The Guarantor of Gazelle English Translation of A`ahoo Nama

Written by: Hussain Zahidi Namqi
English Translation by: Masooma Towhidi

Foreword
This book contains a story from among the most popular historical stories of Persian literature. The main story revolves around a character that is a great historical and literary personality known as “Z`amin- e –A`ahoo”. He is also famous by the titles of Saminul Aema (eighth Imam), Ghareeb e Toos (stranger of Toos), sultan e Khurasan (king of Khurasan), shams ush shumoos (sun of all suns) and Alreza min Aal e Muhammad (Reza from the Holy Prophet’s progeny).
He is eighth Imam of Muslims, the eighth successor to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and a perfect man. His holy shrine is there in Toos (Khurasan). This place, which is called Mashhad Ur Reza because of the presence of his holy shrine, is one of the world’s famous historical, religious and cultural cities known as holy Mashhad. His miracles and marvels are well known all around the world. His holy shrine is one of the most visited places of the world where millions of people come for pilgrimage to benefit physically and spiritually and return with fulfilled ambitions.
Aastan e Quds e Rizvi foundation which owes the trusteeship of his holy shrine, is the center of knowledge, education, culture, propagation, research, industry, finance, philanthropy, development, welfare, tourism and science. His holy shrine is a symbol of Islamic architecture and without exaggeration it is unique place in world.
Who is not familiar with the concept of Imam e Zamin in sub-culture and Urdu literature? During Mamun’s reign when the heir-apparent (wali ahdy) of Imam Reza was announced by force and the coin with his holy name minted on it was released, people used to keep these coins with them as the sign of consecration and through this their wishes were fulfilled. We tie Imam Zamin on our arm which is some amount of money whenever we go off on a journey and on our return we give it in charity. It is considered a sign of security during our journey.
The underlie story revolves around one among many historical miracles of Imam Reza in which he protected a deer from the bloody hands of a hunter, he conversed with her in her own language and through this way he presented living proof for his Imamat and spiritual leadership.
Events, historical stories and biography of great figures play an important role in the nourishment and development of one’s personality. For the same reason the bulk of Quran contains stories, events and historical figures and Allah repeatedly orders to contemplate in such events. The holy messengers and spiritual leaders are at the last stage of perfection therefore the positive effects of events in their lives would be more beneficial in bringing about positive changes in human life.
Imam Reza’s life history and his teachings are good source and our basic needs to protect contemporary men from conceptual, ideological, ethical, psychological, practical, educational, economic, political and many other problems. Here is his thought provoking saying: “If people knew the virtues of our words then they would follow us.”
Some aspects of the personality of Zamin- e -Aahoo
1. I have never seen Imam Reza (a.s) speaking wrong against anyone.
2. I have never seen him interrupting any speaker’s word.
3. He never refused to fulfill any beggar’s asking when it was possible.
4. He never sat stretching his legs in front of anyone.
5. He never sat prop up in the presence of anyone.
6. He never said anything bad to his slaves and servants.
7. He did not laugh rather used to smile.
8. His slaves, even guards and sweepers used to sit with him on cloth table.
9. He slept less, most of the nights awaked and most of the time fasted.
10. He used to do well and give charity in secret, often during intense darkness of the nights.
(Narrator says:) If anyone claims to see a person parallel unto him in perfection don’t believe him.
This narration makes our responsibilities’ more serious so to understand their teachings and apply them in our life and by promoting them throughout the world we try to establish an exemplary, welfare and Islamic society.

Masooma Towhidi

The Guarantor of Gazelle
Hundreds of year ago, there was a hunter. He used to hunt deer and sale them in the market to earn his livelihood. The tall hunter with big face, strong bon, wide chest and powerful arms had very sharp eyes. Baby deer was tremulous by seeing him. His thick mustaches had made his face more terrible. He used to go for hunting by keeping his bow on his back and quiver of arrows on his shoulder. He put his feet in the stirrup of his wild horse and ridded on it by putting zinc on his back and fixes his balance and leave quickly towards hunting ground. The horse forwarded whining, trail running, blowing dust around and ripping the land chest. His black eyes glitter like a mirror in sunlight. The horse’s neck long hair was waving in the air like a delicate silk fabric. He ran towards hunting ground as he had set a race with the wind speed. When he came like a tornado the dust remained behind him. The island and deserts were chanted with the horrible voice of horse’s feet.
The animals of desert were frightened on hearing the voices of horse’s feet and escaped themselves from the coming danger. They hided themselves in shelters to protect themselves from the danger of the hunter. They knew, if the hunter witness the prey he would move ahead downtrodden everything. The animals of desert knew very well that how painful the slavery is? as to live a day in freedom is much better than hundred year life passing in slavery. Therefore, these animals run towards their shelter to protect themselves and were afraid of him.
