)e cro&ched, #&lled another handf&l from the %&ndle, and let the rain fall again. till a%ove me, he r&%%ed his hands together and the scent of a rose%&sh filled the room. o#ened m! e!es: m! whole %od! was #atterned in rose #etals. ome were #ale #in$, others %right red, and still others ma&ve, a m&lticolored car#et of flowers. 3 hot red wave started at m! toes, s&rged &# m! middle, %loomed on m! chee$s. - reached for his waist and drew his hi#s to mine. /- want !o&r dates in m! mil$,/ - said, ,&oting a #oem had heard at the hammam %&t #ro%a%l! wasn't s&##osed to $now. )e r&%%ed against me, cr&shing the rose #etals %etween o&r %odies. *heir sweet hot #erf&me filled the air, mingling with o&r m&s$. )e covered m! e!es with rose #etals and, with me so %linded, did ever!thing - ho#ed for and ever!thing - demanded. 'e s&rmo&nted the #ea$ together that night, %lending o&r cries, as if entwined in the fragrant gardens of #aradise. ;&dging from what 5aheed had said a%o&t the d&llness of her nights with Fere!doon, it was no s&r#rise to discover that he wanted me more than ever. Ever! time - was s&mmoned, - felt remorse over 5aheed, %&t then when - imagined what wo&ld do with Fere!doon, m! $nees went slac$ %eneath m! clothes, and - co&ldn't sto# m!self from going to see him. 3nd ever! time - went, - dreamed &# new wa!s to #lease him, and to sto# him from %ringing o&r time together to an end. ometimes it was the wa! - designed m! %od! for him. Once - str&ng some %l&e ceramic %eads on a cord and tied it aro&nd m! hi#s. *he! rattled and mar$ed the rh!thm of o&r movements together, teasing his ears. 3nother time - told him he co&ld not have me &ntil he removed all m! clothes &sing .&st his mo&th. )e did what he co&ld, &nt!ing the strings that held m! clothes with his teeth, #&shing fasteners o&t of their loo#s with his tong&e, #&lling off m! tro&sers with

his li#s. )e had a sore .aw afterward, %&t - have never seen him ha##ier. *he secret - was $ee#ing from 5aheed was even worse than - had tho&ght. 5ot onl! was - married to her h&s%and, %&t - &nderstood how to give him #leas&re in wa!s she co&ldn't even imagine. -5 *)E 6OR5-5G after - left Fere!doon, - ret&rned home and wor$ed with 6ale$eh and =ata!oon. *he! came ever! da! e(ce#t Frida! to wor$ on a loom we had set &# indoors. Both of them des#eratel! needed the wor$. 6ale$eh's h&s%and's illness contin&ed to linger. =ata!oon's father, a %ric$la!er, had recentl! died after falling off the dome of a mos,&e he was hel#ing to %&ild. / traight to God,/ she had said, her li# trem%ling. - felt s#ecial s!m#ath! for her %eca&se she was onl! fifteen, a%o&t the same age had %een when - had lost m! father. 5ow that - was almost seventeen - felt m&ch older, as if - had lived seven lifetimes since leaving m! village. 9es#ite their #ro%lems, the women went a%o&t their wor$ li$e an arm! of ants. Both of them $notted as ,&ic$l! as - did. 6ale$eh was sh!, %&t when she %ecame more comforta%le, she li$ed to tell me a%o&t her children's antics. =ata!oon was li$e a colt who .&st wanted to r&n wild. he $e#t herself tethered to the loom thro&gh an act of will. -f - had not %een her em#lo!er, she wo&ld have made a wonderf&l friend. Ever! morning when the! arrived, the! seated themselves at o##osite ends of the loom. - sat %ehind the loom as - had seen the men do at the ro!al r&g wor$sho#, m! design in m! hand, and tried to call o&t the colors at .&st the right moment. -f the chant was /red, red, %eige, %l&e, %eige, red, red,/ the! co&ld easil! lose the se,&ence if - didn't ma$e each call right %efore the! had finished the #revio&s $not. =ata!oon was a little ,&ic$er than 6ale$eh8 - had to tell her to slow down so the! co&ld $not the same colors at the same moment.

6ale$eh, on the other hand, had stronger arms, and when she com#ressed her $nots with a com%, she made them tighter than =ata!oon's. - had to as$ her to %ear down more gentl! so the r&g wo&ldn't come off the loom with a shorter side. Ever! da!, we wor$ed from mid"morning &ntil it was time to eat and then res&med again &ntil the middle of the afternoon. - made s&re the! had #lent! of tea and sweetmeats so the! wo&ld wor$ with ease8 and at midda!, we all ate together. - s&s#ected it was the onl! meal the! co&ld %e s&re of. -t made me feel good to hel# them, for had once felt the ache of h&nger m!self. One morning =ata!oon had a ,&estion a%o&t which color to &se, for m! design was not clear in that s#ot and - had st&m%led in calling o&t the colors. - tho&ght for a moment and said, /Use the red2 3nd we'll &se it in that flower from now on./ /4hashm2/ she re#lied, and did m! %idding. - discovered that - li$ed the feeling of having a&thorit!, es#eciall! after so man! months of doing what others had told me. Even tho&gh - had often s#ent the night %efore s#orting with Fere!doon and had not sle#t, - made m!self sta! awa$e &ntil 6ale$eh and =ata!oon de#arted, and then - had a rest. -f it was still light when - awo$e, - contin&ed $notting the car#et on m! own. - wanted to finish it as soon as - co&ld. Gordi!eh had no claim on this one, so whatever - earned wo&ld %elong .&st to me and m! mother. O5E 6OR5-5G, a stoo#ed old woman $noc$ed at o&r door and told me that 5aheed wished to see me. - as$ed her to give 5aheed m! a#ologies, for - was %&s! with 6ale$eh and =ata!oon, %&t she re#lied that she had %een ordered not to ret&rn &ntil - was within her care. 'ith that, she sat down heavil! in the co&rt!ard and wra##ed her shawl aro&nd her c&rved %ac$, as if #re#aring for the night. - wondered wh!

5aheed had decided to s&mmon me so &rgentl!. *he tho&ght that she might have discovered m! secret made sweat %rea$ o&t on m! nec$. - ret&rned to m! $notters, ho#ing the messenger wo&ld get tired and go awa!. 'e wor$ed thro&gh the morning, and after eating l&nch and $notting a few more rows, =ata!oon and 6ale$eh de#arted. - went to m! room and sle#t. 'hen arose, the messenger was emerging from the $itchen wi#ing her mo&th, and she as$ed if - might %e read!. ighing, donned m! #icheh and chador, for - $new she wo&ld not leave witho&t me. *he streets were %itterl! cold, des#ite a clear s$!. *he harsh s&n seemed to e(amine all that la! %eneath it witho&t #it!. *he roastedn&t seller who sold his wares near Gostaham's ho&se had lines so dee#l! engraved near his li#s the! loo$ed li$e the slashes of a $nife. 'hen the messenger t&rned to ma$e s&re - was still with her, a trace of green oil from o&r fen&gree$ and fava %ean stew gleamed li$e a disease on her chee$. - was glad to %e a%le to hide &nder m! #icheh from the glare of the s&n. 'e #assed the eminar! of the Fo&r Gardens, where %o!s st&died to %ecome m&llahs. - was still ta$ing wee$l! writing lessons with 5aheed, and the calligra#h! on the %&ilding that had once .&st loo$ed li$e %ea&tif&l decorations now called o&t to me the names of God: /*he =ind""the ;&st""the 4om#assionate""the Fierce"" the 3ll" eeing""the -m#laca%le./ 'hen we arrived at her ho&se, 5aheed #ressed a coin into the h&nched woman's hand and sent her awa!. - $issed 5aheed on each chee$ and removed m! wra#s. - was thirst!, %&t she did not offer me an! of her mint tea. )er face loo$ed #ale, and - s&s#ected that her life had %ecome %lea$er than %efore. Fere!doon had %eg&n to lose interest in her %ed8 he was alread! s#ending more nights with me. 3s the end of m!

second contract a##roached, - was certain that he wo&ld renew it again, so great was o&r m&t&al #leas&re ever! time we .oined together. /- wo&ld have come sooner, %&t - co&ldn't leave m! wor$,/ - said. /'h! did !o& send for me1/ - had tro&%le forming the words with m! dr! tong&e. /- .&st wanted to see !o&,/ 5aheed said, %&t her voice was cool. - shivered and shifted &ncomforta%l! on m! c&shion. /0o& loo$ cold,/ 5aheed said. /- am,/ - re#lied. /6a! - have some tea1/ /Of co&rse./ he called for her servants to %ring tea, %&t no one came. Us&all! her women were sitting right o&tside the door, read! to f&lfill her smallest wish. - wondered if she had instr&cted them not to re#l!. /- saw )oma a few da!s ago,/ 5aheed said a%r&#tl!. /Reall!1/ - said, tr!ing to so&nd calm. -t wasn't common for 5aheed to %athe in her old neigh%orhood now that she had a hammam and %ath attendants of her own. /9id !o& %athe1/ - as$ed. /- did,/ she re#lied. /-t was nice to see familiar faces again. )ere it is .&st me and m! women./ /-'m sorr! - didn't $now,/ - said, nervo&sl! rearranging m! legs. /- wo&ld have met !o& there./ 5aheed made a face. /)oma told me !o& had .&st %een there, even tho&gh it wasn't !o&r &s&al da!. he said she sees !o& at the hammam often""sometimes three times #er wee$./ /0es,/ - said, /- go there a lot./ - didn't e(#lain f&rther, fearing she wo&ld catch me in a lie. Ever! time - gave m!self to Fere!doon, - had to ma$e the Grand 3%l&tion to #&rif!

m!self in the e!es of God. -n the morning, Fere!doon &sed the %ath at his home, so - had to go elsewhere. /'h! do !o& go so often1/ /- li$e to %e clean,/ - m&m%led. /0o& &sed to go .&st once a wee$./ - didn't $now what to sa!. 5aheed loo$ed angr! all of a s&dden. /0o&'re %ehaving as if !o& have a secret,/ she said. - felt #in#ric$s of sweat &nder m! arms, and - avoided her e!es. - #&t m! right hand on m! heart and lowered m! e!es to give m!self time to recover. /- %eg !o&r forgiveness,/ - said, feeling m! heart hammering against m! chest. /For what1/ - co&ldn't thin$ of a %elieva%le e(c&se for visiting the hammam so often. - glanced &#, m! e!es #leading for &nderstanding. 3 hard light came into her e!es. /*ell me the tr&th,/ she demanded. - twisted misera%l! on m! c&shion while she held me in her %la+ing ga+e. - felt as e(#osed as if - had wandered onto the street with no clothes. /'ell1/ she #rom#ted. )er voice was shar# and cold. Loo$ing into her e!es was li$e staring at the noonda! s&n. - raised m! hands to shield m!self, for - co&ld no longer %ear her scr&tin!. he co&ld not $now it was Fere!doon. &rel! not, or her face wo&ldn't loo$ so calm. /-t's tr&e,/ - confessed. / o !o& are married./ /0es,/ - re#lied.

/3ll this time, when - said !o& didn't $now what it was li$e to %e with a man, !o& were la&ghing at me./ /5ot la&ghing,/ - said, /.&st tr!ing to $ee# the #romise made./ /'h! wo&ld !o& $ee# !o&r marriage a secret1 -t's not a crime./ /-t's not a reg&lar marriage,/ - said. /-t's a sigheh./ 5aheed loo$ed as if - had s#o$en a filth! word. /3 sigheh1/ she said. /B&t wh! wo&ld !o&r famil! do that to !o&1/ - sighed. /'hen !o& got married, !o&r famil! gave !o&r h&s%and a h&ge dowr! of gold and sil$. For me, it was the reverse: 6! h&s%and gave &s mone!. *hat's wh!./ 5aheed loo$ed #et&lant8 - still co&ldn't tell how m&ch she $new. /0o& sho&ld have told me and m! mother. 'e wo&ld have advised !o& and fo&nd !o& a #ro#er marriage""ma!%e with a car#et ma$er li$e !o&rself./ 3 car#et ma$er2 o 5aheed didn't thin$ - wo&ld %e s&ita%le for someone li$e Fere!doon. 'h! sho&ld her fate %ring her so m&ch #rivilege, while mine did not1 Ever! so&l was e,&al in the e!es of God. - co&ld hear anger tightening m! voice. /- wish - had,/ said, %&t it was onl! #artl! tr&e, now that Fere!doon and were li$e war# and weft. /6! dearest friend, -'m sorr! for !o&,/ 5aheed said, in s&ch a scornf&l tone that - $new the marriage lowered me forever in her e!es. /-f - still lived at home, m! mother wo&ldn't have allowed me to see !o& once she $new a%o&t !o&r sigheh./ /- co&ldn't hel# it,/ - said %itterl!. /Remem%er when - c&t the r&g from the loom %eca&se - wanted to do %etter1 Gordi!eh raged at me a%o&t the loss of the wool. *he sigheh

offer arrived right after that, and m! mother felt we had no choice./ - sto##ed there, wishing we co&ld tal$ a%o&t something else. / o whom did !o& marr!1 5ow !o& m&st reveal ever!thing,/ she said, smiling to enco&rage me, %&t - noticed her e!es loo$ed harder than emeralds. /5aheed, !o& m&st alread! $now,/ - said misera%l!, the words clotting in m! mo&th. /)ow wo&ld - $now1/ she re#lied in an innocent tone. - hesitated. - $new that Gostaham, Gordi!eh, and even m! mother wo&ld have advised me to ma$e &# a stor! to $ee# #eace among the families. 3ll - had to sa! was that m! h&s%and was a s&ccessf&l groomsman or a #ett! silver merchant""someone with modest s&ccess, %&t not eno&gh stat&s to ma$e 5aheed s&s#icio&s. /9on't !o& wish to ta$e me into !o&r confidence1/ 5aheed as$ed, loo$ing offended. /Or has o&r friendshi# ceased to matter to !o&1/ /Of co&rse it matters2/ /*hen tell me. 'hoever it is, -'ll %e glad for !o&./ /9o !o& #romise1/ he didn't answer, %&t #&t her hand reass&ringl! on mine. - longed to &n%&rden m!self of m! secret, which had weighed on me for too long. 5aheed had val&ed me once for telling her the tr&th a%o&t her s#oiled dates8 #erha#s she wo&ld val&e the tr&th again, and it wo&ld %ring &s closer. /-t is Fere!doon,/ - whis#ered, so softl! that - ho#ed she wo&ldn't hear. 5aheed released me and .&m#ed &# o&t of her c&shion. /$new it2/ she cried, her e!es angr! again. /- sent =o%ra to his

little ho&se on an errand, and she tho&ght she heard !o&r voice. - ho#ed it wasn't tr&e./ - loo$ed awa!, ashamed. /- tr&sted !o&2 - tho&ght !o& alwa!s s#o$e the tr&th2/ /- alwa!s tried to,/ - said. /5aheed, it ha##ened months %efore !o&r engagement to Fere!doon. )ow co&ld - $now that !o&r #arents wo&ld select him, of all the marriagea%le men in -sfahan1 O&r fates have %een tied together, .&st as =o%ra #redicted when she read o&r coffee gro&nds./ 5aheed was staring down at me in the c&shion8 she wo&ld not s#are me. /)ow long is !o&r sigheh1/ /*hree months./ /3nd when did !o& first ma$e the agreement1/ /3lmost three months %efore !o&r wedding./ 5aheed #ointed an acc&sing finger at me. /*hat means !o& renewed it2/ she e(#loded. - sighed. /'hen !o& told me a%o&t !o&r engagement, m! mother and - had alread! acce#ted his renewal offer and his mone!. 'e were afraid to cancel the agreement for fear of offending Fere!doon or o&r hosts. 'e have no one else in the world to #rotect &s, and no mone! of o&r own./ /6one!2/ said 5aheed in a tone of disg&st. /Ever!thing's a%o&t mone!, .&st as it was with m! -s$andar./ /B&t 5aheed,/ - #leaded, /we were afraid of having to %eg on the streets. 0o& don't &nderstand. )ow co&ld !o& $now what it's li$e to fear that !o&r ne(t meal will %e !o&r last1/ /- don't $now what that's li$e,/ she said, /and - than$ God. 3ll - $now is that !o& have %een dislo!al8 !o& have sat %eside me, listening to m! stories a%o&t m! h&s%and, #retending he was nothing to !o&. 3nd !o& #ro%a%l! told him all the awf&l things - said a%o&t him. 5o wonder he has %een ignoring me./

/- never told him an!thing !o& said,/ - re#lied. /'e don't tal$ m&ch./ /Oh,/ she said, &nderstanding more than - had intended. /)ow can !o& even stand it""to s&%mit to him in %ed1/ *hen, m&singl!: /Of co&rse, !o& are #aid and m&st do what !o& are told. )e wo&ld e(#ect that with a woman li$e !o&./ /*hat's not the reason,/ - said, wanting to h&rt her %ac$. /3t first it was for the mone!, %&t now - do it %eca&se - love it./ he #&t her hands over her ears li$e a child. /- don't want to hear an! more,/ she re#lied. /B&t don't thin$ !o&'re the onl! one""he also ta$es that !o&ng m&sician into his %ed whenever he #leases./ 3 so&nd of rev&lsion esca#ed m! li#s as - tho&ght of the #rett!, im#&dent %o! with the smooth chee$s. )e had alwa!s felt free to flirt in m! #resence, as if - didn't matter. 'hen - recovered m!self, - loo$ed at 5aheed for hel#, wondering if we co&ld %ecome allies. /-n that case, we are all his to &se as he wishes,/ - said. /'hat shall we do1/ /- don't $now a%o&t we,/ she said. /0o& $now that - can do nothing a%o&t his wives or sighehs. *he onl! thing - can do is %ear him #ro#er heirs. *hat's something the m&sician can't do./ - loo$ed at her closel!8 she seemed a little ro&nder in the face and %ell!, and - g&essed she was #regnant. /5aheed,/ - said, /- %eg !o& most h&m%l! to forgive me. $now - sho&ld have told !o& sooner, and - regret m! error. B&t now that fate has thrown &s together in s&ch a #ec&liar wa!, can't !o& and - %oth %e his wives, and raise o&r children together1/ 5aheed la&ghed o&t lo&d. /0o& and -1/ she said. /0o& sa! that as if we're two chic$#eas in a #ot./

/3ren't we1/ - said. /- have alwa!s loved and admired !o&. 'hen - met !o&, - tho&ght !o& were li$e a #rincess in a tale./ /3nd - tho&ght of !o& as a sim#le village girl who wo&ld accom#an! me to #olo,/ she re#lied in s&ch a dismissive tone that - felt stric$en to the heart. B&t then she was silent for a moment. )er face softened, and - saw moist&re in her e!es. /Ever!thing changed when - %egan to $now !o&,/ she contin&ed. /- grew to care for !o& %eca&se of !o&r honest!, lo!alt!, and loving heart. B&t now - see that - was wrong, for !o& have h&rt and %etra!ed me, and treated me worse than an &nclean dog on the street./ - felt great remorse, for - cared for her and had never wanted to ca&se her grief. B&t %efore - co&ld sa! an!thing, 5aheed shoo$ her head as if to %anish her tears, and her anger reared &# stronger than %efore. /- sho&ld have $nown %etter than to %efriend a girl li$e !o&,/ she said. /'hat do !o& mean1/ - as$ed, feeling m! own anger start to %oil. /Beca&se - was raised in a small village1/ /5o,/ she said. /Beca&se - wor$ with m! hands1/ he hesitated for a moment, and - s&s#ected that was #art of it, %&t then she said, /5ot that, either./ /*hen wh!1/ /3 res#ecta%le married woman li$e me does not associate with someone who sells se( for silver./ - .&m#ed to m! feet, anger scorching m! chee$s, for she made it so&nd as if - were no %etter than a #rostit&te. /Res#ecta%le, #erha#s, %&t a rose never had so man! thorns,/ - sho&ted. /*hat's wh! !o&r h&s%and t&rns to me, and groans with #leas&re in m! arms./

5aheed arose, a##roached me, and %ent her face so close to mine - felt her %reath against m! li#s. /- can't force !o& to relin,&ish him, %&t if !o& %ear his children, - shall c&rse them,/ she said softl!. /-f a cherr! shar%at seller #o&red them a #oisoned drin$, no one wo&ld ever %e the wiser./ )er e!es and her .ewels glittered li$e $nives in the late" afternoon light. - %egan %ac$ing awa!. 5aheed's hands c&rled into claws, as if she wished to gra% and wo&nd m! organs of conce#tion. - ran toward the door and #&shed it o#en. 3 woman servant, who had %een cro&ching near%!, fell over, s&r#rised at m! graceless de#art&re. /'here's m! tea1/ - sho&ted at her as - gra%%ed m! o&tdoor garments from a hoo$ and r&shed o&tside, where - $new 5aheed wo&ld not follow. -t was cold, %&t - co&ld not %ear to go home. - wal$ed to *hirt!"three 3rches Bridge and d&c$ed into one of its #ointed archwa!s. 4lo&ds were gathering over the mo&ntains, and the water loo$ed li$e shar# green glass. - stared at rich women with sil$ chadors strolling slowl! over the %ridge in their wooden"heeled shoes, which raised them a%ove the gro&nd, while #oor women sh&ffled along in dirt! cotton rags wra##ed aro&nd their feet. - remem%ered how ,&ic$l! 5aheed had first offered her friendshi#, which meant that m! &sef&lness was on her mind when we first met. B&t that didn't e(#lain all the time she had s#ent with me after we had %een ca&ght at #olo, and all the attention she had lavished on me d&ring m! writing lessons. 5aheed had tr&sted me with her most #recio&s secret, and she had even told me that she ho#ed we wo&ld alwa!s %e friends. B&t now - &nderstood what she %elieved a%o&t #oor village girls li$e me: that we sho&ld content o&rselves with ma$ing the velvet! car#ets &nder her feet.

-t was starting to dri++le. 3 man o#ened his #alms to the s$! to feel the rain, &ttering his than$s to God for the gift of water. 3s - ,&ic$l! retraced m! ste#s over the %ridge, the dro#s got %igger and %egan to sting. - imagined 5aheed safe in her home. he'd %e watching the rain fall in the co&rt!ard from a heated room, and not even a dro# wo&ld dar$en her %l&e sil$ ro%e. -f her feet %ecame cold, a maid wo&ld warm them with her own hands. - cl&tched m! chador tightl! to tr! to #rotect m!self from the rain, %&t it was no &se: - arrived home wet and chilled to the marrow. 'hen m! mother saw me, her e!es o#ened wide with alarm. he stri##ed off m! wet garments and wra##ed me in a thic$ wool %lan$et. - shivered so fiercel! that she had to dra#e her %od! aro&nd mine to $ee# the %lan$et in #lace. 6! tremors did not cease &ntil well after the last call to #ra!er. 9UR-5G *)E 5E<* FE' 930 , - felt wear! inside. 6! %od! seemed too weight! to carr! aro&nd, m! e!es %&rned, and - sniffled from time to time. 6! mother f&ssed over me and fed me her thic$ %lac$ her%al concoctions, %elieving that - was ill. 'hen Fere!doon s&mmoned me again, - went to him with so m&ch heaviness in m! heart, - co&ld not conceal it. /'hat's the matter1/ he as$ed as soon as he wal$ed into the room. )e sat on the c&shion ne(t to mine and stro$ed m! face, and - leaned m! head against his sho&lder as if were a sic$ child. /-'m sad,/ - said. )e #&lled off his t&r%an and sent it s#inning across the room to ma$e me la&gh. - managed a wea$ smile. / ad a%o&t what1/ /Ever!thing./ - didn't want to tell him a%o&t what had ha##ened with 5aheed, for fear he wo&ld h&rt her in ret&rn. /'h!1/

- wasn't s&re - co&ld ma$e him &nderstand. /9on't things ever ha##en that ma$e !o& sad1/ /5ot reall!,/ he said. /-'ve %een worried at times that might %e $illed in %attle, or that m! father might t&rn against me, or that - might die too soon./ /-'m alwa!s afraid of that./ /'hat, of d!ing too soon1 5ot a !o&ng woman li$e !o&./ /5o, that other #eo#le will die or that things will end./ Fere!doon loo$ed awa! for a min&te8 - co&ld see that he wasn't going to ma$e me an! #romises a%o&t o&r f&t&re, even a%o&t o&r sigheh. /- $now what to do to ma$e !o& feel %etter,/ he said. )e #&t his arms aro&nd me and $issed m! face, then held me ,&ietl! for a long time. 'hen - %ecame thirst!, he lifted a glass of mil$ and wine to m! li#s, which - dran$ slowl!. %as$ed in his tenderness, which - e(#erienced so rarel!. )e as$ed if - wanted him, or .&st wanted to %e held in his arms. - wanted %oth, so he gave me one and then the other. -t was so slow the first time that the lam#s %&rned all their %lac$ oil and e(ting&ished. 'e twined together li$e sil$ and velvet, and when we were finished, - la! ,&ietl! in his arms, and he stro$ed m! hair. *hen we %oth sle#t a little. - was the first to wa$e %eca&se m! mind was so f&ll of tho&ghts. Of how - had come to -sfahan, and how 5aheed had seemed li$e one of the heroines in m! mother's tales. )ow the first time - had met her, she had said a%o&t her #arents, /-'ll get them to do what - want./ )ow - had %elieved that a girl li$e her co&ld alwa!s o%tain what she desired. )ow - had ho#ed to %e friends with her forever, and how loved her and wished for her forgiveness. 3ltho&gh he was still aslee#, Fere!doon #&t his arms aro&nd me. *he g&ilt - felt a%o&t h&rting 5aheed eva#orated for a moment with the .o! of %eing encircled in his arms. -

%egan $issing his nec$, and when he awo$e, - was h&ngr!. fl&ng m!self at him, wanting to taste and %ite. 'e were li$e lion and lioness together, fierce and #la!f&l, and Fere!doon's e!es were heav! with gratit&de. /- never $now what to e(#ect with !o&,/ he said, /e(ce#t that - will %e s&ff&sed with #leas&re, and that ever! time it will %e different./ /- never $now, either,/ - re#lied, feeling #ro&d of what co&ld do. Perha#s - learned slowl!, %&t &nli$e 5aheed, - had finall! &nderstood how to do this thing well. 3nd now, in the dar$ of night, with o&r %odies wet with each other's sweat, m! heart was o#ening to Fere!doon. - rolled onto m! side and loo$ed into his face. /9o !o& $now wh! - was sad earlier tonight1/ /5o,/ he said, so&nding slee#!. /- went to see 5aheed. he $nows./ )e o#ened his e!es and loo$ed at me. /3%o&t the sigheh1/ /0es./ - e(#ected him to %e shoc$ed, %&t he !awned and r&%%ed his %eard, and then his hands traveled down his chest in the direction of his thighs. 'hen he fo&nd what he was loo$ing for, a small smile a##eared at the corners of his li#s. /'hat did she sa!1/ he as$ed while r&%%ing. / he wasn't ver! ha##!,/ - re#lied. /3nd so1/ )is words weren't even cold8 the! were .&st indifferent. *he! sent a sh&dder thro&gh m! %od! as if - had swallowed ice on a hot da!. Before - had time to re#l!, Fere!doon gra%%ed m! hands to hel# him with his tas$. - was rel&ctant and tried to #&ll awa!, for - wanted to tell him more. 'e wrestled for a while &ntil finall! - %ro$e free, falling %ac$ onto

the %edroll. Fere!doon rolled on to# of me, and - saw a hardness in his e!es that reminded me of 5aheed. *here was a demand for silence within them and an insistence that - #lease him, right now, witho&t another word. - thin$ m! e!es m&st have shown m! resistance, and that was the worst thing - co&ld have done %eca&se Fere!doon viewed it as a game. )e #&shed m! $nees o#en with his and too$ me witho&t another word. - gr&nted misera%l!, &n#re#ared, and watched with #ained s&r#rise as Fere!doon's e!es fl&ttered with e(tra #leas&re. - decided to show him - was angr!. - allowed e(aggerated noises of #leas&re to esca#e m! li#s, altho&gh m! e!es wore a %ored loo$, and - thr&st m! hi#s into his with false enth&siasm. - e(#ected that m! feigned delight wo&ld give him #a&se, even shame him. -nstead, to m! astonishment, he stiffened &ntil he %ecame as hard as a tent #ole. - moved m! %od! aro&nd wildl!, ho#ing to %end him or throw him off, %&t m! f&r! onl! fanned his ardor. ;&st as in o&r earliest da!s together, it didn't matter to him what - tho&ght or how - felt. -f - received #leas&re from his %od!, he en.o!ed that, and if resisted him, he wo&ld find a wa! to en.o! that, too. *he onl! thing that %ored him was im#assivit!. 'ithin moments, he s,&ee+ed m! %ac$ with his hands and roared li$e a lion, ma$ing s&re - &nderstood the im#ervio&sness of his #leas&re. 3s he rolled off me, his %od! glistening with sweat and his e!es soft with satisfaction, he ta##ed the heel of his #alm against m! chee$. -t was the wa! a horseman might c&ff a mare that had s&cceeded in .&m#ing a diffic&lt h&rdle %&t still needed to %e reminded who was in charge. /Good girl,/ he said. 'ithin moments, he was snoring. - la! %eside him, m! scal# %&rning with h&miliation. 'as m! onl! role to #lease Fere!doon, whether or not m! mind

was tro&%led1 - rolled o&t of %ed, not caring if - wo$e him, and sat alone on a c&shion on the other side of the room. Fere!doon snorted and stretched o&t his arms and his legs, ta$ing &# the whole %edroll. *he #illows flew off &ntil onl! his remained. *here in the gloom, - saw m! marriage for what it was: a wa! for Gordi!eh to tr! to sell r&gs, for m! mother to feel calmer a%o&t o&r f&t&re, and for me to have a man witho&t having a dowr!. - r&%%ed m! face where Fere!doon had c&ffed it. - had longed to love a man as dee#l! as 5aheed had loved -s$andar, &ntil - reali+ed that her love was %&ilt on nothing %&t dreams. - had searched m!self for signs of love for Fere!doon %&t had not fo&nd an! dee# roots. 5ow - $new never wo&ld. 3n owl cried o&t near the ho&se, claiming the dar$. co&ldn't even claim half of Fere!doon's %ed. - leaned against the wall and wra##ed m! arms aro&nd m! %od!, holding m!self in the night. Fere!doon never noticed that - had left. 3t dawn, - forced m!self to c&rl &# on the %edroll, for - didn't dare anger him with m! a%sence. 'hen he awo$e, - feigned slee# &ntil he was gone. *)E 5E<* 3F*ER5OO5, - wal$ed to the hammam in search of )oma, not $nowing who else to confide in. -t was a g&st! da!, and the wind %lew m! chador aro&nd m! legs and threw grit into m! e!es thro&gh m! #icheh. *he weather was still chill!, and the cla! ho&ses near the hammam seemed to h&ddle together against the wind. 3 child's head wra# flew %!, chased %! an an(io&s mother and her little %o!. *he wind made a low, lonel! so&nd as it #&rs&ed them thro&gh the alle!. -t was a relief to go inside. - shoo$ the d&st o&t of m! chador and searched for )oma &ntil - fo&nd her in the clothes"changing section of the hammam, which she was cleaning %efore it o#ened for women. - m&st have loo$ed as

green as fen&gree$, %eca&se she immediatel! o#ened her arms to me and $e#t me enclosed while - confessed ever!thing. - don't thin$ -'ve ever tal$ed so m&ch. 'hen was done, it was ver! ,&iet, and )oma was still cradling me li$e a child. he led me to some c&shions, stretched o&t m! legs, and fitted a #illow &nder m! head. *hen she dotted m! %od! with rose water to give me strength. /9id !o& $now1/ - as$ed. /- s&s#ected,/ she re#lied, her e!es s!m#athetic, /%&t didn't g&ess the man./ /9id - do wrong1/ /-n the e!es of God, !o& were legall! married,/ she said calml!. /B&t did -1/ /'hat do !o& thin$1/ - sighed and loo$ed awa!. /Poor child2/ she said. /- can see how sorr! !o& are. -f !o& had %een m! da&ghter, - wo&ld have told 5aheed and her #arents a%o&t !o&r sigheh %efore her wedding. *he! #ro%a%l! wo&ld have married off their da&ghter all the same, for what wealth! man does not have his conc&%ines1 B&t then the! wo&ld not have %lamed !o&, and #erha#s !o& wo&ld have retained !o&r friendshi#./ 9ee# in m! heart, - $new she was right. /)oma, what sho&ld - do1/ - as$ed. he sighed. /'hat is there to %e done now1 Ever!one will $now the tr&th, so !o& might as well sta! married./ /'h!1/ /Beca&se !o& no longer have !o&r virginit!. Before, !o& were #oor, %&t at least !o& had that to offer. 5ow what do !o& have1/

he was right, of co&rse. /'hat if Fere!doon doesn't renew1/ /*hen !o& m&st %e alone./ - was too !o&ng to imagine s#ending the rest of m! da!s on m! own, with no children %! m! side. *hat was even worse than what m! mother had end&red. /- don't want to %e alone,/ - said %itterl!. )oma stro$ed m! hand. /6! child, do not fear. -f !o&r sigheh ends, !o& will have some advantages all the same./ /3dvantages1/ )oma smiled. /-f God is with !o&, and ma! )e alwa!s %e, then !o& will find a %etter man and marr! again. -f not, !o& can still contract !o&r own sighehs. 5o one can tell !o& who to marr! from now on./ - hadn't tho&ght a%o&t that. /B&t 5aheed told me her mother wo&ld have for%idden o&r friendshi# after m! sigheh./ )oma closed her e!es for a moment and di##ed her chin in agreement. /-t is not the most honora%le of sit&ations. *hat's wh! most divorced women who contract sighehs do it in secret./ /'h! do it at all1/ /For mone!, for #leas&re, for children, or in the ho#e that a man ma! someda! ma$e !o& his real wife./ /B&t wo&ld #eo#le consider me low class1/ /*he! ma!./ 5o one - tr&sted had told me so #lainl! that m! re#&tation had %een %lac$ened. 6! e(#ression m&st have shown m! distress, for )oma too$ m! face in her hands. /3+i+am, !o& m&st never tell, %&t - did it once m!self,/ she whis#ered. /'h!1/

/- fell in love with a %o! when %oth of &s were !o&ng, %&t o&r families married &s to other #eo#le. 3fter m! h&s%and died and m! children were grown, m! first love and - still wished to %e &nited. ince he co&ld %arel! feed his wife and eight children, we co&ld not marr! in the &s&al wa!./ /9id an!one $now a%o&t it1/ /5o, we tho&ght it wise to $ee# it silent./ /9id he give !o& mone!1/ /Onl! if - needed it,/ she re#lied. /)ow long did it last1/ /For ten !ears, &ntil the da! he died,/ she said. /- than$ God for giving &s the right to sigheh, for it was m! onl! e(#erience of love./ /*hen wh! co&ldn't !o& tell an!one1/ /6an! #eo#le from good families thin$ it is indecent for women,/ she said. /3fter all, wo&ldn't !o& rather %e a #ermanent wife and the ,&een of !o&r ho&sehold1/ /Of co&rse,/ - said, /%&t - didn't have that choice./ /Often, we m&st live with im#erfection,/ she said. /3nd when #eo#le worr! a%o&t a stain on their floor, what do the! do1/ 9es#ite how - felt, - had to la&gh, for - $new what she meant. /*he! throw a car#et over it,/ - re#lied. /From hira+ to *a%ri+, from Baghdad to )erat, that is what -ranians do,/ she said. - was ,&iet for a moment, for that was at the heart of it. loo$ed &# at )oma, who too$ m! hand and warmed it %etween hers. /)oma, what shall - do1/ - as$ed again. /'hat will ha##en to me1/

/3+i+am, it is too soon to sa!,/ she re#lied. /For now, recogni+e that !o& have had %ad l&c$, and that !o& have also made !o&r mista$es, li$e )aroot and 6aroot. *hose two wanted something so %adl! that the! s&cc&m%ed to tem#tation and %etra!ed the Greatest 6aster of 3ll. 0o& wanted something, too, %&t have &nderstood that it's not alwa!s #ossi%le to o%tain !o&r desires. 3nd now !o& long to ma$e amends. 6a$e them in whatever wa! !o& can, and %e li$e the date that grows sweeter and sweeter, even tho&gh the soil that no&rishes it is roc$! and harsh./ Before an!one else came into the hammam, )oma washed me and massaged me li$e a mother, com%ed m! hair, wra##ed me in a towel, and fed me strong #o##! seeds to ma$e me drows!. - stretched o&t on a %edroll in a c&%icle and fell into a dee# slee#. *he old stor! of )aroot and 6aroot came to me in m! dreams, along with the determination to %e nothing li$e them. First there wasn't and then there was. Before God, no one was. Once there were two angels named )aroot and 6aroot. One of their favorite #astimes, when their heavenl! deeds were done, was to s#! on h&man$ind. =nowing that the earth was %o&ntif&l, the! %elieved that living in accordance with God's laws sho&ld have %een as eas! as #&lling fish from the waters of the G&lf. 0et ever!where the! loo$ed, the! saw h&mans stealing, l!ing, cheating, fornicating, and $illing. Loo$ here: see the man in 4onstantino#le #lotting to force his neigh%or's da&ghter into his fo&l em%race. Loo$ there: see the woman in Baghdad concocting a #oison to stir into her wealth! father's stew. )aroot and 6aroot watched s&ch conflicts &nfold over months and !ears. Ever! time a h&man %eing had a fall, the! made a so&nd together li$e the tin$ling of %ells.

