On one of the pleasant mornings in the foothills of Behistun, as the sun had just risen from behind the mountains, casting its golden rays upon the vast green plains, Mithradates, the wise and old shepherd, was resting in the shade of an ancient, mighty tree. His eyes followed the flock of sheep as they grazed peacefully in the meadow, the sound of their bells echoing in the air. Little Kourosh, beside him, leaned on his staff, ready to listen to Mithradates's wisdom with a curious mind and unparalleled alertness; wisdom rooted in years of living in harmony with nature and a deep understanding of the cycle of life. The clean mountain air and the immense tranquility of nature provided an excellent ground for great ideas to sprout in Kourosh's mind; ideas that were destined to shape the future of his empire.
Mithradates, in a calm voice but one full of the wisdom and experience of years, which told the tale of long experience and deep roots in this land, turned to Kourosh and began to speak: "My son, my father always said that our ancestors, hundreds of years ago, lived in the very center of this great Iran. They lived there for many long years, cultivated the land, and their population grew day by day, and they had a happy and prosperous life. Life was good and the land was generous, but every comfort has an end, and every abundance brings the fear of scarcity." He took a deep breath and, looking at the vast plains, continued, "When the population exceeded its limits and the land could no longer feed everyone, the slightest drought was enough to turn our lives upside down and sow the seeds of famine. It was in such days that our people were forced to leave their homes."
Mithradates, in a tone that carried the sorrow of forced migration, continued, "With hearts full of sorrow and heavy steps, they migrated towards the western and more southern regions. In search of more fertile lands, more water, and a life where their stomachs would not twist from hunger. Sometimes this fate comes from the sky; relentless droughts and sudden changes in the weather. And sometimes it is the land that forces us to abandon our homes and hearths and, in search of an unknown destiny, set out for a foreign land; a land to which we may never grow accustomed." He stared at the horizon, as if picturing the tired and hopeless caravans of his ancestors in his mind. This tale was not just a story from the past, but a warning for the future.
Kourosh listened carefully to Mithradates's words, as if engraving every word in the depths of his mind and comparing it with his prior knowledge. He knew that these oral tales contained deep wisdom from the lived experiences of the ancestors of this land, and every word held lessons for survival and sustainability. Mithradates, seeing Kourosh's special calm and attention and being amazed by his unparalleled intelligence, continued with more feeling, "But after years of suffering and wandering, other groups of our people, from the east, re-entered these lands. These were hardworking and faithful people who came to this plateau from distant lands with the hope of a better life and brought the seeds of life with them." He pointed to the horizon with his hand, as if visualizing the long path of migration. "They brought with them not only new ways of life but also a new way to overcome the constraints of the land and the adversities of nature."
Mithradates, in a voice that showed pride and honor, pointed to the flock of sheep and said, "These people, my son, in addition to the agriculture they knew and the land they cultivated with their hands, brought with them large flocks of sheep and goats. They taught us how we could obtain food from the plains and mountains, even in years of low water and drought, and feed the hungry. This pastoralism gave us another way of life; a way to provide meat, milk, and even wool, even when the ground beneath our feet was dry, the wheat would not grow, and the trees were barren." He continued, "Our ancestors understood that by relying on both methods, both agriculture and pastoralism, they could be more resilient against the wrath of nature and would never again be forced to leave their homes. When the land was generous, we benefited from agriculture, and when the land was angry, the flocks provided our bread. This coexistence and balance allowed us to take root again in the center of Iran and to increase our population. They were the ones who gave us the chance to live again in this land, not with war and bloodshed, but with wisdom and adaptation to nature, and by adding this new way to our food culture."
Kourosh was stunned upon hearing this story. Mithradates's words sparked a connection deep in his eidetic memory, taking him back to memories of his previous life in the twenty-first century. He remembered how, in one of his classes at the University of Tehran, he had invited two of the most prominent historians and archaeologists of Iran for a scientific debate; Dr. Hamed Vahdati Nasab, a specialist in prehistory, and Dr. Mehrdad Malekzadeh, an archaeologist and historical researcher. A debate that revolved around ancient migrations, including the Aryan migration, and the impact of climate change on the demographic and cultural developments of the Iranian plateau. Now, Mithradates's words made those scientific discussions more tangible for him.
He remembered how, in that debate, the concept of "environmental pull" and its impact on the fate of civilizations was discussed. This concept, which showed how resource limitations and climate change could force humans into great and sometimes devastating migrations, now connected in Kourosh's mind with Mithradates's tales. He understood that this was not just an ancient story, but a scientific truth that had been repeated many times throughout history. This link between ancient wisdom and modern science illuminated the path for Kourosh's future plans in the field of agriculture and food security.
In silence, Kourosh pondered this deep wisdom. He knew that to build his thousand-year empire, he had to draw upon these lessons from history and nature. Food security is achieved not only with military power but also with a deep understanding of the earth and the sky, and by adapting to nature. He intended to compile his book on agriculture with this goal in mind: a comprehensive guide that, by utilizing modern knowledge, would increase food production and prevent food crises. This book was destined to start a green revolution in the soil of Persia and free the people from the fear of hunger.