cradling the dying Darius from Firdusi’s Book of Kings… the account of the
teacher who falls in love with his handsome student from Sadi’s Rosegarden
…the contest of doctors from Nizami’s Treasury of Secrets…” The other
miniaturists； vexed by their elderly and blind colleague； said； “We could’ve
told you that as well。 These are the best…known scenes from the most famous
stories。” In turn； the aged and blind miniaturist placed the most difficult
illustrations before the child and again listened intently。 “Hürmüz poisoning
the calligraphers one by one from Firdusi’s Book of Kings；” he said； again facing
the sky。 “A cheap rendition of the terrible account of the cuckold who catches
his wife and her lover in a pear tree； from Rumi’s Masnawi；” he said。 In this
fashion； relying on the boy’s descriptions； he identified all of the pictures；
none of which he could see； and thereby succeeded in having the books
properly bound together again。 When Ulu？ Bey entered Herat with his army；
he asked the old miniaturist by what secret he； a blind man； could identify
those stories that other master illustrators couldn’t determine even by looking
at them。 “It isn’t； as one might assume； that my memory pensates for my
blindness；” replied the old illustrator。 “I have never forgotten tha