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