As usual the hunter went for hunting riding on his high speed horse towards desert. His good wife had been looking at the dust which was being raised into the air by the horse’s footsteps while embracing her both kids. She was not seeing her husband clearly out of the dust. The sun was giving light in the wide blue sky. Birds were singing, they were busy in flying and singing between the branches of green trees by opening their beautiful wings. Hearts were filling with joy on their voices and it was increasing pleasure and attraction in morning.
The chanting sounds of spring water mixed with the spring wind were making a strange environment. The wild mice and rabbits were jumping between wild plants. Sometimes they stand on their feet and overview the environment and filled their lungs with fresh air. Beautiful butterflies with colored wings were moving between flowers. The golden honey color bees were sucking the flower juice. Their voice was echoing in the air. The grass was waving by the breeze and flowers were swinging. It was a nice day. Deer were gathered around the spring water. They were looking their reflections in it. The color of these deer was red on which small charming black spots were visible. Some of them were busy in drinking water. Suddenly the sound of hunter’s horse’s leg struck in the ears of deer. It was as the ring of death. There was an atmosphere of fear in pasture. All the deer near water were frightened. They ran around hearing the horrible and awkward sound of the horse’s leg. They were trembling with the fear of getting arrested in the net of hunter. Waves of fear began to run in their veins like blood. Their small hearts started beating like the ringing sound of jungle drum. Deer were running fast while the hunter’s horse was following them faster. The hunter placed an arrow in the hunting bow to hit a deer. The birds were silent in fear. There was no sound except the voice of horse’s footsteps and wind.
There was a hind that was left behind from the herd, it was worriedly looking around. The hunter targeted her and ran behind her as fast as the wind also could not follow him. The hunter had kept his arrow in the quiver and shouted: “I want to catch you alive; you are part of my destiny. You are the fastest hind of this desert. You have to come in my prison. You cannot get away from my clutches. So run as much as you can so that I can also enjoy running in your pursuit.”
The poor hind kept running and the hunter kept following her. She was remembering Allah and praying: “O’ Allah! Would my life be saved? I am the guardian of my children.”
But, unfortunately destiny used to say something else. The sound of separation, distance and departure was echoed in their ears. The pain of being away from her children, and land and the feelings of loneliness and imprisoned was torturing her badly.
The hind was crying in fear and depression by saying: goodbye the days of my freedom, when I used to walk in pasture, and run behind the waves, when I used to drink spring water. I used to look to grazing and running of my children with affection in the shadow of green trees and the air used to sing songs in my ears. Good bye as a different time is coming. I feel the bitterness of today’s era. My heart was witnessing about the vicious days ahead. That vicious day in which I can’t see the rising sun in my children’s eyes. Alas! That would be so painful day. Death will be the wish of that day.
Hind started crying. Tears came out of her large and bright eyes. Wind was moving faster. It echoed in hind’s ears: O’ helpless hind come on, let’s go. Leave doubt and hesitation. You can free yourself. Think about your children who are waiting for you. Don’t keep them waiting. Come on, run faster. O’ tired hind! Mother of small children! Run as freedom is possible.
But there was no more energy in her legs.
Fat wind blow and the hunter lost his way in the thick dust. The horse was whining and speaking with air. Hind began to flee with her full strength. An anguishing sigh come out from her heart. She wished that, “may the veracious predator who is the enemy of the deer does not exist. His heart is made up of stone which had no feelings for the tears and sighs of deer’s children. May Allah give death to him! Curse on slavery and fear, unfortunateness and on separation. Curse on the cruel.”
The darkness prevailed in hind’s eyes, she felt dizziness and her delicate legs started trembling and falling to ground. She made a sigh of pain and said: “good bye my children.”
Stop here: She was feeling the fast and powerful horse’s breathing from very near. She also felt the terrible voice of the rope encircled in the air to catch the prey. Rope was like an eagle that was coming closer to catch her in its jaws. Hind was execrated in hurt and pain. The air consoled her: “O’ fast hind, get up! Escape yourself from this misery, there is still hope. Just think about your poor children that are waiting for you.”
Air had aroused hope within hopeless hind. She rose up and run as fast as she can and disappeared from hunter’s eyes. The hunter got angry and spurred his horse. He did not think that the hind will run as fast as she will disappear from his eyes and he should have made his speed faster.
Wind was blowing beside the wondered hind and was praying with her kindhearted nature for the salvation of hind because her three children were waiting for her. Horse was running with full determination and was becoming closer to the hind. Hind was running with the hope of getting rid of the hunter but the hunter was also very confident in catching her as it looked that her wish is just a mirage. Hind was running here and there. She was surprised and upset. After running towards a safe shelter her heart was filled with hope. Happiness surrounded her. She restored her energy to run. Oh my Lord! What am I looking? Thus, hind ran and left the horse behind.
