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16 Mythology 20 Prayer 22 Mythology 24 History 26 The Persian New Year 34 Story Documentary Works www.Mahan.aero

Prayer

Our Happy New Year wish for you Is for your best year yet, A year where life is peaceful, And what you want, you get. A year in which you cherish The past year’s memories, And live your life each new day, Full of bright expectancies.

April 2018 Mahan Inflight Magazine 15 Mythology www.Mahan.aero

Amoo Norooz, Naneh sarma & Haji Firuz

Amu Amu Nowruz is a fictional figure in Iranian . According to the folklore, he appears annually at the beginning of spring, together with his companion Haji Firuz, to mark the beginning of Nowruz, the Iranian New Year. On the eve of spring equinox, when the Iranian New Year is celebrated in the Iranian cultural continent from Albania in the West to the west of China in the East, Amu Nowruz brings children gifts, much like his Christian counterpart Santa Claus. He is the husband of Naneh Sarma, who shares a traditional love story with him in which they can meet each other only once a year. Amu Nowruz is a wise historical presence who passes the old story of Nowruz to the youth. Haji Firuz plays a tambourine, dances, and demands gifts, while Amu Nowruz is the giver. Naneh Sarma Nane Sarma "Grandma Frost" is a mythical character in . She is the wife of Amu Nowruz, the "Uncle of Nowruz".

16 April 2018 Mahan Inflight Magazine Mythology www.Mahan.aero

Amoo Norooz, Naneh sarma & Haji Firuz Haji Firooz is the announcer of Norooz's arrival while Amoo Norooz is more of a respected—almost always older—character who gives the gifts of Norooz. Haji Firooz is young, playful and clownish, dancing, chanting, and playing his tambourine to bring good cheer. Amoo Norooz, on the other hand, is more of a wise historical presence who passes the old story of Nowruz to the young, thus giving the occasion the respect it deserves.

April 2018 Mahan Inflight Magazine 17 Documentary Works www.Mahan.aero

Mir-e Nowruzi Mir-e Noroozi is, in fact, a temporary governor who governs the municipality for a few days. Usually individuals from the working class are chosen for this task. This temporary king, clad in official attire for the occasion, organizes an army and appoints assistants; in short he forms a government of his own and is given a lot of authority, and therefore has the right to punish and reward people. In olden times, for instance, if a merchant sold goods for a price higher than the actual cost during Nowruz, the Mir could publicly punish him for this. Sometimes the Mir would look at this game as an opportunity to punish his enemies. Usually on the last day of his reign, the temporary king runs away and hides somewhere, because people could become vengeful as a result of his behavior during his reign. In northern Khorasan, this playful king is called Khaan-e Sizdah Roozeh (literally, the 13 days ruler). You can even find the trace of this game in the poetry of the Persian poet of the 14th century, :

I speak behind the curtains of metaphor, come out of the bud like a flower For, the temporary king of Nowruz has a verdict for but five days 18 April 2018 Mahan Inflight Magazine Mythology www.Mahan.aero

Kusa

A Persian carnival character known to the medieval and modern folklore of central and western Persia.

Kusa “a man with little or no beard, is a carnival character known to the medieval and modern folklore of central and western Persia. The celebration of the Kusa festival “the riding of the thin-bearded” is reported by early Islamic authors and some more recent texts. The custom was performed during the spring festival. An ugly, thin-bearded man, dressed in rags, appeared in the streets riding a donkey or a mule, holding a crow in one hand and a fan in the other. Mir-e Nowruzi He bade farewell to the winter and announced the coming of spring, demanding money for his good news. In spite of cold weather, Kusa pretended to be hot, fanning himself with his fan and exclaiming “Warmth! Warmth!”. (In order to feel warm actually, he ate warming food (, , fat meat), and rubbed some ointments on his body. The people threw water, snow, and ice on him and he, by his turn, threw some muddy, staining matter at those who refused him a gift. What is described in these old sources seems to be an institutionalized urban custom. The role of Kusa was hereditary and lucrative. Kusa was allowed to circulate only until the afternoon; if caught afterwards, he may be beaten.