One da! God s&mmoned )aroot and 6aroot into )is #resence and anno&nced that the! were to %e sent to earth on a s#ecial assignment. /0o& will ass&me the %odies of h&man %eings,/ )e said, /and !o& will show all the angels in heaven, and all of h&man$ind %esides, how to live .&st and honora%le lives./ )aroot and 6aroot's wing ti#s glowed with the honor. 'ithin moments, the! ass&med h&man forms and materiali+ed in the hol! cit! of 6ashhad, which was alwa!s f&ll of #ilgrims. )aroot had %ecome a tall, handsome %earded fellow with em#t! #oc$ets. 6aroot was shorter and s,&atter, with a flat nose, %&t his #&rse .ingled with gold a%%asi coins. *he! fo&nd themselves in the co&rt!ard of the most hol! site in all of -ran, the shrine of -mam Re+a, which glittered with small mirrors c&t li$e .ewels. ensing their s#irit&al nat&res, #ilgrims formed a circle aro&nd them and as$ed ,&estions. ince the! were angels well versed in God's wa!s, their service came easil! to them. *heir tho&ghtf&l answers were li$e sweet rain from heaven, soothing and fr&itf&l. *oward nightfall, 6aroot %egan to feel a sta%%ing #ain in his middle. 5ot $nowing what it was, he marveled at the strangeness of the sensation. )ad God sent him to earth on a mission li$e that of ;es&s1 'o&ld he, too, have to die1 *he tho&ght of e(#eriencing more #ain in his %od! made him shiver and cl&tch his a%domen. 5oticing his distress, his friend )aroot stood &# too ,&ic$l!, saw %lac$, and crashed to the earth. *he devoted #ilgrims lifted the two men and carried them into one of the mos,&e's shad! arcades. /3ll da! those two forgot to eat and drin$,/ said one of the #ilgrims. /-t was as if the! had alread! left their %odies %ehind and ascended into one of the s#heres of heaven./

*he sensi%le #ilgrim had %ro&ght her own food. he scoo#ed a morsel of roasted egg#lant onto a triangle of %read and #laced it gentl! in 6aroot's mo&th. )is e!es fl&ttered and he %egan ni%%ling on her fingers. )e t&gged the remaining %read and egg#lant from her hands, eating with a #iggish a%andon that s&r#rised and disg&sted her. 'hen the #ilgrim gave water to )aroot, he cons&med it all with lo&d sl&r#ing so&nds and demanded more. /'hat are these men1/ she wondered. 3t nightfall, most of the other #ilgrims ret&rned to their lodgings. 3s an act of charit!, the woman determined to sta! %ehind &ntil the two men had regained their strength. )aving eaten and dr&n$, )aroot and 6aroot were feeling %etter. B! the time the moon rose, the! %egan to notice more a%o&t the woman who had ministered to them. )er face was white, and she had a##les %looming on her chee$s. )er dar$ e!es were fringed with lashes as #rett! as a doe's. )aroot longed to lift the cloth that covered her hair. 6aroot wondered a%o&t the m!ster! of her %ell!, no do&%t ro&nd and soft li$e freshl! %a$ed %read. eeing that the men had ret&rned to health, the woman rose to ret&rn to her lodgings. /'ait, O mercif&l #ilgrim,/ said )aroot in a #leading voice he didn't recogni+e as his own. /Please share !o&r com#an! with &s for a few moments more. 'e need !o&./ *he! are li$e children, the woman tho&ght, %&t she sat with them again, vowing to leave as soon as the! regained their calm. 'here co&ld two s&ch strange fellows have %een raised1 *o ma$e the time #ass, she as$ed, /0o& are children of which town1/ )aroot and 6aroot %&rst into la&ghter the! co&ldn't control, gas#ing and snorting, she tho&ght, li$e wild #igs. -t was as if the! had never la&ghed %efore. 6aroot was on the gro&nd with his face in the earth %efore his la&ghter finall!

s&%sided. )e arose with his chee$s and nose strea$ed with dirt. /-f we told !o&, !o&'d never %elieve &s,/ said )aroot, while 6aroot gest&red toward the heavens. Perha#s the! are from a religio&s order where men %ecome so dee#l! s#irit&al the! forget their earthl! roots, the woman tho&ght, %&t there was do&%t in her e!es. /Originall!, when !o&r mothers gave %irth to !o&, where did !o& live1/ )aroot and 6aroot $new the! were %eing treated with the #atience shown to sim#letons. 3 new sensation arose in each of them, as &nfamiliar as all the others. 6aroot's chee$s %&rned, and )aroot's %ac$ and .aw stiffened. /'e're from the greatest s#here,/ said )aroot, gest&ring &#wards again. /3nd we can #rove it,/ 6aroot added. *he woman loo$ed s$e#tical. /)ow can !o& #rove it1/ /Earlier in the da!, !o& listened with great attention to ever! word we &ttered,/ said )aroot. /9idn't we seem different than other men1/ *he woman reflected on how she had #erceived them that morning. / ome ho&rs ago, - might have %elieved !o&,/ she admitted. /0o& hardl! seemed to inha%it !o&r %odies./ )aroot and 6aroot watched her li#s linger over the word /%odies./ Each was stric$en with a desire to reach for her and stro$e her warm %ell! and thighs. Perha#s, if the! $e#t her near, she wo&ld %e genero&s with them, the wa! #ilgrims co&ld sometimes %e. /O&r %odies were new to &s,/ confided 6aroot. *he woman waved her hand as if to dismiss him. Once again, she rose to go. /'ait2/ said 6aroot. /- have #roof./ /0o& said that %efore./

/- can tell !o& something $nown %! no other %eing on earth./ *he woman waited ,&ietl!, loo$ing &nconvinced. )aroot #&t his hand to his heart, feeling regretf&l a%o&t what he $new the! wo&ld do. *o his s&r#rise, he fo&nd a wa! to ,&ash that feeling as ,&ic$l! as it arose. /*he #rice of what we $now is a $iss,/ said 6aroot. )aroot %ecame angr! %eca&se he tho&ght his friend was tr!ing to e(cl&de him. /One for each of &s,/ he said with a fier! glance. *he woman shifted her weight from foot to foot. /'hat is it that !o& $now1/ she as$ed. /'e $now a%o&t God,/ said 6aroot. *he woman had traveled man! farsa$hs on foot to reach 6ashhad. Ever! da!, she #ra!ed five times and tried to o#en her heart to the divine. 4o&ld the message of the heavens %e right in front of her, in the form of these two childli$e men1 /-s it a %argain1/ #rom#ted )aroot. /Perha#s,/ she said with a small smile. Remorse had %een growing again in )aroot's %reast, %&t a glim#se of her small white teeth %etween her red li#s hel#ed van,&ish those feelings. / it %eside &s,/ he said, #atting a %l&e tile, /and we will tell !o& the thing that onl! we $now./ he sat %etween )aroot and 6aroot, who #ressed close against each of her hi#s. )aroot felt an ecstatic s&rge in his loins. For a moment he imagined throwing 6aroot in a well, .&st so he co&ld %e alone with the #ilgrim. / #ea$,/ said the woman. /'hat can !o& teach me a%o&t God, the 4om#assionate, the 6ercif&l1/

/)is ninet!"nine names are alread! well $nown,/ said 6aroot. /*he onl! man to $now the h&ndredth name was the hol! Pro#het 6ohammad""that is, &ntil the two of &s arrived on earth./ /0o& thin$ !o& $now the Great 5ame1/ said the woman. /don't %elieve !o&./ /First, a $iss,/ said )aroot and 6aroot together. /Oh no,/ said the woman. /-'ve heard #romises li$e !o&rs %efore. First, the name./ )aroot and 6aroot leaned in close, #&tting their li#s near each of her ears. 3fter drawing in a %reath, the two men whis#ered the Great 5ame. *he woman's mind filled with the ma.estic so&nd, which rever%erated %etween her ears. )ad she %een a%le to thin$ of )aroot and 6aroot, she wo&ld no longer have do&%ted them. B&t all of her tho&ghts had %ecome echoes of the so&nd, and her %od! %egan to feel as cool and as light as air. 3ll her desires were f&lfilled in a single instant, and she %ecame a #lanet in the third s#here %e!ond earth, from which she now glows eternall! as #&re light. )aroot and 6aroot were trans#orted, too. *he! fo&nd themselves s&s#ended %! their an$les inside a dee# well, their heads #ointing toward the water. B! da!, the s&n %eat down, %listering their li#s and %&rning the soles of their feet. *heir throats dried and crac$ed as the! stared into the cool water, which was .&st o&t of reach of their hands. B! night, the! shivered in the cold, their flesh #&c$ering with goose %&m#s. -f the! s#o$e at all, it was to remem%er what it had %een li$e to %e angels and feel nothing. ometimes, when the stars were #ositioned in the s$ies .&st so, the! co&ld see her. he %eamed the light of her %ea&tif&l, com#assionate e!es onto the earth, and the! loved her and longed for her thro&gh their miser!.

4ha#ter -< *he ne(t da!, - was standing in the $itchen hel#ing m! mother clean her%s for her medicines when the $noc$er for men %oomed twice. /Go see who it is,/ 4oo$ said, so covered m!self in m! chador and #icheh, o#ened the door, and saw one of Fere!doon's menservants, who handed me a letter for Gostaham. =nowing that he co&ldn't recogni+e me in m! wra#s, - concealed the letter and told 4oo$ it had %een a merchant selling mo&ntain roots for stew, which $new we didn't need. - went to the room that m! mother and - shared and loo$ed at the seal: -t was Fere!doon's. 6! heart %eat faster. had shown Fere!doon m! dis#leas&re, and now #erha#s he was writing to sa! he was done with me. - held the #a#er to an oil lam# in a vain effort to see the writing it concealed. told m!self to ta$e the letter directl! to Gostaham, %&t co&ldn't force m! feet to move. Even if the letter was not mine, the news it contained certainl! was. - hesitated, and then - %ro$e the seal. -t too$ me a long time to read the letter: 6! s$ills were still #oor, and - co&ldn't &nderstand man! of the words. B&t fo&nd m! name mentioned a few times, and - &nderstood that Fere!doon was offering a sigheh for another three months, in consideration of the fact that he was #leased with me. )aving committed an &nforgiva%le deed %! o#ening a letter addressed to Gostaham, - hid the letter in m! sash. needed to thin$ a%o&t the offer this time witho&t the advice of m! famil!. 5ow that - was no longer a virgin, it was m! t&rn to decide what - wanted. )oma had said that was m! right. =3*30OO5 359 63LE=E) arrived a little later than &s&al that morning. =ata!oon loo$ed as fresh as ever, %&t 6ale$eh had dee# circles &nder her e!es.

/)ow is !o&r h&s%and1/ - as$ed. / till ailing,/ she re#lied. /)e was co&ghing all night./ /)ow a%o&t some coffee to lift !o&r s#irits1/ - as$ed. he gratef&ll! acce#ted the steaming vessel - #&t %eside her. 'hen we sat down to wor$, - called o&t the colors while considering Fere!doon's offer. - felt m! %od! sa!ing !es to it. 5ot even one da! had gone %! and - was alread! craving Fere!doon's arms, des#ite the wa! he had c&ffed me8 and had alread! tho&ght of a do+en new wa!s to #lease him and m!self. - had %ecome li$e the o#i&m eaters who fret &ntil the! get their dail! dose of the stic$! %lac$ dr&g, after which the! rela( against their c&shions, their $nees #arted, a loo$ of %liss in their e!es. - told m!self it was a fine idea to go on with things as the! were. 5ow that 5aheed $new ever!thing, - didn't need to $ee# the sigheh a secret an!more. he wo&ld hate me and hate m! children, %&t - wo&ld have Fere!doon's attention, and #erha#s - co&ld live a ha##!, se#arate life. 6a!%e wo&ld conceive %o!s, and altho&gh - wo&ld have no rights of inheritance, the! wo&ld ta$e care of me in m! old age. -f - acce#ted Fere!doon's offer, it wo&ld also %e a sweet form of revenge. - wo&ld %e li$e a thorn, reminding 5aheed that Fere!doon had married her not for love, %&t for #ower. 'hen her h&s%and was a%sent at night, she wo&ld thin$ a%o&t how m&ch he was en.o!ing me, and s&ffer. &ch were m! tho&ghts &ntil the midda! meal, when Gordi!eh came to tal$ to me. he was smartl! dressed in a new !ellow ro%e and green t&nic, with the emerald Gostaham had given her long ago shining li$e a small sea a%ove her %reasts. /- have .&st received an invitation to visit 5aheed's mother,/ she said.

/6a! !o&r visit %e charmed,/ - re#lied, concealing a smile. Rather than tell her what had ha##ened, - decided to leave that to L&dmila. /'o&ld !o& li$e to accom#an! me1/ Gordi!eh was #leased with me latel! and was showing it with small favors. /'e'll #ro%a%l! disc&ss the car#et commission, which - $now will interest !o&./ /0o& are $ind to thin$ of me,/ - re#lied, /%&t - m&st attend to =ata!oon and 6ale$eh, who need me here so that the! can do their wor$./ /3ll right, then,/ she said, smiling. - $now she li$ed it when - sta!ed with m! chores. - contin&ed singing o&t the colors for m! $notters &ntil it was time to sto# for a moment so that 6ale$eh and =ata!oon co&ld com#ress the $nots with a wooden com%. 6ale$eh #ressed down so hard on her side that the com% %ro$e, and then she loo$ed as if she, too, might sna#. - co&ld alwa!s see how she felt %! loo$ing at her e!es, which s#o$e far more than she did. /5o matter,/ - said, altho&gh - co&ld ill afford the loss. /-'ll %&! a new one./ 6ale$eh said nothing, %&t - $new she was gratef&l that did not ma$e her #a! for the com%. 'hen she and =ata!oon de#arted, - %egan $notting on m! own. - wanted to %e there when Gordi!eh ret&rned so - co&ld see her face. he came %ac$ an ho&r later loo$ing white and scared, the $ohl sm&dged aro&nd her e!es. he shoo$ a letter in m! face. /'hat do !o& $now a%o&t this1/ she as$ed, her voice li$e a shrie$. /'hat is it1/

/=o%ra told me to wait o&tside, and then L&dmila handed me this letter and slammed the door in m! face./ - feigned s&r#rise. /'h! wo&ld she do that1/ Gordi!eh sat down %eside me on a c&shion. /*he! m&st have fo&nd o&t,/ she said, ta##ing the letter against m! sho&lder. /*his cancels the order for the r&g. 9o !o& $now what that means to &s1/ Gostaham had s#ent a mo&ntain of mone! on the design and on ordering a roomf&l of sil$ to %e d!ed to his s#ecifications. *he car#et wo&ld %e im#ossi%le to sell elsewhere, for it was designed with motifs #artic&lar to Fere!doon and 5aheed. - had not tho&ght a%o&t its fate when 5aheed and - were arg&ing. /'hat a calamit!2/ - said, and meant it. - $new ever!one in the ho&sehold wo&ld #a! if Gordi!eh felt worried a%o&t mone!. 'e had onl! .&st started eating .am again. Gordi!eh #o$ed me with her finger. /'hen was the last time !o& saw 5aheed1/ /;&st a few da!s ago, %&t she didn't mention an!thing a%o&t the car#et,/ - said. *hat m&ch was tr&e. /*hen how did her #arents find o&t1/ /- don't $now,/ - said, tr!ing to loo$ scared. /- wonder what 5aheed will thin$ . . . 'ill her #arents tell her1/ /Of co&rse the! will,/ said Gordi!eh. )er voice %ecame ca.oling and almost gentle. / &rel! !o& or !o&r mother m&st have told someone./ /- have never o#ened a disc&ssion a%o&t m! marriage,/ said, $ee#ing m! voice even. Gordi!eh loo$ed as if she didn't %elieve me. /-'m frightened,/ - added, ho#ing to engage her s!m#ath!. /- ho#e 5aheed doesn't as$ me to visit her./ /- don't thin$ !o& have to worr! a%o&t that an!more./

Gordi!eh went to her rooms with a headache. - tho&ght wo&ld %e gloating over how she had %een disgraced, %&t m! tho&ghts t&rned to L&dmila. he had alwa!s %een $ind to me, and now she des#ised &s. - regretted that m! desire for Fere!doon had made me agree to $ee# silent. 'hat sho&ld do now a%o&t his offer1 *hat morning, - had wanted to acce#t it. 5ow - wasn't s&re. 6! heart t&rned first one wa!, then the other. 3 OO5 3 - had a free moment, - went to the %a+aar to re#lace the com% that 6ale$eh had %ro$en. - wal$ed %! the r&g sellers and wool d!ers to get to the #art of the %a+aar reserved for r&g tools s&ch as s&rface"shearing %lades, fringe se#arators, and com%s. *he alle!wa!s were dim and narrow in this section of the %a+aar, and the! were littered with trash. 3s - loo$ed in the sho#s, - heard someone #la!ing a searing melod! on his $amancheh. - h&mmed along, for it was strangel! familiar. 'hen - reali+ed wh!, - retraced m! ste#s and fo&nd Fere!doon's !o&ng m&sician sitting alone on a stone, #la!ing his instr&ment. *he ends of his t&r%an loo$ed ragged, and his face was strea$ed with dirt. - a##roached him and said, / alaam. -t's me./ /'ho is 'me'/ he as$ed in a s&rl! voice witho&t loo$ing &# from his %owing. - fli##ed &# m! #icheh to show him m! face. /Oh,/ he said. /0o&'re one of his./ /'hat do !o& mean %! that1/ - as$ed, s&r#rised %! his r&deness. /5othing,/ he re#lied, as if the s&%.ect %ored him. - concealed m! face again. /'hat ha##ened to !o&1 tho&ght !o& were one of his favorites./

)e %owed a note on the $amancheh li$e a cat !owling, and his li#s formed a sarcastic smile. /)e threw me o&t./ /'h!1/ /- gave him too m&ch chee$,/ he said. /)e loves it &ntil !o& sa! the wrong thing./ *he so&r notes he was #la!ing h&rt m! ears. / to# that,/ said. /'hat will !o& do now1/ /- don't $now,/ he re#lied. /- have nowhere to go./ - saw fear in his #rett!, long"lashed e!es, and his smooth chin trem%led. )e was still hardl! more than a child. - #&lled o&t the coin - had intended to &se to %&! the com% and #&t it in his %egging %owl. /6a! God %e with !o&,/ - said. )e than$ed me and %owed a sweet, melanchol! melod! as - wal$ed awa!. -t reminded me of the m&sic he had #la!ed the first night - had s#ent with Fere!doon. )ow m&ch had changed since then, %oth for me and for the !o&ng m&sician2 )ow a%r&#tl! he had %een a%andoned to the street2 )aving lost m! heart for sho##ing, - t&rned m! ste#s toward home. On m! wa! o&t of the %a+aar, - #assed a small mos,&e that - $new well. - entered it and sat ,&ietl! in one of its car#eted side rooms, listening to a woman read alo&d from the >&r'an. he had arrived at one of m! favorite #assages, a%o&t how there are two seas, one with water that is sweet and no&rishing, while the other is salt!, !et from %oth emerge %ig, %ea&tif&l fish. *he words calmed m! heart, and when - heard the call from the minaret, - arose and #ra!ed, to&ching m! head to the mohr. 3fter - finished, - sat down again on the car#et, listening to the woman's smooth voice with m! e!es closed. - tho&ght of Fere!doon and 5aheed and the $nots of o&r friendshi#s, which sta!ed $notted in m! mind li$e tangled fringes. - still didn't $now what to do a%o&t Fere!doon's offer, and m! sigheh was d&e to e(#ire soon.

'henever - &sed to %e tormented %! a #ro%lem in m! village, m! father wo&ld alwa!s relieve me of it with an o%servation. 'hat wo&ld he sa! to me now1 -n m! mind co&ld see him clearl! as he loo$ed on o&r last wal$ together, his wal$ing stic$ in his hand. )e lifted it and #ointed it li$e a sword. /O#en !o&r e!es2/ he said, his voice %ooming thro&gh me. - o%e!ed, and it was as if - were seeing the car#et &nder m! feet for the first time. -ts flowers %egan to flic$er as if the! were t&rning into stars, and its %irds seemed to ta$e flight. 3ll the sha#es - was so &sed to, li$e the !ellow tiled walls of the mos,&e, the dome reaching heavenward, even the gro&nd itself, now seemed as changea%le as #articles of sand in the desert. *he walls %egan to wo%%le and %&c$le""an earth,&a$e1 - wondered""%&t no one else seemed to notice, and nothing was certain an!more, neither the gro&nd nor the walls or ceiling. -, too, seemed to lose m! #h!sical form, and for a %lissf&l moment a feeling of s&rrender came over me, dissolving me into #erfect nothingness. /Ba%a,/ - cried silentl!. /'hat sho&ld - do1/ )e didn't re#l!, %&t his love r&shed thro&gh m! %od!. - felt .o! in his nearness for the first time since his death. remem%ered the da! he had shown me the waterfall and the woman with the strong arms concealed %ehind it, des#ite his weariness. )is love had never s#r&ng from his own interests, nor did it de#end on m! #leasing him. *o have $nown his love was to $now what love sho&ld %e. -t was as clean and as #&re as a river, and it was how - wanted to feel inside from now on. =hi+r, a #ro#het of God, showed lost #ilgrims the wa! to water in the desert8 now m! own father was showing me m! wa!. *he #&lsing aro&nd me slowed and sto##ed. *he walls %ecame solid8 the car#et .&st an ordinar! one. - to&ched the r&g to tether m!self to earth, then arose on &nstead! feet.

*he woman reading the >&r'an noticed m! wo%%ling and offered me assistance. /*a$e care, for !o& loo$ sha$en,/ she said. /*han$ !o&, %&t - feel m&ch %etter now,/ - re#lied. 'hen left the mos,&e, m! ste# was firm, and a decision a%o&t Fere!doon had flowered in m! heart. - FOU59 60 mother and told her what had ha##ened at the mos,&e. 6! father's voice was still %ooming inside me. /)e told me, 'O#en !o&r e!es2'/ /3nd ga+e &#on the tr&th,/ she added, finishing the #oem he li$ed to ,&ote. he %eamed with .o!. /)ow wonderf&l that he is still so m&ch with !o&,/ she said, her e!es misting. /)e is with me, too./ /Bi%i, he has hel#ed me ma$e a decision,/ - said, $nowing she wo&ld listen if it came from him. /- am finished with the sigheh./ 9es#ite what - had told her, m! mother loo$ed sha$en. /'hat2 3nd r&in o&r f&t&re1/ /)e won't alwa!s want me, Bi%i. One da! he'll grow tired and find another./ /'ell, wh! not .&st ta$e the mone! &ntil his attention flags1/ /Beca&se of 5aheed's #arents. *he! des#ise &s now. *he!'ve made that clear %! ref&sing the r&g the! ordered./ 6! mother sighed. /*he! $now a man will have his sighehs. *he!'ll learn to %ear that %&rden./ - #a&sed. /0o& so&nd .&st li$e Gordi!eh./ 6! mother drew %ac$, offended.

/*here's one thing !o& don't $now,/ - added gentl!. /*he last time - saw 5aheed, she threatened to h&rt an! children might %ear. )ow co&ld - live with s&ch a fear1/ 6! mother $new as well as - did that 5aheed had it in her #ower to arrange s&ch treacher!. /'hat a scor#ion,/ she said. /- alwa!s wondered if she was tr&l! !o&r friend./ /- $now,/ - said. /0o& were right a%o&t her./ /B&t then what will we do1/ m! mother as$ed, loo$ing #anic$ed now that she saw how serio&s - was. /Gordi!eh and Gostaham have alread! %een em%arrassed and s&ffered a costl! loss. -f !o& offend Fere!doon, the! ma! lose even more. 'hat if the! %ecome so angr! the! throw &s o&t1/ 6! mother's hair had %ecome strea$ed with gra! since m! father's death, and her face etched with lines. )er words t&gged at me, for - $new she loved me %e!ond all others. 3fter m! father died, - was her onl! concern""and her onl! comfort. he #o&red o&t the c&# of her life for me. /9on't let &s starve,/ she said hel#lessl!, and - $new she wanted me to change m! mind. - tried to soothe her. /Bi%i, nothing else will change,/ said. /- will %e their car#et slave as - was %efore, and ma$e and sell car#ets of m! own./ /0o& made a fine car#et in o&r village and we almost starved an!wa!./ /B&t now - $now how to hire others to wor$ for me, and how to get a fair #rice./ /)ow1/ she as$ed. /0o&'re not a man./ /- can find a man to hel# me./ /0o&'ll get cheated./ /5ot if - find a good man./ /-t's too dangero&s. 'e can't eat a r&g./

/B&t - will #&t aside some mone!, and then we will alwa!s have something even if m! car#ets don't sell right awa!./ 6! mother moaned. /-f onl! !o&r father were still alive. 3li, #rince among men, hel# &s, save &s,/ she %egan, calling on the Pro#het's son"in"law as she alwa!s did in times of distress. /3li, $ing of all the %elievers, - %eg for !o&r %lessings and !o&r #rotection . . ./ 3s - listened to her #ra!, - felt #ric$les of irritation. 6! mother was disa##ointed in me, witho&t even admitting it to herself. )ad - %een a %ea&t!, - might have married well and saved her from hardshi#. 6arr!ing me to Fere!doon was the wa! she showed her des#air. ince - wo&ld not fetch all that m&ch, we had %etter ta$e what was offered. B&t - had %een %orn with one thing m! mother hadn't e(#ected. 6! s$ills as a $notter and designer had %een tested in the cit!, and - had s&r#rised ever!one. /Bi%i,/ - said, interr&#ting her, /listen to me. 'e can't rel! on others for o&r #rotection. Let &s tr! together to ma$e o&r lives sweeter. - %elieve in m! heart that's what m! father wo&ld have wanted./ 6! mother considered this for a moment, then clic$ed her tong&e against her teeth. /5ot at all,/ she said. /)e wo&ld have wanted !o& to marr! well, and for me to live contentedl! %! !o&r side, a grandchild in m! arms./ /B&t - didn't marr! well,/ - said angril!. /3nd whose fa&lt was that1/ -t was the last wea#on - had, and - &sed it. 6! mother #&t her hands to m! chee$s, loo$ing remorsef&l. /'ell, then,/ she said, with an air of defeat. /0o& are a grown woman now./ - $new %! her answer that the decision was mine to ma$e. - sent a #ra!er of than$s to m! father for %eing m! all! that night.

/B&t - will onl! agree to !o&r decision to leave the sigheh,/ m! mother contin&ed, /if !o& do one thing. *he ne(t time Fere!doon s&mmons !o&, tell him !o& love and desire him, and as$ if he wo&ld ever consider ma$ing !o& his wife./ - felt h&miliated %! the idea. 'asn't he s&##osed to as$ for me1 'ho was -, to as$ a wealth! man for a #ermanent $not1 /-f he married !o&, o&r lives wo&ld %e s&gar,/ m! mother added. /*hat's the onl! certaint! we have./ - sighed. /9on't !o& thin$ that if he wanted me, he wo&ld have as$ed %! now1/ /3s !o& said, we m&st tr! ever! wa! of ma$ing o&r lives sweeter./ he was right: - had said so m!self. /- will do as !o& sa!,/ re#lied, even tho&gh m! womanl! #ride smarted at the tho&ght. 3L*)OUG) FERE09OO5 )395'* received a comm&nication from &s a%o&t his offer, he s&mmoned me a few da!s later. )e was so eager to see me that he %anished all the servants %efore we had eaten, and %egan %! catching m! ear %etween his teeth. - didn't feel amoro&s, %&t - made a show of #leasing him. *hin$ing of how Gordi!eh had gotten Gostaham to do her %idding, - groaned more lo&dl! than &s&al in his arms, for - wanted him in a good mood for what had to sa!. 'e dressed again and the servants %ro&ght the food. 3fter we had eaten, he rela(ed contentedl! with a vessel of wine in one hand and a to%acco #i#e in the other. #retended to %e loo$ing for someone. /5o m&sic tonight1/ as$ed, e(#ecting to hear what had ha##ened to the %o!. /5ot tonight,/ Fere!doon re#lied, so&nding indifferent. 3s if to forestall f&rther ,&estions, he t&rned toward me and &ntied m! sash with a #racticed hand. /- had some #ec&liar news recentl!,/ he said, his %reath near m! ear.

