The Young Builder's Promise
The morning sun painted the mountains gold as young Arman walked toward the massive building site. His heart beat faster with each step. Today was his first day as a stone mason's apprentice in Persepolis, the grandest city ever built!
"Look at those walls reaching to the sky!" Arman whispered to himself. The stone stairs were as wide as ten houses put together. Giant columns rose up like mighty trees made of stone.
Fun Fact: Persepolis was built over 2,500 years ago! That's older than your great-great-great-grandparents' time.
Master Babak, the head stone mason, waved Arman over. His weathered face broke into a kind smile. "Ready to help build King Darius's dream city, young one?"
"Yes, Master Babak!" Arman stood up straight and proud. "I want to create something that will last forever!"
The master mason laughed softly. "Then you must learn the secrets of the stones. Each block tells a story."
They walked past hundreds of workers carrying stone blocks, mixing mortar, and carving beautiful pictures into the walls. People from all over the great Persian Empire had come to help build Persepolis.
The King's Vision
"King Darius wants this to be the most beautiful city in the world," Master Babak explained. "See those carvings? They show people bringing gifts from every land."
Arman touched the smooth stone walls in wonder. The carved figures seemed almost alive - soldiers, nobles, and common folk all frozen in stone.
"But Master," Arman asked, "how will we build something so big?"
Master Babak pointed to the mountains. "Nature gives us what we need. The limestone comes from those hills. We shape each block perfect and true."
The old master's eyes twinkled. "Remember, Arman - we're not just building walls and columns. We're building dreams in stone."
That night, Arman lay on his sleeping mat, too excited to rest. Through the window, he could see the outline of Persepolis against the starry sky. Tomorrow he would help carve another piece of this magnificent puzzle.
"One day," he promised himself, "I'll create something so beautiful that people will remember it forever."
Little did young Arman know that his journey was just beginning. The rising sun would bring new challenges, but also amazing discoveries about the power of human creativity and determination.
The walls of Persepolis held many secrets, and Arman was ready to learn them all. As he drifted off to sleep, the carved figures in his mind seemed to dance, telling stories of a great empire united by stone and dreams.Stones of Many Kingdoms
The sun was barely up when Arman joined the other workers at the building site. Today, Master Babak had promised to teach him about the special stones used in Persepolis.
"Look here," Master Babak pointed to different colored stones. "Each one comes from a different part of our empire. Just like the people who work here!"
Stone Facts: The builders used gray limestone, black marble, and golden-colored stones to make Persepolis beautiful.
Arman watched in amazement as workers from many lands worked together. Some spoke languages he had never heard before!
"How do they talk to each other?" Arman asked his master.
Master Babak smiled. "Watch and learn, young one. In building, we speak the same language - the language of craft."
Building Together
A worker from Egypt showed Arman how they moved huge stones using wooden rollers. Another from Babylon taught him tricks for mixing strong mortar.
"Each person brings something special," Master Babak explained. "Just like each stone has its perfect place."
Arman made a new friend named Cyrus, whose family came from far away Media. Together they learned how to polish stone until it shined like metal.
"My father says Persepolis will be the most beautiful city ever built," Cyrus said proudly.
"And we're helping to build it!" Arman replied excitedly.
The Secret of the Stones
Master Babak showed the boys how builders marked each stone with special signs. "These tell us where each piece belongs, like a giant puzzle."
Arman traced the marks with his finger. He was learning to read the language of the stones! Some had drawings of animals, others had strange symbols.
Every stone block was cut so perfectly that they fit together without any glue or mortar between them!
At lunchtime, workers shared their food and stories. Arman tried flat bread from Syria and sweet dates from Babylon. He learned words in different languages and songs from far-away places.
"See how everyone brings their own gifts?" Master Babak said. "That's what makes Persepolis special. It's not just stones - it's the spirit of many peoples working as one."
That evening, as the sun set behind the great columns, Arman looked at his callused hands with pride. He was part of something bigger than himself - a city that would tell stories for thousands of years.
"Tomorrow," he thought, "we'll add more stones, meet more friends, and learn more secrets." As he walked home, the setting sun made the golden stones glow like fire, and Arman knew he would never forget this magical day.
New challenges waited ahead, but Arman was ready. With each stone laid and each lesson learned, he was helping to build not just a city, but a dream that would last forever.Whispers of the Bas-Reliefs
Arman stood before a giant wall of stone, his eyes wide with wonder. Master Babak had chosen him to help with something very special - the wall carvings that would tell stories without words.
"Today," Master Babak said with a smile, "we make the stones speak!"
Amazing Fact: The wall carvings in Persepolis were so detailed that you could see the tiny patterns on people's clothes!
Learning to Tell Stories in Stone
A new teacher named Rostam showed Arman how to use special tools to carve the stone. His hands were gentle but strong as he guided Arman's movements.
"See these lines?" Rostam pointed to a drawing on the wall. "They will become a mighty lion. Every tap of our tools brings it more to life."
Arman watched in amazement as other carvers worked on their sections:
Soldiers marching proudly
Kings receiving gifts from far lands
People celebrating special days
Animals from all over the empire
The Secret Messages
"Why do we carve these pictures?" Arman asked, wiping stone dust from his face.
"These walls tell our story," Rostam explained. "Long after we're gone, people will look at these pictures and know about our great empire."