April 2018 Mahan Inflight Magazine 19 Documentary Works www.Mahan.aero

"Nowruz reminds us of the values Nowruz is an ancestral festivity marking the and aspirations we all share for peace first day of spring and the renewal of nature. through tolerance, respect, and It promotes values of peace and solidarity mutual understanding.” between generations and within families, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as well as reconciliation and neighborliness; thus contributing to cultural diversity and The United Nations’ International Day friendship among people and different of Nowruz, celebrates the start of the communities. Persian spring festival on March 21 About 300 million people worldwide ever year. It occurs on or around the celebrate Nowruz, with traditions and time of the March equinox. rituals particularly strong in Iran the Balkans, International Nowruz Day was the Black Sea and Caspian Sea regions, the proclaimed by the United Nations Caucasus, Central and South Asia, and the General Assembly, in its resolution Middle East. Events may include folk dance of 2010, at the initiative of several performances, special concerts, and tree countries that share this holiday planting ceremonies. (, Albania, , the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, India, Iran (Islamic Republic of), , , , Turkey and . Inscribed in 2009 on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity as a cultural tradition observed by numerous people,

21 March International Day of Nowruz

20 April 2018 Mahan Inflight Magazine Documentary Works www.Mahan.aero Nowruznameh, A written work on the Nowruznameh – report of Nowruz – the writing of which is origins of history and attributed to Omar Khayyam, the rituals of Nowruz feast celebrated Persian-speaking poet, mathematician, astronomer, and by Omar Khayyam philosopher, is the only classical Persian text on the historical Nowruz feast, even though the Persian poetry is inundated throughout its history with the topic of Nowruz and the related issues. This ancient feast has visited hearts and homes of the people in this geographical region, discarded the violence of winter, and has planted the green leaves of love in its place. There is a wealth of information in Nowruznameh about names of horses and explanations about them, names of different types of swords, beliefs of our predecessors about beauty, styles of the kings, signs of treasures, and the characteristics that our predecessors attributed to silver, gold, and etc. All that information, in the beautiful prose style of the fifth century after Hegira, wrapped in the context of mesmerizing stories and fables, has attached high literary value to this book.

International Day of Nowruz

April 2018 Mahan Inflight Magazine 21 Documentary Works www.Mahan.aero

NOWRUZ

22 April 2018 Mahan Inflight Magazine Definition www.Mahan.aero

Nowruz, literally "New Day" is the name of the The Iranian festivals such as Mehrgan (autumnal Iranian New Year, also known as the Persian New equinox), , and the eve of Chelle ye Zemestan Year, which is celebrated worldwide by Iranian (), and many other festivals had an people, along with some other ethno-linguistic origin in the Sun. groups, as the beginning of the New Year. Nowruz The 10th century scholar Biruni, in his work Kitab marks the first day of Farvardin in the Iranian al-Tafhim li Awa'il Sina'at al-Tanjim, In the section calendar. on Iran's calendar, mentions Nowruz, , Nowruz is the day of the vernal equinox, and Tirgan, Mehrgan, the six Gahambars, Farvardigan, marks the beginning of spring in the Northern Bahmanja, Esfand Armaz and several other festivals. Hemisphere. It usually occurs on March 21 or the According to him, "It is the belief of the Iranians previous/following day, depending on where it is that Nowruz marks the first day when the universe observed. The moment the sun crosses the celestial started its motion." The Persian historian Gardizi, equator, and equalizes night and day is calculated in his work titled Zayn al-Akhbār, mentions Nowruz exactly every year, and families gather together to (among other festivals) and specifically points out observe the rituals. the celebration of Nowruz and Mehrgan.