/'hat's that1/ /5aheed told me that her #arents have canceled the r&g commissioned for o&r wedding gift,/ he said. / he didn't e(#lain wh!./ )e loo$ed #&++led, as if he had no idea wh! s&ch a thing co&ld ha##en. /- $now wh!,/ - said, watching him. /Reall!1/ said Fere!doon. )e removed m! tro&sers, rolled them &#, and fl&ng them across the room. /'h!1/ /*he!'ve discovered the sigheh, and the! wish to #&nish Gostaham and Gordi!eh, as well as me./ / o that's it,/ he said lightl!. /-t's a shame the!'re so angr!, %&t the! will get &sed to it. 3fter all, -'m their son"in"law./ /- s&##ose !o& co&ld %&! the car#et from Gordi!eh and Gostaham,/ - said. /5ot if 5aheed's #arents don't want &s to have it,/ he re#lied. /*hin$ of how ins&lting it wo&ld %e if the! saw the car#et in o&r hallwa!2/ )e la&ghed as if charmed %! the tho&ght. Fere!doon's nonchalance made me %ristle, %&t - $new %etter this time than to show m! anger. - tho&ght -'d test him f&rther, tho&gh. /5aheed is ver! wo&nded,/ - said. /- %elieve she hates me now./ )e lifted off m! t&nic and m! sheer &ndergarment, leaving me na$ed e(ce#t for the cloth covering m! hair. /*hat's &nfort&nate,/ he re#lied, /%eca&se she is saddled with !o& for as long as - sa!. 3nd - won't have s&ch defiance from a wife./ - felt goaded %! his words and %! the &nfairness of things %etween &s. *he charm ma$er's words came %ac$ to me: /0o& have a right to end things, too./

- s,&ashed m! feelings and tried to %egin moving the conversation to what - needed to disc&ss. - %egan lightl! stro$ing his chest. /'hen !o& were a child, did !o& ever imagine !o&'d marr! two close friends1/ - tried to so&nd #la!f&l, as if it were a great .o$e we all shared. /- often tho&ght a%o&t women and how - sho&ld li$e to %ed them,/ he said. /6! father sent me m! first when - was thirteen. B&t - s#ent most of m! time wor$ing with his horses, learning how to ride and %rea$ the savage ones./ /*hat so&nds e(citing,/ - said. - imagined him o&t in the wild, stro$ing the animals and mo&nting their %ac$s at will. /3nd when - was a little girl,/ - added, feeling as if those times were a long wa! off, /- imagined that - wo&ld %e married to a h&s%and who wo&ld #ave m! #ath with rose #etals. *hat's what m! father alwa!s said./ /3nd didn't - do that1/ Fere!doon snorted with la&ghter. /6! father never wo&ld have g&essed how,/ - re#lied, for Fere!doon had in fact #aved me with rose #etals. )e la&ghed again and %egan o#ening m! thighs. - contin&ed to tal$. /- alwa!s wanted to marr! and raise as man! children as God wo&ld give me, with m! h&s%and %! m! side,/ - said, feeling light"headed at m! own a&dacit!. /God willing, !o& shall,/ he re#lied, %&t he said nothing a%o&t with whom. )e o#ened m! thighs f&rther. /Let's start ma$ing them./ - rolled m!self on to# of him, to tr! to ensnare his attention for a moment. /-t m&st %e nice to have a da&ghter,/ - said. / he is the light of m! e!es,/ he re#lied, gra%%ing m! %&ttoc$s and s,&ee+ing them. /-, too, ho#e for man! children, da&ghters and es#eciall! sons./

/'hat if - had !o&r sons1/ - said, r&%%ing m! %reasts against his chest, and gra%%ing his center of #leas&re. /*hat wo&ld %e a %lessing,/ he said, his e!es %ecoming clo&ded. - contin&ed stro$ing him with m! hand, for - finall! had learned where he was most sensitive, and he %egan groaning softl!. - too$ a %reath and sto##ed moving. /B&t wo&ld that mean a #ermanent $not of marriage1/ )is %ac$ stiffened, and he %egan softening in m! hand. /don't $now,/ he said caref&ll!. /-t de#ends on who else m! father wants me to marr!, and if - had an! other sons./ )e rolled me over so that now he was on to# of me. /'hat if m! son was !o&r onl! one1/ - as$ed ,&ic$l!. /Perha#s,/ he said in a tone that didn't convince me. )e stro$ed m! %reasts and %egan $issing me, as if to change the s&%.ect. - o#ened m! legs and moaned enco&ragingl!, %&t m! mind was elsewhere. )ow li$el! was it that a son of mine wo&ld %e the onl! one1 )e co&ld marr! fo&r wives, and - wasn't even #regnant !et. 'hen Fere!doon had finished $issing me, he #a&sed for a moment. /- $now what !o& want,/ he said. /B&t - can't #romise an!thing./ 6! heart san$. /3nd in the f&t&re1/ /Onl! God $nows a%o&t the f&t&re,/ he said. )e #ressed against m! thighs to o#en them. /Let &s drain o&r c&# of wine right now, as the #oets sa!, %efore we %ecome cla! vessels smashed &#on the gro&nd./ 'as - to %e s&ch a vessel1 - didn't have time to as$. For the ne(t several ho&rs, - was lost in sweet %lac$ness and warmth. )e was es#eciall! tender with me, as if to ma$e &# for not offering me a #ermanent $not. - loved to feel his arms aro&nd me, for - felt safe at that moment. B&t when we were done, - recalled %itterl! that he had #romised me nothing.

-n the morning, - awo$e %efore he did and watched his face in slee#. -t had %ecome more #l&m# since - had met him, as had his %ell!. )is thic$ red li#s e(&ded the smell of wine, to%acco, and me. *he lines near his mo&th were shar#. 'h! wo&ld he ever marr! me1 -f he tied a $not with me, he'd have to #a! m! e(#enses, and m! mother's, for the rest of o&r lives. 3s it was, he onl! had to #a! for three months at a time. )e had alwa!s %een a clever %&sinessman, and the %argain he had made for himself was a good one. 3F*ER 60 4O57ER 3*-O5 with m! mother, - was eager to show her that - co&ld sell m! car#et for a good #rice. 9&ring the ne(t few da!s, - drove =ata!oon and 6ale$eh to finish it, and together we wor$ed as hard as a team of don$e!s. 3s soon as the last $not in the &##er left" hand corner was in #lace, the three of &s cl&stered aro&nd the car#et and %eheld it in awe, than$ing God for )is %lessings. 'hat a feeling that was, to $not the last of tho&sands &#on tho&sands of $nots2 )ow astonishing to see how each tin! s#ec$ of color had its essential #lace, .&st li$e the h&m%lest moth in God's creation2 - hired an e(#ert r&g c&tter from the %a+aar to shear the to# of m! car#et. 'hen he was done, the s&rface was li$e velvet and the design seemed even shar#er than %efore. -t reminded me of a cris# s#ring da!, when s&ddenl! a #&re white dove soars across the s$!, as light as tho&ght. 3ltho&gh - had seen h&ndreds of r&gs in the %a+aar, %elieved mine co&ld stand well against the finest home" $notted #ieces. 'hen the fringes were finished, - #aid the women with the last of the mone! m! mother had given me from the sigheh, and we said o&r farewells. - told them that as soon as - sold the car#et, - wo&ld hire them to ma$e the ne(t one. *hen gave them a little e(tra mone! for their good wor$.

/6! %o!s will eat well toda! %eca&se of !o&,/ 6ale$eh said. - too$ the car#et to Gostaham and as$ed him to tell me what he tho&ght of m! wor$. 'e &nrolled it in his wor$room so that he co&ld loo$ it over from end to end, and he #raised it %riefl! %efore #ointing o&t its flaws. / ome things are hard to see &ntil a car#et is done,/ he told me. /3 %righter red wo&ld have made the feathers loo$ even lighter. 5e(t time, - wo&ld also s&ggest smaller %orders, for the same reason./ )e tal$ed me thro&gh ever! color, ever! #attern, and ever! choice - had made. 3ltho&gh disa##ointed %! his criticism, - $new he was right. )e was tr&l! a master, and was h&m%led %! all he &nderstood a%o&t the craft. /0o& m&stn't %e disma!ed,/ he said. /'hat - have told !o& is for !o&r r&g ma$er's ears alone. 3 %&!er will never even notice what -'ve tal$ed a%o&t, for his e!es will %e enchanted %! the r&g's %ea&t!, and he'll &nderstand that it is one of the s#lendors of its age. 9o not sell it chea#l!, for now !o& m&st %egin to &nderstand !o&r own worth./ - than$ed him for molding m! cla! into a finer form. /-f !o& hadn't alread! had the cla! for me to wor$ with,/ he said with a smile, /it co&ldn't have %een done./ *hat was high #raise indeed from a master li$e Gostaham, and it filled me with .o!. *hen he offered to hel# show and sell the car#et, %&t - wanted to do it on m! own. 'hen - told him so, his face too$ on a %affled loo$. /3re !o& s&re1/ he as$ed. - was ver! s&re. *hat was the %est wa! to convince m! mother - co&ld ma$e good mone! from m! craft.

Gostaham contin&ed to loo$ #er#le(ed that - wanted to #roceed witho&t his hel#, %&t he gave me his %lessing and told me to get the highest #rice - co&ld. 60 )3PP-5E over the r&g dis#elled ,&ic$l!, for the mood in the ho&sehold was %ecoming more and more dar$. everal of 5aheed's #arents' friends wrote letters to Gostaham canceling their car#et commissions, giving e(c&ses that we all $new were false. 'ith the disa##earance of these #ro.ects, Gostaham and Gordi!eh %egan to feel afraid. *he! still had their income from the ro!al r&g wor$sho# and owned their fine home, so the! wo&ld never starve, %&t now the! worried a%o&t losing their l&(&ries and their stat&s. &ddenl! there was %ic$ering in the ho&se. Gordi!eh ho&nded Gostaham to get more commissions, and he com#lained that all their misfort&nes wo&ldn't have ha##ened if she hadn't %een so greed!. 'hen he reached for her, she #&lled awa!, and her screams of .o! no longer filled the ho&se. Even the servants loo$ed morose. - heard hamsi singing softl! as she wr&ng o&t the la&ndr!, /E!, wind, %low the %ad l&c$ o&t8 E!, rain, #o&r the good l&c$ in./ One afternoon after the midda! meal, Gostaham and Gordi!eh s&mmoned m! mother and me to the Great Room. 'e entered and #aid o&r res#ects to them, %&t their res#onses were c&rt. *he ver! air seemed so&r as we removed o&r shoes and ass&med o&r #laces on c&shions. Gostaham %egan s#ea$ing, as he &s&all! did %efore Gordi!eh too$ over. /0esterda! - sent a servant to Fere!doon's residence,/ Gostaham said. /)e was never admitted to see him./ /)ow im#olite,/ re#lied m! mother. /-t's not .&st im#olite,/ said Gordi!eh. /-t's &n#recedented./ he t&rned to me. /'e wondered if !o& and Fere!doon might have had a dis#&te. Even a little thing that might have made him angr!./ he smiled at me enco&ragingl!.

/)e seemed ver! well #leased with me the last time - saw him,/ - re#lied. /'as this matter a%o&t me1/ /'e still haven't %een #aid for the dangling gems car#et,/ said Gostaham. /-t seems as if Fere!doon doesn't wish to #art with his mone!./ /Perha#s he was occ&#ied with %&siness matters,/ said m! mother. /- do&%t it,/ said Gostaham. /6ore li$el!, he is angr!./ /6ight 5aheed's #arents have shown him their dis#leas&re1/ - as$ed, tr!ing to #&t the %lame where it %elonged. /*he!'d never do that,/ said Gostaham. /)e's a grown man who can marr! as he li$es. *hat's the law./ /'hat ha##ened the last time !o& saw him1/ as$ed Gordi!eh, loo$ing h&ngr! for information. /*he onl! new thing - can thin$ of,/ - said, inventing a memor!, /is that he told me - delighted him more than an! other woman./ /-magine that2/ said Gordi!eh, as if s&ch a #ros#ect had never occ&rred to her. /3nd that he was eager to see me again,/ - added. /*hat's good,/ said Gordi!eh, so&nding as if she didn't %elieve me. /'hat a%o&t 5aheed""co&ld she have #oisoned her h&s%and's ear against &s1/ /- don't $now,/ - re#lied. / he no longer invites me to visit./ Gordi!eh t&rned to her h&s%and. /*he %est we can ho#e for now is that Fere!doon renews the sigheh. Remind me: 'hen does the contract end1/ /*omorrow,/ - said. /9o !o& thin$ he will renew it1/

/- don't have an! do&%t a%o&t it this time,/ - said, feeling his letter #ressed against m! hi#. /*hat's a relief,/ re#lied Gostaham, stretching o&t his legs. /-f Fere!doon is allied with o&r famil!, -'m s&re he'll #a! for the r&g./ Gordi!eh %rightened. /'e'll all %e ha##ier when we have his letter of renewal in hand, won't we1/ /3ll e(ce#t for me./ - said this in a lo&der voice than - had intended. Gordi!eh drew %ac$ into her c&shion. /'hat co&ld !o& #ossi%l! mean1/ /- intend to ref&se him./ /*hat's not #ossi%le2/ Gordi!eh t&rned to m! mother almost #leadingl!. /-t doesn't matter what !o&r da&ghter sa!s in this room,/ she said. /- $now fate has s&r#rised her latel!. Perha#s she needs time to listen to !o&r words of wisdom./ 6! mother's %ac$ remained &n%owed. /-t is entirel! m! da&ghter's decision,/ she said. / he is a married woman and old eno&gh now to $now what is right and what is wrong./ he didn't %etra! the slightest sign of wea$ness, which wo&ld have given Gordi!eh room to #ers&ade her. /0o& do wrong,/ Gordi!eh said to me. - felt the %lood r&shing to m! chee$s. /5ot -2/ - re#lied in a voice that so&nded lo&d to me. /Gostaham sa!s - have s$ills eno&gh to .oin the ro!al wor$sho#, if onl! - had %een a %o!. B&t rather than let me #l! m! craft and find a virt&o&s marriage, !o& sold me for ne(t to nothing./ 6! mother #ressed the edge of her sleeve to her face. /B! 3li, she is right,/ she said. /- acce#ted the offer %eca&se tho&ght it was the onl! wa! to $ee# &s safe from want./ -t was the first time - had ever seen Gostaham loo$ing shee#ish. )e avoided m! e!e, !et he wo&ld do nothing to

,&iet his wife. 3s a car#et ma$er, he was a master, %&t as a h&s%and, he was as wea$ as a new%orn lam%. 5ow that was no longer a virgin, - &nderstood how things wor$ed %etween him and his wife. 9es#ite her fa&lts, he loved her, and there was no ha##ier da! for him than when he %ro&ght home a new commission. he wo&ld fill the ho&se with her h&s$! la&gh and invite him to her %ed. For that, Gostaham wo&ld do whatever was necessar! to $ee# #eace in the ho&sehold. /'e all ho#ed for more for !o&,/ Gordi!eh said. /0o&r l&c$ ma! im#rove if !o& tr! again./ /-t's too late,/ - said. Gordi!eh's voice %ecame ic!. /6a! !o&r tong&e %e st&ng %! %ees,/ she said. /-f !o& receive a renewal offer, !o& will sa! !es. 9o !o& &nderstand1/ - .&m#ed to m! feet, angrier than - had ever %een in m! life. 3ltho&gh - am not tall, Gordi!eh, Gostaham, and m! mother all loo$ed small to me. /- will not,/ - said, #lanting m! feet. /0o& &ngratef&l child2/ Gordi!eh !elled so lo&dl! that the whole ho&se co&ld hear. /9on't forget we have lost mone! %eca&se of !o&2/ /3nd - have lost m! virginit! %eca&se of !o&2/ - !elled %ac$. Gordi!eh was seething with rage. /0o& vi#er2 3fter all we've done to hel# !o&2/ /0o& can alwa!s ma$e another car#et,/ - said coldl!. /6! virginit! is something - can never restore./ - didn't regret the time - had s#ent in Fere!doon's arms8 after all, - had %ecome a tr&e woman there. B&t m! val&e had diminished since - had lost m! virginit!, and with no

dowr! to offer, no man had an! reason to ta$e me as a #ermanent wife. /0o& traded me for the ho#e of f&t&re gains,/ - said, m! voice rising again. /0o& owe me something for that./ /'e owe !o& nothing,/ Gordi!eh sho&ted %ac$. /'e can dismiss !o& tomorrow, and no one wo&ld thin$ we had done wrong./ Gostaham loo$ed as if he wished he co&ld %e an!where %&t in that room, !et he didn't &tter a word. - glared at Gordi!eh witho&t s#ea$ing. Finall!, the silence was too m&ch for Gostaham to %ear. /3+i+am, we can't afford to inc&r Fere!doon's wrath,/ he said gentl!. - ga+ed down at him for a moment, m! heart f&ll of gratit&de for all he had ta&ght me. /Revered amoo,/ - said, calling him /&ncle/ o&t of affection and res#ect, /!o& are m! teacher, the %rightest star of m! e!es. 'o&ld !o& have me contin&e to h&rt others for the sa$e of mone!1/ Gostaham loo$ed #leadingl! at his wife. /*hese are women's matters, reall!,/ he m&m%led. /0es, the! are,/ said Gordi!eh, wresting the conversation awa! from him. /'e will watch for a letter from Fere!doon, and then we will renew. *here is no more to %e said. 3nd now, !o& ma! ret&rn to !o&r wor$./ he #ressed her hands against her tem#les, as she alwa!s did when she felt the threat of a headache. 3s we left, she said to Gostaham, /'hat do !o& e(#ect of someone who wo&ld ri# a r&g off the loom1/ On o&r wa! to the $itchen, - m&ttered the worst ins&lt $new. /)er father is fr!ing in hell,/ - said. 'e %egan hel#ing 4oo$ slice vegeta%les, %&t after a few moments, m! mother said she felt ill. /Go and lie down,/ -

re#lied. /- will do the rest./ - cho##ed the celer! with so m&ch force that the #ieces .&m#ed and scattered on the floor, and 4oo$ scolded me for wasting food. B0 *)E E59 of the afternoon, - had made a %old #lan. gave a coin to *aghee, whis#ering that - needed him to find o&t when the 9&tchman li$ed to have his hair %ar%ered or where he %athed ?however infre,&entl!@, so that - wo&ld $now where to find him. /)e goes to the %a+aar ever! 'ednesda! afternoon to loo$ at car#ets,/ said the errand %o!, sli##ing m! coin into his sleeve with a sa&c! loo$. /'ait2/ - said, tr!ing to get it %ac$, %&t *aghee sli##ed awa! into the %irooni. )e was a sl! one, indeed. ince it was 'ednesda!, - went to the %a+aar, #retending - had an errand, and wal$ed from stall to stall, feigning interest in car#ets for the %etter #art of the afternoon. 'hile admiring a >ash,a'i car#et in indigo, - s#otted the 9&tchman across the alle! conversing with a !o&ng merchant with a close"cro##ed %eard. - watched &ntil he too$ his leave and then darted from one alle! to the ne(t &ntil - had reached the to# of the road he was wal$ing down, and co&ld meet him as if %! accident. - lifted m! #icheh so that m! face was visi%le and strolled down the alle!. *he 9&tchman was loo$ing at car#ets hanging from a sho#'s alcove when he saw me. / alaam alei$&m,/ - said, %oldl! sal&ting him. /3re !o& sho##ing for car#ets toda!1/ /-ndeed - am,/ said the 9&tchman, s&r#rised at %eing addressed. - reminded him of m! famil! and of the wool car#et - had made. /3h2/ he e(claimed. /5ever have - fo&nd another car#et as fine as !o&rs, which - admire a%ove all others./

- smiled8 his facilit! with #olite s#eech was &n&s&al in a farangi, %&t - en.o!ed it all the same. )e was #ec&liar to loo$ at &# close. )is %l&e e!es were as transl&cent as a cat's, and his movements .&st as &n#redicta%le. /-'m alwa!s loo$ing for fine #ieces to sell in )olland,/ he said. /*hen #erha#s !o&'d li$e to have a loo$ at a car#et that -'ve .&st finished1/ /4ertainl!, that wo&ld %e a #leas&re./ /6a! - invite !o& to come and see it1/ /- wo&ld %e most gratef&l if !o& wo&ld have it sent to me,/ he re#lied. /6! wife is d&e to arrive soon, and -'d li$e to show it to her, too./ /- wo&ld %e honored,/ - said. /'ith !o&r #ermission, - will send a %o! to !o&r home and he can %ring the car#et to where - live./ /Please have !o&r %o! as$ for me, and for no one else,/ said. *he 9&tchman considered me for a moment. /'o&ldn't !o&r famil! %e a%le to hel# him1/ - hesitated. /- want to s&r#rise m! famil!,/ - re#lied. 3n eager loo$ came into his e!es. /'hat a good idea,/ he said. /6a! - send the %o! toda!1/ - was s&r#rised %! his haste, %&t - tho&ght it %est to #roceed. /- am at !o&r service./ *he 9&tchman %owed and too$ his leave. )e #aid the highest #rices - had ever heard of. -f he desired m! car#et, wo&ld earn well for it. 'hen - arrived home, the 9&tchman's %o! was alread! waiting for me. )o#ing for a ,&ic$ sale, - relin,&ished the car#et to him, giving him a good ti# to ma$e s&re he wo&ld hel# me if - needed him.

4O5F-9E5* *)3* - wo&ld soon have a #&rsef&l of mone! from the 9&tchman, - contin&ed with m! #lan. 4overing m!self so that nothing at all of m! face was visi%le, - went to the -mage of the 'orld in search of a scri%e. - fo&nd one near the Frida! mos,&e, and - instr&cted him to write a letter addressed to Fere!doon on his %est #a#er and in his most caref&l handwriting. )e was to e(#lain that he was writing on %ehalf of Gostaham, for whom he wor$ed, and to sa! in the finest lang&age he $new that the famil! than$ed Fere!doon gracio&sl! for the offer of the sigheh, %&t that had ref&sed it of m! own will, and that it was not the famil!'s decision %&t mine alone. /'here is !o&r famil! toda!1/ as$ed the scri%e, who had a scraggl! %eard and a wart near his nose. /3t home./ /)ow strange that the! sent !o& o&t all alone,/ he said, /es#eciall! on a mission of the heart./ /*he!'re not well toda!./ /3ll of them1/ 'hen - did not re#l!, he %ec$oned me toward him and said in a whis#er, /-'ll do it, %&t it will cost !o& three times the normal rate./ 'hat co&ld - do1 )e made a good living %! determining how des#erate his clients were. /- will #a!,/ - said. /3nd if !o& ever reveal me as !o&r scri%e, - will swear %! the )ol! >&r'an that it was someone else./ *he scri%e wrote the letter and read it in a whis#er so that onl! - co&ld hear. -t didn't so&nd as smooth as the letters that Fere!doon and Gostaham wrote, altho&gh it was f&ll of flower!, flattering lang&age. - #&++led over it, for - co&ld not

tell what was different a%o&t it. B&t - was in a h&rr!, and tho&ght it wo&ld do. - too$ the letter home and waited &ntil Gostaham was o&t of the ho&se, and then - went into his wor$room and removed his seal from its hiding #lace. - $new he was often careless a%o&t loc$ing it &#, never dreaming that an!one in the ho&se wo&ld dare to im#ersonate him. - melted some red wa( on the %ac$ of the letter and ,&ic$l! #ressed the seal into it. 5ow there co&ld %e no do&%t it came from Gostaham's ho&sehold. 'hen - was finished, - felt clean inside for the first time in months. 5o matter how severe the #enalt!, - co&ld no longer end&re the sigheh. - $new that Gordi!eh and Gostaham wo&ld %e ver! angr! and that - wo&ld %e #&nished, %&t tho&ght the! wo&ld forgive me as the! had %efore. - saved the hardest thing - had to do for the afternoon. itting alone in o&r little room, - crafted a letter to 5aheed. 6! handwriting was as &ngracef&l as a child's, %&t - wanted her to get a letter from m! own hands, telling her e(actl! what was in m! heart. he had ta&ght me to write, and wanted her to see how m&ch - had learned from her and how - val&ed her instr&ction, $nowledge, and friendshi#. - $new 5aheed wo&ld &nderstand the honest! of the feelings %ehind the cl&msil! written words. 5aheed".oon, m! dearest friend, - am writing to %eg !o&r forgiveness. - have loved !o& %etter than an! other friend, and - have h&rt !o&. 3t first, %efore - $new of !o&r engagement, the sigheh h&rt onl! me, %&t when it was renewed and - did nothing to sto# it, - %ro$e faith with !o&. - wish - had made the right decision %! telling !o& a%o&t it %efore !o&r marriage. - ho#e !o& will #ardon me for m! error in .&dgment. - will alwa!s love !o&8 %&t - see that !o& can no longer love me. 3nd so - have decided to give !o& and Fere!doon !o&r #eace. - have ref&sed his second

renewal and therefore o&r sigheh is over. - wish !o& a .o!o&s life, and ho#e !o& will one da! remem%er me with all the love - feel for !o&. *hen - ri##ed the twist of rain%ow"colored threads off m! nec$ and &ntied the seven $nots one %! one, m&rm&ring a %lessing with each release. Once the threads were smooth, enclosed them in the letter. 5aheed wo&ldn't $now e(actl! what the twist had meant, %&t she wo&ld &nderstand that had reno&nced a charm and done ever!thing - co&ld to &n$not her love. *)E 5E<* 930, m! mother and - were #itting dates when we heard Gostaham sho&ting in the %irooni. 3s the so&nd grew lo&der, - ca&ght the words /car#et/ and /sigheh./ wi#ed m! hands and tried to #re#are m!self. /Bi%i".oon, m! sigheh is over,/ - said, tr!ing to $ee# m! voice stead!. /6a! God #rotect &s2/ m! mother re#lied. he contin&ed digging seeds o&t of the stic$! fr&it, and - noticed that her hands were sha$ing. Gostaham charged into the co&rt!ard with a letter in his hand, with Gordi!eh at his heels #leading to $now what was wrong. )is t&r%an was as$ew, and his #&r#le t&nic was soa$ed with sweat. Remem%ering the time the two of them had !elled at me for removing the r&g, - %egan fl&shing and sweating, altho&gh - $new - had done the right thing this time. - stood &# to face them. Gostaham threw the letter at m! feet. /'here did this come from1/ - #retended not to $now what it was. /- can't read or write,/ - said. Gostaham's face was red with rage. /- went to Fere!doon's residence toda! to #lead for the mone! he

owes &s,/ he said, as if he hadn't heard me. /'hat a s&r#rise to %e told - had written him a letter re.ecting the sigheh2/ /'hat1/ Gordi!eh as$ed, %ewildered. /'hen - saw m! own seal on the letter, it was &seless to den! it. - told Fere!doon - had hired a new scri%e who wo&ld %e thrown o&t of m! em#lo!. - %egged his forgiveness for the letter's gracelessness, and #raised his generosit! and his name./ Gordi!eh covered her face with her hands as if the shame were &n%eara%le. - was ,&a$ing now. 3ltho&gh - had listened to the letter %efore sending it, - didn't read well eno&gh to $now that the scri%e had done s&ch a #oor .o%. 6! silence and fl&shing face made m! g&ilt o%vio&s. /)ow dare a woman of m! ho&sehold #&t me in s&ch a h&miliating #osition2/ )e gra%%ed m! t&nic and #&lled me toward him. /0o& have no e(c&se for this,/ he said. )e smashed one hand into m! tem#le and crac$ed the other against m! .aw. - dro##ed to the gro&nd. 6! mother threw her %od! in front of mine. /)it me first2/ she cried. /Onl! don't to&ch m! child again./ /- don't s&##ose Fere!doon #aid !o&,/ Gordi!eh said to her h&s%and. /Pa! me1/ Gostaham snorted in derision. /- was l&c$! he didn't order someone to #oison me. *he onl! wa! - co&ld gain his for giveness was to invent more stories. - told him we had fo&nd a #ermanent marriage for her and that it was in her %est interest to acce#t it while she was still !o&ng, &nless he wanted her for himself./ /'hat did he sa!1/ m! mother as$ed, &na%le to conceal the ho#e in her voice. - #&t m! hand to m! chee$ to sto# the

#&lsing #ain in m! .aw. *he taste of %lood was li$e iron on m! tong&e. /)e said, ' he is &sed, and - have had m! fill of her.' 3nd then he %r&shed one hand against the other as if to clean them of dirt./ -t was .&st as - had e(#ected. - might have %een a%le to #lease Fere!doon a while longer, %&t one da! he wo&ld have rid himself of me. Gordi!eh's face seemed to com#ress into $nots as she #eered down at me. /0o&r ver! tread is evil2/ she said. /-f it weren't, !o&r father wo&ldn't have died at s&ch a !o&ng age, 5aheed wo&ldn't have discovered the sigheh, and o&r friends wo&ldn't have canceled their commissions./ *here was no wa! to get rid of an evil tread. -t wo&ld alwa!s %ring misfort&ne on the ho&sehold and taint ever!thing it to&ched, at least in her e!es. /5aheed fo&nd o&t from =o%ra,/ - arg&ed, the %lood lea$ing o&t of m! mo&th. 6! mother ri##ed off her head scarf, her long gra! hair falling aro&nd her sho&lders, and soa$ed it &# with the cloth. /3ll - did was admit it was tr&e./ /0o& sho&ld have lied,/ Gordi!eh said. /- co&ldn't %ear it an! longer2/ - cried, altho&gh the #ain when - o#ened m! li#s was fierce. /)ow wo&ld !o& feel if ever! three months !o& had to worr! a%o&t whether !o&r h&s%and still wanted !o&1 Or if !o&r %est friend threatened !o&r children1/ /6a! God alwa!s $ee# m! da&ghters safe,/ Gordi!eh re#lied, ignoring m! ,&estions. - #ic$ed &# the letter Gostaham had thrown at m! feet. Of that, - was ashamed. 5o one had ta&ght me more than he8 and tho&gh he hadn't e(tended as m&ch #rotection as a father, he had %een a loving teacher.

/5othing can e(c&se the fact that - too$ !o&r seal witho&t as$ing,/ - said to him. /-t was onl! %eca&se - saw no other wa! of leaving the sigheh./ /0o& sho&ld have told me how &nha##! !o& were2/ Gostaham e(#loded. /- co&ld have anno&nced !o&r decision to Fere!doon with a#ologies and #rofessions of than$s for his generosit!. 5o do&%t he is so angr! %eca&se he did not e(#ect to %e dismissed so gracelessl!, and with s&ch #oor grammar./ - sighed. Once again - had made the mista$e of acting too ,&ic$l!, !et this time - had had good reasons. /B&t Gordi!eh told me - had to sa! !es./ /-f !o& had admitted !o&r #lans, - wo&ld have seen the danger and fo&nd a %etter wa!./ - didn't %elieve him, for he had never gone against his wife's wishes %efore. /- dee#l! regret m! error,/ - said nonetheless. /- $now - haven't alwa!s done things the right wa!, for - am not of -sfahan. - $iss !o&r feet, amoo./ Gostaham o#ened his #alms to the s$! and loo$ed &#, as if forgiveness had come to him from a%ove. /)aven't the! ca&sed tro&%le eno&gh1/ Gordi!eh said. /'e've lost the commissions for several car#ets %eca&se of her. *he! no longer deserve to live here./ - tried again8 - had nothing to lose. /- %eg !o&r #ermission to sta! &nder !o&r #rotection,/ - said to him. /- will wor$ li$e a slave on !o&r car#ets, so m&ch so that it won't cost !o& an a%%asi for &s to live here. - will do ever!thing !o& sa! witho&t com#laint./ /*hat was what she said the last time,/ Gordi!eh said. Gostaham remained silent. *hen he said, /0es, it is. -t's too %ad, reall! too %ad./