Cyrus joined them with his carving tools. "My father says each picture has a special meaning," he said excitedly.
The carvings showed how strong and kind the Persian kings were, and how many different peoples lived together in peace.
Making Magic with Chisels
As days passed, Arman learned to carve better and better. His hands grew stronger, and his eyes sharper. He could see the pictures hiding in the stone, waiting to come out. ✨
"Look!" he called to Cyrus one day. "I made this flower all by myself!"
Master Babak came to look. "Well done, Arman! You're learning to speak the language of stone."
But not everyone was happy with all the pictures. Some workers whispered that the carvings only showed what the kings wanted people to see. Arman didn't understand why this mattered - to him, they were just beautiful.
A Special Discovery
One evening, as the sun set, Arman found a small space behind a column. There, hidden from view, was a tiny carving of a child playing.
"Who made this?" he asked Rostam.
"Sometimes," Rostam whispered with a twinkle in his eye, "we carvers add our own little stories too."
That night, Arman dreamed of all the stories hidden in the walls of Persepolis. He imagined people from the future trying to read them, just like he was learning to read them now.
The next morning, he picked up his tools with new excitement. Every tap of his chisel wasn't just making pictures - it was telling stories that would last forever.
As he worked, Arman wondered what new secrets the walls would share, and what stories were yet to be carved into the eternal stone of Persepolis.The Great Nowruz Celebration
The air buzzed with excitement in Persepolis. It was time for Nowruz, the biggest party of the year! Arman could hardly sleep, knowing tomorrow would be amazing.
Fun Fact: Nowruz means "New Day" and celebrates the start of spring!
Getting Ready for the Big Day
"Wake up, sleepyhead!" Cyrus called early in the morning. "The guests are already arriving!"
Arman rushed to the window. His eyes grew wide at what he saw. People from all parts of the empire were coming through the giant gates. They wore clothes in every color of the rainbow!
"Look at their gifts!" Cyrus pointed excitedly. "Gold from India, silk from China, and spices from Arabia!"
A Parade of Wonders
The boys ran to the grand staircase. Master Babak smiled when he saw them.
"Today," he said, "you'll see why we built such big doors and wide stairs. Watch!"
First came dancers in flowing robes. Then strong men carried huge golden bowls. Behind them walked proud warriors with shiny swords.
People brought amazing gifts for the king:
Beautiful horses with braided manes
Lions in golden cages
Precious stones that sparkled like stars
Sweet-smelling flowers and fruits
The King's Big Moment
"Where's the king?" Arman whispered to Cyrus.
Just then, trumpets blasted. Everyone looked up at the grand balcony. There stood King Xerxes in his purple robe, smiling at his people.
"Welcome, friends from near and far!" the king's voice boomed. "Let us celebrate the new year together!"
A Feast to Remember
Tables stretched as far as Arman could see. There was more food than he'd ever seen before!
"Try this," Cyrus said, handing him something sweet. "It's honey from the mountains."
Musicians played happy tunes on strange instruments. People sang songs in different languages. Some words Arman didn't understand, but the music made his heart dance.
Strange Whispers
But even during the party, Arman heard worried talk. Some guests spoke about a young king named Alexander, far away in Greece. He was building a big army.
"Why are they worried?" Arman asked Master Babak. "Our city is so strong!"
Master Babak patted his shoulder. "Sometimes, young one, even the strongest walls need watching."
The Night of Lights
As the sun set, thousands of tiny lamps lit up Persepolis. The city glowed like a jewel under the stars. ✨
Arman and Cyrus sat on the steps, watching the celebrations.
"This is the most beautiful place in the world," Arman said proudly.
"And we helped build it!" Cyrus added, grinning.
The festivities continued late into the night. Fire dancers spun through the courtyards. Storytellers shared tales from distant lands. And above it all, the carved walls of Persepolis watched silently, keeping their ancient secrets.
As Arman drifted off to sleep that night, the sounds of celebration still echoing through the city, he wondered what new adventures tomorrow would bring to the magical city of Persepolis.Alexander's Approaching Shadow
Dark clouds gathered over Persepolis. Arman noticed more soldiers training in the courtyards. Something big was coming. ️
Warning Signs: More guards stood at the city gates. People whispered about danger.
Strange News
"Alexander is getting closer!" Cyrus burst into the workshop one morning. His face was red from running.
Master Babak looked up from his work. "What news do you bring, boy?"
"The Greek army has crossed the great waters. They're winning every battle!"
Protecting the Treasures
The king called all the builders to the palace. Arman had never seen him look so worried.
"We must protect our city's treasures," the king said. "Hide our most precious things in secret places."
Arman and Cyrus helped carry golden bowls and jeweled swords to hidden rooms. They worked all day and night.
The City Prepares
Everyone had a job to do:
Workers built stronger walls
Soldiers sharpened their weapons
People stored food and water
Scribes rushed to copy important scrolls
A Difficult Choice
"Should we leave?" some people asked. Many families packed their things and left the city.
But Arman couldn't leave. "This is my home," he told Master Babak. "I helped build these walls."
Master Babak smiled proudly. "Then we shall stay and protect what we built."
Messages from Far Away
Runners brought news every day. Alexander's army was huge! They had clever machines for breaking walls.
"But our walls are strong!" Arman said. He touched the stone he had helped...
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