She screamed: “Look at that, a man, a kind man.”
She turned her face towards him so that she can approach him before she caught up in hunters net. She said to air: “Is he the messenger of my freedom on whose shoulder and gown the beautiful butterflies were sitting?”
Air has said: “Yes, that is what you have thought. Hurry up.” Then the hind left the wind even behind. The tall man had worn silky gown. There was green amama (turban) on His head. Face was full of light and butterflies were moving around him. He was walking among his colleagues happily and was busy in a discussion.
Sometimes, he listens to someone; give answer, smile and then start to walk. Flowers were fragranced with his perfume. The silver like cloud was giving shadow from the sun’s heat so that the merciful man could not hurt. She found her safety in his shelter. He looked like good flowers. There was the smell of spring. The pure sight of the angelic man was scattered throughout the desert like a spirit. Hind was rapidly running by saying: “the lofty and superb, and high status human, the axis of salvation, please accept me.”
There were the rays of hope in her heart. Disappointment had left her. She said: “I know that the fate of my freedom will be written by your hand.”
There the hunter moved his feet in stirrups and the horse moved faster. Now the hind was a few feet away from the kindness of the merciful man. Then, suddenly the kind man saw the hind and the hunter. He was anxious about hind in his heart. The birds had left singing and it was her last try to defeat slavery.
The kind and affectionate man was praying for the hind. There was a little distance between the hind and the horse. The kind man was saying something by lips. O’ fast hind run, run! Run. His companions were also supporting him. Hind made a long leap at which wind got surprised. The air appreciated her. Finally the hind fainted in the lap of the kind man. His legs and hands were trembling. Her bright body was full of sweats and due to fast running her breath was stopping.
There the horse also stopped. The dusty hunter grounded from the horse and bowled in anger and said: “It’s my hind.” The kind man smiled and said: “the hind belongs to Allah’s desert.” The hunter got angry. He said by spreading his chest: “don’t speak futile, will you give me the hind or will I take it?” one of a kind hearted friends of Imam came in anger on listening the hunter’s words and said: “ O’ hunter what are you talking? Do you know with whom you are talking?”
The hunter has straightened his neck and said in harsh tone: “I don’t care with whom I am talking.”
Another person said: “isn’t it good to be polite?” the hunter said in aggression: “I think you want to fight with me. If it is so then I am not the looser.”
The kind man said without showing anger in his words: “bad membranous and rigidness is not the behavior of a man.” Then said by looking towards his companions: “this man is our brother and friend. Let him to talk in a way he likes.”
The hunter ashamed on listening this and became cool. He kept his eyes down and said: “I am following her for quite a long time.”
The merciful man said: “I know.” The hunter said: “she is one of the fastest hind among the desert hinds. I can’t lose her.”
The hind looked with disgust to hunter’s misdeed and cursed him. She got support of his gown to save herself from the hunter. The merciful man had sheltered her in a way that hunter could not reach her. Hind felt happiness.
She felt a lovely feeling which she never experienced before. She never felt such a feeling while grazing and running in pastures, drinking spring’s water, on being a mother of the beautiful babies, grazing in heaven like pastures, taking sun bath, running behind wind, looking towards her pair and enjoying the soft grass.
So what kind of feeling was this? What a state of peace was it? What was this peaceful feeling? Perhaps this was the feeling of safety in the shelter of the merciful man.
The merciful man said to the hunter: “leave the hind in desert for Allah’s sake. Let her to live as she has the right to live.”
The hunter said: “I have also the right to live.” The merciful man said: “will you live your whole life shedding deer’s blood?” the hunter said: “this is also a profession.” The merciful man shakes his head anxiously and said: “this will end up in nothing except the death of the desert’s deer.” The hunter said: “it is their destiny which is written by Allah for them.”
The kind man became furious and said: “hunter commits such atrocity.” Showing no patience the hunter said: “I don’t bother these things, just give me the hind and end up this game.” The kind man said: “hind has right to live freely in the desert. They have the right to graze, walk, drink spring water and take sun bath.
What a beautiful sight it is! When they are busy in grazing. Isn’t it painful that the desert loses its beautiful hinds on the hands of cruel hunters?”
The hunter had given up his patience. He said angrily: “don’t think that I will leave the hind from hunting by your heart touching advices.” The kindhearted man said: “take anything you want from me except this hind.” Hunter said insistently: “I don’t want anything except the hind.”
