Night in the palace of Anshan, it was as if the sky had descended to the earth. Countless torches illuminated the magnificent courtyard and halls with a warm, golden light, and the scent of incense and rosewater mingled with the aroma of delicious Persian foods, from meat grilled over the fire to fresh breads and fragrant sherbets, wafted through the air. The sound of music, with the melody of the reed pipe and the frame drum, echoed within the stone walls of the palace, and the joyful cheers of the people heralded the dawn of a new season for the kingdom. The Persian nobles, tribal leaders, and the aristocracy of Anshan, in magnificent attire and with faces full of curiosity and respect, had gathered in the main hall. But all eyes were fixed on a platform in the center of the hall, where little Kourosh stood beside King Cambyses and Princess Mandane. The wooden chests that held his treasury of wisdom were placed beside him, like silent guardians of the future secrets of the empire.
Cambyses, with a tall stature and a presence befitting a king, looked at the crowd. His voice, majestic and clear, echoed through the hall and commanded a respectful silence: "Nobles of Persia, loyal people of Anshan, tonight is the night of the return of my beloved son, Kourosh. But this is not just the return of a prince, but the dawn of a new season for our land. Five years ago, fate took him away from us, but Ahura Mazda has returned him to us with a treasure of wisdom and knowledge." He paused for a moment and looked at Kourosh with pride, then continued, "My son, now it is time for you to speak yourself. Tell us what you have learned in these years of separation and what treasure you have brought with you."
Kourosh stepped forward with calm and confident steps. His simple yet elegant attire, adorned with delicate Persian motifs, shone in the torchlight. His eyes, which seemed to hold the depth of an ocean of wisdom, scanned every face present in the hall. From his father and mother, who looked at him with love and pride, to the nobles who awaited his words with curiosity, and even the servants who, in the corners of the hall, gazed in wonder at this wise prince. He took a deep breath and, in a clear but calm voice in which wisdom and confidence resonated, began to speak: "My noble father, my kind mother, elders of Persia, and people of my land. Five years ago, destiny took me to the slopes of Mount Behistun, where, far from the clamor of the palace and the court, I lived among the silent nature and simple people. In that solitude, my body grew strong, but it was my spirit and my wisdom that opened their wings and flew towards the heavens."
He paused for a moment and looked at Cambyses and Mandane with gratitude: "On this journey, I learned lessons that no palace could have taught me. In Behistun, I became familiar with the secrets of the earth and the sky, with patience in the face of hardships, and with the strength that springs from the heart of nature and simple people. But this wisdom was not from me alone. Two noble individuals, Mithradates and Atossa, gave me refuge during these years and accepted me as their own son." Kourosh's voice grew warmer, as if every word came from the depths of his heart: "Mithradates, the wise shepherd, taught me how to breathe with nature, how to learn lessons of perseverance from the rocks and rivers, and how to speak to my people, from the humblest to the most noble, with the heart. He showed me that a king, before he commands, must listen and understand."
Kourosh continued with a soft smile, "And Atossa, Mithradates's wife, was a mother whose affection shone on me like the sun. With her kind hands, with the simple but love-filled food she prepared for me every night, and with the Persian stories she told me on the cold nights of Behistun, she nourished my soul. She taught me that love is stronger than any sword and can bind hearts together. These two, Mithradates and Atossa, were not only my shelter, but they gave me wings to fly towards my destiny. I will never forget their kindness and wisdom."
He then pointed to the wooden chests beside him, and his voice filled with passion: "But I was not idle in Behistun. In that solitude, inspired by Ahura Mazda and the knowledge I held in my memory from distant worlds, I wrote books that are the roadmap for us to build an eternal empire. These chests are my treasury of wisdom." He placed his hand on one of the chests and continued, "In these books, I have written the principles of Persian justice, how to build a just government where no one is oppressed. I have written of the Green Dream, how to make our land flourish with agriculture and prosperity. I have penned the Persian Art of War, how to build an army that not only wins in battle but, in peace, is a builder of the future. I have drawn the Golden Roads, how trade can become the beating heart of our empire. And I have written of the Light of Knowledge, how wisdom and education can guide our people towards enlightenment."
Mandane, whose eyes were filled with tears of joy and pride, squeezed Kourosh's hand and said in a trembling voice, "My son, you are a jewel that Ahura Mazda has bestowed upon us. This wisdom, these books, are beyond anything we could have imagined. You are not only our son but the hope of this land." Kourosh looked at his mother with a humble smile and said, "Mother, these books are only the beginning of the road. They are seeds that, with the help of you and our people, will grow into mighty trees."
Cambyses, who had been listening to Kourosh's words with a fatherly smile, came forward and placed his hand on his shoulder. His voice, a mixture of fortitude and affection, echoed in the hall: "Kourosh, with this treasure, you have brought a light that can dispel the darkness of this land. Tonight, we celebrate not only your return but the birth of the Persians' dream. Tell me, my son, what is your next step?" Kourosh looked at his father with a determined gaze and replied, "Father, our next step is to build. With these books, we will train soldiers who are both brave in war and constructive in peace. We will have merchants who bring wealth not for themselves, but for all. And we will nurture scientists who will spread the light of wisdom in the world. This empire will be built on the foundations of justice, knowledge, and prosperity, and it will endure for a thousand years."
The cheers of the crowd rose in the hall, as if every word of Kourosh had lit a fire in the hearts of the Persians. One of the tribal elders, with a white beard and a clear voice, shouted, "Prince Kourosh, you are our hope! Continue on your path!" His voice echoed through the crowd, and everyone chanted Kourosh's name in unison. Mandane, who still held Kourosh's hand, looked at him and whispered, "My son, my heart is overflowing with joy tonight. You have not only returned to us, but you have brought a bright future for us." Kourosh replied with a warm smile, "Mother, this future belongs to all of us. Together, we will build it." The night went on, and the celebration continued with dance, music, and passionate conversations. But in Kourosh's heart, a deep peace had taken root. He knew that this night was only the beginning of the road; a road that, with the wisdom of Behistun, the love of his family, and the faith of his people, would lead to an eternal empire.