And the Mountains Echoed

“One way or another, one of us dies today.”
    It appeared for a moment that the
div
would swipe Baba Ayub off the ground and finish him with a single bite of its dagger-sharp teeth. But something made the creature hesitate. It narrowed its eyes. Perhaps it was the craziness of the old man’s words. Perhaps it was the man’s appearance, the shredded garb, the bloodied face, the dust that coated him head to toe, the open sores on his skin. Or perhaps it was that, in the old man’s eyes, the
div
found not even a tinge of fear.
    Where did you say you came from?
    â€œMaidan Sabz,” said Baba Ayub.
    It must be far away, by the look of you, this Maidan Sabz.
    â€œI did not come here to palaver. I came here to—”
    The
div
raised one clawed hand. Yes. Yes. You’ve come to kill me. I know. But surely I can be granted a few last words before I am slain.
    â€œVery well,” said Baba Ayub. “But only a few.”
    I thank you. The
div
grinned. May I ask what evil I have committed against you so as to warrant death?
    â€œYou took from me my youngest son,” Baba Ayub replied. “He was in the world the dearest thing to me.”
    The
div
grunted and tapped its chin. I have taken many children from many fathers, it said.
    Baba Ayub angrily drew his scythe. “Then I shall exact revenge on their behalf as well.”
    I must say your courage rouses in me a surge of admiration.
    â€œYou know nothing of courage,” said Baba Ayub. “For courage, there must be something at stake. I come here with nothing to lose.”
    You have your life to lose, said the
div
.
    â€œYou already took that from me.”
    The
div
grunted again and studied Baba Ayub thoughtfully. After a time, it said, Very well, then. I will grant you your duel. But first I ask that you follow me.
    â€œBe quick,” Baba Ayub said, “I am out of patience.” But the
div
was already walking toward a giant hallway, and Baba Ayub had no choice but to follow it. He trailed the
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through a labyrinth of hallways, the ceiling of each nearly scraped the clouds, each supported by enormous columns. They passed many stairwells, and chambers big enough to contain all of Maidan Sabz. They walked this way until at last the
div
led Baba Ayub into an enormous room, at the far end of which was a curtain.
    Come closer, the
div
motioned.
    Baba Ayub stood next to the
div
.
    The
div
pulled the curtains open. Behind it was a glass window. Through the window, Baba Ayub looked down on an enormous garden. Lines of cypress trees bordered the garden, the ground at their base filled with flowers of all colors. There were pools made of blue tiles, and marble terraces, and lush green lawns. Baba Ayub saw beautifully sculpted hedges and water fountains gurgling inthe shade of pomegranate trees. In three lifetimes he could not have imagined a place so beautiful.
    But what truly brought Baba Ayub to his knees was the sight of children running and playing happily in the garden. They chased one another through the walkways and around trees. They played games of hide-and-seek behind the hedges. Baba Ayub’s eyes searched among the children and at last found what he was looking for. There he was! His son Qais, alive, and more than well. He had grown in height, and his hair was longer than Baba Ayub remembered. He wore a beautiful white shirt over handsome trousers. He laughed happily as he ran after a pair of comrades.
    â€œQais,” Baba Ayub whispered, his breath fogging the glass. And then he screamed his son’s name.
    He cannot hear you, the
div
said. Nor see you.
    Baba Ayub jumped up and down, waving his arms and pounding on the glass, until the
div
pulled the curtains shut once more.
    â€œI don’t understand,” Baba Ayub said. “I thought …”
    This is your reward, the
div
said.
    â€œExplain yourself,” Baba Ayub exclaimed.
    I forced upon you a test.
    â€œA test.”
    A test of your love. It was a harsh challenge, I recognize, and its heavy toll upon you does not escape me. But you passed. This is your reward. And his.
    â€œWhat if I hadn’t chosen,” cried Baba Ayub. “What if I had refused you your test?”
    Then all your children would have perished, the
div
said, for they would have been cursed anyway, fathered as they were by a weak man. A coward who would see them all die rather than burden his own conscience. You say you have no courage, but I see