Mythology dates Nowruz as far back to the reign of Jamshid, who in ancient texts saved mankind from a killer winter that was destined to kill every living creature. Jamshid, the mythical Iranian king, perhaps symbolizes the transition of the proto-Iranians from animal hunting to animal husbandry and a more settled life in human history. In Shahnameh and Iranian mythology, he is credited with the foundation of Nowruz. The book reads that Jamshid constructed a throne studded with gems. He had raise him above the earth into the heavens; there he sat on his throne like the sun shining in the sky. The world's creatures gathered in wonder about him and the scattered jewels around him, and called this day the New Day (Nowruz). This was the first day of Farvardin, which is the first month of the Iranian calendar. Astronomy The first day of the Iranian calendar falls on the March equinox, the first day of spring, around 20 March. At the time of the equinox, the sun is observed to be directly over the equator, and the north and south poles of the Earth lie along the solar terminator. Sunlight is evenly divided between the north and south hemispheres.

April 2018 Mahan Inflight Magazine 23 History www.Mahan.aero NOWRUZ DURING HISTORY

A bas-relief depicting Armenians bringing their gifts to the king, at the Apadana, Persepolis

Achaemenid period It has been suggested that the famous Persepolis complex, or at least the palace of Apadana and the Hundred Columns Hall, were built for the specific purpose of celebrating a feast related to Nowruz. Although there may be no mention of the term Nowruz in recorded Achaemenid inscriptions, there is a detailed account by Xenophon of a Nowruz celebration taking place in Persepolis, and the continuity of this festival in the Achaemenid tradition. It was an important day during the time of the Achaemenids (c. 550–330 BCE), where kings from different nations under the used to bring gifts to the King of Kings of Iran. The significance of the ceremony in the Achaemenid Empire was such that King Cambyses II's appointment as the king of Babylon was legitimized only after his participation in the referred annual Achaemenid festival. It was, therefore, a highly auspicious occasion for the ancient Iranian people.

Sassanid era Islamic era Extensive records on the celebration of Nowruz, along with Sadeh (celebrated in Nowruz appear following the accession of mid-winter), survived in society. Other Ardashir I, the founder of the celebrations such the Gahambars and Mehrgan (224–651 CE). Under the Sassanid emperors, were eventually side-lined or were only followed Nowruz was celebrated as the most important by the Zoroastrians. day of the year. Most royal traditions of Nowruz, such as royal audiences with the public, cash gifts, Samanids and Buyids and the pardoning of prisoners, were established Following the demise of the caliphate and the during the Sassanid era and persisted unchanged subsequent re-emergence of Iranian kings such as until modern times. the Samanids and Buyids, Nowruz was elevated

24 April 2018 Mahan Inflight Magazine History www.Mahan.aero

to an even more important event. The Buyids vases full of fruit and colorful flowers. The King revived the ancient traditions of Sassanid times would sit on the royal throne, and the court and restored many smaller celebrations that had astronomer came forward, kissed the ground, been eliminated by the caliphate. According to and congratulated him on the arrival of the New the Syrian historian Yaqut al-Hamawi, the Iranian Year. The king would then summon musicians and Buyid ruler Ażod-od-Dawla (r. 949-83) customarily singers, and invited his companions. They would welcomed Nowruz in a majestic hall, wherein gather in their assigned places and enjoy a great servants had placed gold and silver plates and festive occasion. Mongol period Even the Mongol invaders did not attempt to abolish Nowruz in favor of any other celebration. Thus, Nowruz remained as the main celebration in Iranian lands by both the officials and the people.