The kind man said: “I can’t hand over the hind to you even if I have to sacrifice my life.” The hunter was like a fire tornado. The hunter kept his hands promptly on the dagger which was tied on his waist and said: “if necessary, I will not refrain from shedding blood.” There was hissing of anger and rhetoric from his voice. On the other side the hind was very much worried about the kind man. She was afraid of coming any harm to him. Hind had made a sudden decision and that was to hands her up to the hunter so that the kind man does not get any harm. But what will happen to his kids? Her heart came out on thinking this and tears come out. She made a sigh of pain: “o’ Lord of the deer! O’ Lord of the wide desert, how miserable this life became with the hands of the cruel hunters, which is made so beautiful by you. Heart trembles and the eyes weep.”
Sadness was ruling on her heart. It seemed like thorns had torn her apart.
The merciful man said: “I will give you what you want instead of the hind. What do you want?” the hunter said with pride and selfhood: “I don’t want to make a deal for this hind.” The companions of the kind man said: “then what do you want?” may be you want to sale it on your own price. So it is good to sale it to us which will be a better plan.”
Another companion said: “if you were familiar to our leader, then you might certainly give it to Him.” Hunter said flippantly: “I don’t have anything to say to your leader, I just want to get the hind.” The merciful man said: “the hind had requested for her safety from me in her misery. She is hoping for freedom.” the hunter laughed loudly and said: “you are talking nonsense. Who had heard or listened ever that a hind had requested for help from someone?”
The companions of the kind man said: “it is so disappointing! Aren’t you seeing that? How you are refusing it while knowing each and every thing.”
Suddenly, the kind sight of the merciful man had melted the hunter’s heart. The spiritual, lightening and pure sight of the kind man was attracting everything. He was looking like a king of all hearts.
The hunter felt his weakness in front of him. People called Him Abul Hassan Al Reza. The hunter had turned his face from Him and said: “I don’t know anything, may be you are right, but,………, how?” he couldn’t continue his talk. He turned down his sight. He couldn’t bear to see the beautiful eyes. He thought: “did the hind take shelter of him? He was annoying. He kept thinking for a long time. He thought: “even if she had taken shelter of him I would not her leave to go. I didn’t see any hind fastest than her yet. Long neck, powerful legs, black spotted red skin and two bright eyes! I should to take her to caliph’s court in return he will give me gold dinar.”
Greed and temptation aroused in his heart. The happiness of getting gold coins was clear on his red cheeks. He had left the horse’s stirrup and said forwarding: “I can’t bear more. Hand over me the hind, before any mishap.”
The kind man said: “anger is the enemy of mind. Show some patience.” Then the kind man turned to the hind which was looking towards Him and said: “o’ hind! You had come under my shelter to escape yourself. You are watching the situation. There is no way except to request for another proposal.”
The kind man said to himself: “how poor this hind is. She is eagerly demanding for her safety.” Then He had taken her face in His hands. The hind felt His love and saw a light within her. Her eyes were brightening with happiness.
The kind man said to the hunter: “now as you are not willing to leave her or sale her, then there is another request for you.”
The hunter asked: “let’s see what you want?” the kind Hashmi said: “the hind has little children which are waiting for her. They are worried in her absence. Let her free for some time to go to meet her children for the last time to say goodbye to them.” The hunter said in wonder: “do you think that I am fool to let her go.”
The kind man said: “it is not so.” The hunter said: “you want to make her run by this plan. It’s your dream.” Kind Abul Hassan said: “believe me o’ young man! There is no fraud. I don’t tell a lie and don’t make people fool.” The hunter asked: “then what?” the merciful man said: “I have told you that she has small children. Give her a chance to go and see them for last time.” On listening the children’s name the hind became energetic. She thought about scenes of the greenish grass and plants. She forgot her sadness and her heart filled with the smell of her children as the fragrance of grass touches the hearts and the morning dew reminds of life.
The hunter moving his bear said: “how do you know that her children are waiting for her.” The kind man said: “you can understand from her eyes.”
The hunter said: “if I let her go to meet her children then it will be hard to find her.” the kind man said: “I guarantee you of her return.” The hunter said: “it is nonsense.” The Hashmi Sayyed said: “if she didn’t come back then I will go with you.”
The hunter said: “what will you give me?” the kind man said gently: “I will be your slave .” The hunter trembled on listening this. He did not believe that He can accept the slavery just for a hind and leave His freedom. He said to himself: “just think that what this man is saying. Did the freedom of this hind is too important for Him?”
O my Allah! Who is this man, that talks with too much love and affection and there is no effects of my anger on Him. He saw towards him who was looking at him. There were great signs of generosity and greatness on his face. His eyes were full of kindness. He was fully determined in his will, and there was no sign of doubt.
The hunter had thought again: “who is this man who knows hind’s language and there is no doubt in His words. His behavior says that he belongs to a noble family. There is the sign of greatness on his face.” The hunter did not insist more as it seemed inadequate. Suddenly his heart was enlightened. He felt himself helpless. There was no choice except to agree with him. He said: “I do agree with you but if she did not come back then!”