*hat was all Gordi!eh needed %efore #rono&ncing the words she had %een !earning to sa! for wee$s. /0o& are %anished from this ho&sehold. *omorrow, !o& m&st go./ Gostaham cringed %&t did not tell her to hold her tong&e. )e wal$ed awa! and Gordi!eh followed, leaving me %leeding there. 6! mother tilted m! head %ac$ and &sed her scarf to swa% at the soft flesh inside m! chee$s, which was ri##ed and %r&ised. - winced from the #ain. -t wasn't long %efore we heard Gordi!eh's moans thro&gho&t the ho&se, Gostaham's reward for letting her get her wa!. /*hat is a filth! so&nd,/ - m&ttered. 6! mother did not re#l!. /Bi%i,/ - m&m%led, for - co&ld hardl! o#en m! mo&th, /-'m sorr! a%o&t the wa! - did this./ 6! mother's face %ecame ston!. he arose a%r&#tl! and went into the $itchen, leaving me alone. /5ot her again,/ heard 4oo$ sa!. - la! on the gro&nd, %leeding and %ewildered. - stood &# slowl! and made m! own wa! to %ed, moaning with #ain. hamsi, :ohreh, and m! mother finished #itting the dates for the meal. *he rich aroma of lam% stew with dates filled the air, and - heard all the servants eating together. remained on m! %ed, occasionall! do+ing, holding m! .aw to ,&ell the #ain. 6! mother did not as$ how - felt when she came in to slee#. -n the middle of the night, - arose to &se the latrines and ran into hamsi, whose e!es grew large when she loo$ed at me. - #&t m! hand to m! face and discovered that m! chee$ had swelled to the si+e of a %all. *)E 5E<* 6OR5-5G, - co&ld not o#en m! mo&th eno&gh to eat, and m! lower li# was n&m%. 3li"3sghar, who $new a%o&t horses and shee#, felt m! .aw for fract&res. /don't %elieve it is %ro$en,/ he said, %&t .&st in case, he

wra##ed a cloth aro&nd m! chin and tied it on to# of m! head, instr&cting me to leave it on &ntil the #ain had gone awa!. /)ow long1/ - as$ed %etween closed teeth. /3t least a wee$,/ he re#lied. 3 loo$ of #it! entered his e!es. /0o& deserved to %e #&nished,/ he said, /%&t not li$e that. - wo&ldn't h&rt even a c&rsed dog the wa! he h&rt !o&./ /3nd all for the sa$e of his wife2/ said m! mother. /3s alwa!s,/ said 3li"3sghar, who had %een their servant for man! !ears. /*hat will never change./ 'e #&t o&r few clothes into %&ndles and awaited Gordi!eh and Gostaham in the co&rt!ard. /'here is !o&r car#et1/ m! mother as$ed, loo$ing worriedl! at m! small %&ndle. /- thin$ the 9&tchman is going to %&! it,/ - re#lied, altho&gh - hadn't heard from him. - wondered with a #ang wh! his %o! hadn't ret&rned with an offer. ;&st then, Gordi!eh and Gostaham came into the co&rt!ard dressed in their cris# t&nics, hers #in$ and his li$e wine. 5either one said an!thing a%o&t the cloth aro&nd m! head or m! swollen face. Gordi!eh offered me her stiff chee$s to $iss good"%!e and then resol&tel! loo$ed awa!. tho&ght that 3li"3sghar m&st have s#o$en to Gostaham a%o&t m! in.&r!, for he too$ m! hand and left a small #&rse of coins in m! sleeve when Gordi!eh wasn't loo$ing. /*han$ !o& for all !o& have done for &s,/ said m! mother to them %oth. /- a#ologi+e for the wa!s we have %een a %&rden./ /6a! God alwa!s %e with !o&,/ re#lied Gordi!eh, in a tone im#l!ing that we wo&ld need hel#. /3nd with !o&, too,/ m! mother re#lied. he loo$ed ho#ef&ll! from one to the other, as if the! might relent, %&t

the! t&rned awa! and wal$ed %ac$ into the %irooni. - did not sa! an!thing other than good"%!e, for m! face ached from Gostaham's %lows, and m! heart ached even more. 3li"3sghar escorted &s into the street, and we watched the tall gates of the ho&se close %ehind &s. From the o&tside, Gostaham's ho&se now loo$ed li$e a fortress. 5othing co&ld %e seen of the comforts within, not even a light. *he other ho&ses on the street were .&st as %lan$ and &nsmiling. 'e wal$ed to the to# of the road that #enetrated Fo&r Gardens. *he %eggar was at his &s&al #ost near the cedar tree. )is alms %owl was em#t!, and he shivered in the wind, the end of his st&m# %l&e with cold. 3t the sight of him, m! mother leaned over and %egan wailing from the de#ths of her heart. /=ind =hanoom, what ails !o&1 )ow can - hel#1/ the %eggar as$ed, waving his st&m#. *o have s&ch a ragged fellow offer assistance onl! made her wail more lo&dl!. - tried to #&t m! arms aro&nd her, %&t she evaded m! em%race. /Bi%i".oon, we'll find a wa!,/ - said with m! teeth clenched to #rotect m! .aw. B&t - didn't so&nd convincing, for - hardl! %elieved it m!self. /5o, we will not,/ she said. /0o& have no &nderstanding of what !o& have done. 'e are on the streets now, and we ma! die./ /B&t""/ /'e sho&ld go %ac$ to o&r village,/ m! mother said. /3t least we have a roof there./ - imagined leaving the cit! the same wa! we had come, over the %ridge %&ilt for the hah. B&t - $new - co&ld no sooner ta$e m! first ste#s on that %ridge than - wo&ld t&rn aro&nd to loo$ at the cit! again, if onl! to see its t&r,&oise and lemon domes %as$ing in the morning light. 3nd then imagined contin&ing a few more #aces, onl! to sto# at one of

the %ridge's archwa!s to em%race the view of the cit! with m! e!es. - had %ecome the nightingale to the rose of -sfahan, singing an eternal love song to its %ea&ties. /- don't want to leave,/ - said. /9on't tal$ to me an!more,/ sna##ed m! mother. he %egan wal$ing awa! and - followed, while the $ind %eggar %egged &s to ma$e amends with one another. )er ste#s led &s to the -mage of the 'orld, where a %itter wind was whirling the d&st in the s,&are. 3 man #assed &s, r&%%ing his hands together and shivering. *he vendors were li$e mos,&itoes, %&++ing aro&nd o&r ears with no res#ite. 3 $nife seller $e#t thr&sting /%lades as shar# as olomon's/ &nder o&r noses. /Leave me alone""- have no mone!,/ - finall! growled. -t h&rt m! .aw to sa! that m&ch. /*hat's a lie,/ he said r&del! as he wal$ed awa!. 3 g&st of cold wind %lew d&st in o&r faces. 6! mother ca&ght some in her throat and %egan to co&gh. - called o&t to a coffee %o! to %ring &s two steaming c&#s and #aid him with one of m! #recio&s coins. *he $nife seller saw m! silver from across the s,&are and ca&ght the s&n on one of his %lades, flashing it into m! e!es. - filled m! l&ngs to h&rl a c&rse, %&t m! mother sto##ed me. /6a! !o&r throat close, for a change./ 4hastened, - si##ed the coffee %etween %arel! #arted li#s. - had no idea what we were going to do. - $new - had to thin$ of something %efore m! mother started loo$ing for a camel driver to ta$e &s %ac$ to o&r village. /- have an idea,/ - said. 'hen - stood &#, m! mother followed, and we #ic$ed o&r wa! among the vendors &ntil s#otted a cl&ster of women who had s#read o&t their h&m%le wares near the gatewa! to the %a+aar. One offered a hand" em%roidered tree of life, #ro%a%l! the %est thing in her

ho&sehold. 3nother was selling %lan$ets she had woven herself. - loo$ed for 6ale$eh and fo&nd her s,&atting on her two car#ets. 'hen she saw me, she s#rang to her feet in horror. /6a! God $ee# !o& safe2/ she said. /'hat ha##ened to !o&1/ /6ale$eh,/ - whis#ered, /can !o& hel# &s1/ he drew %ac$ for a moment, considering m! %r&ised and swollen face. /'hat have !o& done1/ - wasn't s&r#rised that she %lamed me, for - $new how m&st loo$. /Gordi!eh decided that we were too m&ch of a %&rden,/ - said. 6ale$eh's e!es narrowed. /9id !o& %ring shame on !o&r famil!1/ /Of co&rse not2/ sna##ed m! mother. /6! da&ghter wo&ld never do s&ch a thing./ 6ale$eh loo$ed contrite, for m! mother was o%vio&sl! a res#ecta%le widow in %lac$ mo&rning clothes. /*he! %ecame angr! after - made an error of .&dgment on a car#et,/ - said, which was at least #artl! the tr&th. - didn't want to tell her a%o&t m! sigheh, for fear it wo&ld ma$e me low in her e!es. /6ale$eh, do !o& $now an!one who wo&ld ta$e in two #oor women1 'e have mone! to #a!./ - shoo$ the little %ag of coins hidden in m! sash. - $new that 6ale$eh needed the mone!, and we needed to %e &nder the #rotection of a famil!. he sighed. /6! h&s%and is still ailing, and we have onl! one room for the fo&r of &s./ /- %eg !o&,/ - re#lied. /'e can care for him while !o&'re o&t./ 6ale$eh hesitated, loo$ing as if she was a%o&t to sa! no.

/- $now how to ma$e medicines,/ offered m! mother. /-'ll tr! to c&re him./ )o#e made 6ale$eh's face #rett! for moment. /'hat can !o& do1/ she as$ed. /- can ma$e a concoction of dried mo&ntain her%s that will c&re his l&ngs,/ m! mother said #rom#tl!. he #ointed to her %&ndle. /)ere are the #lants that - collected d&ring the s&mmer./ 6ale$eh sighed. /0o& hel#ed me when - was ver! need!,/ she said. /- will not leave !o& to free+e or starve./ /6a! God rain )is %lessings on !o&, 6ale$eh2/ - said. he had ever! reason not to %elieve m! stor!, %&t she chose to hel# an!wa!. 6! mother and - s,&atted with her, tr!ing to hel# her sell her wares. 6ale$eh called o&t to #assers%!, enticing them to loo$ at her car#ets. 6an! men sto##ed to loo$ at her instead, for she had li#s li$e a rose%&d and a #earl! smile. 6! mother tried to distract them %! detailing the car#ets' merits, %&t the hone! had left her tong&e. - tho&ght %ac$ to the wa! she had enticed the traveling sil$ merchant to %&! m! t&r,&oise car#et, %argaining co!l! &ntil she got her #rice. 5ow she .&st loo$ed tired, and no one sto##ed to %anter with her for ver! long. - sat on the car#ets while she wor$ed, holding m! hand against m! .aw to ,&ell the #ain. *he onl! #erson who was selling an!thing on that fro+en da! was the %lan$et ma$er, for her wares were irresisti%le. Late in the afternoon, 6ale$eh still had not made a sale, and most sho##ers had gone home. he rolled &# her r&gs, and she and - each sl&ng one across o&r %ac$s. 6! mother carried o&r small %&ndles, and we followed 6ale$eh thro&gh the %a+aar, toward the old s,&are and the old Frida! mos,&e.

6! mother wal$ed ahead %eside 6ale$eh, her %od! stiff. he did not t&rn and loo$ at me or as$ me how - felt. *he #ain in m! .aw tore thro&gh m! %od!, %&t - s&ffered even more dee#l! from her neglect. 3s we traversed the old s,&are - had wal$ed thro&gh so man! times on m! wa! to see Fere!doon, - %egan thin$ing a%o&t him and the small, tree"lined street where his .ewel" li$e #leas&re ho&se was located. )e might %e there right now, #re#aring to greet another m&sician or some other sigheh. - felt an invol&ntar! gri##ing of m! loins as if - were holding him there, and a s&rge of heat %lossomed from m! %ell! to m! chee$s. - m&st reno&nce those #leas&res now, and - might never have them again. 'e $e#t wal$ing &ntil we were almost o&tside the cit!. had never $nown that so close to Fere!doon's #leas&re #alace was a warren of streets where servants lived. 6ale$eh t&rned down a dar$, twisting alle! wet with m&d. Piles of gar%age la! in the street, with flies %&++ing aro&nd them. P&ddles of night soil stan$ even more, for there were no night"soil collectors here. Filth! wild dogs l&nged at the #iles of gar%age, halted onl! %! the roc$s h&rled at them %! little %o!s with dirt! hair. 3ltho&gh it was still light o&tside, the streets %ecame dar$er and dar$er as we twisted thro&gh the alle!s, and the smells more rancid. Finall!, after too man! t&rns to co&nt, we arrived at 6ale$eh's %ro$en door. 'e #assed into a tin! co&rt!ard floored with %ro$en tiles, where a gang of children were #la!ing and fighting. *wo of the %o!s r&shed at 6ale$eh, their dirt! hands o&ts#read. /Bi%i, is there chic$en1/ /-s there meat1/ /5o, so&ls of m! heart,/ 6ale$eh said gentl!. /5ot toda!./ 9isa##ointed, the! re.oined their friends, and the s,&a%%ling contin&ed.

/*hose are m! children, alman and hahvali,/ she said. 6ale$eh #&shed o#en the door to her room. /'elcome,/ she said. /Please %e comforta%le while - ma$e tea./ 'e left o&r shoes near the door and sat down. 3t one end of the room was a tin! oven for heat and coo$ing, with a few %lac$ened #ots near%!. *here were two %as$ets on the floor, which #ro%a%l! contained the famil!'s #ossessions and clothes. *he ceiling was %rown in #laces where the rain had lea$ed thro&gh. - #itied 6ale$eh for having to live in s&ch s,&alor. 'hen - em#lo!ed her, - had never reali+ed how %adl! she needed the mone!. 6ale$eh's h&s%and, 9avood, was slee#ing on a %edroll in one corner, %reathing heavil! as if something were st&c$ in his l&ngs. he to&ched his head to see how hot he was and wi#ed awa! the sweat from his %row with a cloth. /Poor animal,/ she said. 'e dran$ wea$ tea together, %arel! s#ea$ing. - too$ care not to h&rt m! li#s on the rim of m! vessel, which was chi##ed. Before long, 6ale$eh called in her children for their evening meal, tho&gh she had onl! %read and cheese to feed them. 6! mother and - ref&sed the food, claiming we were not h&ngr!. - wo&ld not have %een a%le to force %read into m! mo&th or to chew it, in an! case. /0o& need so&#,/ 6ale$eh said to me s!m#atheticall!. /'ith !o&r #ermission, -'ll ma$e so&# for ever!one tomorrow,/ m! mother re#lied. /3h, %&t with what mone!1/ /'e still have some left,/ - croa$ed. *he #ain in m! .aw was fierce. 'hen it grew dar$, we s#read the famil!'s %lan$ets on the floor. 9avood sle#t near one of the walls, with 6ale$eh %eside him and her children in the middle. *hen came m!

mother and finall!, me. 'hen o&r %odies to&ched %! accident, m! mother moved awa! and $e#t her distance from me. 'ith all of &s stretched o&t on the gro&nd, there was .&st eno&gh room for one #erson to arise and &se the night"soil vessel, cro&ching near the oven for #rivac!. 9avood whee+ed lo&dl! thro&gho&t the night. *he children m&st have %een having dreams, for the! cried o&t from time to time. 6ale$eh often sighed in her slee#. - $now - moaned, for - awo$e to that terri%le so&nd and reali+ed it was mine. -t was a rain! night, and - was awa$ened %! a dro# of cold water that str&c$ m! face from a lea$ in the roof. 3s - wi#ed it awa!, - tho&ght of Gostaham's Great Room, with its r&%!"red car#ets, its vases of flowers, and its #er#et&al warmth. shivered and #&lled the thin %lan$et aro&nd me. 'hen finall! arose with the dawn, - was more tired than - had %een the night %efore. -5 *)E 6OR5-5G, m! mother and - offered to sta! %ehind to care for 6ale$eh's h&s%and and children while she tried to sell her car#ets. B&t %efore she de#arted, to ma$e &s honest in the e!es of God and her neigh%ors, she as$ed &s to contract sighehs with alman and hahvali. *he! were onl! five and si(, so the sighehs were not real marriages, of co&rse. 'e sim#l! #rono&nced o&r acce#tances of the contracts, and s&ddenl! we were famil! and wo&ld not have to cover o&rselves aro&nd 9avood. /0o& are now o&r da&ghters"in"law,/ said 6ale$eh with a smile, /even !o&, =hanoom./ -t was #ec&liar to thin$ of m! mother as the da&ghter"in"law of a woman who was half her age, and !et necessar!. 3fter 6ale$eh left, m! mother as$ed the children to ta$e her to the nearest %a+aar, where she %o&ght a %ag of chea# lam% %ones. he threw them into a #ot f&ll of water on to# of the oven and %oiled them with a few vegeta%les. 9avood

wo$e &#, loo$ed aro&nd the room in conf&sion, and as$ed who we were. /Friends,/ said m! mother, /here to ma$e !o& a healing so&#./ )e gr&nted and rolled over to slee# again. - sta!ed on m! %edroll in a da+e. From time to time - fell aslee#, onl! to awa$e to the #ain in m! .aw and the ache of h&nger in m! %ell!. - had tro&%le slee#ing, for 6ale$eh's home was nois!. i( other families lived in rooms right off the shared co&rt!ard, incl&ding =ata!oon, her %rother 3mir, and their mother, so there was constant traffic. - felt assa&lted %! all the smells: night soil, coo$ing oil gone rancid, the frightening odor of chic$en's %lood after sla&ghter, the acrid smell of %oiling %eans, the ree$ing shoes left in the co&rt!ard, all the ever!da! stin$ of close living. 3nd then there were endless so&nds: a mother sho&ting at her child to do his lessons, a h&s%and !elling at his wife, neigh%ors fighting a%o&t mone!, wheels crea$ing in the &neven m&d alle!, vegeta%les %eing cho##ed, m&m%led #ra!ers, moans of #ain and distress""- heard it all. Gostaham's ho&se had %een as ,&iet as a fortress. *he onl! thing that $e#t me from des#air was the $nowledge that - owned a costl! r&g. 'hen - recovered, wo&ld see$ o&t the 9&tchman and com#lete the sale. 3s soon as - held the silver in m! hands, - wanted to start a new car#et with =ata!oon and 6ale$eh. 6! dream was to %e a%le to hire others so that we wo&ld have man! car#ets on the looms at once, .&st li$e at the ro!al r&g wor$sho#. *hen ma!%e m! mother and - co&ld finall! earn eno&gh mone! to $ee# o&rselves and live as we #leased. -t too$ more than a wee$ for m! .aw to heal eno&gh for me to see$ o&t the 9&tchman. - hadn't wanted to visit him while was feeling so %r&ised and %ro$en, for it wo&ld have %een eas! for him to thin$ - wo&ld ta$e an! #rice for m! car#et. 'hen - told m! mother of m! #lans to find him, she said onl! two words: /-'ll coo$./ he was still not s#ea$ing to me

ver! m&ch. )er anger seared me, and - ho#ed that the mone! from the 9&tchman wo&ld soothe her. 6! mother too$ the last of o&r coins to the small %a+aar near 6ale$eh's ho&se and %o&ght a chic$en. -n the co&rt!ard, she slashed the arter! in its nec$ while all the other #eo#le's children loo$ed on envio&sl!, then cleaned the %ird and coo$ed it in a #ot with fresh greens. 6ale$eh came home that night to the smell of stew, a delight she had not had in a long time. 'e all feasted together, and even 9avood sat &# and ate a few %ites of stew, #roclaiming it /the food of #aradise./ *he ne(t da! was 'ednesda!, the 9&tchman's da! at the %a+aar. 6! mother heated the leftover stew and %read for me late in the morning. - ate m! fill %efore #&tting on the last of m! good clothes"" 5aheed's #in$ t&nic and #&r#le ro%e"" altho&gh - $new no one wo&ld see them. /-'ll %e %ac$ soon, with silver, - ho#e,/ - said. /Good l&c$,/ re#lied m! mother dr!l! witho&t loo$ing at me. - left off m! #icheh so the 9&tchman wo&ld recogni+e me and wal$ed thro&gh the %a+aar toward the -mage of the 'orld. 3fter onl! a short time with 6ale$eh's famil!, - no longer felt as if - %elonged in the Great Ba+aar with its view of the hah's #alace and his lemon"colored mos,&e, so %right against the %l&e s$!, for now - lived in a #lace where even $ee#ing clean was a str&ggle. -n one of the alle!s, - came across the !o&ng m&sician #la!ing his $amancheh. )e loo$ed more dirt! and disheveled than %efore. - h&rried #ast, for - had no coin to give him. )ow man! %eggars there were all over the cit!2 - had %arel! noticed them when - had first come to -sfahan. 'hen - arrived in the car#et sellers' section of the %a+aar, - #retended to loo$ at the wares on dis#la! while ho#ing to

hear a familiar foreign voice. *o #ass the time, - e(amined a #ra!er r&g that showed a shimmering e(#anse of sa%le" colored sil$ %etween two white col&mns .oined %! an arch. -ts $notting was so fine, and its vision so #&re, - forgot the ache in m! .aw. *ho&gh - s#ent man! ho&rs in the sho#s, - didn't see or hear an! sign of the 9&tchman. till ho#ef&l, - %egan as$ing the merchants if the! $new of him or where he lived. One of them, a #ortl! fellow who was hard to see clearl! %eca&se of the thic$ ha+e of o#i&m in his sho#, said, /- haven't seen him for da!s./ - m&st have loo$ed alarmed, for he leered at me and told me he'd give me mone! for whatever - needed. cl&tched m! chador &nder m! chin and ran o&t of his sho#. *he da! was getting colder. - %lew on m! hands to $ee# them warm, s,&atting for a moment near one of the sho#s. 3 coffee %o! went %! with a tra! f&ll of steaming vessels, singing o&t how his li,&id wo&ld stir the %lood. - loo$ed longingl! at the hot drin$ %&t did not have the coin. Remem%ering that - had seen the 9&tchman s#ea$ing with a !o&ng merchant the first time - had fo&nd him, wal$ed slowl! to that man's sho#. )e was alone, sitting on a c&shion with a wooden des$ on his la#, on which he was reading a ledger of acco&nts. / alaam alei$&m,/ - said. )e ret&rned m! greeting and as$ed how he co&ld hel#. /9o !o& $now the farangi with the %l&e e!es1/ /*he 9&tchman,/ said the merchant, standing &# to assist me. 6! heart l&rched for a moment, for his close"cro##ed %eard and thinness reminded me of Fere!doon. - %l&shed and averted m! ga+e. /-'m see$ing him on an &rgent matter of %&siness,/ - said. /6ight !o& tell me where to find him1/ /0o& can't find him,/ said the merchant. /)e has left./

/Left -sfahan1/ /Left -ran./ 6! heart %egan %eating so ,&ic$l! - feared it might .&m# o&t of m! mo&th, and - had to %race m!self against the side of the alcove. /'hat ails !o&, =hanoom1/ as$ed the merchant, addressing me res#ectf&ll! as if - were married. /- am . . . &nwell,/ - said, tr!ing to hold m!self &#. 3fter all that had ha##ened to me and m! mother, - co&ld not %ear the tho&ght that m! one remaining ho#e for the f&t&re had %een stolen. /- %eg !o& to sit and rest,/ he said. - san$ down into his c&shions, tr!ing to recover m!self, while he called o&t to a #assing coffee %o! and #aid him for a c&#. - dran$ it ,&ic$l!, gratef&l to feel the familiar warmth in m! %lood. - had stirred the merchant's c&riosit!, of co&rse. /'hat is !o&r %&siness with the 9&tchman1/ he as$ed, still standing at a res#ectf&l distance. /)e was thin$ing of %&!ing a r&g - made,/ - said. /)is servant fetched it wee$s ago, and - haven't heard from him since./ - had tro&%le concealing the #ain - felt. - tho&ght of 5aheed, and how she had forced her face into a loo$ of com#os&re. - did the same %! sin$ing m! nails into m! #alm. /-'m so sorr!, =hanoom,/ said the merchant. /0o& m&st $now that farangis onl! come here to get rich, and man! of them don't have the manners of a dog./ - tho&ght a%o&t how #oorl! the 9&tchman had com#orted himself with Gostaham. /- heard that he even o%tained a car#et from one of -sfahan's car#et"ma$ing families for free. -t ta$es s$ill with the tong&e to do that,/ said the merchant.

/'hat great fort&ne,/ - re#lied %itterl!, remem%ering how Gordi!eh had %etra!ed me. - loo$ed aro&nd and noticed that some of the other merchants were %eginning to stare. - rose to go8 - co&ld not linger alone in a man's sho# witho&t #eo#le ma$ing remar$s a%o&t m! honor. /-f !o& see him, will !o& tell him that a woman is loo$ing for him1 Perha#s he has forgotten./ /Of co&rse,/ he said. /God willing, he will ret&rn and #a! !o& all that !o& deserve./ /6a! - come here again to as$ after him1/ /*hin$ of m! sho# as !o&r own,/ he re#lied. *he e(#ression of #it! in his e!es told me that he didn't %elieve - wo&ld ever see the 9&tchman again. - than$ed him for his $indness and %egan the long wal$ home. -t was nearl! evening, and the weather had t&rned cold and shar#. 3s - tr&dged thro&gh the old s,&are, the first snowfla$es of the !ear %egan to fall. B! the time - arrived at 6ale$eh's, the! were stic$ing to m! chador. 6! .aw was aching in the cold, and - had to warm m! face in front of the oven %efore co&ld tal$. 6ale$eh and her %o!s cl&stered aro&nd me, and even m! mother loo$ed ho#ef&l that - was %ringing good news. 'hen - told them to e(#ect nothing, 9avood %ro$e into a fit of wet co&ghing that so&nded as tho&gh it wo&ld never end. 6ale$eh loo$ed wear!, as if her %ones no longer had eno&gh weight to carr! her %od!. 3nd m! mother's face seemed even more dee#l! etched with worr! than %efore. 6ale$eh gave me a #&++led loo$. /0o& let his %o! ta$e !o&r car#et""witho&t an! sec&rit!1/ she as$ed. /)e was doing %&siness with Gostaham,/ - said. /- tho&ght that wo&ld #rotect me./ 6! mother and 6ale$eh e(changed a glance.

/0o&r designs are so %ea&tif&l,/ 6ale$eh said m&singl!. /0o& have great conviction when !o& call o&t a r&g's colors. -t's eas! to forget that !o& are still ver! !o&ng./ 6! mother sighed. /0o&nger than her !ears,/ she said dar$l!, and she remained silent after that. 'e sat there together, drin$ing #ale tea and eating cold %read, for that was all we had, and listening to the shar#, angr! cries of the children in the co&rt!ard. - '35*E9 *O start a new r&g, %&t we didn't have eno&gh mone! for wool. *he onl! thing we co&ld do to earn coins was %rew medicines and sell them. )aving noticed that man! of the district's residents were alread! co&ghing and snee+ing in the cold, m! mother decided to ma$e a concoction for diseases of the l&ngs, nose, and throat. /0o& can tr!,/ said 6ale$eh do&%tf&ll!, /%&t most #eo#le here are too #oor for s&ch l&(&ries./ - as$ed if - co&ld hel#. /- %elieve !o&'ve hel#ed eno&gh,/ said m! mother in a shar# voice. - sat ,&ietl! while m! mother %&ilt a hot fire in the oven and #&t the roots and her%s she had gathered d&ring the s&mmer on to %oil. *he tin! room filled with a %itter smell, and the air %ecame clo&ded with steam. 6! e!es watered so m&ch from the f&mes that - had to go o&t in the co&rt!ard from time to time. Onl! 6ale$eh's h&s%and seemed to im#rove: *he steam cleared his throat and allowed him to %reathe more freel! for a while. -n the afternoon, m! mother sent me to the small local %a+aar to %&! several do+en chea# cla! vessels, &ndecorated, with cla! sto##ers. - loo$ed at the thin coins she #&t in m! hand, which were so few that onl! someone more misera%le than we were wo&ld even %other to ta$e them. B&t - went to the %a+aar, an!wa!, lifting m! chador from time to time to $ee# it from dragging in the wet gar%age that la! &ncollected. *his %a+aar served the #oorest

residents of the cit! %! offering things li$e cr&de #ots, shoes made o&t of old clothes, tattered %lan$ets, and &sed t&r%ans. *he first cla! merchant - a##roached scoffed at what - had to offer. /-'m not a charit!,/ he said. - so&ght o&t the most r&n"down sho# in the %a+aar, %&t when - offered the merchant m! coins, he, too, la&ghed at me. )earing a child wail from the %ac$ of his sho#, - offered to %ring him two %ottles of medicine that wo&ld calm children and treat co&ghs. 'hen he agreed, - $new it was #artl! o&t of $indness, for with m! s&n$en face - loo$ed &nderno&rished. - had ca&ght a glim#se of it in the metal #ans for sale at the entrance to the %a+aar. 3fter m! mother finished %rewing the medicine, she #o&red it into the vessels and sto##ered them. - too$ two of the %ottles %ac$ to the cla! merchant, who than$ed me for the #rom#t ret&rn of m! o%ligation. *hen we told all the families in the co&rt!ard that we wo&ld trade medicine for coins or food. B&t 6ale$eh was right: 5o one had the means. -t was not li$e in Gostaham's neigh%orhood, where families $e#t s&##lies of medicine in the ho&se. )ere, sic$ness was a costl! traged!, and onl! when it was dire wo&ld a doctor %e s&mmoned and a woman sent to the dr&ggist to %&! the things he had #rescri%ed and #re#are a medicine. 3fter failing with the neigh%ors, we made #lans to #eddle the medicine elsewhere. Beca&se all the res#ecta%le #eddlers were men, we as$ed =ata!oon's %rother 3mir to come with &s and hel# &s sell o&r wares in the wealthier #arts of town. )e was a tall, gangl! %o! with a friendl! manner and a voice that r&m%led as if it came from a grown man. *he first da!, we left earl! in the morning and went to a #ros#ero&s neigh%orhood near Fo&r Gardens, far eno&gh from Gostaham's ho&se to avoid meeting him %! chance.

3mir too$ eagerl! to his role. /6a! !o& %reathe as easil! as the wind2/ he sho&ted, his warm %reath free+ing in the air. /6ade %! an her%alist from the so&th with #roven #owers2/ From time to time, a servant wo&ld come o&tside to ins#ect o&r wares. -f it was a man, 3mir wo&ld gra% a %ottle and tr! to sell it to him. -f a woman, m! mother and - wo&ld go. B! the afternoon, we had sold two vessels of the li,&id, eno&gh to %&! %read and grilled $idne!s for the three of &s. / hall we tr! to sell o&r wares near the mos,&e with the %rass minaret1/ - as$ed m! mother. he did not re#l!. sighed and followed her home. For the ne(t several wee$s, we #eddled o&r medicine ever! da! %&t Frida! in the cit!'s richer neigh%orhoods. *he weather had %ecome colder and more #eo#le were getting sic$. 'e were not earning m&ch mone!, %&t it was eno&gh to $ee# &s fed and to add a small amo&nt of food to =ata!oon's ta%le. One da!, m! mother awo$e with glass! e!es and a dam# feeling in her chest. - told her - wo&ld go o&t alone with 3mir, %&t she said that wo&ld not %e #ro#er. 3ltho&gh - %egged her to sta! home and rest, she forced herself to her feet, and we made o&r ro&nds that da! in the 4hristian #art of town across *hirt!"three 3rches Bridge. -t was %itterl! cold. 3n ic! wind %lew off the Eternal River, and the to#s of the :agros 6o&ntains were white with snow. *he river loo$ed as if it might free+e. 3s we wal$ed across the %ridge, a great g&st of ic! wind tra##ed &s in its em%race. 6! mother and - held on to each other to avoid %eing %lown awa!. /3$h2/ she e(claimed, her voice thic$ with fl&id. 'e contin&ed over the %ridge, #assed the h&ge ch&rch, and %egan wal$ing down a street that loo$ed #ros#ero&s. 9es#ite the cold, 3mir had lost neither his enth&siasm nor his sho&ting #ower. )e called o&t the merits of o&r medicines, his dee# voice li$e an invitation. 'omen in

#artic&lar res#onded to his call. 3 #rett! !o&ng servant emerged from one of the homes and o#ened her gates to ins#ect o&r %ottles. 'hen m! mother and - ran to greet her, she loo$ed disa##ointed that 3mir did not a##roach. /Breathe easier, and ma! !o& sta! well2/ said m! mother. /)ow m&ch1/ 6! mother %ro$e into a fit of co&ghing so severe that tears ran o&t of her e!es, and she cho$ed and snorted %efore she managed to recover herself. *he servant drew %ac$ and slammed the gates in o&r faces. 6! mother s,&atted against that grand ho&se and wi#ed her e!es, #romising that she wo&ld soon recover, %&t we had no heart to contin&e that da!. 'e ret&rned to a cold, dar$ ho&se. 6! mother wra##ed herself in a %lan$et, shivering, and sle#t on and off &ntil the ne(t morning. - #&t a #ot o&tside o&r door to signal that there was illness within o&r ho&se so that neigh%ors who had means might dro# in an onion, a carrot, or a s,&ash. - #lanned to ma$e a thin so&# o&t of whatever we received. B&t when m! mother awo$e, she ref&sed all food, for she was %&rning with fever. FOR *)E 5E<* FE' 930 , - did nothing %&t tend to the famil!. - fetched water from a near%! well and offered it to m! mother and 9avood. - #laced cool cloths &#on m! mother's head. - tied string aro&nd an egg %ro&ght %! =ata!oon and s&s#ended it from the ceiling, for new life has c&rative #owers. 'hen alman and hahvali %ecame h&ngr!, mi(ed together flo&r and water and made them %read. - did ever!thing that 6ale$eh was too tired to do, from washing the %o!s' clothes to swee#ing the ho&se. 'hen m! mother's fever came, in the afternoons, the #ain was almost too m&ch for her to %ear. he held the %lan$ets to her e!es to tr! to sh&t o&t the light. he twisted on her

%edroll and shivered, altho&gh sweat glistened on her forehead. *hen, after the fever had fled, she la! on the %edroll with lifeless lim%s, her face drained of color. - gave the last of o&r vessels of l&ng medicine to 3mir, who sold them and %ro&ght &s the mone!. 6! mother had #lanned to &se it to %&! dried roots and her%s to ma$e the ne(t %atch, for she co&ld not collect fresh #lants d&ring the winter. B&t - was &na%le to #&t aside an! mone!, since 6ale$eh still had not sold a car#et. - s#ent the coins as slowl! as - co&ld, %&!ing onl! essentials s&ch as flo&r to ma$e %read, and vegeta%les for so&#. *he food did not last ver! long. 'hen the mone! was gone, we all end&red the first da! of fasting with few com#laints. B&t the second da!, alman followed me while was at m! chores, %egging me for food. /)e needs %read2/ he said, #ointing to hahvali, who was so tired he sat ,&ietl! near the stove, his e!es d&ll. /- wo&ld give !o& m! life, %&t - have no %read,/ - said, #it!ing him even more than - lamented over m! own em#t! stomach. /*a$e hahvali to =ata!oon's ho&se and %eg them for a morsel to eat./ 3fter the! left, - loo$ed aro&nd at the dim room in disma!. 6! mother and 9avood la! on stained %edrolls. *here was dirt near the door where we left o&r shoes, and the room smelled of &nwashed %odies. - hadn't had time to %athe m!self. - co&ld not %elieve that - had once %een anointed %! m! own %athing attendants, washed clean and #l&c$ed &ntil was as smooth as an a##le, dressed in sil$s, and sent to minister to a man who changed ho&ses the wa! others changed clothes. 6! mother o#ened her e!es for a moment and called o&t for me. - r&shed to her side and stro$ed the hair awa! from her face. /-s there an! so&#1/ she as$ed in a ras#ing voice.

