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　had？ To avoid being drawn further

into a realm of horror by the lengthening shadows of the fear of being

forgotten—even　more　terrifying　than　the　fear　of　dying—we　asked　each　other

about　our　favorite　scenes　of　death。

The first thing to e to mind was the way Satan duped Dehhak into

killing his father。 At the time of that legend； which is described in the

beginning of the Book of Kings； the world had been newly created； and

everything　was　so　basic　that　nothing　needed　explanation。　If　you　wanted　milk；

you simply milked a goat and drank； you’d say “horse；” then mount it and

ride away； you’d contemplate “evil” and Satan would appear and convince

you　of　the　beauty　of　murdering　your　own　father。　Dehhak’s　murder　of　Merdas；

his　father　of　Arab　descent；　was　beautiful；　both　because　it　was　unprovoked　and

because　it　occurred　at　night　in　a　magnificent　palace　garden　while　golden　stars

gently　illuminated　cypresses　and　colorful　spring　flowers。

Next； we recalled legendary Rüstem； who unknowingly killed his son

Suhrab； mander of the enemy army that Rüstem had battled for three

days。 There was something that touched us all in the way Rüstem beat his

breast in tearful anguish when he saw the armband he had given the boy’s

mother　years　ago　and　recognized　as　his　own　son　the　enemy　whose　chest　he’d

ravished　with　thrusts　of　the　sword。

What　was　that　something？

418

The　rain　continued　its　patter　on　the　roof　of　the　dervish　lodge　and　I　paced

back　and　forth。　Suddenly　I　said　the　following：

“Either　our　father；　Master　Os