The kind man smiled and said: “I have guaranteed you the hind. If she does not come back, then do whatever you want with me.” His silence shows his agreement. Imam (A.S) has dropped his hand on hind’s head. He has said in her ears: “o’ fast hind! Go; go as your children are waiting for you.” The hind felt the happiness of freedom. She can run at once and get rid of the hunter but she did not want to leave the kind man and go apart from him. She shakes her head, blinks her eyes, stopped, touched His gown and said in heart: “no, I will not go. Let it happen whatever is going to happen. My Lord is enough for my kids. ” Kabul Hassan said her while smiling: “why are you late? You are free and can meet your children.” Actually she was agitated to meet her children. It was unbearable to stay away from her children. She has accepted the instruction of the merciful man and run as fast as she can.
Thanks God! How beautiful is freedom. The wind blows, hind ran and desert said in happiness: “of course, I was not expecting such ending of the story.” The breeze said: “whatever, it was a good ending.” Hind said: “it was fine due to the kindness of the kind man.” The desert said: “He is unique.” Breeze said: “his blessings are on any one who is far or near, younger or older even for all.”
The hind had run towards jungle like wind. Her children were worried on their mother’s late. They were searching for her here and there in jungle and sometime used to weep. They feared that may be their mother is in danger. One of them said: “may be our mother was being caught in hunters net.” Another child said: “don’t say like this.” The third child that was younger of all said: “then why she gets too late?” the first one said: “it is our fault. We do not get up early.” Third one said: “I want to go to mother.” The desert was too worried for these children. He said to them with love: “O’ my little children! What happened? Why are you weeping?” one of them said sobbing: “our mom does not come yet. May be she has lost.” Another one said: “there may be an accident occurred to her.” Desert said politely: “no, your mom did not lose and there is no accident occurred to her.” The older one said: “then why she did not come to jungle yet?” Desert said: “pay thanks to God that she has left the danger behind. Show some patience. She will come soon.” This news surprised them. They were in wonder. The older child said to desert: “it is possible that you are saying this to make us happy.” Another one said doubtfully: “is it true whatever you are saying?” Desert said: “I never told lie.” They said happily: “live long mom, live long mom.” They were bouncing in happiness. Their small hearts filled with joy. They were counting the moments of their mom’s return. Desert said: “why you didn’t wake up, whenever your mom used to wake you up?” the second child said shamefully: “it is too hard to wake up from morning sleep.” Then they ran to the green desert while talking together. Desert was looking their running and playing with happiness. It was happy that their grief turned into happiness. It was thinking about a strange ending which was waiting them. Desert said to them: “life is full of dangers. There may be a mishap any time. Situation does not stay the same. If your life changes due to an accident then it is not hard but the main thing is that you face the situation wisely and courageously and be steady. Beware that success comes to those who face the hardships constancy.
Children couldn’t understand desert’s words properly. They were too little to understand that why these things were being discussed with them.
Children went to the soft grass which was shining due to the wind without considering it’s talking carefully. Nothing can take the place of mother lap. Its love makes the dark nights bright and changed into heart touching morning. Their mother used to tell them about different games and sing beautifully and her children enjoyed her loving sound. They viewed the moon in moonlight when the sky was full of stars. It looked like a full cup of milk. Mom used to say that she likes the moonlight nights. Hind used to say that her heart does not full of viewing moon. The children used to take shower in rainy days with their mom. They take bath in spring water at morning. Their mom used to bath and care them. They didn’t want to lose those moments. It was hard to forget all that. They didn’t want to replace it with anything else. They were praying constantly for their mother safety. On the other hand how hard it is to be away from them for their mother.
The hind said: “how can I live away from my children and how can I stay alive? Is it bearable for a mother to live far from her children? May Allah never show such a day to any mother?” Her voice became high due to pain intensity: “may Allah never show me a morning in which I can’t see my children.”
She started crying wholeheartedly: “what should I do? There are my children on one side and on the other side is the merciful man who sympathized on me by presenting himself as a guarantee. If I return towards Him then I will lose my freedom and children and if I move towards my children then the merciful man will become the slave of hunter. I don’t want so. What do I do? What should I do? What decision should I make? Oh, how difficult it is. Her voice had shattered the stone heart and burned the desert heart. Wind had blown with her. The wind said: “is it time to cry? Don’t worry. Think something instead of crying. It will not fix anything. It is not time to cry or complain. Whatever to happen had happened. It is not good to see you crying by your children. There is wisdom in everything. You are an experienced hind. You had experienced every bitter and sweet reality and know that there is any reason in each mishap which we do not understand.”
