Chapter 58Pādyāb Before the House

Outside the house they asked for water. Joseph expected them to drink. Instead, they washed dust from hands, faces, and feet, then retied their cords in silence.

Roxaneh knelt to wash Ardeshir’s feet because his knees had swollen on the road. He resisted until she said, “Rank that cannot receive service will never learn to give it.”

Parisa set the basin near the doorway. “Remember this water,” she told the youngest. “A teacher may one day kneel before followers, and proud men may mistake humility for disorder.”

Mehrdad asked what they would call the child if the sign proved true. Ardeshir answered, “Nothing that makes the Father smaller.”

They agreed that a Saoshyant must be followed through imitation of truth, mercy, and repair—not used as an object that excuses followers from becoming what he teaches.

The youngest priest whispered, “What if people worship the Helper and ignore the help?” No one answered, because some prophecies arrive first as warnings.

They left the basin outside. Water reflected the star for a moment and then reflected only the faces leaning above it.

Ardeshir touched the door. “We have followed the Light,” he said. “Now let us see whether we can recognize it without demanding that it look Persian.”