*he des#air - felt was as wide as the s$!, for - had none to offer her. - was silent for a moment, and then - said, /-'ll ma$e !o& some, Bi%i".oon. omething hot and healing./ /God willing,/ she said, closing her e!es. - co&ld not sit still, $nowing that she was h&ngr!8 - m&st do something to hel# her. 'ra##ing m!self tightl! in m! #icheh and chador, - wal$ed to the car#et sellers' section of the Great Ba+aar. *he !o&ng merchant was at his &s&al #ost. )ardl! daring to %reathe, so great was m! ho#e, - as$ed if he had seen the 9&tchman. )e clic$ed his tong&e against his teeth, his e!es s!m#athetic. 9isa##ointed, - than$ed him and too$ m! leave. *he 9&tchman's %l&e e!es had seemed so innocent of g&ile. )ow co&ld he have done s&ch a thing1 - had %elieved he wo&ld follow the r&les of honor. - had not considered that, as a farangi, the 9&tchman might leave whenever it s&ited his cold merchant's heart. )is treacher! wo&ld %e .&dged %! God, %&t that tho&ght didn't release me from m! sorrows. 'hat co&ld - do1 )ow co&ld - hel# m! mother1 - tho&ght of the !o&ng m&sician and the %eggar with the st&m#. -f the! co&ld ma$e their living on the streets, - m&st tr! to do the same. 6! heart #o&nding, wal$ed thro&gh the %a+aar &ntil - reached the ;a'far 6a&sole&m, where crowds came to #a! their res#ects to a religio&s scholar who had died more than a cent&r! %efore. -t seemed li$e a res#ecta%le #lace for a woman on her own to as$ for charit!. - stood o&tside and watched an old, %lind %eggar man whose alms %owl gleamed with silver. 3fter listening to him at wor$, - removed m! sash, #&t it on the gro&nd for coins, and %egan to re#eat what - remem%ered hearing others sa!ing. /6a! !o& have eternal health2/ - whis#ered to a gro&# of women who were leaving the ma&sole&m. /6a! !o&r

children never go h&ngr!. 6a! 3li, #rince among men, $ee# !o& safe and well2/ *he %lind %eggar man gest&red in m! direction. /'ho's there1/ he %ar$ed. /3 woman onl!,/ - said. /'hat ails !o&1/ /6! mother is ill, and - have no mone! to feed her./ /'hat a%o&t !o&r father, %rother, &ncles, h&s%and1/ /- have none./ /'hat ill fort&ne,/ he said gr&ffl!. / till, - don't share m! corner./ /Please, - %eg !o&,/ - re#lied, hardl! %elieving that - m&st now %eg a %eggar man. /6! mother will starve./ /-f that's tr&e, then !o& ma! sta! for now,/ he re#lied. /B&t s#ea$ &#2 *he!'ll never hear !o& if !o& m&m%le that wa!./ /*han$ !o&, gra!%eard,/ - said, &sing the term of res#ect for a wise old man. 'hen - saw a smartl! dressed fellow, in a clean white t&r%an, leaving the ma&sole&m, - cleared m! throat and %egan m! #leas in what - ho#ed was a clear, %&t sorrowf&l, voice. )e #assed witho&t dro##ing a coin. hortl! afterward, a !o&ng woman #a&sed and as$ed me to descri%e m! #light. - told her a%o&t m! mother's illness and how h&ngr! - was. /3re !o& married1/ she as$ed. /5o./ /0o& m&st have done something shamef&l,/ she concl&ded. /'h! else wo&ld !o& %e here alone1/ - tried to e(#lain, %&t she was alread! wal$ing awa!. *he %lind %eggar man was earning well. )e had %een %egging there since he was a child, he told me, so #eo#le $new him and his great need. /6a! all !o&r #ra!ers %e

f&lfilled2/ he said to them, and the! felt comforted %! their own charit!. /)ow are !o& faring1/ he as$ed me at midda!. /5othing,/ - re#lied sadl!. /0o& need to change !o&r stor!,/ he said. /Loo$ caref&ll! at the listener %efore !o& start s#ea$ing, and then tell them something that will o#en their heart./ - tho&ght a%o&t that for a few moments. 'hen an older woman #assed me, - noticed that her %ea&t! had %een great %&t was fading. /=ind =hanoom, #lease hel# me2/ - said. /6! fate is ver! hard./ /'hat tro&%les !o&1/ /- was once married to a man who owned more horses than there are mos,&es in -sfahan,/ - said, tr!ing to so&nd li$e m! mother when she was telling a stor!. /One da!, his second wife invented a tale a%o&t how - #lanned to #oison him for his mone!, and he cast me o&t. - have no one to go to, for all m! famil! is dead. - have %een left with nothing2/ cried. /Poor animal,/ she re#lied. /*hose second wives are the real #oison. *a$e this, and ma! God remem%er !o&./ he dro##ed a coin onto the cloth. 'hen two !o&ng, well"m&scled soldiers a##roached the ma&sole&m, - was em%oldened to tell them something different. /6! #arents died when - was ver! !o&ng, and m! %rothers have %een $illed,/ - moaned. /B! whom1/ /B! the Ottomans, in a %attle to #rotect o&r northwestern %order./ /'hat %raver!2/ said the men, leaving me two small coins.

6en sto##ed far more often than women to tal$ to me. /-'ll %et !o&'re as #rett! as the moon,/ said a %o! who was .&st getting his first %eard. /'h! not lift !o&r #icheh so - can have a loo$1/ /0o&r father is fr!ing in hell2/ - said, %etween gritted teeth. /;&st a #ee$2/ /)assan and )ossein, O saints among men, #rotect a #oor woman from cr&el strangers2/ - cried in a lo&d voice, and he s#ed awa!. 3 fat man who had d!ed his %eard with henna was even more %ra+en than the %o!. /- don't care what !o& loo$ li$e &nder that #icheh,/ he said. /)ow a%o&t a ,&ic$ little sigheh, .&st for an ho&r1/ )e held o&t his #alm, which was gleaming with silver. )is thic$ fingers were $notted with call&ses. - gra%%ed the cloth containing the few coins - had earned and r&shed awa!. Behind me, the fat man said, /- have a meat sho# in the %a+aar. Loo$ for me if !o&'re ever h&ngr!2/ 3nd then he threw a few small coins at m! feet, which scattered aro&nd me. - t&rned m! %ac$, %&t then - tho&ght of m! mother's wan face and stoo#ed to gather them. *he %&tcher was la&ghing as he wal$ed awa!. /-'m leaving, gra!%eard,/ - said to the %eggar man, for now - had eno&gh mone! for the so&#. /*han$ !o& for !o&r generosit!./ /6a! God reverse !o&r %ad fort&ne,/ he said. /3nd !o&rs, too,/ - re#lied, %&t then - felt ashamed, for $new nothing wo&ld remove his %lindness. - went to the food section of the %a+aar and s#ent all m! coins on onions and lam% %ones. 3s - ret&rned home with m! %&ndles, the #rice - had #aid for them weighed on m! heart. *o have to invent stories to earn the #it! of strangers,

and to end&re solicitations from fo&l"minded men""it was all co&ld do to $ee# m!self &#right as - wal$ed thro&gh the %a+aar toward 6ale$eh's s,&alid neigh%orhood. B&t s&##ressed m! $eening, for it wo&ld not hel# me now. ')E5 - 3RR-7E9 )O6E, m! mother was c&rled &# on her thin cotton %edroll, the %lan$et $notted aro&nd her legs. he was in one of her calm moments %etween fevers, %&t her e!es frightened me. -t was as if the! had died in her face. - r&shed to her side, la!ing m! #arcels aro&nd her. /Bi%i, loo$2 - have onions and %ones2 - will ma$e a so&# to inf&se !o& with strength./ 6! mother shifted slightl! on her %edroll. /Light of m! e!es, there is no need,/ she said. - too$ her cold hand in mine and felt the shar# %ones in her fingers. )er %od! had wasted awa! since she had %ecome ill. /- cannot eat,/ she added, after a #a&se. - tho&ght of the !o&ng man's ta&nts and the fat %&tcher's leer. - wo&ld have gladl! end&red them again if onl! m! mother wo&ld eat a morsel or two. /Please tr!, Bi%i".oon,/ %egged. /'here did !o& get mone! for food1/ he $new - had s#ent the last of o&r coins from the sale of her her%al c&res, so - had to admit - had gone %egging at the ;a'far 6a&sole&m. he closed her e!es as if she co&ld not %ear m! answer. /9id men as$ !o& for favors1/ she whis#ered. /5o,/ - said ,&ic$l!. - #l&m#ed &# the #illow aro&nd her head and smoothed her long gra! hair awa! from her face. -t was matted and stiff from da!s of not %eing washed. 6! mother t&rned her head8 she hated not %eing clean.

/0o&'re loo$ing m&ch %etter toda!,/ - said %rightl!, tr!ing to convince m!self it was tr&e. /3m -1/ she re#lied. )er s$in was !ellowish, and the circles &nder her e!es were dar$er. /- feel %etter,/ she said, in a thin, wea$ voice. - di##ed another cloth in cool water and wi#ed her face and hands. he sighed and said, /3h, how good it feels to %e fresh./ /3s soon as !o& get %etter, we'll go to the hammam,/ said in m! cheerf&l voice, /and we'll s#end all afternoon soa$ing and scr&%%ing./ /0es, of co&rse,/ said m! mother, in the voice she &sed to ind&lge a %a%%ling child. he t&rned caref&ll! onto her side and said, /3$h2 3$h2/ )er illness had attac$ed her hi#s, legs, and %ac$. / hall - massage !o&1/ - as$ed. he di##ed her chin in assent, and as - %egan releasing the m&scles, her face slowl! %ecame more calm. /'hile !o& were gone, - had a wonderf&l dream,/ she said, her e!es closed. /-t was a%o&t the da! !o& and !o&r Ba%a %ro&ght home the i%e( horns./ 6! mother to&ched m! chee$. /*hat was the most %lissf&l da! of m! life, e(ce#t for the da! !o& were %orn./ /'h! that da!1/ - as$ed. /3fter !o& fell aslee#, !o&r father and - .o$ed a%o&t how we had never needed an! a#hrodisiac li$e the horns. *hen he too$ me in his arms and told me how than$f&l he was that he had married me and no other./ /Of co&rse, he loved !o&,/ - m&rm&red soothingl!. /*here is no 'of co&rse' to love,/ she re#lied. /5ot after fifteen !ears witho&t a child2/

*he shar#ness in m! mother's tone startled me and made me wonder how m! #arents had fared in the !ears %efore m! %irth. - $new that ever! month, m! mother had gone to =olsoom for her%s to ma$e her #regnant, &ntil in des#eration she had visited the stone lion in the =&h 3li cemeter! and r&%%ed her %ell! against it, #ra!ing for a child. - &nderstood now how she m&st have felt. - had tried onl! for a few months and had %een saddened at the sight of m! own %lood ever! time. /'as m! father angr!1/ - as$ed, #ressing m! fingers into the s#ong! m&scles of her calf. /)e was des#erate,/ she re#lied. /3ll the men of his age were alread! teaching their !o&ng sons how to ride and how to #ra!. Bitterness grew %etween &s and sometimes we wo&ld #ass a da! and a night in silence. - wrestled with m!self for a !ear &ntil finall!, - decided - wo&ld sacrifice m!self to relieve his miser!. ')&s%and,' - said to him one da!, '!o& m&st ta$e a second wife.' /)e loo$ed s&r#rised, %&t co&ldn't conceal his ho#e for a son. '4o&ld !o& tr&l! acce#t a life with another woman %! m! side and &nder o&r roof1' he as$ed. /- tried to %e %rave, %&t m! e!es filled with tears. )e was s&ch a loving man that he never raised the s&%.ect again. oon after that, - %ecame #regnant and o&r world was %right again./ 6! mother #laced her hands on her middle. /*he da! m! %ell! %egan to cram#, !o&r father was hard at wor$ on the harvest,/ she recalled, her face soft. /- was s&rro&nded %! m! women friends, who massaged m! feet, gave me cool water to drin$, and sang to !o&. B&t tr! as - might, !o& wo&ld not come o&t. - la%ored all thro&gh that long da!, and all thro&gh the night. -n the morning, we sent a %o! to -%rahim and %egged him to set free one of his s#arrows, so that !o&, too, wo&ld %e released from !o&r %ondage. *he %o! came

%ac$ and re#orted that the %ird had flown li$e the wind. Once - heard that news, - t&rned m!self toward 6ecca, s,&atted, and gave a final #&sh. *here !o& were at last2 /-n the !ears after that, !o&r father still longed for a %o!,/ she contin&ed. /B&t on the da! he %ro&ght home the i%e( horns, he told me he was than$f&l he had married me and no other. *hat's how m&ch he loved &s. 3nd !o&""!o& were more #recio&s to him than an! son./ 6! father had loved me li$e the light of his e!es. -t had seemed nat&ral to me to %e %lessed with s&ch love. 5ow that - was older, - co&ld easil! imagine how different things might have %een. 6! mother's face radiated .o!, and she loo$ed %ea&tif&l des#ite her #ale, wasted %od!. /0o&r father is gone, %&t - will never forget how he made his #eace with God,/ she said, /and now - can do the same. 9a&ghter of mine, - acce#t o&r fate""!o&rs and mine"".&st as it is./ =nowing how dee#l! m! mother disa##roved of m! %ehavior in -sfahan, her %lessing made m! heart shed tears of %lood. /Bi%i, - wo&ld sacrifice m!self for !o&2/ - cried. 6! mother o#ened her arms, and - c&rled &# %eside her on the stained %edroll. he #&t a thin arm aro&nd me and stro$ed m! forehead. - %reathed in her maternal smell, sweet to me even in her illness, and felt her gentle hand on mine. -t was the first time she had caressed me in wee$s, and - sighed with contentment. - wanted to sta! c&rled &# with her, %&t as the afternoon waned, - $new - m&st arise and attend to the coo$ing. Perha#s m! mother wo&ld eat some so&#, after all. - tried to sli# awa!, %&t she tightened her gras# on m! hand and said in a whis#er, /9a&ghter whose face - love, !o& m&st #romise me one thing./

/3n!thing./ /3fter - am gone, !o& m&st go to Gordi!eh and Gostaham and %eg for their merc!./ - t&rned m! %od! to face her. /6! child,/ she contin&ed, /!o& m&st ta$e the news to them with m! d!ing wish: that the! find !o& a h&s%and./ *he gro&nd %eneath me seemed to ,&iver, .&st as it had when m! father had died. /B&t""/ he ta##ed m! hand with her finger, demanding silence. -t was li$e the to&ch of a feather. /3nd !o& m&st #romise me that !o& will %ow to their will./ /Bi%i, !o& m&st live,/ - #leaded in a whis#er. /- have no one else %&t !o&./ *he #ain in her e!es was visi%le. /9a&ghter of mine, wo&ld never leave !o&, &nless called %! God./ /5o2/ - cried o&t. 9avood awo$e and as$ed what was wrong, %&t - co&ld not s#ea$. )e had a co&ghing fit as wet and fo&l as the weather o&tside %efore falling aslee# again. /0o& haven't #romised,/ said m! mother, and again - felt her %irdli$e to&ch on m! hand. - tho&ght of how strong her hands &sed to %e from !ears of $notting r&gs, wringing o&t la&ndr!, and $neading do&gh. - %owed m! head. /- swear %! the )ol! >&r'an,/ - said. /*hen - ma! rest content,/ she re#lied, closing her e!es. *he %o!s %&rst into the room, com#laining that the! were h&ngr!. - had to leave m! mother's side to attend to m! wor$. 3s - tho&ght %ac$ to her words, m! hands %egan ,&ivering, and - almost c&t m!self as - cho##ed the onions. - threw in the lam% %ones, salt, and dill, and sto$ed the fire with dried d&ng to ma$e the so&# %oil. *he %o!s sniffed the air h&ngril!, their faces #inched and wear!.

'hen the so&# was read!, - served m! mother, the children, 9avood and 6ale$eh, and m!self. -t was little more than hot water, %&t after fasting, it seemed li$e a #rincel! meal. 3s the %o!s dran$ their so&#, their chee$s %ecame as red as a##les. - loo$ed at m! mother l!ing on the %edroll. )er so&# was steaming %eside her, &nto&ched. /Bi%i, - %eg !o& to eat,/ - said. he #&t her hand over her nose as if the smell of the lam% %ones sic$ened her. /- cannot,/ she re#lied wea$l!. alman %&r#ed and held o&t his vessel for more so&#. served him again, #ra!ing there wo&ld %e leftover %roth for m! mother. B&t then 9avood said, /6a! !o&r hands never ache2/ and em#tied the #ot into his %owl. hahvali said, /- want more, too2/ - was a%o&t to tell him that none remained, %&t then 6ale$eh's e!es met mine. /-'m sorr! !o&r mother can't eat her so&#, %&t we sho&ld not waste her #ortion,/ she said gentl!. - fetched the so&# sitting %eside m! mother and handed it to her son witho&t re#l!ing. 'hen - ret&rned to m! mother's side, - tried not to listen to hahvali's sl&r#s, for m! nerves were as fra!ed as the threads in an old car#et. - held m! mother's lim# hand and %egan #ra!ing in a soft voice. /Blessed Fatemeh, esteemed da&ghter of the Pro#het, grant m! mother #er#et&al health,/ - %egged. /Fatemeh, wisest of women, hear m! #ra!er. ave a %lameless mother, the %rightest star in her child's life./ 60 6O*)ER '3 h&ngr! the ne(t morning, %&t - had nothing for her. - was angr! at 6ale$eh for giving awa! m! mother's so&# and avoided her e!es. 3fter she had de#arted, and m! mother and 9avood had fallen aslee# again, - #&t on m! #icheh and chador and wal$ed ,&ic$l! to the ;a'far 6a&sole&m. - was glad - lived far awa! from the

Great Ba+aar, for - did not want an!one to $now - had %ecome a %eggar. On the wa!, - tho&ght of new stories to tell #assers%! so that the rivers of their generosit! might flow. *he %eggar man was alread! there with his %owl. /6a! #eace %e &#on !o&, gra!%eard2/ - said. /'ho's there1/ he as$ed gr&ffl!. /*he woman from !esterda!,/ - re#lied. )e thr&st his cane in m! direction. /'hat are !o& doing here again1/ - drew %ac$, frightened of %eing str&c$. /6! mother is still ver! ill,/ - said. /3nd -'m still ver! %lind./ /6a! God restore !o&r sight,/ - said, tr!ing to answer his r&deness with $indness. /Until he does, - need to eat,/ he re#lied. /0o& ma! not come here ever! da!, for we'll %oth starve./ /*hen what am - to do1 - don't want to starve, either./ /Go to one of the other ma&sole&ms,/ he said. /-f !o&r mother is still ill ne(t wee$, - will #ermit !o& to ret&rn here./ 6! chee$s %egan to %&rn. )ow dare a %edraggled %eggar ref&se me the few small coins - co&ld earn2 - wal$ed awa! from him, ta$ing &# m! #lace near the entrance to the octagonal shrine. etting down m! cloth, - %egan as$ing #assers%! for hel#. Before long, a tall, older woman who m&st have %een one of the %eggar man's reg&lar %enefactors arrived and in,&ired a%o&t his health. /5ot too %ad, %! the grace of 3li2/ he re#lied. /3t least -'m %etter off than her,/ he added, gest&ring in m! direction. tho&ght he was %eing $ind again and tr!ing to send coins m! wa!. /'hat do !o& mean1/ as$ed the woman, eager for gossi#.

-n a lo&d whis#er, he re#lied, / he &ses the generosit! of esteemed #eo#le li$e !o& to %&! o#i&m./ /'hat2/ - said. /-'ve never to&ched o#i&m in m! life2 -'m here %eca&se m! mother is ill./ 6! #rotests onl! made me so&nd g&ilt!. /*hen !o& sho&ld s#end !o&r mone! on her instead of !o&rself,/ the woman re#lied. /God $nows what is right,/ said the %eggar man sagel!. *he two %egan conversing lo&dl! a%o&t the #erils of addiction. Peo#le who were wal$ing %! sto##ed and stared at me as if - were an evil .inn. - co&ld see it was &seless to sta!, for the! tr&sted the %eggar man's word. 5o one wo&ld give coins to an o#i&m eater. /Good"%!e, gra!%eard,/ - said, with resignation. - hated to %e cordial to him, %&t - might have to ret&rn. /-'ll see !o& ne(t wee$./ /6a! God %e with !o&,/ he re#lied, in a $inder tone. 5ow &nderstood how he had s&rvived at his corner for so man! !ears. - visited two other ma&sole&ms, %&t each had their reg&lar %eggars, who hissed at me when - tried to claim a corner. *oo tired to insist, - t&rned m! ste#s toward home. *he s$! was heav! with clo&ds, and there was a thin la!er of snow on the gro&nd. B! the time - reached the old s,&are, the cold had driven awa! all the vendors and sho##ers. *he few %eggars who remained o&tside were sh&ffling to the old Frida! mos,&e to ta$e shelter. -n the wan light, the dome of the mos,&e loo$ed hard and fro+en. - felt fro+en, too. B! the time - arrived at 6ale$eh's, m! fingers and toes were stiff with cold. 6! mother was aslee# on her dirt! %edroll. *he %ones of her face loo$ed frighteningl! visi%le thro&gh her s$in. )er

e!es fl&ttered o#en and searched m! #erson for #arcels. eeing - had nothing, she closed them again. - #ressed m! cold hands against m! mother's face, and she sighed with relief. he was %&rning from the inside. 3fraid that the fire in her %od! wo&ld van,&ish her, - went o&t, collected some snow, wra##ed it in the arm of one of m! t&nics, and laid it on her forehead. 'hen she moaned for something to drin$, - gave her si#s of a strong li,&or mi(ed with the .&ice of willows, a tonic for fevers that 6ale$eh had %artered for in the %a+aar. 6! mother dran$ it &nder #rotest, then vomited it &# right awa! along with green %ile. - cleaned &# the l&m#!, smell! mess, wondering wh! the li,&or seemed to %e ma$ing her worse. *here was no food for the famil! that night. 6ale$eh came home and dran$ some wea$ tea %efore going to %ed. *he %o!s were enervated from h&nger and whined a%o&t their aching %ellies %efore c&rling &# on either side of her. *he sight of them together filled me with longing for the times had gone to slee# with m! mother's arm aro&nd me and her reass&ring stories in m! ear. 3s the moon rose, m! mother's fever rose with it. gathered more snow to cool her and laid it gentl! on her forearm. *his time, she inhaled shar#l! and drew %ac$ from the snow as if it %&rned. 'hen - tried again, she crossed her arms over her chest in a wea$ attem#t to #rotect herself. was ang&ished a%o&t h&rting her, %&t - contin&ed to a##l! the t&nic of snow to her %od!, for this was the onl! treatment that cooled her. Before long, she sto##ed moving her lim%s and %egan to $een softl!. )ad she cried o&t and screamed, wo&ld have re.oiced, for - wo&ld have $nown there was vigor in her. B&t this so&nd was as wea$ and #athetic as the cries of an a%andoned $itten. -t was all that her #oor, tired %od! co&ld force o&t.

3s - tended to m! mother, - listened to the ho&sehold's nightmarish chatter. alman cried o&t in his slee# a%o&t a terri%le .inn chasing him &nder a %ridge. 9avood whee+ed as if his l&ngs were half filled with water. 3 woman who lived in one of the rooms off of the co&rt!ard wailed and called on God for #rotection as she endeavored to give %irth. - don't $now how m&ch time #assed %efore m! mother %egan tr!ing to s#ea$. )er li#s were moving, %&t - co&ldn't ma$e o&t the words. - tried to smooth her hair awa! from her face. he sto##ed m! hand and m&m%led, /First there wasn't./ / lee#, Bi%i".oon,/ - &rged, not wanting her to waste her energ! telling a stor!. he released m! hand and rolled restlessl! on her %edroll. /'asn't,/ she m&m%led again. )er %ottom li# crac$ed and %egan to %leed. - felt aro&nd in the dar$ &ntil - fo&nd a vessel of lam%'s fat and her%s, which - a##lied to her mo&th to halt the %leeding. )er li#s wor$ed fr&itlessl! as if she were still tr!ing to finish the invocation. *o hel# her, - whis#ered gentl!, /3nd then there was./ 6! mother's mo&th c&rved into something li$e a smile. ho#ed she wo&ld %e calm now. - held her hand and stro$ed it, as she had stro$ed mine so man! times %efore. )er li#s %egan wor$ing again. - had to %end m! face close to hers to hear what she was sa!ing. /'as2/ she said insistentl!. /'as2/ )er e!es were gla+ed and loo$ed .o!f&l in the strange, &nhealth! wa! that an o#i&m addict's do. weat strea$ed her %row. - %ro&ght her some water and tried to lift her head so she co&ld drin$ it. E(citedl!, she averted her face and $e#t tr!ing to s#ea$. *he words so&nded as .&m%led as vegeta%les in a stew. - tho&ght of

how she &sed to tell stories in a hone!ed voice that entra##ed listeners in her s#ell. /Bi%i".oon, !o& m&st drin$ something""!o& are as hot as a coal2/ - said. he sighed and closed her e!es. - soa$ed a cloth with water and offered it to her. /'ill !o& s&c$ on this, .&st for me1/ - #leaded. he o#ened her mo&th and allowed me to insert a small corner of the cloth. he made a s&c$ing motion to #lease me, %&t after a moment or two, %egan to tr! to tal$ again. *he cloth fell o&t of her mo&th. he gra%%ed her %ell! and m&m%led a few incoherent words. /'hat is it, Bi%i".oon1/ - as$ed. he massaged her stomach. /P&shed and #&shed,/ she whis#ered, her words li$e s&s&rrations. he too$ m! hand again and #ressed it faintl!. /3nd then there was . . . ,/ she mo&thed, and - co&ld ma$e o&t the words onl! %eca&se - $new them so well. /Please, #lease $ee# !o&rself still,/ - said gentl!. )er arms and legs tightened, and her forehead $notted. )er mo&th o#ened, and finall! she %reathed, /. . . !o&2/ he reached &# and to&ched m! chee$, her e!es tender. Of all the tales she had ever created, - was the one written in the in$ of her so&l. - held her fingers against m! face, wanting des#eratel! to inf&se her %od! with the strength of mine. /Bi%i".oon,/ - cried, /#lease ta$e the life that #&lses thro&gh m! heart2/ )er fingers %ecame flaccid and slid awa! from m! face. he la! motionless on her %edroll, her energ! s#ent. - wo&ld have given m! ver! e!es to go %ac$ to the moment that Gordi!eh and Gostaham had told me - m&st

renew the sigheh. - wo&ld have %egged Gostaham to remove me from that tangled $not in a s&ita%le fashion, and if he had ref&sed, - wo&ld have acceded to his demands to sta! with Fere!doon &ntil he tired of me. 3n!thing at all to #revent m! mother's s&ffering. 6! mother was s#ea$ing again. )er words came o&t one at a time, at great cost to her. /6a! God . . . $ee# !o& . . . from need2/ she whis#ered slowl!. *hen her %od! seemed to go lim#. /Bi%i, sta! with me2/ - cried o&t. - s,&ee+ed her hand, %&t there was no res#onse. - shoo$ her arm slightl!, then her sho&lder, %&t she didn't stir. - r&shed to 6ale$eh, who was still c&rled &# with one child on either side of her. /'a$e &#, wa$e &#2/ - whis#ered &rgentl!. /4ome and loo$ at m! mother./ 6ale$eh wi#ed her e!es, sighing, and arose slee#il!. he cro&ched %eside m! mother's %edroll, and when she loo$ed closel! at her sallow, s&n$en face, she drew a frightened %reath. he #laced her fingerti#s near m! mother's nostrils and held them there. - sto##ed %reathing, for if m! mother was not drawing %reath, neither co&ld -. *he first call to #ra!er from the Frida! mos,&e #ierced the air. Peo#le were %eginning to stir. O&tside, a don$e! %ra!ed and a child wailed lo&dl!. alman awo$e and called to 6ale$eh, #leading for %read. he #ositioned her %od! in front of m! mother's, as if to shield alman from the sight of her. / he is %arel! tethered to earth,/ 6ale$eh finall! said. /will #ra! for her""and for !o&./ )OR*L0 3F*ER 93'5, - covered m!self in m! chador and #icheh and ran most of the wa! to the meat sellers' section of the Great Ba+aar. *he shee# had alread! %een sla&ghtered and s$inned. 3 mone!ed crowd %&++ed aro&nd

carcasses hanging on hoo$s and dis#la!ed on co&nterto#s. *he mar%led meat made m! mo&th water, and - tho&ght of how m&ch strength a fresh lam% stew wo&ld give m! mother. Perha#s someone wo&ld offer charit!. - #&t m! sash on the gro&nd and %egan to %eg. - watched a small errand %o!, no do&%t from a wealth! famil!, order almost more meat than he co&ld carr!, while ne(t to him a woman in a tattered chador %artered fiercel! for feet and %ones for her stew. 3n older man who was %&!ing $idne!s reminded me of m! father, who loved $idne! $e%a% and &sed to char it e(#ertl! over a fire. -n the %&stle, no one #aid attention to me. *ime was #assing and - co&ld not wait. - threw m!self to the gro&nd and cried o&t to #assers%! to remem%er the gifts God had given them and share them with others. Peo#le stared at me with c&riosit!, %&t m! o&t%&rst did not soften their hearts. 'rac$ed with worr! a%o&t m! mother, - a%andoned m! #ost and %egan searching thro&gh the meat %a+aar for the fat man with the $notted fingers. - fo&nd him in his sho# alone, hac$ing at a lam%'s ha&nch. )is %ell! %&lged against his #ale %l&e t&nic, which was s#attered with %lood, and his t&r%an was smeared with long red strea$s. /)ow can - serve !o&1/ he as$ed. - sh&ffled m! feet. /-'m the one from ;a'far,/ - m&rm&red. *he %&tcher smir$ed and said, /Let me give !o& some meat./ )e offered me a stic$ of $e%a% that had .&st %een grilled. *he rich smell of the lam%, which was dotted with coarse salt, sa##ed all m! vigilance. - lifted m! #icheh and %it into the dri##ing meat. Passers%! stared, s&r#rised to see a veiled woman revealing her face, %&t - was too h&ngr! to care.

/3h, nice and tender,/ he said. - ate the $e%a% witho&t s#ea$ing, the .&ice dri##ing down m! chin. /3nd now - have %een #ermitted to see !o&r #rett! li#s./ - did not re#l!. 'hen - had finished eating, - said, in a #leading voice, /- need food for m! mother, who is ill./ *he %&tcher la&ghed, his %ell! shimm!ing &nder his clothes. /0es, %&t can !o& #a!1/ /Please,/ - said. /God will reward !o& with fatter lam%s ne(t !ear./ )e gest&red aro&nd him. /*here are %eggars in ever! section of the %a+aar,/ he said. /'ho can feed them all1/ )e was an &gl! man, - tho&ght. - t&rned and %egan wal$ing awa!, altho&gh it was .&st a #retense. /'ait2/ he called after me. )e gra%%ed a shar# $nife and slashed the ha&nch, which fell o#en to the %one. )e cho##ed the meat into ch&n$s the si+e of m! hand and threw them into a cla! vessel. /9on't !o& want this1/ he as$ed, offering me the %owl. - reached toward it with gratit&de. /*han$ !o& for !o&r charit!2/ - said. )e drew %ac$ %efore - co&ld to&ch it. /3ll - as$ is for an ho&r after the last call to #ra!er,/ he whis#ered. )is li#s dro##ed into a leer that he seemed to thin$ wo&ld entice me li$e a %ee to a #o##!. *he tho&ght of l!ing &nder his %ig %ell! and feeling his large %lood! hands sic$ened me. /- need more than that,/ - said ha&ghtil!, as if - were &sed to s&ch filth! %argains. /6&ch more./ *he %&tcher la&ghed again, for he tho&ght he &nderstood me now. )e gra%%ed the ha&nch and c&t me twice as m&ch again. *hrowing the meat into the vessel, he #&shed it at me. - gra%%ed it o&t of his hands. /'hen1/

/5ot for a wee$,/ - said. /5ot &ntil m! mother is %etter./ *he %&tcher la&ghed. /3 wee$, then, &ntil we sigheh2/ he said in a whis#er. /3nd don't even thin$ a%o&t losing !o&rself in the cit!. 5o matter where !o& live, - can find !o&./ - too$ the vessel, sha$ing with rev&lsion. /-'ll need more meat in a few da!s,/ - said, still tr!ing to #la! m! #art. /3s !o& wish,/ he re#lied. /'ell, then, in a wee$,/ - said, tr!ing to so&nd co,&ettish as - wal$ed awa!. Behind me, - heard the %&tcher's greas! la&gh. - too$ the meat to the #harmacists' section of the %a+aar and traded some of it for the %est medicine - co&ld find for fever. *hen - ran home to chec$ on m! mother. 'hen arrived, she called m! name wea$l! and - than$ed God for s#aring her for another da!. - gave her water and s#ooned some of the medicine gentl! into her mo&th. *here was still so m&ch meat that - was a%le to trade a small #ortion to =ata!oon's famil! for celer! and rice. - made a large stew that wo&ld last, if $e#t cold at night, for several da!s, as well as a thic$ meat %roth for m! mother. O&r feasting that night was %e!ond imagining. 6ale$eh, 9avood, and their sons had not tasted lam% for a !ear. 9avood sat &# thro&gho&t the whole meal, which he had never done %efore. 6! mother was too ill to eat the stew, %&t she si##ed the %roth and too$ more of the medicine. /'here did !o& get this meat1/ 6ale$eh as$ed. /4harit!,/ - re#lied, not wanting to tell her the tr&th. Rich #eo#le often sacrificed a lam% to f&lfill a na+r, %&t the! never offered s&ch fine c&ts. )ad m! mother %een less ill, she wo&ld have s&s#ected m! answer. - sent m! #ra!ers of than$s to God for the food, %egging for )is forgiveness for the #romise - had made to the

%&tcher. - had no intention of ever seeing him again. decided to wal$ a wide arc aro&nd the meat sellers' section of the %a+aar from then on. For the ne(t few evenings, - heated the stew and served the famil!. *he %o!s ate as m&ch as the! were given as fast as the! co&ld8 6ale$eh and 9avood ate slowl! and gratef&ll!, while m! mother %arel! wetted her li#s with the %roth. 'hen the stew was nearl! gone, a small, dirt! %o! entered o&r co&rt!ard and as$ed for me. )e %ec$oned me o&tside and thr&st a large vessel f&ll of shin! red meat toward me. - drew awa! from it, frightened. /3ren't !o& #leased1/ he as$ed. /-t's from the %&tcher./ /3h,/ - said, tr!ing to %ehave as if it were e(#ected. /*he %&tcher is antici#ating !o&r visit,/ the %o! said, /after the last call to #ra!er./ Even in his !o&ng e!es, - co&ld see contem#t and disg&st for what he tho&ght - was. /)ow did !o& find me1/ - as$ed, m! voice &nstead!. /-t was eas!,/ he said. /- followed !o& home the other night./ - gra%%ed the meat and said good"%!e in a c&rt voice. -nside, - #&t the meat in a #ot with some oil and made another stew. 'hen m! mother as$ed where the meat came from, - told her the o%vio&s: /From a %&tcher./ - didn't $now what to do. -f - el&ded the %&tcher, he wo&ld come to 6ale$eh's ho&se and degrade me in front of ever!one. *hen we wo&ld %e called shamef&l and thrown o&t on the street again. - tho&ght of the #rett!, !o&ng m&sician and how he had %een red&ced to %egging and to rags. 3s the meat %egan si++ling, - co&ld feel m!self #ers#iring, %&t the heat of the stove had little to do with it.