Hind satisfied with the sayings of the wind. Her heart was satisfied. She said slowly: “you are such a nice friend who keeps me your partner in every up and down. It is true that crying does not work. We must find a solution, think for a strategy. Your sayings are all good. These all are precious but my heart is not made of stone.” Wind said: “everything depends on you. There is your conscience on one side and on the other side is your feeling. Ask from your heart. See what it says.” Hind says: “you can’t imagine that how much I do miss my children.”
The rapid beating of his heart had been heard. It was the sound of life which was echoing in desert. Sun was shining in the sky and birds were flying in the air. Some were singing in lovely sounds sitting on the branches of tree. The stream running in the wide desert was scenting the environment and was singing lovely songs as mothers always used to sing to make their children sleep. Life was taking breath again. Hind had tasted the freedom again. She said to wind: “freedom is very precious gift.” The wind said loosely: “sadly, human greed is threatening him.”
The trees were swinging by blowing air and there was the fragrance of desert’s flowers everywhere. Hind was running in the same breath and was moving forward quickly. She saw her children far in jungle who were running behind one another. She called her children loudly: o’ my children! The children listened to their mother’s voice which was so delight as the dews of rain. They ran towards her joyfully. “Mother came.” They were very happy. They want to fly in the air due to happiness. The environment was fragranced with the scent of their meeting with mom. The moments of happiness come back. They were crying in happiness. The hind used to smell, kiss and love each of them. Time was stopped. How beautiful was the moment of meeting again with her loved ones and to open the hearts for each other.
Desert was enjoying this scene fully. It thought: how painful is the days of separation, moments of tears, and hour of screams. It cannot think anything more painful than these. It whispered in the ears of wind that whether the hind wants to live with her children or to keep her promise. Air said to it slowly: “I don’t know what she intended.” Desert said: “it is a hard decision.” The breeze said: “we often stuck at the crossroads, one of which has to adopt.” Desert said: “it’s always been hard for me to decide.” The breeze said: “when we decide something, we are actually writing our own destiny.”
Hind called her children in the shadow of a large tree. She sat with them on green grass and said to them: “I have something to say to you.” Then she took a pause and her children started looking her surprisingly. Hind thought: this is time to tell the truth to them. Her heart sank at thinking this and she felt pain. The heat of happiness ends, she felt a deadly cooling in her whole existence. Her body was broken. A sigh of pain come out from her helpless and poor heart: “is it right that I have to return?” the stressed hind by grief and sorrow murmured something by lips: “how will they live without me?”
The small children were surprised on her sudden silence. What has happened mother? Why are you murmuring slowly?
Hind thought: it is not possible to live away from her children. She saw them anguishing and said to herself: “if you break your promise then what will happen to that merciful man? Isn’t it unfair that He become the victim of the treachery of a hind? He has favored you. Will you respond with evil in reward of His good deed? Then what should I do?” she was lost in thinking such things and to get rid of them was not possible. She was unable to decide. She made a sigh of pain and said to her children: “I have something to say you which are very hard to say. I can’t understand how to start it.”
Her breathing was stopped, she couldn’t speak. Her heart started beating fast. “I want you to listen carefully and remember my talks.” The children felt a danger naturally. Their heart was beating fast and it was even hard to blink their eyes. They couldn’t understand what their mom wants to say. They were surprisingly looking her. Mother said: “I want that you listen to me and prove that you are grown up now. You are supposed to accept the reality if it may be bitter any way.”
What was the reality which mom was going to say?
It was hard to breath by the fear of unknown danger. There was darkness in front of them and they were shivering. They were trembling in sunlight. Air was stopped, trees were silent, the birds left singing, stream was silent and desert was charmless.
Hind said: “there are always up and down in life to test us. Sometime there appeared such incident from which we cannot escape.”
The small children couldn’t tolerate and said: “what is the truth mother? What do you want to say? There is not the familiar fragrance in your words? Tears come out from her eyes and her children got upset. “Why are you crying mother?”
Air has moved away from there to not see their face while weeping and to let the hind talk to her children freely in solitude. It was also very hard for desert to see them in anxiety and worry.
Honorable hind decided to return to the promised place. She did not forget the merciful man. She hates to deceit someone. She said to her children: “it is hard for you but you have to make the habit of living without me, believe in yourself and try to cope with the difficulties of life.” Suddenly they felt that the world is getting dark. Heart beating was going to stop, breathing was getting stopped and nature becomes harsh. Children said in uncertainty: “would you want to leave us?”
The hind said to her children: “I know that it is a hard job, but you should to make the habit to live without me. You must face the realities courageously.”
Mother said: “yes, forever.”
