Nowruz and Haji Firuz
Translated from the original Persian post. Images, if present, are from that post or thread.
I have always loved the feeling of Nowruz and wandering through the city's bright markets and streets. I used to keep an eye out for Haji Firuz, hoping to tell him, 'May your heart be happy, because you make a whole people happy.'
But this year Haji Firuz had no song in his heart. He sat wearily in a corner, looking at his empty pocket and thinking of what he needed. Joy was the last thing on his mind.
The world around our black-faced, red-clad Haji Firuz seemed darker than his painted face.
'Haji Firuz, get up,' I told him. 'Get up and call out. Freedom is close. Your heart and our people's hearts will soon find peace.'
He stood and cried, 'Light will overcome darkness!'
Long live Iran.