*hat night - dreamed that the %&tcher led me into a small, dar$ room and %ro$e all m! %ones with his thic$ hands. )e #&t me on dis#la! on one of his %lood! hoo$s, na$ed, and when someone wanted meat, he carved me while - was still alive. - screamed and screamed in horror, wa$ing ever!one in the ho&se. 'hen the! as$ed what was wrong, - co&ldn't tell them. - la! awa$e, agoni+ed a%o&t what to do. 6! a##ointment with the %&tcher was in two da!s. GOR9-0E) 359 GO *3)36 had cast &s o&t and left &s to o&r doom, and now - m&st ret&rn to them as a %eggar, in disgrace. -t was as if God himself wished to ma$e m! h&miliation com#lete. 'ell into the chill! afternoon, - covered m!self in m! chador, not thin$ing a%o&t the condition of the t&nic and ro%e - was wearing, and wal$ed to their ho&se. -t was diffic&lt to $noc$ at Gostaham's grand gates, and even more diffic&lt when 3li"3sghar answered the door. /'hat are !o& doing here1/ he as$ed, as if he had seen a .inn. /-'ve come for charit!,/ - re#lied, %owing m! head. )e sighed. /- don't thin$ an!one will see !o&./ /4an !o& tr!1/ )e loo$ed at m! face closel!. /-'ll remind them of !o&r .aw,/ he said finall!, and disa##eared for a few moments. 'hen he ret&rned and s&mmoned me in, m! heart %egan to #o&nd. - removed m! coverings and followed him to the Great Room, where Gordi!eh and Gostaham were seated on c&shions drin$ing their afternoon coffee. Gordi!eh wore a velvet ro%e she had commissioned o&t of the fa%ric #atterned with red and !ellow a&t&mn leaves, and her matching !ellow shoes were #laced neatl! near the door. he was eating a rosewater #astr!, which made m! mo&th water with ho#eless longing.

/ alaam alei$&m,/ the! said together. *he! did not invite me to sit down, for - was .&st another s&##licant now. - $new that nothing %&t com#lete s&%mission wo&ld wor$ with Gordi!eh. - %ent to $iss her feet, which were hennaed %right red on the %ottom. /- throw m!self on !o&r charit!,/ - said. /6! mother is ver! ill, and - need mone! for medicine and for food. - %eg !o&, %! the love of Fatemeh, for !o&r hel#./ /6a! -mam Re+a restore her health2/ said Gostaham. /'hat ha##ened1/ Gordi!eh #eered at me, her shar# e!es &nderstanding ever!thing at once. /0o&'ve %ecome as thin as a sheet of %read,/ she said. /0es,/ - re#lied. /'e are not eating the wa! we did here./ /'hat a s&r#rise2/ she re#lied, with satisfaction in her voice. - controlled m! tem#er, altho&gh - %elieved Gordi!eh was #&shing her advantage too far. /- %eg !o& to #lace &s &nder !o&r #rotection again,/ - said. /- wo&ld do an!thing to see m! mother safe, warm, and well fed./ Gostaham loo$ed #ained8 Gordi!eh tri&m#hant. /- wish that were #ossi%le,/ Gordi!eh said, /%&t the %ad l&c$ melted awa! after !o& left. Fere!doon #aid for the dangling gems car#et and for the r&g that 5aheed's #arents had commissioned. - %elieve 5aheed #ers&aded him to do that./ /- thin$ - $now wh!,/ - said. /- told her - was relin,&ishing her h&s%and and %egged her forgiveness. Perha#s she enco&raged him to ma$e amends on m! %ehalf./ /*hat was good of !o&,/ said Gostaham. /-t hel#ed &s a great deal./

/Leaving Fere!doon was not to !o&r advantage,/ said Gordi!eh, interr&#ting her h&s%and. /Loo$ at !o& now./ - loo$ed down at m! stained, tattered t&nic. -t was more &nsightl! than an!thing a maid in Gordi!eh's ho&se wo&ld ever wear. /'hen did !o& see 5aheed1/ Gostaham as$ed. /- didn't see her,/ - re#lied. /- wrote her a letter./ )e loo$ed astonished. /0o& wrote her""%! !o&rself1/ - co&ld see no reason to conceal m! s$ills an! longer. /5aheed ta&ght me to write a little,/ - said. /6ash'3llah2/ Gostaham e(claimed. /6! own da&ghters can't even hold a #en./ Gordi!eh loo$ed em%arrassed, for she herself co&ld not write. /- am no scholar,/ - said ,&ic$l!, /%&t - wanted her to learn from m! own hand how sorr! - was./ Gostaham raised his e!e%rows in wonder. /0o& are alwa!s s&r#rising me,/ he said. )e still loved me8 - co&ld feel it in his ga+e. /*here are more s&r#rises,/ said Gordi!eh. /0o& #ro%a%l! haven't heard that 5aheed has %irthed her first child. -t is a %o!./ - had s&s#ected she was #regnant d&ring m! last visit to her. *o forestall Gordi!eh from reminding me again a%o&t all - had lost, - said, /-f onl! - had %een so l&c$!./ /L&c$ has not favored !o&,/ Gordi!eh agreed. /B&t it has favored !o&,/ - said, for - was getting wear! of thin$ing of the comet and hearing a%o&t m! evil tread. /4an !o& hel# a little, now that m! mother is ill1/ /)aven't we done ever!thing we co&ld1/ as$ed Gordi!eh. /3nd didn't !o& throw o&r generosit! in o&r faces1/ /- dee#l! regret m! actions,/ - said, for it was tr&e.

Gordi!eh didn't seem to hear. /- don't &nderstand wh! !o& are so #oor,/ she said. /'hat ha##ened to !o&r r&g1 *hat sho&ld have %ro&ght !o& an armf&l of silver./ - started to answer, %&t Gordi!eh %egan waving at the air as if she were %atting at a fl!. /- don't even $now wh! -'m as$ing !o&,/ she said. /'e've heard !o&r e(#lanations too man! times %efore./ /B&t -'ve had to %eg for food2/ /- $now,/ said Gordi!eh. /4oo$ saw !o& in the meat mar$et #leading for coins./ - shivered at the tho&ght of the %&tcher. /'e hadn't eaten for""/ /'hat do !o& mean '%eg'/ interr&#ted Gostaham. - tried to s#ea$ again, %&t Gordi!eh wo&ldn't #ermit it. /5ever mind,/ she said shar#l!. /'ait a min&te,/ Gostaham said. /Let the girl tell her stor!./ /'h! sho&ld we1/ as$ed Gordi!eh, with a whi# in her voice. B&t this time, her %oldness raised Gostaham's ire. /*hat's eno&gh2/ he roared, and Gordi!eh loo$ed chastened for a moment. - was astonished, for - had never heard him stifle her %efore. /'h! didn't !o& tell me 4oo$ saw her %egging1 9o !o& e(#ect me to let a famil! mem%er starve1/ Gordi!eh f&m%led for an answer. /-""- forgot,/ she said wea$l!. Gostaham stared at her, and it was as if he saw, in that moment, ever! one of her wea$nesses written on her face. *here was a long silence, d&ring which she did not have the co&rage to loo$ at him. *&rning to me, Gostaham said, /'hat ha##ened to !o&r r&g1/

/- sent the r&g to the 9&tchman,/ - re#lied, m! voice %ecoming thic$ with grief. /B&t then - had to n&rse m! .aw, and when - went to find him, he had left -ran./ Gostaham winced8 - co&ldn't tell if it was the mention of m! .aw or m! car#et. /)e never #aid1/ /5o,/ - said sadl!. /'hat a rotten dog2/ said Gordi!eh in disg&st, as if she reali+ed she m&st now treat me more charita%l! in front of her h&s%and. /)e #ic$ed &# the r&gs he had commissioned soon after !o& and !o&r mother left. -t's a good thing we demanded the mone! first. 0o& sho&ld have done the same./ /-ndeed,/ said Gostaham, /those farangis will ta$e an!thing the! can gra%2 *he! have no honor./ - shifted from one foot to the other, wear! of standing. /wo&ld not have as$ed for !o&r hel# otherwise,/ - said. Gostaham loo$ed at me with #it! and called to *aghee to fetch his #&rse. /*a$e this mone!,/ he said, handing me a small %ag of coins. /9o ever!thing !o& can to ma$e !o&r mother well./ /- will tr! not to tro&%le !o& again,/ - said. /- wo&ld %e most ins&lted not to hear how !o& and !o&r mother are faring,/ Gostaham re#lied. /God willing, !o& shall ret&rn and tell &s that roses are %looming on her chee$s./ /*han$ !o&,/ - said. /- remain, now and forever, !o&r servant./ /6a! God %e with !o&,/ said Gordi!eh, %&t her tone was ic!. Gostaham frowned at her. /- mean it,/ she added ,&ic$l!. 3s 3li"3sghar showed me o&t, - $e#t m! hand on Gostaham's %ag of coins, which felt heav! and solid in m! sash. - %elieve that he regretted his harshness with me and

was see$ing to ma$e amends. *hat's wh! he had finall! h&shed his wife, if onl! for a moment. 3 - '3L=E9 toward the -mage of the 'orld, - #assed the $ind %eggar with the st&m# at the to# of Fo&r Gardens and sto##ed to give him a small coin. *hen - wal$ed to the meat sellers' section of the %a+aar and so&ght o&t the fat %&tcher. B! chance, - arrived at the %eginning of the last call to #ra!er8 the m&e++in's voice traveled clear and #&re from the Frida! mos,&e across the s,&are. -t made me feel scr&%%ed clean inside. /3h2/ said the %&tcher when he saw me. *hen he whis#ered, /0o&'re one da! earl! for o&r delights2 Let me wi#e m! hands./ )is nails were %lac$ with dried %lood. /9on't tro&%le !o&rself,/ - whis#ered %ac$. /)ere's !o&r mone!,/ - added lo&dl!, co&nting o&t the coins so that his assistants co&ld witness me #a!ing. /*hat sho&ld ta$e care of the meat, #l&s an errand %o!'s time./ *he %&tcher's face grew red with anger. )e had no #ower over me now that - was #a!ing. Lifting his $nife, he %egan slicing a lam%'s heart. /6! mother's health has im#roved, than$s to !o&r fine meat,/ - said. /0o& were ver! $ind to give me the food on credit./ *he %&tcher #a&sed and swe#t the coins into his %loodstained hands. /)ow ver! l&c$! !o& are,/ he hissed. -n a lo&der voice for show, he added, /Praise God for her health./ /- do,/ - said. - felt as if - had .&st esca#ed the %lac$est fate of m! life. - wo&ld %e a slave to God, to car#ets, or to Gostaham, %&t - did not want to %e a slave to someone else's #leas&re ever again.

- ret&rned to 6ale$eh's ho&se and served the famil! the meat stew - had made, altho&gh 6ale$eh was not home !et. Ever!one loo$ed %righter than the! had onl! a few da!s %efore. *he %o!s %ehaved %etter, for the! were not irrita%le from h&nger. 9avood was well eno&gh to move aro&nd the room. B&t the %iggest change was in m! mother. )er fever had finall! a%ated, and her color was %eginning to ret&rn to normal. - sent m! than$s to %lessed Fatemeh for her intercession. 6ale$eh arrived ver! late that evening, with onl! one car#et on her %ac$ and a lightness in her ste#. /- sold one2/ she anno&nced #ro&dl! as she wal$ed in the door. 3 famil! that had recentl! moved to -sfahan had %o&ght it to f&rnish their new home. *he wife had recogni+ed that 6ale$eh's $nots were tight and her #rices low, and had told her that she wo&ld rather hel# a #oor !o&ng mother than one of the wealth! merchants in the %a+aar. 'e all e(claimed .o!f&ll!, /Praise %e to God2/ 6ale$eh's %o!s were e(cited %! the %right silver coins in her hands. *hat night, after 6ale$eh had eaten, ever!one was so merr! we decided to set &# a $orsi. 'e heated #igeon d&ng in the stove, #&t the em%ers in a large metal vessel, and #laced it &nder a low ta%le. 6ale$eh threw %lan$ets over it, ca&tioning the %o!s not to to&ch the hot vessel with their feet. Gathering aro&nd, we covered o&rselves with the %lan$ets and warmed o&rselves %! the delicio&s heat of the em%ers. For the first time in wee$s, we dran$ strong tea and cr&nched on s&gar cr!stalli+ed with saffron. 6ale$eh stro$ed her %o!s' hair &ntil the! fell aslee#. *hen 9avood told .o$es, and the rare so&nd of m! mother's la&ghter filled m! ears with the finest m&sic - had ever heard. 9UR-5G *)E 5E<* two months, m! mother convalesced slowl!. ince she co&ld not stand witho&t %ecoming e(ha&sted, from her %edroll she e(#lained which dried her%s

to %&! in the %a+aar and instr&cted me on how to ma$e her medicines. - stee#ed them, #ac$ed them, and delivered them to 3mir, who sold them s&ccessf&ll! on his own. *he medicine %ro&ght in eno&gh mone! for &s to feed o&rselves, %&t we were not a%le to #&t m&ch aside for wool. - longed to start another car#et, for it was the onl! wa! we co&ld im#rove o&r fort&nes, and - still dreamed of hiring others to hel# &s. 'hen - told 6ale$eh a%o&t m! ho#es, she loo$ed do&%tf&l. /B&! wool and hire women with what mone!1/ she as$ed. /)ow a%o&t the silver from !o&r car#et sale1/ 6ale$eh clic$ed her tong&e against her teeth. /-t's too ris$!,/ she re#lied, /%&t if !o& gather some mone!, - will match !o&rs./ -n the #ast, - might have %een angr! that she wo&ld not %e #ers&aded, %&t now - reali+ed she was right to %e ca&tio&s. ince - wo&ld never earn eno&gh e(tra mone! for wool %! selling medicines or %egging, in the end, there was onl! one thing - co&ld do. 'ith m! mother on her wa! to recover!, owed it to Gostaham and Gordi!eh to tell them their charit! had made a difference. - dressed in 5aheed's old finer!""the #&r#le ro%e with the f&r c&ffs, and a #in$ t&nic""and went to see them again. 'hen - arrived, Gordi!eh was a%sent. 3li"3sghar told me she had gone to see 5aheed's mother, which m&st have meant that the families had %een reconciled. )e showed me into the wor$room, where Gostaham was ma$ing s$etches. /4ome and sit2/ he said, calling o&t to hamsi to %ring &s coffee. /)ow is !o&r mother1/ /6&ch %etter,/ - re#lied, /and it is %eca&se of !o&. *he coins !o& gave me %o&ght her fresh meat, which restored her health. *han$ !o& for hel#ing me save her./

/Praise God, )ealer of 6en,/ he re#lied. - loo$ed at the #a#er on Gostaham's la#. *he design was as %ea&tif&l as a #ar$ in %loom. /'hat are !o& wor$ing on1/ - as$ed. /3 c!#ress tree car#et,/ he said. *he trees were long and thin, with a slight %&lge in the middle li$e a woman's hi#s. *he! were s&rro&nded %! rioto&s garlands of flowers. eeing Gostaham's drawings made me long to %e wor$ing with him again. /3moo,/ - said, /as !o& $now, - have no #rotector now, so m&st do ever!thing - can to earn honest mone!./ /*r&e,/ said Gostaham, /%&t now it is time !o& too$ !o&r own ris$s, for !o& will alwa!s %e one to ta$e them./ )e was right. - co&ld not sto# m!self8 it was #art of m! nat&re. /4an !o& hel# at all1/ /Perha#s, if !o& can relia%l! deliver what - demand,/ he said, with a g&arded loo$. /B&t can !o&1/ - $new - had alwa!s %een a c&riosit! in his e!es, for - had talent and fire. )e had never seen that in his wife or da&ghters, who had %een content with %eing #am#ered. B&t now he had reason to mistr&st me, as well. - too$ a dee# %reath. /- #romise !o&, amoo, - have learned,/ - said. /- almost lost m! mother to illness. - have %egged in the %a+aar and end&red the worst ins&lts from strangers. - have made m! #eace with living h&m%l!. - will not go against !o&r sage advice""at least, not when it comes to car#ets./ Gostaham loo$ed off into the distance, and his e!es were f&ll of regret. )e cleared his throat a few times %efore he co&ld s#ea$. /'e did wrong %! !o&,/ he finall! said.

/3nd - %! !o&,/ - re#lied. /- am sorr! for all the tro&%le ca&sed !o&r ho&sehold, for - have loved nothing more than learning %! !o&r side./ Gostaham loo$ed at me as if assessing me anew. %elieved he co&ld see the change in me. - was calm, #r&dent, and strong, not the willf&l child - had %een. /-t is time we made amends,/ he said. /-f !o& are certain !o& can do what - re,&ire, - have a wa! to assist !o&./ /- will do an!thing !o& as$./ /'hat - need is wor$ers,/ he said. /*his c!#ress tree car#et is a #rivate commission, and m! &s&al assistants are too %&s! to do it. 0o& $now how to read a design now, so !o& can call o&t the colors and s&#ervise its creation. - will #a! !o& and two wor$ers a dail! wage to ma$e this car#et, and give !o& the wool./ - was filled with .o!. /*han$ !o&, amoo, for !o&r generosit!,/ - said. /5ot so fast,/ he re#lied. /*he conditions are that - will visit !o&r wor$sho# wee$l! to ma$e s&re ever!thing is #roceeding according to m! e(act #lan./ /Of co&rse,/ - re#lied. /'e will o#en o&r home to !o&. 3nd who is the car#et for1/ /3 friend of Fere!doon's,/ he said. - was astonished. / o he is no longer angr!2/ /)e seems to have forgiven all of &s,/ Gostaham said. /3nd so have 5aheed's #arents, who restored their car#et commission .&st a few da!s ago./ /-'m so glad,/ - said, for - co&ld feel that Gostaham was more at ease now that his silver was ass&red. 'e si##ed o&r coffee. -t felt good to %e with Gostaham again. 0et now things were different, for - was no longer his retainer. 3ltho&gh - did not have his #rotection, neither was -

&nder his and Gordi!eh's swa!. )e was right, - wo&ld alwa!s ta$e m! chances on things. Perha#s it was %etter to %e &nfettered. /3moo,/ - said, /ma! - show !o& the design - have %een wor$ing on1/ - had s$etched some car#et designs while m! mother and 9avood sle#t off their illnesses. )e threw %ac$ his head and la&ghed. /0o& are most &n&s&al for a girl,/ he re#lied. /Before long, !o& will have sevent!"seven #eo#le wor$ing for !o&, - am s&re./ - showed him the design and as$ed him to advise me on the colors. -t was a sim#le s&n%&rst car#et with a &niverse of tin! flowers, a design that - ho#ed wo&ld a##eal to !o&ng wives who en.o!ed sho##ing for fashiona%le goods in the %a+aar. Gostaham loo$ed at it caref&ll!, %&t then - watched the lines in his forehead dee#en, a relia%le sign that something was wrong. )e loo$ed &# and said, /9on't ma$e this./ - was so s&r#rised, - stared at him. /-f !o& tr! to sell this car#et, !o&'ll %e com#eting with r&g ma$ers from all over the co&ntr! who &se the same t!#e of design. -t's an honora%le #attern, %&t !o& can do %etter./ - tho&ght a%o&t how long it had ta$en for 6ale$eh to sell one of her s&n%&rst car#ets, even tho&gh it was ver! fine. didn't want to have to str&ggle as hard as she had. /*hen, what sho&ld - do1/ /6a$e another feathers car#et, li$e the one !o& gave the 9&tchman,/ Gostaham said. - winced at the memor! of m! foll!, which had cost me so dearl!. -t was #ainf&l to %e reminded of it again. /*hat car#et showed !o& to %e a designer whose wor$ cannot %e e,&aled %! others,/ Gostaham said in a softer voice. /*hat's the onl! wa! to ma$e mone! in this %&siness./

/-'m glad !o& li$ed it,/ - said. /0o& still don't &nderstand,/ he re#lied. /-t is a rare talent to %e a%le to design something fine and dear. 0o& m&st c&ltivate that talent, not waste it./ - co&ld feel m! %lood r&shing to m! head. 3fter all that had ha##ened, it was hard for me to force the words o&t. -n a low, strained voice, with m! e!es on the car#et, - said, /3moo, will !o& hel# me1 Beca&se - don't $now how to do it alone./ /0o&'re right, !o& don't $now how to do it alone,/ he said. /-'m glad !o& finall! &nderstand that./ /- do,/ - said h&m%l!. /*hen, !es, - will hel# !o& as m&ch as - can. 3nd gladl!./ )is enth&siasm em%oldened me to as$ for an advance on m! wages for the c!#ress tree car#et, es#eciall! since Gordi!eh was not there to sto# him. )e la&ghed at m! %oldness and, to m! great satisfaction, gave me the silver right awa!. - said m! farewell and wal$ed to 6ale$eh's, singing softl! to m!self. *he air was still cool, %&t the 5ew 0ear and the %eginning of s#ring were onl! wee$s awa!. -n the distance, the lemon"!ellow dome of the hah's #rivate mos,&e %eamed li$e a life"giving s&n. -t made me feel warm from the inside, altho&gh m! s$in was tingling in the chill. 'hen - arrived home, - told 6ale$eh and =ata!oon the news. *he! were filled with delight, for we now had several months of #aid wor$ ahead of &s. 6ale$eh e(#ressed s&r#rise over the so&rce of the commission. /0o& went %ac$ to !o&r &ncle after he dismissed !o&1/ she as$ed. /)ow %old !o& are2/ - smiled with satisfaction. - was %old, %&t - was no longer rash. - finall! &nderstood the difference.

6ale$eh #romised to match the advance - had received on m! wages so that we co&ld %&! all the wool for m! feathers car#et, which wo&ld allow me to start wor$ing on it right awa!. For the first time in man! months, there was so m&ch .o! in the ho&sehold that no one wanted to slee#. 'e set &# the $orsi again and warmed o&rselves &nderneath it. -t started snowing lightl! o&tside, %&t we all felt co+! together. - loo$ed aro&nd at ever!one as we tal$ed and si##ed strong tea. Even tho&gh we weren't famil!, 6ale$eh and 9avood %ehaved as if we were. 3ltho&gh we crowded them terri%l!, the! had never told &s we were not welcome. *he! shared ever!thing the! had and #raised &s for ever!thing we gave. *his, - tho&ght, was tr&l! m! famil!, for the! loved &s and hel#ed &s thro&gh diffic&lties witho&t com#laint. /'o&ld an!one li$e to hear a stor!1/ as$ed m! mother all of a s&dden. - sat &#, s&r#rised. For months, she had %een as silent as a nightingale in winter. 5ow - was certain she was on the #ath to good health. *he %o!s sho&ted their a##roval and #romised to sit ,&ietl!. 6ale$eh stro$ed their heads, and even 9avood seemed well eno&gh to sta! awa$e thro&gh the tale. 3ll of &s t&rned to m! mother in antici#ation. he loo$ed %ea&tif&l again, her chee$s shining from the warmth of the $orsi, her e!es s#ar$ling, her thic$ gra! hair #&lled awa! from her face. he %egan s#ea$ing in the hone!ed voice that m! father had alwa!s #raised, which l&lled me right %ac$ to the times we had sat together in o&r village and listened, held fast in the we% of her tales. First there wasn't and then there was. Before God, no one was. Once there was a girl named 3+adeh who, %! nat&re, was firm and certain in her decisions. From the time she was a child, 3+adeh alwa!s $new what she #referred: almonds

over #istachios, the cooing of doves over the song of the nightingale, her ,&iet friend Laleh over her tal$ative friend >omri. Even when the time came for her to marr!, 3+adeh did not %ehave li$e other girls, who trem%led with fear &nder their veils. he had met her h&s%and once, when he had come to admire her red hair and mil$! s$in, and si# a so&r cherr! drin$ with her famil!. 'hen she saw him and heard him s#ea$ with a catch in his throat a%o&t his favorite horse, she $new he was a man who &nderstood tenderness. Loo$ing toward her mother, she closed her e!es and held them sh&t for a moment to conve! her assent. 3+adeh and her h&s%and lived together in harmon! for two !ears, at which time he !earned to ma$e the #ilgrimage to 6ashhad. 3dmiring her h&s%and's religio&s feeling, which had dee#ened d&ring their !ears together, 3+adeh enco&raged him to travel, $nowing the! didn't have eno&gh mone! to go together. /- will ma$e the #ilgrimage another time,/ she told him $indl!, /when m! heart is more read!./ 3+adeh's h&s%and left on his tri#, m&rm&ring than$s to the Lord of the Universe for %lessing him with s&ch a .ewel of a wife. 9&ring his a%sence, he as$ed his %rother to care for 3+adeh li$e a sister, ens&ring that she remain free from want and harm. )er %rother"in"law had alwa!s $e#t his distance, %&t that changed soon after her h&s%and de#arted. Earl! in the morning, when she arose and came o&t of her room to ta$e her morning meal, her %rother"in"law wo&ld sa!, /7o!, 3+adeh2 0o&r face is as smooth and white as the moon that is onl! now sli##ing into the o&ter s#heres of heaven2/ 3nd in the evenings: /7o!, 3+adeh2 0o&r hair shimmers li$e the last strea$s of s&n giving wa! to %lac$est night2/ 3+adeh wo&ld smile #olitel! and s&ggest that the moon or s&n or stars were signaling that the weather wo&ld %e fine. Privatel!, she wished her %rother"in"law wo&ld ta$e a wife.

3s the months #assed, 3+adeh !earned for her h&s%and, and his %rother !earned for 3+adeh. 'henever he co&ld, he %r&shed against her clothing or her hair, or stood too near when the! s#o$e, so that she was alwa!s inching her %od! awa!. he s#ent long ho&rs alone in her room, and when she emerged for food or other needs, he was alwa!s waiting. One da!, when she tried to sli# o&t of her room at d&s$, she felt a t&g at her t&nic and saw him cro&ching near the door in the gloom. Before she co&ld s#ea$, he gra%%ed her legs, to##ling her to the gro&nd. 'ithin moments his %od! was covering hers, and he was demanding her s&%mission. /Otherwise,/ he said, his onion! %reath hot against her chee$, /- will tell ever!one that !o& #&rs&ed a soldier &ntil he co&ld no longer resist !o&, and the first stor! !o&r h&s%and hears will %e of !o&r ad&lter!./ 3+adeh screamed to s&mmon her servant, forcing her %rother"in"law to #eel himself off her. *hen she loc$ed herself in her room in fright. *hat night, her %rother"in"law came to her door, whis#ering thro&gh the loc$ that he'd give her seven da!s to !ield, which %ecame si( and five and fo&r, &ntil all the da!s were s#ent. On the eighth da!, a gro&# of men incl&ding her %rother" in"law %ro$e into her room. 'hile 3+adeh sat ,&ietl! with her sewing, he anno&nced that she had %een declared g&ilt! of ad&lter!. )e had %ro&ght fo&r witnesses %efore a .&dge, each of whom had sworn the! had seen her commit the act itself, and she was to %e #&nished that ver! da!. *he men too$ 3+adeh dee# into the desert and d&g a hole, %&r!ing her to the waist. 3s she stood imm&red in the sand, she watched them gather stones, which the! #laced in #iles near her. *he s&n was hot on 3+adeh's face and her arms were #inned tightl! to her sides, so when the roc$s %egan fl!ing toward her, she co&ldn't defend herself. Blood streamed into her e!es, and %efore long she saw circles of

light that loo$ed li$e e(#loding stars. )er head lolled on her sho&lder as if %ro$en. 'hen the men were satisfied that her %od! held no more %reath, the! de#arted, e(#ecting that her %ones wo&ld soon shine white in the s&n. Earl! the ne(t morning, a Bedo&in traveling thro&gh the desert tho&ght that the strange creat&re he s#otted m&st %e a mirage. 'hen he came closer, he noticed that its li#s were still moving. *he Bedo&in &n%&ried 3+adeh, sl&ng her %od! on his camel, and %ro&ght her home to his wife, who tended her &ntil her wo&nds healed. 3ltho&gh 3+adeh's heart was heav! with sorrow, it was onl! a matter of months %efore her %ea&t! %loomed again, her hair as red as if it had %een fired %! henna, her s$in as white as mil$, her li#s li$e the #in$est corals. mitten, the Bedo&in as$ed her to %e his second wife. 'hen she gentl! reminded him that she alread! had a h&s%and, he #romised to care for her li$e a sister, and remained tr&e to his word. B&t to most men, 3+adeh's %ea&t! #ric$ed li$e a needle. &ch a man was the Bedo&in's servant, whose heart st&ng whenever 3+adeh came near. -f she #assed on her wa! to fetch water, he m&rm&red #assages of so&l"stirring #oetr!, %&t she remained deaf to his #rett! words. One night, when he co&ld no longer %ear %eing s#&rned, he threatened to commit a crime &nless she relented. B&t 3+adeh remained firm, ref&sing him o&t of res#ect for her h&s%and. -n des#eration, his mind clo&ded %! l&st, the servant gra%%ed a stone from the garden and so&ght o&t the Bedo&in's onl! child, a %a%! who sle#t in her own small %ed. )e smashed in the child's head, %rea$ing her fragile s$&ll, and hid the %lood! roc$ &nder 3+adeh's #illow. 'hen the child's death and the roc$ were discovered, the Bedo&in s&mmoned 3+adeh, tears streaming from his e!es. /7o!, 3+adeh2/ he said. /- gave !o& %ac$ !o&r life. -s this how !o& re#a! me, with %lood and death1/