Painting of Shah Abbas II and the A Safavid painting depecting A 16th century painting of Tahmasp I courtiers celebrating Nowruz Charshanbe Suri celebration and Humayun celebrating Nowruz

Contemporary era Before the collapse of the Soviet Union, Iran was the only country that officially observed the ceremonies of Nowruz. When the Caucasian and Central Asian countries gained independence from the Soviets, they also declared Nowruz as a national holiday. The UN's General Assembly recognized the International Day of Painting of Sultan Husayn and the Nowruz in 2010, describing it as a spring festival of Iranian origin, courtiers celebrating Nowruz which has been celebrated for over 3,000 years. During the meeting of The Inter-governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage of the United Nations, held Nowruz is also celebrated between 28 September – 2 October 2009, Nowruz was officially by Kurdish people in Iraq registered on the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and Turkey, as well as by of Humanity. In response to the UN recognition, Iran unveiled a the Parsis in the Indian postage stamp. The stamp was made public in the presence of the subcontinent. Iranian President during the first International Nowruz Celebrations It is also taken place by in Tehran on Saturday, 27 March 2010. Iranian communities in Locality several regions in and The festival of Nowruz is celebrated by many groups of people in the Black Sea basin, the Balkans, the Caucasus, Western Asia, central the Americas, including Los and southern Asia, and by Iranians worldwide. Angeles, Toronto, Cologne Countries that have Nowruz as a public holiday include: and London. • Afghanistan (21 March) • Kosovo (21 March) • Albania (22 March) • Kyrgyzstan (21 March) • Azerbaijan (20 March to 26 March, • Bayan-Ölgii, Mongolia (22 March, total of 7 days) regional state holiday only) • Georgia • Tajikistan (20 March to 23 March, • Iran (20 March to 24 March, total of 5 total of 4 days) days in general + total of 13 days for • Turkmenistan (20 March to 23 schools and universities) March, total of 4 days) • Iraq (21 March) • (21 March) • Kazakhstan (21 March to 24 March,

total of 4 days) April 2018 Mahan Inflight Magazine The Persian New Year www.Mahan.aero

Nowruz has been celebrated perhaps for as long as 5,000 years. Originating in Persia and long associated with the ancient Zoroastrian religion. On this day, Persian kings would have worn a crown with images of the annual solar cycle on their heads, participated in the Temple of Fire, and distributed generous gifts to citizens. Today, Nowruz is celebrated each year on March 21, when the sun enters the sign of Aries on the astrological calendar. In the northern he misphere, this date frequently coincides with the spring equinox, the day on which the number of daylight hours equals the number of nighttime hours. On our modern Gregorian calendar, the spring equinox varies from March 19 to March 21.

As Turks and other nomadic people moved into Central Asia and areas around Persia, they adopted the celebration of Nowruz. Today, Nowruz is celebrated widely and colorfully in Iran, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and the western provinces of China, as well as the in Turkey, Syria and Iraq, and the Tatars and Bashkirs in southern Russia.

Nowruz, the celebration of Persian New Year

26 April 2018 Mahan Inflight Magazine The Persian New Year www.Mahan.aero

In the last ten years, the Central Asian republics have recognized Nowruz as an official holiday. Its celebration is marked by concerts in parks and squares, trade fairs and national horseracing competitions. Celebrations of spring are a natural outgrowth of the Earth's rhythms. Nowruz announces the joyful awakening of nature after winter, and the beginning of the agricultural cycle of cultivating, planting, and harvesting. Nowruz traditions are similar throughout the region, and have varied little over the centuries. March 21 is the main celebration, but for the next 13 days, it is common practice to visit friends and relatives, buy and plant seedlings of fruit trees and have cheerful gatherings in the fresh spring air. It is also customary across most regions to visit cemeteries before the Nowruz celebrations begin, with visitors bringing candles and offerings to remember the dead. Today the festival of Norouz is Two candles are commonly placed at the door to the house celebrated in many countries that on Nowruz Eve in Kazakhstan. In Azerbaijan, the dead are were territories of or influenced commemorated on the second day of Nowruz, known as the “Day by the Persian Empire. of Fathers”. Nowruz is the occasion for traditional cultural activities, combining common practices with local customs. Poetry is a popular feature of Nowruz celebrations, with 'Nowruzi poems' being written, published and recited around the time of the festival. Music is also very important, and many of the countries that celebrate Nowruz have their own traditional folk songs specifically for the festival. One example is the well-known Afghan song “Molla Mammad Jaan”, which is said to have originated in the city of Mazar-i Sharif.

