MARIA'S MAGICAL JOURNEY TO PERSIA
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Maria and Simurgh continued their journey, enriched not only with stories and life Maria gazed in admiration at the imposing statue of the lessons but also with unique aromas and flavors. At each stop, the locals greeted king. “Cyrus the Great...” she whispered, as though summoning them with delicious dishes that enchanted Maria. She tasted jujeh kebab, tender an ancient spirit. “He was a great leader, wasn’t he?”
and aromatic, borani, and kuku-bademjan. But among them all, the dish that Simurgh nodded with a wise look in his eyes. “Cyrus the Great was not just a impressed her the most was sholezard, a sweet saffron pudding decorated with king, he was a man of peace,” he said. “He liberated nations and created an empire almonds and cinnamon, glowing like the sun revered by the ancient Persians. where all could live together in harmony. In his heart, he was a leader who After a few hours of travel, they arrived at Pasargadae, the ancient capital of the believed that every person deserves respect, whether Persian or foreign.”
Persian Empire. Maria felt as though she had stepped onto a sacred land, where Simurgh gently unfurled his wings and gazed dreamily into the distance, where every stone and column seemed to carry the weight and glory of a heroic past. the sky met the earth, beyond the ancient city of Pasargadae. “You know, Maria, Here, in the midst of this ancient capital, stood the magnificent statue of Cyrus Cyrus, the great Persian king, left behind a precious cylinder on which he carefully the Great, the first king of Persia, seen as a true hero and liberator of his people. wrote his wish that every person should be free to believe what they wish.
In that message, he promised that all, even those from distant lands, could follow their traditions, preserve their stories, and always remain free in their beliefs.”
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Simurgh led Maria onward, toward Persepolis, the famous city built by Darius the Great, a legendary place that had once been the cultural and spiritual center of the Persian Empire.
Maria was enchanted by the grandeur of the site and the intricate artistry of the sculptures that adorned every column and wall.
“This is the Gate of All Nations,” Simurgh explained with a solemn voice. “Through here, envoys and ambassadors from all over the world entered, bringing gifts to Alongside Simurg, she was ready the Persian king.” to discover other places full of Maria, her eyes shining with emotion and history, but she knew that a part her heart full of gratitude, knew that this of her soul would always remain experience would stay with her forever. here, in Persepolis.
The memories of the city, with its ancient walls and the secrets carved into stone, filled her soul with new ideals, inspiring her to view the world with an open heart and to respect the richness of every culture.
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But just before returning home, Maria strongly wished to take with her a special Back at Bran Castle, Maria looked at her family, wondering how to tell them about memento from this wonderful country. “I would like a Persian carpet,” she said to all her adventures. How could she describe the legendary bird that had become Simurg. “One that will always remind me of all our adventures.” her friend, the mysteries of Persepolis, and the enchanted carpet that had carried Simurg smiled, and with a gentle flap of his wings, the majestic bird signaled her in flight? She knew that to them it would all seem like a story, but in her heart, her to follow him on one last journey. Together, they it was more than that. As dusk began to cast its gentle shadows over the castle, arrived at a vibrant, colorful bazaar. In the midst of Maria went out into the garden, hoping to catch a glimpse of Simurg. But all she the crowd, Maria’s gaze stopped on a glowing carpet, found was the wind gently rustling through the trees, as if carrying echoes from which seemed to come to life under the sun’s rays. the distant Persian land. Although she felt a void in her heart, she looked up at “Maria, this is a flying carpet!” Simurg whispered. the starry sky and thanked it for all the adventures she had lived. In the quiet of Without hesitation, Maria sat on the carpet, holding the evening, Maria promised herself that, even though she could no longer see tightly to its edges. The carpet gently lifted off the Simurg, his spirit would always guide her. Maria’s story wasn’t over. Every night, ground, and, to the astonished gazes of the bazaar the magic carpet and the spirit of Simurg would carry her in dreams to unknown vendors, Maria set off toward home. Floating above worlds, on fantastic journeys beyond time and space.
the bazaar, Maria shouted to Simurg and her new friends, “I promise I will return one day with my family!”
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fomania:mfa:gov: ir