/=indest of masters, - %eg !o& to &se !o&r reason,/ she re#lied. /'hat motive wo&ld - have for $illing the child of a man who saved m! life1 Loo$ aro&nd !o&: 'ho else might have wanted to commit s&ch an evil deed1/ *he Bedo&in $new that his servant had alwa!s !earned for 3+adeh. )e str&ggled to master his feelings, reali+ing 3+adeh was right. he had never done an!thing to ma$e him distr&st her. /- %elieve !o& are innocent,/ he said slowl!. /B&t if !o& sta!, ever! time m! wife loo$s at !o&, she will %e cons&med %! grief. 5o woman can %ear to %e reminded of so m&ch sorrow. - am sorr! to lose !o&, %&t !o& m&st go./ *he Bedo&in gave 3+adeh a sac$ of silver, and she left with onl! the mone! and the clothing on her %ac$. 5ot $nowing what to do, she wal$ed to the #ort and fo&nd a shi# sailing for Ba$&, where one of her &ncles had gone man! !ears %efore to ma$e his fort&ne. he gave the ca#tain all her mone!, and he #romised her safe #assage and freedom from harm. B&t onl! a few da!s after the! had set sail the ca#tain felt stric$en %! the sight of 3+adeh's flaming hair and her chee$s li$e %looming roses. /B&t - am a married woman2/ #rotested 3+adeh, cloa$ing her hair and %od! and wishing she had %een %orn as #lain as her friend Laleh. 3+adeh fled from the ca#tain's gras#ing hands and #ra!ed to the Redeemer of 6en. *o her wonder, the s$ies %egan to dar$en and a fierce wind stirred the water. 3s the waves %ecame as tall as %&ildings, even the hardiest seamen %egan to #ra! with her. &ddenl!, there was a lo&d, violent crac$ and the shi# s#lit in two, s#illing its contents into the sea. -n the water, 3+adeh felt a #iece of the shi#'s h&ll stri$e her chee$. he rolled her %od! on to# of it, her t&nic %illowing in the water %ehind her. For ho&rs, she drifted alone, and tho&gh she had reason to %elieve she wo&ld die

of h&nger or thirst, she was s&r#rised at how calm she felt, for the s$!, the sea, and the %irds were all &nconcerned %! her #resence. 3fter a night and a da!, 3+adeh s#otted a thin stri# of land. he #addled herself to shore and threw herself onto the sand, aching with fatig&e. )er chee$ had swelled li$e a melon from %eing hit %! the de%ris that had saved her. he co&ld %arel! o#en her right e!e. 5ot far awa!, she noticed the %od! of one of the sailors, who a##eared to have drowned. 3+adeh crawled over to him, chec$ing his %reath to ma$e s&re he was dead. *hen she discarded her own so##ing clothing and donned his, which was stiff with salt. -n his #oc$et she fo&nd a $nife. he &nsheathed it and e(amined its shar# %lade, and an idea came to her a%o&t how to se#arate herself from her miser!. he had alwa!s $nown what she wanted8 her decisions came easil!. 5ow, as she a##roached this one, she hesitated &nder the %&rden of do&%t. )ow co&ld she do what her mind was imagining1 he sat holding the $nife &ntil dawn, when the so&nds of fishermen #re#aring to la&nch their %oats ro&sed her. 3nd s&ddenl! 3+adeh, who was too wear! to end&re an!thing more, made her decision. he lifted a han$ of her hair and slid it against the shar# %lade, c&tting as close to the scal# as she co&ld. *hen she c&t another han$, and another. 4l&m#s of red hair drifted, lifted, and %illowed aro&nd her, %lowing into the sea li$e some strange creat&re ret&rning to the dee#. 'hen she was finished, 3+adeh's scal# felt the night air for the first time, and she shivered with #leas&re as if she were %eing caressed. he #laced the sailor's ca# on her head, dragged her %od! awa! from his, and sle#t li$e the dead. Late that morning, a gro&# of fishermen discovered her as well as some of the %ales of silver that had %een #art of the shi#'s cargo. =nowing that s&ch a treas&re was a matter for

the shah, the! too$ 3+adeh to his #alace to e(#lain what had ha##ened. *o 3+adeh, whose %od! was salt"encr&sted and %ro$en, the shah loo$ed as clean as if he had %athed in light. )e was dressed in a red sil$ ro%e, and his face glowed &nder a rose" em%roidered t&r%an that s#ar$led with r&%ies. /0o&r name1/ demanded the shah. /- am 3mir, son of a sea ca#tain,/ re#lied 3+adeh in her throatiest voice. /'hat a fair !o&th !o& m&st have %een %efore this traged!2/ e(claimed the shah. /0o&r face has %een crac$ed and %r&ised, !et God in his merc! has #reserved !o&r life./ 3+adeh almost smiled, her %od! tingling with relief at the tho&ght of her own &gliness. 6astering herself, she re#lied, /3ll m! father's cargo has washed &# on !o&r shores, %&t m! father, alas, is lost. - offer !o& all his goods in e(change for .&st one thing./ /- give !o& #ermission to ma$e !o&r re,&est,/ re#lied the shah. /From now on, - reno&nce vo!aging and mone!ma$ing,/ she said. /Onl! %&ild me a stone tower near the sea where none shall visit, and there - shall worshi# the Leader of the Faithf&l for the rest of m! da!s./ /-t shall %e granted,/ the shah re#lied, dismissing 3mir witho&t a second glance. 3mir wal$ed toward the town s,&are. 3 few of the towns#eo#le e(#ressed s!m#ath! for his losses and offered #o&ltices for his face. Later, an inn$ee#er #rovided him with a %ed in a room with other men. *he! .o$ed with him a little, tr!ing to relieve his sorrow, their e!es sliding across his face with no more interest than if the! had %een ga+ing at a m&le. 3s 3mir #&lled the %lan$ets over his %od!, he $new he wo&ld slee# #eacef&ll! for the first time since %eing left to die in the

desert. *hat night, he dreamed of his stone tower, where he wo&ld live free and forgotten, listening no longer to fevered words of love %&t onl! to the soothing so&nd of the sea. 3mir worshi##ed God in that tower, and his fame as a man of devotion s#read across the land. &ch was his re#&tation that when the shah %ecame ill, he called on 3mir to %ecome his s&ccessor, for he $new of no one more #&re. B&t rather than acce#t, 3mir revealed that he was a woman. 3westr&c$ %! this dis#la! of h&milit!, the shah called &#on 3+adeh to select a man among them who wo&ld %e a fitting r&ler. B! then, 3+adeh had also %ecome $nown as a healer. Ever! da!, #ilgrims came to the stone tower to %eg for %lessings and to as$ for the gift of health. One of these was 3+adeh's %rother"in"law. 'hen her h&s%and had ret&rned from his #ilgrimage, he had fo&nd his %rother's lim%s #aral!+ed and offered to ta$e him to the stone tower to see$ a c&re. 3nother s&##licant was the Bedo&in's servant. )e had m!sterio&sl! %ecome %lind, and the Bedo&in #romised to accom#an! him to visit the sage of the tower. *he fo&r men met on the road and decided to travel together. 5at&rall!, 3+adeh recogni+ed them as the! a##roached, %&t in her disg&ise as a man, the! did not $now her. 'hen the men as$ed for hel# in c&ring their ills, she demanded that the! first confess their crimes. /Reveal all that is hidden within !o&r heart,/ she told them, /for onl! then will !o& %e c&red. -f !o& leave an!thing veiled, it is certain that !o& will remain stric$en./ )er h&s%and's %rother, shamefaced, revealed how he had l&sted after a woman, falsel! acc&sed her of infidelit!, and %ro&ght her to her death. *he servant admitted that he, too, had desired a woman and cr&shed a %a%!'s s$&ll when she wo&ld not relent. Once the tr&th had %een &ttered, 3+adeh

offered a #ra!er to God, who released the men from their afflictions. 5ow her h&s%and's %rother co&ld wal$ again and the servant co&ld see. Each one %egged for forgiveness for his crimes, and 3+adeh granted them #ardon. *hen she revealed herself to her h&s%and, and all the love that had %een denied them for so long g&shed forth li$e a river. 3+adeh installed her h&s%and as shah and made the Bedo&in her vi+ier, and .&stice reigned forevermore in their land. *he %o!s and 9avood had fallen aslee#. 6ale$eh than$ed m! mother for the stor! and c&rled &# %eside her h&s%and. Onl! m! mother and - remained awa$e. /'hat a tale2/ - said. /3+adeh m&st have had a heart as %ig as %lessed Fatemeh's to forgive those who had wronged her so m&ch./ /-t was the right thing to do,/ said m! mother tenderl!, holding m! ga+e. - ret&rned her ga+e, and when - saw how f&ll of love it was, - s&ddenl! &nderstood what she meant. he had forgiven me, des#ite the #ain - had ca&sed her. 'e sat ,&ietl! for a moment, and for the first time since we had left Gordi!eh and Gostaham's ho&se, - felt #eace in m! heart. 6! mother and - moved closer together, sitting $nee to $nee so that we co&ld tal$ ,&ietl! witho&t wa$ing the others. 'hen the $orsi went o&t, we #&t an oil lam# %etween &s and wra##ed %lan$ets aro&nd o&r sho&lders. *he wind howled o&tside and the snow t&rned to free+ing rain. 'hen a dro# dar$ened m! %l&e cotton ro%e, - moved to evade the lea$. 9es#ite the chill, we sta!ed awa$e and %egan tal$ing a%o&t all we had e(#erienced in recent !ears: the evil comet, m! father's &ntimel! death, Gostaham's #ec&liar ho&sehold, and the marvel that was -sfahan. 3t first, m! mother did all the tal$ing, %&t %efore long, - %egan s#ea$ing instead. *he words

flowed o&t of me, and - felt as if - were in a saint's shrine whis#ering the tr&th of m! heart into the saint's ear. 6! mother listened caref&ll!, .&st as - had listened to her stories so man! times %efore. ometimes what - said seemed to s&r#rise her, %&t her ga+e was tender, and - felt as if - were growing into a woman %efore her e!es. -t too$ &ntil a coc$ crowed o&tside, signaling the dawn, %efore - was finall! done. 6! mother said, /9a&ghter of mine, !o&r heart is now as #&re as a carnelian, for !o& have s#o$en the tr&th./ he %lew o&t the oil lam# and %&rrowed &nder the covers, closing her e!es. 0awning, - too$ m! #lace %eside her, ha##il! tired. 3s m! mother's %reathing %ecame ,&iet and smooth, - tho&ght %ac$ to the comet and )a.. 3li's #redictions, and how shar#l! the! had afflicted me. 'as there an! reason - m&st live forever &nder an &nl&c$! #ro#hec!, now that the !ear of the comet had come and gone1 -t seemed as if 3+adeh herself had %een &nder s&ch an evil infl&ence, for her l&c$ had died, %&t then it ret&rned to %&rn even %righter than %efore. Even her s&ffering had not %een in vain, for her heart had grown large eno&gh to forgive those who had wronged her. - co&ld not g&ess what fate #romised me, %&t - $new wo&ld strive to ma$e a good life, .&st as 3+adeh had done. tho&ght of m! father, and his love co&rsed thro&gh me li$e a river. 3s - %egan to fall aslee#, - co&ld hear him giving me advice. )e said, /P&t !o&r faith in God, %&t alwa!s fasten !o&r camel's leg./ 4ha#ter E7E5 'inter was almost over at last. *he weather had softened, %ringing sweet rains and the first warm da!s of the !ear. 3s the 5ew 0ear a##roached, we #re#ared o&r home and

o&rselves to welcome it. 6ale$eh, m! mother, and - mo##ed o&r tin! room, swe#t the co&rt!ard, washed the %edding, d&sted o&r few #ossessions, and scr&%%ed o&r tattered clothing and o&rselves, so that we co&ld greet the s#ring with freshness and ho#e. 'e cele%rated the first da! of the 5ew 0ear with a %o&nteo&s meal of chic$en coo$ed with greens, and too$ alman and hahvali to #la! near the river. 3s the %o!s di##ed their feet in the water, the! seemed gidd! with delight, for it had %een long since the! co&ld en.o! themselves witho&t cares. 3fter the! had finished #la!ing, we sat in a teaho&se &nderneath the *hirt!"three 3rches Bridge and refreshed o&rselves with hot tea and coo$ies made with soft, sweet dates. *he river seemed to dance %! o&r feet, s#ra!ing &s from time to time with revitali+ing dro#s. -t was the first time that all of &s, incl&ding 9avood, were well eno&gh to have an o&ting together as a famil!. *he ne(t da!, even tho&gh all of -sfahan was %eginning a fifteen"da! holida!, 6ale$eh, =ata!oon, and - %egan wor$ on the c!#ress tree car#et for Gostaham. -t was diffic&lt to ma$e #rogress in the co&rt!ard with so man! children &nderfoot and so man! neigh%ors coming and going, es#eciall! d&ring the holida!. B&t we la%ored thro&gh the commotion, for nothing rivaled the im#ortance of creating a r&g to da++le Gostaham. hortl! after the end of the holida!, Gostaham made his first visit to ins#ect o&r wor$. 'hen he arrived, loo$ing #rincel! in an indigo sil$ ro%e over a saffron sheath and a #&r#le t&r%an, - .&m#ed to m! feet from %ehind the loom to greet him. 6ale$eh and =ata"!oon showered him with than$s for %eing o&r %enefactor, while $ee#ing their e!es fi(ed res#ectf&ll! on the loom. Gostaham glanced aro&nd the co&rt!ard in dis%elief. 3 dirt! child with a r&nn! nose shran$ against the door of his

home, awestr&c$ %! Gostaham's #resence, while another in tattered clothes ran for her #arents. *he weather was alread! warm, and the co&rt!ard %ore the rancid smell of feet, which emanated from shoes left o&tside the doors. 6! mother %egged Gostaham to sit and acce#t a vessel of tea, %&t when the odor reached his nostrils, an e(#ression of %arel! concealed disg&st flic$ered on his face and he said he co&ld not sta!. )e did not to&ch the wea$ tea that was nonetheless #laced near him, with an old %&t coveted saffron cand! that drew a small crowd of flies. Gostaham e(amined the r&g from %oth sides to chec$ the tightness of the $nots and the acc&rac! of the #attern against his design, and #rofessed his satisfaction with the few rows we had com#leted. *hen he said he had #ressing %&siness elsewhere and t&rned on his heel. - ran %ehind him and than$ed him for coming. /God %e with !o&, m! child,/ he said, as if divine hel# were the onl! thing that co&ld save me. - watched him mo&nt the horse that awaited him. Before he rode awa!, he said with something li$e admiration, /6ash'3llah2 5either earth,&a$es, nor #lag&es, nor miser! will ever sto# !o& from ma$ing car#ets that delight the e!es./ - ret&rned to the loom with a light ste#. 6ale$eh and =ata!oon loo$ed at me e(#ectantl!, and - showered them with #raise and ass&red them that o&r #atron was #leased with o&r wor$. Feeling relieved that we had #assed o&r first test, - sang o&t the colors li$e a nightingale &ntil it was time for the midda! meal. 3fter we ate, the others too$ &# ho&sehold tas$s, while t&rned m! attention to $notting the new feathers car#et. -t was m&ch easier this time, for - $new the #attern well and had chosen colors %ased on Gostaham's criticisms of m! first attem#t, in an effort to ma$e the design seem even more delicate. - too$ great #leas&re in the wor$. 6! fingers

seemed to fl! over the $nots li$e %irds s$imming the s&rface of a river, and the car#et flowed from &nder m! fingers li$e water. -t was hot in the co&rt!ard, and - had to wi#e awa! the sweat from m! %row. From time to time, m! mother %ro&ght me water mi(ed with the essence of roses to refresh me. B&t - was intent on what - was doing and forgot a%o&t the children in the co&rt!ard and the so&nd of %ra!ing don$e!s %earing their %&rdens down the street. -t was as if - were living within the s&rface of the car#et m!self, s&rro&nded %! its soothing colors and its images of eternal tran,&illit!. Lost in its %ea&ties, - forgot the miser! aro&nd me. 3t nightfall, m! mother had to #&ll me awa! from m! wor$ and remind me that - m&st eat, rest m! hands, and stretch m! lim%s. 6! mother recited: 6! love is sweet"waisted, li$e a c!#ress. 3nd when the wind %lows, m! love 5either %rea$s nor %ends. -t was several months later, and we had .&st finished the c!#ress tree car#et for Gostaham. 'e had laid it o&t in the co&rt!ard and gathered aro&nd in a circle to admire it from a%ove, as it wo&ld loo$ to its owner. /)ow li$e the gardens that await &s, God willing2/ 9avood #roclaimed. /-ts owner will feel soothed when he rests his %od! &#on this treas&re./ alman and hahvali were so e(cited that the! were r&nning on and off the car#et, &ntil at last the! veered into each other and fell into a tangle of arms and legs. /-t's .&st li$e %eing in a #ar$2/ hahvali declared, and indeed with his lim%s s#la!ed in ever! direction on the car#et, he a##eared to %e entangled in the ver! heart of a garden.

- %egan la&ghing at his %o!ish disarra!, as did the others, and when m! e!es met m! mother's, =ata!oon's, and 6ale$eh's, m! heart soared with .o! over the com#letion of o&r first #ro.ect. 'e had wor$ed well together, with the sense that we were %&ilding a f&t&re that wo&ld %enefit ever!one. 3nd thro&gh it all, li$e the c!#ress itself, we did not %rea$, nor %end. Gostaham sent one of his men to #ic$ &# the car#et, and a few da!s later, - went to see him a%o&t it. - wanted to $now if we had delivered e(actl! what he had wanted, and to hear his assessment of o&r wor$. - was #leased to learn that the owner li$ed it so m&ch he had commissioned another of the same si+e, so that he wo&ld have a #air to adorn his Great Room. Gostaham advised him that it wo&ld have %een chea#er to ma$e them sim&ltaneo&sl!, for - co&ld have called o&t the colors for two gro&#s of $notters. B&t - was onl! too ha##! to acce#t the commission. Gostaham as$ed how m! wor$ was #roceeding on the feathers car#et, and - told him - wor$ed on it ever! afternoon. /*r! to com#lete it soon,/ he said, /for it's nearl! time for the harem's twice"!earl! visit to the Great Ba+aar./ - sta!ed silent, %&t a s#ring of ho#e welled in m! heart. /-f it is finished, - will grant !o& #ermission to dis#la! it in m! alcove./ 3t that, - than$ed him fort! times and nearl! ran home to get %ac$ to wor$. - was so eager that - did not heed m! mother's warnings %&t wor$ed on the feathers car#et ever! da!, from the moment it was light &ntil it was too dar$ to see. 'hen time %ecame short, - h&rried m! wor$ %! $notting %! the light of an oil lam# dee# into the night. - com#leted the fringes .&st a da! %efore the harem's visit, and when the car#et had %een sheared, - saw that Gostaham had %een right a%o&t the color choices: ;&st a few

delicate variations in the shades had made this car#et s&#erior to the first one. 3ll the elements had fallen into #lace, li$e the ingredients in a stew coo$ed to #erfection, and the car#et #leased %oth the e!e and the heart. Earl! the ne(t morning, alman and hahvali hel#ed me carr! the car#et to the -mage of the 'orld. *he! were !o&ng eno&gh not to %e #rohi%ited, li$e grown men, from catching a glim#se of the hah's women. *o #rotect them, tho&gh, sent them home %efore entering the gates of the s,&are, and carried the rolled"&# car#et m!self to Gostaham's alcove. )is eldest da&ghter, 6ehr%anoo, had %een s&mmoned from her famil! to r&n the sho#. he greeted me with a cool #ec$ on each chee$ and said, /-t's going to %e a long da!. - wish co&ld %e doing an!thing other than this./ he wore a t&nic in s&ch a %rilliant shade of orange, - was certain it had %een d!ed with saffron. *he tree of life design on her hennaed hands was #ristine. From this, - $new how idle she was. - cho$ed %ac$ the words that came to m! li#s. /9on't worr!, - shall devote m!self to hel#ing !o&,/ - said as gracef&ll! as - co&ld. 5eeding no f&rther offer, she san$ onto a large, comforta%le %olster with a sigh that indicated e(ha&stion and instr&cted me to move a %&ndle of car#ets from one end of the alcove to the other. - %ent down and #retended - co&ldn't move the %&ndle alone. - t&gged and h&ffed &ntil 6ehr%anoo was shamed %! her own indolence and arose to hel# me with it, altho&gh she added little strength to the endeavor. *he ladies of hah 3%%as's harem had %eg&n to filter into the %a+aar and #enetrate the sho#s. - h&ng m! feathers car#et on one of the most #rominent walls in the alcove and waited to see what wo&ld ha##en. Before long, ;amileh, who

was as %ea&tif&l as - remem%ered her, wal$ed %! witho&t giving o&r sho# a glance. /*here's the hah's favorite2/ - e(claimed. 6ehr%anoo la&ghed at m! ignorance. /5ot an!more,/ she said. /*he latest is 6ar!am. 0o&'ll $now her %! the color of her hair./ 'hen 6ar!am entered o&r sho# later that morning, reali+ed it was the same harem woman - had seen !ears ago, whose hair flamed red li$e the dawn %&t who had loo$ed lost and scared. he had an ento&rage now, s#o$e Farsi as well as her native 4ircassian, and a##eared to %e in charge of her sisters. )er dar$ e!es and e!e%rows made a #leasing ref&ge from her %right red hair. 3fter greeting &s, she %egan loo$ing at Gostaham's wares and saw m! car#et. /Loo$ at that2/ she said, attracted to it as if it were a lodestone. 3fter ga+ing at it for a long time, she anno&nced wistf&ll! that the feathers reminded her of the %irds in her homeland. - did not reveal that - was the car#et's designer and $notter. - tho&ght if she saw m! call&sed fingers or loo$ed closel! at m! tired red e!es""if she &nderstood the fearsome wor$ that a car#et demanded""its %ea&ties wo&ld %e forever tarnished in her e!es. Better for her to imagine it %eing made %! a carefree !o&ng girl who s$i##ed across hillsides #l&c$ing flowers for d!es %efore settling down to tie a few rela(ing $nots in %etween si#s of #omegranate .&ice. - $new otherwise: 6! %ac$ ached, m! lim%s were stiff, and - had not sle#t eno&gh for a month. - tho&ght a%o&t all the la%or and s&ffering that were hidden %eneath a car#et, starting with the materials. 7ast fields of flowers had to %e m&rdered for their d!e, innocent worms %oiled alive for their sil$""and what a%o&t $notters1 6&st we sacrifice o&rselves for the sa$e of r&gs1

- had heard stories a%o&t women who %ecame deformed %! long ho&rs of sitting at the loom, so that when the! tried to deliver a child, their %ones formed a #rison loc$ing the %a%! inside. -n s&ch cases, mother and child wo&ld die after man! ho&rs of ang&ish. Even the !o&ngest $notters s&ffered aching %ac$s, %ent lim%s, tired fingers, e(ha&sted e!es. 3ll o&r la%ors were in service of %ea&t!, %&t sometimes it seemed as if ever! thread in a car#et had %een di##ed in the %lood of flowers. *hese were things that 6ar!am wo&ld never $now. -nstead, - told her co!l! that the car#et wo&ld disting&ish her in ever!one's e!es"".&st li$e her thic$ red hair. - arg&ed that an! man who a##reciated fine car#ets, as - $new hah 3%%as did, wo&ld ta$e great #leas&re and #ride in s&ch an &n#aralleled design. he re#lied that she desired a car#et .&st li$e it, %&t twice as long to fit one of her rooms. 'hen she as$ed the #rice of a commission, - re#lied sweetl!, %&t there was iron in m! voice. - wo&ld not give awa! m! car#et this time. -, %etter than an!one else, $new the val&e of ever! $not. 6ar!am didn't wince over the stee# #rice, and after a %rief %it of %argaining, we came to a deal. )er e&n&ch wrote &# o&r agreement, which incl&ded a first #a!ment that wo&ld allow me to %&! the wool. - was so gleef&l when the! left that - wanted to dance aro&nd the sho#, for - had finall! achieved what - wanted: sold a car#et on m! own, of m! own design, on m! own terms. *he end of the da! held an even greater s&r#rise. Right after the g&ards anno&nced that the %a+aar wo&ld %e closing soon, ;amileh sli##ed into o&r sho#. he was alone and %ehaved as if she wanted to conceal her visit. 3ltho&gh she was still %ea&tif&l, the faint valle!s &nder her e!es hinted that the first flower of her !o&th was gone. Rather than the %rash confidence she had e(hi%ited when - first served her !ears

%efore, she showed a to&ch of weariness and %itterness, for her star had alread! dimmed in the e!es of the onl! #erson who mattered. 'itho&t loo$ing at o&r wares, she in,&ired a%o&t whether we were offering a car#et with the lightness of feathers. 6ehr%anoo and - were %oth s&r#rised that she $new of it. 'hen - #ointed it o&t, she #retended to e(amine it and then dis#araged it, sa!ing she tho&ght it o&ght to %e chea#, %&t the l&st in her e!es told me she wo&ld not leave witho&t it. /-t's a rare treas&re: Onl! one other has %een commissioned,/ - said, and when her face dar$ened, s&rmised that her s#ies had informed her of 6ar!am's #&rchase. 6! initial #rice was ver! high, %&t - left eno&gh air in it to %e a%le to give her a disco&nt. ;amileh did not li$e m! #rice. he #o&ted, #rotested, and finall! %egged, %&t to no avail. 3ll r&g dealers learn to identif! na$ed desire in their %&!ers and tra# those who dis#la! it. ;amileh co&ld not ho#e for a %argain, and she hated herself for having %ared her heart. *o console her, - as$ed 6ehr%anoo's #ermission to give her a free $notted c&shion cover. =nowing it wo&ld %e %est for f&t&re %&siness to a##ease her, 6ehr%anoo agreed. thin$ she, too, felt vindicated, for she had heard the stor! of how ;amileh had tal$ed Gordi!eh into a s#ectac&lar disco&nt on the c&shion covers, and how Gostaham had had to design and ma$e them at a loss. ;amileh called in a e&n&ch to write down o&r agreement. was to claim the mone! later from one of the hah's acco&ntants, for the women did not carr! an! silver. he left with the coveted car#et, tri&m#hant des#ite the #rice. - $new it wo&ld give her great satisfaction to %e the first to show her treas&re to the hah, $nowing that 6ar!am's car#et wo&ld seem old to him when it was finall! delivered.

')E5 - 3RR-7E9 )O6E, m! mother %ro&ght me a vessel of hot tea, and the famil! gathered aro&nd and made me tell them ever!thing that had trans#ired d&ring the da!, incl&ding what the women loo$ed li$e, how the! %argained, and how - had managed to get the %etter of them. *o cele%rate o&r s&ccess, m! mother coo$ed eggs with dates, and served the meal with fresh %read. 3s we ate, we %egan to disc&ss how we wo&ld accom#lish all the wor$ that la! ahead of &s, for now we had two commissions to f&lfill at once. /-t wo&ld %e %est to wor$ on the car#ets at the same time, so that we can increase o&r income,/ - said. /*r&e,/ re#lied 6ale$eh, /%&t the neigh%ors are alread! anno!ed with &s for &sing so m&ch of the co&rt!ard""more than o&r share./ /-f onl! we co&ld have o&r own home2/ m! mother said, and there was lo&d agreement. *hat %egan a disc&ssion a%o&t how m&ch mone! we co&ld e(#ect over the ne(t few months. 3fter calc&lating the amo&nt, 9avood declared that it might %e #ossi%le to afford larger ,&arters and #romised to find o&t how m&ch the! wo&ld cost. -t too$ him onl! a wee$ to find a ho&se in the neigh%orhood that most #eo#le didn't want, for it had ver! small rooms. )e %argained over the #rice, receiving a red&ction in rent after offering to ma$e all the owner's shoes and to fi( an! leather goods that needed re#air, for he had %een a co%%ler %efore his illness. 'e concl&ded that o&r income wo&ld still %e slim, %&t agreed that new accommodation was the onl! wa! we co&ld get several looms &nder wa! at once, and see$ to im#rove o&r fort&nes. 3t the end of the month, we moved into o&r new lodging. -t was a h&m%le m&d"%ric$ home with two small rooms on

either side of a large co&rt!ard, and a tin!, dar$ room that served as a $itchen. B&t to me, it was li$e a #alace, for now m! mother and - had a room of o&r own again. *he first night, after 9avood, 6ale$eh, and their sons disa##eared into their room, - had the co&rt!ard all to m!self. - sat there after ever!one else had gone to slee#, with a vessel of hot tea, en.o!ing the sn&g feeling of %eing alone !et s&rro&nded %! $indhearted com#anions. *here was am#le room in the co&rt!ard for two looms. 9avood %&sied himself with setting them &# and stringing them, while 6ale$eh and - loo$ed for wor$ers. 'e fo&nd five women $notters who needed to earn mone! and as$ed them to come for a trial da! of wor$. One of the women was too slow, while another made slo##!, loose $nots and wo&ld not %e corrected, %&t we were #leased with the other three and retained them. Before we started, - ta&ght 6ale$eh how to call o&t colors for a loom. he s&#ervised =ata!oon and one of the wor$ers on the second c!#ress tree car#et for Gostaham's client, whose design she alread! $new, while - #resided over the other wor$ers on the large feathers car#et for 6ar!am. -n the mornings, the onl! so&nd that co&ld %e heard from o&r co&rt!ard was of flowing colors, me calling them o&t at one end, 6ale$eh at the other. 6! mother coo$ed for &s all, and the fragrance of her stews made &s wor$ well, in antici#ation of the midda! meal. One morning, m! mother told me she was ma$ing one of m! favorite dishes, #omegranate"waln&t chic$en, and tho&ght a%o&t how Gordi!eh had made me #o&nd the n&ts into #owder. /-'m &sing cr&nch! n&ts,/ m! mother added, as if she co&ld see m! tho&ghts, /%eca&se that's the wa! we li$e it./ he disa##eared into the $itchen, and - heard her singing a fol$ song that - remem%ered from ha##! da!s in o&r

village, which told a%o&t a visit from the sweet nightingale of l&c$. 'hen the stew was read!, we #&t aside o&r wor$ and ate together in the co&rt!ard while - en.o!ed the view of the two r&gs. - loved watching them transform from scra#s of colored wool into gardens of &nforgetta%le %ea&t!. 6! mother as$ed me wh! - was smiling, and - told her it was %eca&se - was en.o!ing her food. B&t there was more to it than that. -n m! village, - had never imagined that a woman li$e m!self"" alone, childless, im#overished""co&ld consider herself %lessed. 6ine was not the ha##! fate, with the h&s%and and seven %ea&tif&l sons, that m! mother's tale had foretold. 0et with the aroma of the #omegranate"waln&t chic$en aro&nd me, the so&nd of la&ghter from the other $notters in m! ears, and the %ea&t! of the r&gs on the loom filling m! e!es, the .o! - felt was as wide as the desert we had traversed to reach o&r new life in -sfahan. 'E *O-LE9 *OGE*)ER for man! months %efore we finished the commissions for Gostaham and 6ar!am. 6ale$eh wor$ed &ntil her %ell! %ecame too %ig for her to sit at the loom, for she had %ecome #regnant with her third child. 9avood delivered the second c!#ress tree car#et to Gostaham's home, %&t when he offered to deliver 6ar!am's, - tho&ght of a %etter #lan. 3 man wo&ld have to wait o&tside the harem gates while 6ar!am loo$ed at the car#et and indicated thro&gh a servant whether it met with her a##roval. 3s a woman, - s&ffered no s&ch strict&res and co&ld #resent the car#et to her m!self. 9avood carried the car#et for me to the hah's #alace at the -mage of the 'orld and left me at the entrance. a##roached one of the g&ards and told him - needed to deliver a car#et ordered %! one of the ladies. 3s #roof, -

showed him the #a#er written %! the e&n&ch, which confirmed the order. *he g&ard too$ me to the side of the #alace and delivered me into the care of a tall %lac$ e&n&ch. 3fter &nrolling the car#et and chec$ing that nothing #rohi%ited was hidden in it, he escorted me thro&gh a gro&# of wooden gates, each manned %! a different g&ard. 'hen - was finall! thro&gh the last of them, - fo&nd m!self directl! %ehind the hah's #alace in a for%idden area that contained ho&ses for his women. 6ar!am lived in one of the %est, an octagonal %&ilding $nown as Eight )eavens. - waited near a fo&ntain on the gro&nd floor, which was o#en to the air. 3 high %ric$ wall s&rro&nded the harem %&ildings, with no doors8 the onl! e(it was %! wa! of the gates the e&n&chs had &shered me thro&gh. 3fter - had cons&med several vessels of tea and eaten half a melon dri##ing with .&ice, - was s&mmoned into 6ar!am's #resence. 3t the to# of the stairs that led to her ,&arters, a servant too$ m! street wra#s, and - smoothed m! hair and m! sim#le cotton clothes. 3n old, %ald e&n&ch followed with m! car#et on his %ac$. 6ar!am was lo&nging in a room decorated with t&r,&oise and silver c&shions. he was attended %! a woman with large, wise e!es, whom later learned was a #h!sician revered for her $nowledge. *he e&n&ch &nrolled m! car#et in front of 6ar!am, who was wearing a dar$ %l&e ro%e that made her red hair loo$ a%la+e. - told her that - ho#ed the car#et wo&ld meet with her satisfaction, tho&gh it wo&ld alwa!s %e &nworth! of her %ea&t!. he arose, ga+ed at it, and said, /-t is more %ea&tif&l than - ever imagined./ /-t is m! #rivilege to %e !o&r servant,/ - re#lied. 6ar!am told the e&n&ch to remove the old r&g she had %een &sing and #lace mine in the #osition of honor. -ts colors

%lended %ea&tif&ll! with those she had chosen for the rest of the room. 3fter admiring it, she said, /'h! is it that !o&'ve delivered this !o&rself instead of &sing a man from !o&r sho#1/ /- wanted to %e s&re the car#et met !o&r desires,/ - said, and then - #a&sed. he $new that was not the onl! reason and loo$ed at me with c&riosit!. /- ho#e this is not im#osing on !o&,/ - said, /%&t - wo&ld %e honored to $now what !o& thin$ of it, for it is a car#et of m! own design./ 6ar!am loo$ed s&r#rised. /0o&r own design1/ /- drew the #attern m!self,/ - said. - co&ld see from her e(#ression that she did not %elieve me, so - as$ed if she wo&ld call for #a#er, a reed #en, and a writing stand. 3fter the %ald e&n&ch %ro&ght them in, - sat cross"legged ne(t to her, di##ed the #en in the in$, and drew one of the feather! sha#es, after which - let m! #en dance aro&nd other common car#et motifs, li$e roses, cedar trees, onagers, and nightingales. /4an !o& teach me1/ 6ar!am as$ed. 5ow it was m! t&rn to %e s&r#rised. /Of co&rse,/ - said, /%&t as a lad! who %elongs to the hah, wh! wo&ld !o& need to ma$e r&gs1/ /- don't need to ma$e them,/ she re#lied, /%&t - sho&ld li$e to learn to draw. - am so often %ored./ )er honest! delighted me. 9rawing wo&ld %e a new wa! to am&se herself inside the harem. /-t wo&ld %e an honor,/ - said. /- will come to !o& whenever !o& li$e./ 3 servant entered %earing coffee in #&re silver c&#s, which were decorated with scenes from legends li$e the stor! of La!li and 6a.noon. - had never seen s&ch costl!