In recognition of the importance of this ancient rite, Nowruz was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009. Moreover, in 2010, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March International Nowruz Day. April 2018 Mahan Inflight Magazine 27 Nowruz around the World www.Mahan.aero

Nowruz in Afghanistan Nowruz is celebrated widely in Afghanistan. Also known as Farmer's Day, the observances usually last two weeks, culminating on the first day of the Afghan New Year, March 21. During the Taliban rule (1996–2001), Nowruz was banned. Preparations for Nowruz start several days beforehand, at least after , the last Wednesday before the New Year. Among various traditions and customs, the most important ones are as following:

28 February 2018 Mahan Inflight Magazine Nowruz around the World www.Mahan.aero

Guli Surkh festival:The Guli Surkh Haft Sin which is common in Iran. Haft Mewa is like festival which literally means Red a fruit salad made from seven different dried fruits, Flower Festival (referring to the served in their own syrup. The seven dried fruits red tulip flowers) is the principal are: raisins, senjed (the dried fruit of the oleaster festival for Nowruz. It is celebrated tree), , , prunes (dried apricots), in Mazar-i- Sharif during the first , and either almonds or another species of 40 days of the year when the tulip plum fruit. flowers grow in the green plains, Samanak: It is a special type of sweet dish made and on the hills surrounding the from germinated , and is normally cooked city. People from all over the or prepared on the eve of Nowruz or a few days country travel to Mazar-i-Sharif before. Women have a special party for it during to attend the Nowruz festivals. the night, and cook it from late in the evening till Various activities and customs are daylight, singing a special song: Samanak dar Josh o performed during the Guli Surkh mā Kafcha zanim – Doktaran dar Khwāb o mā Dafcha festival, including Jahenda Bala zanim (samanak is boiling, while we are stirring it, event and Buzkashi games. girls are sleeping, while we are stirring). Jahenda Bālā: Jahenda Bala Special cuisine: People cook special types of dishes is celebrated on the first day for Nowruz, especially on the eve of Nowruz. of the New Year (i.e. Nowruz), Normally they cook Sabzi Chalaw, a dish made from and is attended by high-ranking rice and spinach. Moreover, the bakeries prepare government officials such as the a special type of , called Kulcha-e Nowruzī, Vice-President, Ministers, and which is only baked for Nowruz. Another dish which Provincial Governors. is prepared mostly for the Nowruz days is Māhī It is a specific religious ceremony wa Jelabī (Fried Fish and Jelabi) and it is the most performed in the Blue Mosque of common meal in picnics. Mazar. The ceremony is performed Sightseeing to Cercis fields: The citizens of Kabul go by raising a special banner whose to Istalif, Charikar or other green places where the color configuration resembles Cercis flowers grow. They go for a picnic with their Derafsh Kaviani. This is the biggest family during the first two weeks of the New Year. recorded Nowruz gathering where Jashn-e Dehqān: Jashn-e Dehqan means The Festival up to 200,000 people from all of Farmers. It is celebrated on the first day of year, over Afghanistan get together in on which the farmers walk in the cities as a sign of Mazar's central park around the encouragement for the agricultural production. Blue Mosque to celebrate the In recent years, this activity is being performed banner raising (Jahenda Bālā) only in Kabul and other major cities, in which the ceremony. mayor and other high governmental personalities Buzkashi: Along with other participate in watching and observing. customs and celebrations, Kampirak: Like "Haji Firuz" in Iran, he is an old normally a Buzkashi tournament is bearded man wearing colorful clothes with a long held during the Guli Surkh festival hat and rosary who symbolizes beneficence and in Mazar-i-Sharif, Kabul and other the power of nature yielding the forces of winter. northern cities of Afghanistan. He and his retinue pass village by village distributing Haft Mēwa: In Afghanistan, people gathered charities among people, and do shows like prepare Haft Mēwa (literally Seven reciting poems. The tradition is observed in central Fruits) in addition to or instead of provinces specially Bamyan and Daykundi.