Children started crying. Mother was trying to control on her pain and to make her children calm down. It was very hard to control her emotions in such situation but she controlled herself and started her story: “I was on the bank of spring water to drink water with another hind. Suddenly the sound of the horse’s legs was heard. Everyone was running in fear. Unfortunately the hunter made me the target. It was near to be caught up in his net after a long follow. But a merciful man helped me luckily. I run to him seeking help. He was too kind and loving. He sheltered me and tried to convince the hunter by all means to let me go, but hunter was too stubborn to accept. Then the kind man took permission from him to let me go to meet you and say good bye to you. The merciful man had promised to accept his slavery in case I did not return.”
They were listening to their mom with sorrow and pain and were crying. They were trembling of the fear of separating from her. They were worried like those birds whose nests damaged due to the desert storm.
Hind made a sigh of pain and said: “then you tell me how I can deceive that merciful man?”
Children said with sorrow: “but what we will do mother? You are not bound to go there? You are free. You live with us. Nobody can force you to go.”
Hind said: “there is one thing which forced me to go?”
Children said: “what is that thing mom?”
Mother said: “loyalty and keeping promise.”
Children started kissing their mother’s hands and feet. They were crying in her love to let her stop from leaving but she had made her decision. The babies crying were pricking in the desert heart like an arrow. The hind said to her children while making them silent: “it is too late. I must go. You may become strong. You may take your decisions by your own.”
They were crying and restlessness was growing. Mother kissed them with broken heart. Desert was trembling on their weeping sound. The birds were also crying. Hind made a will on her departure: “I want you to take good care of one another. Don’t separate and always do well. Live with truth and always remember that I am with you. My heart beats due to you. I will bear the difficulties of imprisonment for you.”
The younger one said: “but,………., mother! If you don’t stay with us then, mother, I am scared of darkness without you.”
Mother kissed him, smelled and said with love: “my children, you are not alone ever. I am always with you. I live in your heart. Your pure heart beats due to me. I will come in your dreams every night, I will sing song, I will tell you the story of the days when we were together. I was so happy on your birth and I was exulting with joy.
Desert said to her: “your children are grown up. They have to accept the ground realities.” Hind said: “you are right.” One of them said: “life is useless without you; we want to live with you.”
Hind said: “the life of deer or hind may end one day. But death is not the end of anything. Life remains the same. Life goes without the desert deer, like a running stream. We have to live with full heart. Get every moment of life to make a good life. Life is beautiful like a running stream but there are ups and downs. Sometimes the happy moments turn into bitter one and sometimes the situation reversed. Always remember that, those children succeed in life who cope the hardships of life, their heart get ready to accept the realities of life and get experience from daily incidents.”
Breeze said closing them: “as there comes spring after winter season and earth becomes green and thriving and forget the harsh cold days of winter. Likewise happy days come after miserable days. We have to show patience only.”
Hind was to go. Children show restlessness. They stopped her way. Mother said to them: “make a promise that you will not follow me. I am afraid that the cruel hunter may harm you.”
Children were not leaving her and were not ready to listen. The air was also nervous on their restlessness. She walks, turned and ran with agitation. Desert was dusty. Birds were afraid. Sky was head down. She saw in desert but nothing was clear. There was dust everywhere. Wind was blowing wildly. She started blaming herself: “what do you do? Your act started to fall the nests from trees and tear the trees.” Then she walks slowly. Everything gets normal. There was only the sound of the crying of children. Instead of all these the hind keep running and getting away from her children. She started crying unconsciously. She was fighting with the grief which had surrounded her whole being. Wind started consoling her while moving with her. Hind said with eyes full of tear: “o’ wind! My friend! Don’t ever ignore my children, bring their news to me and deliver my messages to them every day. You are my only hope after Allah.” Wind has promised to provide her all news about her children daily. She heard the voices of her children while she was busy in talking with wind. They were coming to her and were getting closer. She stopped and saw them. They were calling her and coming towards her. Her heart started beating fast. She was afraid that her emotions might stop her from going. Children reached near her with stopped breathing. They surrounded her. Hind said: “did you not make a promise? The older said: “mother, we will not leave you alone in such a bad situation.”
Mother said: “there is danger. There is not safety for you.” Children said insistently: “we don’t want easiness. We want you. We want to live with you.”
Hind was helpless. Children were fully determined and want to face any situation to live with her. Hind said to wing on watching this scene: “say something!” wind said: “believe in God! May be it is in your interest.” she said to her children: “then hurry up as we have got late.” She and her children ran after an unknown fate beside wind. It was expected that their freedom will be ended any time. But they were happy that they were with their mother in her tough time. They were feeling that they were grown up now but they were afraid of the dark future which was unknown to them. Hind was praying for their safety. They were dripping with sweat in the hot sunlight but were moving forward. They were thirsty. There was no spring water far. Heart was beating in worry, the legs had left running. Hind said: “just not so far. We will reach the destination by showing some patience.”