vessels, even at Fere!doon's ho&se, and - marveled at their si+e and weight. *he hot drin$ was followed %! fr&it hea#ed on silver tra!s, sweetmeats, incl&ding m! favorite chic$#ea coo$ies, and cold cherr! shar%at in #orcelain vessels. *he shar%at contained ice, which - had never seen %efore in a s&mmer drin$. 6ar!am e(#lained that the hah's servants d&g &# %loc$s of ice in winter and stored them &ndergro&nd to $ee# them cold d&ring the hot months. 3fter we had en.o!ed the refreshments, 6ar!am as$ed me to loo$ at another car#et she had %o&ght in the %a+aar, and - #raised its sim#le, geometric design, which loo$ed as if it came from the northeast. /6! mother &sed to ma$e car#ets li$e this one when - was a child in the 4a&cas&s,/ 6ar!am said, and then &nderstood wh! she wanted to learn to draw #atterns. /-f !o& li$e, we can st&d! the designs from !o&r native region,/ - said, and she re#lied that she wo&ld li$e that %est of all. *hen - rose and %egged her #ermission to de#art. /- will send for !o& soon,/ 6ar!am said, $issing me warml! on each chee$. 3fter - said good"%!e, the %ald e&n&ch too$ me to the harem's acco&ntant, who gave me a large %ag of silver for the car#et, the largest - had ever held in m! hands. -t was nearl! dar$ when - was &shered %ac$ thro&gh the gates to the -mage of the 'orld. 3s each of the thic$ wooden gates slammed %ehind me, tho&ght a%o&t how richl! dressed 6ar!am was, how soft her hands, how glittering her r&%ies, how #erfect her face, how lovel! her red hair and tin! red li#s. 3nd !et, - did not env! her. Each time a gate closed with a th&d, - was reminded that while - was free to come and go, she co&ld not leave witho&t an a##roved reason and a large ento&rage. he co&ld not wal$ across *hirt!"three 3rches Bridge and admire

the view, or get soa$ed to the s$in on a rain! night. he co&ld not ma$e the mista$es - had, and tr! again. he was doomed to l&(&riate in the most immac&late of #risons. E7ER0 'EE=, 6ar!am s&mmoned me to give her lessons in drawing. 'e %ecame friends, and aro&nd the harem ,&arters, - %ecame something of a c&riosit!. *he other women often invited me to loo$ at their car#ets and give m! o#inion. - had the freedom to mingle with them that no man had, e(ce#t for the hah, and the! welcomed the diversion of visitors. Gostaham congrat&lated me on m! wor$ at the harem. )e had never %een a%le to develo# a lo!al clientele among the women, and he enco&raged me to &se the advantage - had in %eing a%le to visit them. )e even #aid a tailor to ma$e me a fine orange sil$ ro%e, with a t&r,&oise sash and t&r,&oise t&nic, so that - wo&ld loo$ well"dressed and s&ccessf&l when - called on them. 3s - got to $now the harem ladies, the! %egan to commission me to ma$e car#ets and c&shion covers, as did their famil! mem%ers and friends who lived o&tside the harem. *heir a##etite for %ea&tif&l things was insatia%le, and we %egan to have so m&ch %&siness that we had to hire more wor$ers. Before long, 6ale$eh and m! mother had to s&#ervise them, for - was often %&s! at the harem or at drawing new designs to delight the ladies. One da!, - was s&r#rised to get a commission for a feathers car#et from an ac,&aintance of 6ar!am's, who sent one of her servants to o&r ho&se with a letter. -t was written ver! sim#l! so that - co&ld read it, and %efore long, - reali+ed that it was from 5aheed. 3ltho&gh it did not incl&de an!thing #ersonal a%o&t her life or o&r friendshi#, - $new that %! this gest&re, she was ma$ing amends in the %est wa! she $new how. )aving recogni+ed the sacrifice - had made %! ending

the sigheh with her h&s%and ?and mine@, she had decided to hel# me in m! new life. - $now that most #eo#le wo&ld never &nderstand wh! had traded a life of occasional o#&lence with Fere!doon for the life of hard wor$ - had now. - co&ldn't have e(#lained it m!self at the time, e(ce#t that - $new in m! heart it was right to leave the sigheh. For -, a ma$er of car#ets, had %ecome an as#irant to the highest things. - co&ldn't content m!self with a secret sigheh, nor #retend to %e clean on the o&tside while - felt dirt! on the inside. Gordi!eh wo&ld have %een s&r#rised to discover that m! lessons with Gostaham had s#&rred this decision, for he had ta&ght me this: ;&st as when we ste# into a mos,&e and its high o#en dome leads o&r minds &#, &#, to greater things, so a great car#et see$s to do the same &nder the feet. &ch a car#et directs &s to the magnificence of the infinite, veiled, !et ever near, closer than the #&lse of the .&g&lar. *he s&n%&rst that e(#lodes at the center of a car#et signals this %o&ndless radiance. Flowers and trees evo$e the #leas&res of #aradise, and there is alwa!s a s#ot at the center of the car#et that %rings calm to the heart. 3 single white lot&s flower floats in a t&r,&oise #ool, and in this tiniest of details, there it is: a call to the %est within, s&mmoning &s to the .o! of &nion. -n car#ets, - now saw not .&st intricacies of nat&re and color, not .&st master! of s#ace, %&t a sign of the infinite design. -n each #attern la! the wor$ of the 'eaver of the 'orld, com#lete and whole8 and in each $not of dail! e(istence la! mine. - will never inscri%e m! name in a car#et li$e the masters in the ro!al r&g wor$sho# who are honored for their great s$ill. - will never learn to $not a man's e!e so #recisel! it loo$s real, nor design r&gs with la!ers of #atterns so intricate that the! co&ld confo&nd the greatest of mathematicians. B&t - have devised designs of m! own, which #eo#le will cherish

for !ears to come. 'hen the! sit on one of m! car#ets, their hi#s to&ching the earth, their %ac$ elongated, and the crown of their head lifted toward the s$!, the! will %e soothed, refreshed, transformed. 6! heart will to&ch theirs and we will %e as one, even after - am d&st, even tho&gh the! will never $now m! name. 3 FE' 6O5*) L3*ER, 6ale$eh gave %irth to her third child. he and 9avood named her Elaha!""goddess. *he first time - held her in m! arms, - was into(icated %! her sweet %a%! smell, the dar$ hair stic$ing &# on her head, her tin! feather! e!e%rows, and her feet as smooth as velvet. - lifted her and held her close to m! %reast, and tho&ght a%o&t how -'d li$e to teach her ever!thing - $new. B&t then a river of feelings co&rsed thro&gh me that - did not e(#ect, and - had to give the %a%! %ac$ to 6ale$eh so that - co&ld conceal the emotions on m! face. - had alread! entered m! nineteenth !ear, and - was &nmarried and childless. - had %een too %&s! ma$ing car#ets since we had left Gostaham's to thin$ a%o&t an!thing else. B&t now that had Elaha! to ga+e on ever! wa$ing ho&r, - %egan to wonder if there was an! ho#e for me, and whether m! f&t&re m&st %e to %e res#ected as a $notter %&t #ic$led as a woman. One afternoon on m! wa! home from the harem, - wal$ed %! the hammam where - had %athed so man! times with 5aheed and tho&ght a%o&t how m&ch - missed )oma. 3fter m! mother and - had left Gostaham's ho&se, we co&ld no longer #a! the coin for %athing and had to content o&rselves with washing over a %&c$et while 9avood was o&t of the room. B&t now - had #lent! of silver to #a! the entrance fee, and - decided to go in. -t had %een more than a !ear since m! last visit. )oma was still wor$ing there, as - had ho#ed, and when she recogni+ed me, she said, /)ow !o&r #lace has %een em#t!2

)ow - have tho&ght of !o&, and wondered a%o&t !o&r fate2 4ome here, m! child, and tell me ever!thing./ )er hair was #&re white against her dar$ s$in, as radiant as the moon in a dar$ s$!. he too$ charge of m! clothes and led me to one of the #rivate %athing areas, where she sat me down and %egan #o&ring %&c$ets of warm water over me. )oma's dar$ e!es loo$ed sorrowf&l. /6! child, whenever tho&ght a%o&t !o&, - feared !o& had fallen into the worst of all fates""on the street./ /5ot ,&ite,/ - re#lied, /%&t times were ver! hard for &s./ 3nd - told her a%o&t all that we had end&red, the words flowing easil! as she %egan $neading m! m&scles and loosening them. - reco&nted how o&r life had im#roved after we had %eg&n ma$ing r&gs with 6ale$eh's famil!, and how the commissions had started to stream in from the women in the harem. /'e are #lanning to %&! a home for all of &s,/ - said, /and we can now afford comforts for the children and for o&rselves./ - had .&st %o&ght m!self a #air of orange sil$ shoes, m! first new shoes in a long time. *he toe was #ointed and c&rved gracef&ll! &#ward li$e the s#o&t of a tea#ot. - loved loo$ing down at them. )oma's e!es %ecame wide with wonder. / o !o&r fort&nes have changed at last2/ she said. /3+i+am, !o& deserve it./ he reached for a $isseh and %egan scr&%%ing m! legs, and - watched the dead s$in sliding awa!. 'hen )oma t&rned me facedown to scr&% m! %ac$, - let m! arms and legs flo# o#en, for - felt safe in her care.

/3nd what of the famil! !o& live with1/ - descri%ed how well the %o!s were doing, now that the! had eno&gh to eat, and how $ind 9avood was to m! mother, for he %elieved her her%al #otions had c&red him. - told her that he and 6ale$eh had recentl! welcomed a new child, and when - said her name, - was s&r#rised to find tears flooding m! chee$s. )oma reached for a soft cloth and gentl! wi#ed m! face. /3$h, a$h2/ she said s!m#atheticall!. /5ow !o& are read! for one of !o&r own./ he t&rned me on m! side, and scr&%%ed me from m! o&ter an$le to m! arm#it. /0o& are not !o&ng, %&t !o& still have time to %ear children,/ she said. /B&t what a%o&t m! sigheh1/ /*here's no reason wh! !o& can't contract a reg&lar marriage, now that !o& have mone! for a dowr!,/ she re#lied. /Remem%er what - told !o&1 *he first marriage is for the girl's #arents. *he second is for herself./ he t&rned me over and scr&%%ed m! other side. /B&t now !o& m&st thin$ a%o&t what wo&ld satisf! !o&, and avoid ma$ing a foolish mista$e./ 'hile she scr&%%ed m! #alms and call&sed fingerti#s, tho&ght a%o&t the marriages - had witnessed among girls m! own age. 6ar!am had one of the most e(alted liaisons - had ever seen, as conc&%ine to the hah himself, %&t saw him onl! when it s&ited him, and wo&ld alwa!s have to wonder when she wo&ld %e s&##lanted %! another favorite. 5aheed had %een forced to marr! a man she loathed and m&st content herself with dreams of what might have %een with -s$andar, whom she wo&ld most li$el! never #ossess.

)er stor! was .&st li$e that of Golnar and her %eloved rose%&sh. 6! village friend Goli was her h&s%and's #erfect gift, %&t in his #resence she had %een mee$8 he was m&ch older, and co&ld see now that she o%e!ed him li$e a child. - was &nli$e all of them, for - had m! car#ets and m! ado#ted famil! to thin$ of. Even if - contracted a marriage, it was m! d&t! and m! desire to $ee# wor$ing with 6ale$eh's famil! and develo#ing m! craft. Each #assing month confirmed that m! wor$ com#ared favora%l! to that of other designers. -t also offered the novelt! of %eing the wor$ of a woman, and was #o#&lar with the harem ladies. - sho&ld never want to give &# designing, even if m! h&s%and were as rich as the hah. 0et m! #ath was not what - had e(#ected when - was a village girl listening to m! mother's stories. /3ll m! life,/ - said to )oma, /the tales - have %een told ended in marriages %etween a wealth!, genero&s #rince and a %ea&tif&l, tro&%led woman who is resc&ed and folded into his life./ )oma smiled. /*hat's the wa! the! go,/ she re#lied, #o&ring warm water over m! head, /%&t not alwa!s./ he d&g her fingers into m! scal# to massage it. /Remem%er, !o& are no longer tro&%led. 0o& have made !o&rself val&a%le""even more val&a%le than !o& were as a virgin. *here's no reason wh! !o& can't tell !o&r own tale./ 'hen )oma finished washing m! hair, she #o&red %&c$ets of water over me &ntil m! s$in glowed. *hen she dis#atched me to soa$ in the hottest of the t&%s, and - la! there thin$ing a%o&t what she had said. he was right: 5ow that - was older, &nmarried, and had some mone!, - co&ld ma$e m! own choices. - needn't %e #ic$led, for - had #lent! to offer a s&itor. B&t - wo&ld never want another man li$e

Fere!doon, even tho&gh he was rich, for he saw in me onl! a mirror of his own #leas&re. - longed for something else, which made me thin$ a%o&t m! #arents. 'hen m! mother was so ill that she had almost died, she had told me a%o&t the selflessness of m! father's devotion. For her, he had sacrificed the dee#est desires of his heart not once, %&t twice. First, he had determined to end&re life witho&t a child rather than torment m! mother %! ta$ing a second wife. *hen, after - was %orn, he had made his #eace with never having a son. )e was li$e the h&m%le stone that s&ffered so m&ch and shed so m&ch heart's %lood that it was finall! transformed into a r&%!. &ch was the shining .ewel - was now see$ing. 3fter - finished soa$ing, - went into a #rivate c&%icle and la! down on a soft c&shion. )oma ret&rned with cool water for me to drin$ and sweet c&c&m%ers to taste %efore leaving me to rest. lee# didn't come, %&t a rich tale %egan to weave itself in m! mind. - don't $now what st&ff it came from, for had never heard it %efore8 #erha#s - was ma$ing it &# m!self. 0et - loved it, for it seemed to tell of the lion"man that - now desired, someone as treas&red as the length of m! life. God willing, o&r stor! wo&ld one da! %e written in the %rightest of in$s, and contin&e that wa! &ntil the last #age was t&rned. /)oma2/ - called. /- have something im#ortant to tell !o&2/ )oma came into m! c&%icle, her e!es shining li$e stars, her white hair as l&mino&s as the moon. he sat down near me and leaned close to listen, and this is what - said. First there wasn't and then there was. Before God, no one was. Once there was a man who was vi+ier to an aging and cantan$ero&s shah. 'hen the shah demanded the vi+ier's onl! da&ghter in marriage, he ref&sed to give her awa!. *he

shah had him e(ec&ted for diso%edience and told the girl that she co&ld win her freedom onl! if she co&ld $not him a car#et finer than an! in his #ossession. *he girl was loc$ed in a cham%er with a tin! window that overloo$ed the shah's gardens, where his ladies strolled, dran$ tea, and ate sweetened sesame #aste. 9&ring the da!, she watched them la&ghing together and am&sing themselves while she sat in front of an old loom and a coarse #ile of %rown wool. Beca&se she was lonel!, the girl left %its of %read ever! morning for the %irds. One da!, a %ird with a #ro&d crested head and long white feathers entered her cell from a window in the roof. )e alighted near the %read, ate a morsel or two, and flew awa!. *he %ird came again the ne(t da! and ate a little more. 3fter that, he visited ever! morning and ate from her fingerti#s. )e was her onl! com#anion, and whenever she was es#eciall! sad, he wo&ld #erch on her sho&lder and sing to her. /3!, =hoda2/ she lamented one da!, calling on God's merc!. /*his wool is so smell! and coarse, it will never ma$e a car#et fit for a shah2/ *he %ird sto##ed singing as if he had heard her, and all of a s&dden he disa##eared. -n his #lace was a fleec! white shee#. he reached o&t her hand to to&ch him, for she co&ld not %elieve her e!es, and discovered that his &nder%ell! had the finest wool imagina%le. he sheared it, and it grew right %ac$ again. *he shee# stood #atientl! as she c&t and c&t, and when she had eno&gh wool, he t&rned %ac$ into a %ird and flew awa!. *he girl s#&n the wool and %egan &sing it in her car#et, which %ecame as soft as velvet. *he ne(t morning, the %ird ret&rned, #erched on her sho&lder, and sang sweetl! while

she made her $nots. B&t after a few more da!s of $notting, the girl %ecame sorrowf&l again. /3!, =hoda2/ she sighed. /*his r&g loo$s li$e a shro&d, for - have no colorf&l wool. )ow shall - ma$e a car#et fit for a shah1/ *he %ird fell silent and disa##eared. -n its #lace, a %owl that had %een em#t! was s&ddenl! filled with %right red flowers. 'hen she smeared one in her #alm, it left a strea$ as %right as %lood. he $e#t one of the flowers alive %! #&tting it into a vase. *he others she cr&shed and %oiled into a d!e for her fine white wool. *he wool she sat&rated %riefl! t&rned orange, while the dee#l! sat&rated wool %ecame scarlet. *hen she $notted the orange and scarlet threads into her r&g. *he %ird visited the ne(t morning and sang his song, %&t his %ea&tif&l voice so&nded faint, and his #ro&d head was %owed. /6! dear %ird, did !o& sacrifice !o&rself !esterda!1/ the girl as$ed. *he %ird shivered and co&ld sing no more, and since he was too tired to contin&e, she fed him e(tra %read and stro$ed his long, white feathers. 5ow the girl's r&g was %ecoming %ea&tif&l, li$e the #leas&re gardens she co&ld see from her window. )aving finished the %orders, she %egan $notting a #attern of a&t&mn ma#le trees filled with song%irds. *he rich red leaves tinged with orange h&es against the %rown tree tr&n$s delighted the e!es, and !et she $new the car#et was still not fine eno&gh. /3!, =hoda2/ the girl sighed. /)ow can - ma$e a car#et that da++les the shah1 - shall need golden thread to %righten his old e!es2/ *he %ird was #erched on her sho&lder, as &s&al. &ddenl! his wings %egan to fl&tter, and a small feather drifted to the

floor. *hen he %egan trem%ling so violentl!, she feared for his life. /5o2/ she cried. /For - wo&ld rather have !o& than ma$e a car#et fit for a shah2/ B&t the room filled with da++ling light as the %ird changed from one with a %eating heart into one of solid gold, finer than an! .ewel owned %! a shah. *he girl marveled at its %rightness, for it lit &# her cell li$e the s&n. *he ne(t morning, she scattered %read and awaited the %ird, %&t he did not ret&rn. 5or did he ret&rn the ne(t da!, nor the ne(t, nor all thro&gh the long winter months. *he girl grieved for him ever! da!. *o honor his sacrifice, she melted the golden %ird, di##ed the white wool in his molten %lood, and $notted the golden thread into her r&g. 'hen the girl had finished, she as$ed her ca#tors to allow her to #resent the car#et to the shah. )is retainers s#read it %efore him, and its golden threads seemed to fill the cold hall with s&nlight. *he shah #&t his hand to his earlo%e and wiggled it in dis%elief, for he tho&ght he co&ld hear the car#et's golden song%irds e(tolling the glories of love. /'hat $ind of sorcer! is this1/ he demanded. *he girl told him a%o&t the %ird that had $e#t her com#an! for so man! da!s. 'hen the shah commanded her to #rove it, she showed him the single white feather that had dro##ed to the floor. he had attached it to a thread and worn it aro&nd her nec$ ever since. *he shah s&mmoned a wi+ened old woman $nown for her magical #owers and ordered her to &ntie an! &nhol! s#ells from his ro!al #resence. *he woman held the feather in her fingers and m&ttered incantations, ending with, /B! the #ower of God a%ove, !o& are released from !o&r s#ell2/ *he feather ,&a$ed &ntil she lost her hold on it, and then it transformed into a tall man with down! chee$s, li#s li$e

t&li#s, e!es as dar$ as night, and %l&e"%lac$ tresses li$e h!acinths. / &rel! there co&ld %e nothing stranger than this, not even a car#et that sings2/ e(claimed the shah. /'ho overmastered !o&1/ /3n evil demon,/ the !o&th re#lied. /)e had %een chased awa! %! m! #arents, and he #&nished them %! enchanting me. *o torment me f&rther, he gave me the #ower to transform into an!thing e(ce#t m!self./ /3nd what have !o& to do with this girl1/ *he man's voice softened. /'hen - saw her innocence enslaved, m! heart %ecame one with hers,/ he re#lied, /for was in thrall, too./ *he shah remained &nmoved. *o the !o&th, he said c&rtl!, /0o& are henceforth m! #ro#ert!./ *o the girl, he added, /3nd now !o& and - shall %e married./ *he girl .&m#ed to her feet and cried, /B! God a%ove, did !o& not sa! that !o& wo&ld release me if - sho&ld $not a car#et finer than an! !o& #ossess1/ /- did,/ the shah admitted. /3nd can !o& swear that there is one finer1/ *he shah #ointed to the vi+ier who had re#laced her father. /Bring me m! finest car#ets,/ he told him. *he vi+ier r&shed to do his %idding, and when the three car#ets were laid o&t to %e ins#ected, the girl e(amined them each in t&rn. /6! #attern is finer than the first one,/ she said. /6! car#et has far more $nots #er rad. than the second. 3nd none of these car#ets sings to the e!e, the ear, or the heart, as mine does2/

*he shah did not re#l!, for he co&ld thin$ of no evidence to contradict her. *he girl added ,&ic$l!, /5evertheless, shall agree to give m!self to !o& as !o&r wife, on one condition. Release this man from %ondage to !o&, for he all %&t relin,&ished his life for me./ *he shah seemed read! to agree, %&t the wi+ened woman interr&#ted. /Great hah, - %eg !o& to show merc!,/ she said. /3llow these slaves their li%ert!, for %! sacrificing themselves for each other, the! have alread! %ecome legends./ /-t is tr&e that - have never seen two s&ch wonders in a single da!,/ the shah e(claimed, /and !et wh! sho&ld - let them go1/ -n a voice of a&thorit!, the woman declared, /Beca&se the! will %e remem%ered forever""and !o&r m&nificence will %e recogni+ed thro&gh the ages./ *he shah, who cared dee#l! a%o&t his own re#&tation, was #re#ared to im#rove it. *o the girl he said, /- release !o&, for !o& have achieved what - commanded. 0o&r car#et is finer than an! - #ossess./ *o the !o&th he said, /- grant her to !o&, for !o& let flow !o&r life's %lood for her./ *he shah gave them a wedding feast that lasted three da!s and three nights, and the! were married on the car#et that had $notted them together. -ts golden %irds sang to them as the girl gave her consent, for she had fo&nd the lion of her heart. *hen the two former #risoners served one another with .o! and tenderness &ntil the end of their da!s. 3c$nowledgments *his %oo$ wo&ld not e(ist in its #resent form witho&t the &nflagging s&##ort of m! father, 3hmad 3mirre+vani, and m! ste#mother, Firoo+eh Firoo+far 3mirre+vani. 9&ring m! three tri#s to -ran to research this %oo$, the! drove me aro&nd the

co&ntr! to visit historic sites and m&se&ms, ind&lged me while - made notes and #o$ed aro&nd, and answered m! endless ,&estions. - owe m&ch to their #atience and love. - wo&ld also li$e to than$ m! faithf&l readers, ;anis 4oo$e 5ewman, Rosie R&le!"3t$ins, Bonnie 'ach, and te#h Pa!nes, and m! longtime friend, stor!teller R&th )al#ern, who shed light on the art of telling tales. - owe a great de%t to novelist andra cofield, whom - met at the ,&aw 7alle! 4omm&nit! of 'riters. 3 %orn teacher, andra offered insights, enco&ragement, and hel#f&l advice at ever! .&nct&re. Bringing a novel to term is demanding not .&st for the writer, %&t for ever!one close to her. For his &nwavering love and s&##ort, - wo&ld li$e to than$ Ed Grant. 6! heartfelt a##reciation goes to the hardwor$ing staff at Little, Brown, es#eciall! m! editor, ;&d! 4lain, and #&%lisher 6ichael Pietsch, and their e,&all! dedicated co&nter#arts at )eadline Review, in #artic&lar m! editor there, 6arion 9onaldson, and de#&t! managing director =err 6acRae. #ecial than$s also to m! agent, Emma weene!, for her advocac! and tho&ghtf&l s&ggestions. Finall!, - wish to ac$nowledge the dedicated scholars who have devoted their lives to &nderstanding -ran. 'itho&t their e(traordinar! wor$, this %oo$ co&ld not have %een written. 3&thor's 5ote 9&ring the nine !ears - wor$ed on *he Blood of Flowers, felt li$e 3li Ba%a in *he 3ra%ian 5ights, who &tters the magic words /O#en, sesame2/ to reveal a cave ill&minated %! gold and #recio&s gems. -n m! case, the riches emerged in the form of %oo$s a%o&t #re"modern -ranian histor! and c&lt&re, which were similarl! hidden awa! on d&st! li%rar! shelves where few #eo#le vent&red. - s#ent ho&rs e(amining these

treas&res, and the more - read, the more fascinated %ecame. 9&ring m! e(#lorations - $e#t ret&rning to the reign of hah 3%%as ?ABCA"ADEF@, a historical #eriod that's hard to rival for great calamities and e,&all! great deeds. 'hen the hah too$ #ower at the age of seventeen, -ran had end&red a %lood%ath in which mem%ers of the afavi ro!al co&rt were %linded or m&rdered in a str&ggle for #ower, and man! soldiers and large ch&n$s of the co&ntr! were lost d&ring wars. hah 3%%as was a%le to chart a co&rse thro&gh this chaos. 9&ring his fort!"one"!ear reign he #roved to %e a %rilliant administrator, altho&gh his a##roach to .&stice was harsh %! toda!'s standards. For his %raver!, ingen&it!, and contri%&tions to -ranian c&lt&ral life, he is $nown as hah 3%%as the Great. - set *he Blood of Flowers in the ADEGs, at which #oint the hah had s&cceeded in defending the %orders of -ran, van,&ishing his internal #olitical enemies, and creating a climate where the arts co&ld flo&rish. One of the arts the hah #romoted vigoro&sl! was car#et ma$ing. -ranian car#ets had %ecome coveted in E&ro#e %! $ings, no%lemen, and wealth! merchants and were catching the e!e of artists s&ch as R&%ens, 7ela+,&e+, and 7an 9!c$. 3lwa!s alert to a good o##ort&nit!, the hah set &# car#et wor$sho#s aro&nd the co&ntr!, s&ch as the one descri%ed in this %oo$. 3ccording to -ran scholar Roger 6. avor!, /&nder his #atronage, car#et weaving was elevated to the stat&s of a fine art,/ so that in addition to %eing created %! individ&als wor$ing on their own looms, car#ets were woven %! &r%an s#ecialists who were trained to ma$e master#ieces for the co&rt. Remar$a%le e(am#les of si(teenth" and seventeenth" cent&r! -ranian co&rt car#ets s&rvive in m&se&ms and #rivate collections, and a n&m%er of r&g scholars %elieve that

the car#ets of the afavi #eriod ?ABGA"ACEE@ ran$ among the finest ever #rod&ced. 'hen the hah first came to #ower, his ca#ital was located in >a+vin, a northwestern -ranian cit!. B! ABFH, the hah had moved his ca#ital to -sfahan, a more defensi%le site in the center of the co&ntr!, where he &ndertoo$ one of the most remar$a%le renovations in &r%an #lanning histor!. Under the g&idance of his cit! #lanners and architects over the co&rse of a%o&t thirt! !ears, the hah %&ilt a cit! that's still magnificent toda!. *he enormo&s -mage of the 'orld, which earned its honorific %eca&se of its si+e, was %igger than most E&ro#ean cit! s,&ares of the time. *he hah's #alace, his #ersonal mos,&e, the Great Ba+aar, and the h&ge Frida! mos,&e descri%ed in this %oo$ are still a wonder to %ehold, and !o& can even see the mar%le goal#osts that were &sed for #olo games, which the hah li$ed to watch from the &#stairs %alcon! of his #alace. *homas )er%ert, a !o&ng man who visited -ran from ADEC to ADEF with English am%assador ir 9odmore 4otton, descri%ed the s,&are as /witho&t do&%t as s#acio&s, as #leasant and aromatic a mar$et as an! in the &niverse./ Li$e )er%ert and man! other travelers, - fell &nder -sfahan's s#ell when - first visited at the age of fo&rteen. *he cit! made s&ch an indeli%le im#ression on me that decades later it was the onl! conceiva%le choice for the setting of m! novel. 3ltho&gh the main characters in *he Blood of Flowers are fictional, - have tried to sta! tr&e to events that wo&ld have sha#ed their lives and wa!s of thin$ing. For e(am#le, the comet descri%ed in the first cha#ter, and some of the misfort&nes associated with it, were recorded with consternation %! Es$andar Beg 6onshi, hah 3%%as's official historian, who #rod&ced a thirteen"h&ndred"#age chronicle a%o&t the most significant events of his reign ?&sed the Persian )eritage eries translation %! Roger 6.

avor!@. )owever, - have ta$en the li%ert! of com#ressing events within the novel even when the! occ&rred o&tside of its time #eriod. Ever! great historical #eriod deserves a great travel writer, and seventeenth"cent&r! -ran fo&nd one in ir ;ohn 4hardin, a French .eweler. 4hardin traveled to -ran in the ADCGs and wrote ten detailed vol&mes a%o&t his e(#eriences there. Few chroniclers are as thoro&gh in their re#orts or as entertaining to read. 4hardin's o%servations were an im#ortant so&rce for me a%o&t the c&stoms and mores of the afavi #eriod, es#eciall! since he was ast&te eno&gh to record intrig&ing contradictions s&ch as these: /'ine and into(icating Li,&ors are for%id the 6ahometans8 !et there is scarce an!one that does not drin$ of some sort of strong Li,&or/ and /*wo o##osite 4&stoms are commonl! #ractis'd %! the Persians8 that of #raising God contin&all!, and tal$ing of his 3ttri%&tes, and that of &ttering 4&rses, and o%scene *al$/ ?from *ravels in Persia: ADCI"ADCC@. 9&ring his travels, 4hardin o%tained an almanac from -sfahan and recorded its #ro#hecies, &#on which - have modeled the #ro#hecies descri%ed in cha#ter A. *he #rediction a%o&t the %ehavior of women is a direct ,&ote from 7o!ages d& chevalier 4hardin en Perse, et a&tres lie&( de l'Orient ?the translation from the French is m! own@. 6an! travelers have %een fascinated %! Persian car#ets, and the! have %een a small %&t cherished #art of m! own life ever since - received m! first r&g from m! father when - was a teenager. *he car#ets descri%ed in this novel are generall! %ased on -ranian designs, color choices, d!eing methods, and $notting techni,&es. 3ltho&gh - cons&lted do+ens of car#et %oo$s, two $e! so&rces of information were )ans E. '&lff's *he *raditional 4rafts of Persia and Leonard 6. )elfgott's *ies *hat Bind: 3 ocial )istor! of the -ranian 4ar#et. *he ideas a%o&t the s#irit&alit! e(#ressed in 6iddle

Eastern car#ets have %een disc&ssed in man! #&%lications, incl&ding the e(hi%ition catalog&e -mages of Paradise in -slamic 3rt, edited %! heila . Blair and ;onathan 6. Bloom, and in essa!s s&ch as ch&!ler 7. R. 4ammann's / !m%olic 6eanings in Oriental R&g Patterns./ Related ideas a%o&t %&ildings are artic&lated in *he ense of Unit!: *he &fi *radition in Persian 3rchitect&re, %! 5ader 3rdalan and Laleh Ba$htiar. everal readers have e(#ressed c&riosit! a%o&t the #revalence of the tem#orar! marriage contract descri%ed in this novel, which is $nown as a sigheh. *his form of marriage has %een #art of -ranian c&lt&re for h&ndreds of !ears and is still activel! &sed %! men and women. 6! main so&rce of %ac$gro&nd information was scholar hahla )aeri's Law of 9esire: *em#orar! 6arriage in hi'i -ran, which incl&des interviews with contem#orar! #ractitioners and #rovides a detailed #ortrait of this com#le( and &n&s&al instit&tion. 'hile researching this %oo$, - also %ecame interested in sharing -ran's e(tensive oral tradition %eca&se of its #revalence in #re"modern times. 6an! travelers have remar$ed that the most illiterate of -ranian #easants co&ld recite long #oems8 even toda!, -ranians #la! a game in which the! challenge each other to remem%er #oems and #rove their $nowledge %! reciting them. -n addition to #oems, the literat&re that was traditionall! shared orall! incl&des a large %od! of fol$tales, legends, fa%les, disco&rses, and teaching stories a%o&t s#irit&al growth. *he nesting, or la!ering, of stories was a common #ractice in the 6iddle East, one familiar to readers of *he 3ra%ian 5ights. - was m&ch infl&enced in this regard %! the twelfth" cent&r! Persian" lang&age #oet 5i+ami, who wrote a %oo$" length narrative in verse a%o&t a shah's e(#loits, called )aft Pa!$ar ? even Portraits@, which incl&des seven tho&ghtf&l tales a%o&t love. -n m! view, 5i+ami's la!ering of stories

#arallels the la!ering of designs in -ranian car#ets, creating a weave of infinite richness and de#th. Of the seven tales inters#ersed %etween the cha#ters of m! novel, five are retellings of traditional -ranian or -slamic stories. -n cases where - tho&ght it was necessar! for the novel, - ada#ted the original stories freel!. *he words that %egin each tale, /First there wasn't and then there was. Before God, no one was,/ reflect m! ro&gh translation of an -ranian e(#ression that is e,&ivalent to /Once &#on a time./ *he stor! at the end of cha#ter E was recorded in )enri 6asse's Persian Beliefs and 4&stoms. 6asse's original so&rce was a %oo$ of -ranian tales, *chehardeh efsane e+ efsaneha"!e ro&sta!i"e -ran, collected in the =erman region of -ran and #&%lished in AFID %! =o&hi =ermani. *he stories that a##ear at the end of cha#ters I and J were written in verse %! the aforementioned #oet 5i+ami. *he tale after cha#ter I is %ased on #arts of the tale of La!li and 6a.noon, which e(isted long %efore 5i+ami retold it and made it his own. 6! main so&rce was *he tor! of La!la and 6a.n&n, translated %! 9r. R&dolf Gel#$e with colla%orators E. 6attin and G. )ill, %&t - &sed the -ranian name La!li. *he stor! of Fitna the slave girl after cha#ter J a##ears in 5i+ami's )aft Pa!$ar8 m! so&rce was the translation %! scholar ;&lie cott 6eisami. )er e(tensive notes ma$e this wonderf&l %oo$ eas! to en.o! and &nderstand. *he tale at the end of cha#ter B is ada#ted from a traditional -slamic stor!, while the tale following cha#ter D is modeled on the one that o#ens the #oet Farid al"9in 3ttar's -llahi"5ama ?Boo$ of God@, in the translation %! ;ohn 3ndrew Bo!le. 3ttar, whose long life s#anned the twelfth cent&r!, ma! %e %etter $nown to readers as the a&thor of the famo&s &fi #ara%le in verse called *he 4onference of the Birds. *he tales that a##ear at the end of cha#ters A and C are m! own. *hose tales, as well as the main narrative of this

novel, are dee#l! infl&enced %! the &se of lang&age in traditional -ranian tales, as well as %! their a##roach to characters and #lot. - was also m&ch ins#ired for the lang&age of this novel %! eminent scholar 3nnemarie chimmel's 3 *wo"4olored Brocade: *he -mager! of Persian Poetr!. *he title of the novel is drawn from a #oem. 4alled /Ode to a Garden 4ar#et,/ the #oem a##ears in 3rth&r U#ham Po#e and Ph!llis 3c$erman's mon&mental &rve! of Persian 3rt, a fort!"three"h&ndred"#age enc!clo#edia and la%or of love #&%lished in AFIF %! O(ford Universit! Press, which &sed as a reference on ever!thing from car#ets to coins. *he #oem is descri%ed as /%! an &n$nown &fi #oet, circa ABGG,/ and it #ortra!s the garden car#et as a #lace of ref&ge that stim&lates visions of the divine. *he narrator of this novel is #&r#osel! not named, in tri%&te to the anon!mo&s artisans of -ran. 3%o&t the 3&thor 35-*3 36-RRE:735- was %orn in *ehran, -ran, and raised in an Francisco. For ten !ears, she was a staff dance critic at news#a#ers in the Ba! 3rea. he has received fellowshi#s from the 5ational 3rts ;o&rnalism Program, the 5E3's 3rts ;o&rnalism -nstit&te for 9ance, and )edge%roo$. he wor$ed on *he Blood of Flowers for nine !ears, d&ring which time she made three research tri#s to -ran. he lives in northern 4alifornia.