The hunter’s patient was crashed. He was saying something in anger under his lips. He was upbraiding himself: “I know that the hind will not come back.” Kind man prompted him for patience. Imam knew that the hind is coming and her children are also coming with her but the companions of Imam were doubtful of her return. Hunter was blaming himself for his foolishness to let her go to jungle. He was saying: “see! How people are making fun of me.”
It was not long passed when one of the companions of Imam who was viewing far and had made shelter of hands for his eyes from sunlight shouted: “see hind has come, hind!” another man said: “yes, she is coming.”
All companions saw on that side. The hunter turned his face towards that side surprisingly and said: “she is not alone; her children are also with her.”
Imam said to him by smiling: “deer also keep their promise.”
The hunter shake his head as he has got up from a deep sleep. He said on watching this strange incident: “the hind taught me a lesson. I have seen a reality which I didn’t feel before.” Imam said: “life becomes very difficult without generosity, virtues and ethics as one wish for death.”
Then the hind with her children reached tiredly. All encircled them with surprise and praise. Hind looked towards Imam. She was watching with her whole existence. Her heart filled with the fragrance of Imam. There aroused the same feeling which she felt in her first meeting with Imam. She was feeling security in the presence of Imam. She felt as she knows Imam and Imam know her from thousand years. She felt as there is an old relationship. She was surprised that why she was reluctant to it.
Imam leaned towards her gently. He handed her mouth and look into her eyes which were full of loyalty and beauty. Her eyes were shining like agate. Imam who was more loving to mother said: “O’ loyal hind! There is only purity in your eyes. You were not forced to come to not get in trouble.”
There were tears in the eyes of His companions. Hind’s children closed to Imam. They felt satisfaction and peace from getting the fragrance of His being which was spreading everywhere. The fear which they were feeling ended. They were feeling peace even in the presence of the hunter. Imam loved every one. They thought: “how merciful hands.”
Their existence was filled with mercy by looking at His eyes. The hunter moved forward suddenly. His will has been changed now. He said to Imam with respect: “O’ Guarantor of the desert’s hind. O’ the shelter of enormous deer! Who are you with such greatness? What is this love which causes to accept vanity by a run hind? The feeling of Your greatness split like stream of light in hearts. You are the symbol of greatness. O’ kind and pious! O’ second Yousaf! Your glamorous beauty melts the heart of stone. Your miracle has made me your slave. Now I am seeing you by the eyes of my heart. You are the holder of faith, purity and humanity! I am ready to act upon your orders. I will leave the hind for your sake. I will leave the hunting profession so that the animals of desert live a peaceful life. I will manage another job for my livelihood. I will leave hunting from today to not shed the blood of any deer more.
He sat on his knee, kept his arrow and arrow case on the land, touched His gown and tried to stand up while bowing. Imam had extended His hands and he embraced Imam. A strange and sweet feeling had surrounded him. He felt himself so light like birds flying in the air. He reached another world far from his own being. He kissed the shoulder of Imam. He wanted to sleep on His shoulder like a son sleeping on his father’s shoulder. Finally he raised his head. Imam smiled. Imam had honored him with lots of gifts beyond his expectation in the return of his act. He received them from Imam’s hands.
Wind was blowing slowly. The fragrance of basil and flowers spread everywhere. Trees were standing with bowing head and birds were singing. The desert didn’t see such a beautiful scene before. It never saw a hunter leaving hunting. There was the feeling of peace and freedom in desert. The deer stock was standing near the spring water and breeze was telling the story of the hind which got the gift of freedom by the merciful hands of Imam. He said softly in hind’s ear: “you are free, forever. You can go with your children wherever you want.”
The hind remembered a story suddenly. It was an old story of a hind. Her mother had told this story to her, her grandmother told it to her mother and her grand ma from a woman among her relatives. She used to tell it generation to generation. The story was that a relative hind was caught up in the net of an Arabian hunter. A messenger of God was passing from there. She requested the messenger for giving her time to go and feed her children. On the guarantee of the messenger she went and fed her children and come back. The messenger had freed her and she promised that our whole generation will love Him and His whole family forever. That messenger was the ancestor of Imam Reza. Hind said in her heart: “I am unable to pay my thanks to Imam.” She admitted it by looking Imam with smile. There were colorful butterflies on the shoulders of Imam. Hind looked Imam again. She moved forward after thinking a while and ran towards spring water. Her children were running behind her joyfully. The kind face of Imam was imprinted on their hearts forever. The birds started singing again, the branches of trees were diving due to the breeze, the nest were swinging and sun was shining in the wide sky and giving light to inhabitants on earth. Life returned again. Desert was waiting for the return of hind to celebrate her freedom warmly. Birds were chirping and singing lovely songs. Hind was near spring water and other deer were busy in praising her. All were jealous of her as she was blessed with life and freedom with the mercy of the kind man which was precious.