February 2018 Mahan Inflight Magazine 29 Nowruz in Uzbekistan

Uzbeks serve a traditional meal of "sumalyak". Sumalak (also known as ) is one of the main attractions on Nowruz. Sumalak is made from , and takes a whole night to cook. Women from the mahalla (neighborhood) gather around the pot to sing and stir, so that the sumalak doesn’t burn. In the morning, the warm sumalak is handed out to neighbors, relatives and friends. With the first taste of sumalak, you should make for meat eaters. Like sumalak, halisa is cooked in a huge a wish. pot for 12 hours, which makes its taste very special. Halisa is another 'must do' for Nowruz. In Tashkent this Celebrations are not limited to 21 March: they take specialty is known as halim. This wonderful dish is perfect place for a month. So, for a month. Nowruz in Pakistan

Nowruz is celebrated by certain groups in Pakistan. They call it Alam Afrooz which means lighting the world. House cleaning happens before Nowruz. Muslim Pakistani people celebrate the festival by wearing new clothes, making delicious food and sweets. People visit relatives and distribute sweets among children. In the major cities of Pakistan such as Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, etc., one can witness people having festivals, modern day New Year parties, and live concerts. exhilarating celebrations at midnight. Cities as well as Some major cities in Pakistan also organize fireworks rural parts of the country host cultural festivals, music show, which are set off at midnight. Nowruz in Iraqi Kurdistan

Once only celebrated for a single day, Nowruz celebrations now stretch on for more than 10 days after the ministry of education gave schools a 12-day spring break that coincides with the holiday. Federal government institutions in Baghdad still celebrate Nowruz for only one day. On that day, all government institutions and departments are given an official holiday, unlike the regional government, which gives a three-day holiday. Nowruz in Tajikistan

Tajikistan's biggest annual celebration is the spring festival of Nowruz. Humping over the fire on the last Wednesday of the year is practiced by Tajiks. One tradition survived in Tajikistan is gathering of wild flowers by children in the villages. They bring the flowers back and while wearing colorful attire, walk around the village, knock on people’s doors and present them with a flower. This happens one week before Nowruz All kinds of games including playing with eggs, bird and there are many old folk songs sung by the children fighting, and wrestling are part of the celebrations. during the event. Women also prepare a paste by cooking sumalak that House cleaning is done before the celebrations start. is traditionally eaten on the spring holiday. A major part The lady of the household has a few specific tasks. of the celebration is the selection of a queen for the Before the New Year arrives, she places two sweeping Nowruz that has become a national celebration and brushes (jaroo) that are painted red outside the door is broadcast nationally by the TV stations in Tajikistan. just before the sunrise, and keeps it there all the day. The celebration includes a major parade with young After the sun is fully risen, more household items are women dressed in their national dresses carrying the brought outside and a red cloth is hanged outside. The ceremonial objects used on the Nowruz spread. March red color signifies the household welcoming the spring- 21st and 22nd are official Nowruz holidays in Tajikistan, sun and by opening doors and windows, the new spring but celebrations start before these dates and continue air is welcomed into the homes. afterwards. Nowruz in Turkmenistan Nowruz in Trukey

In Turkmenistan, the main dish of Nowruz is called Semeni, In Turkey, Nowruz is celebrated by the Kurdish dainties made from germinated wheat. Other dainties such as minority. It involves setting up large bon fires on tamdyrlama, dograma, gutap, (dishes of national cuisine) mountain tops celebrating the defeat of and scented are similarly popular with the guests. People the -king Zahak, a character from cook meals specific to each particular region of Turkmenistan. Shahnameh, The Book of the Kings by Iran’s Turkmen skillful riders on the beautiful Akhalteke horses are national poet Toussi. indispensable participants of all celebrations. The main Kurdish greeting that accompanies the festival is Newroz pîroz be! Literally translating" to Happy Newroz". Another greeting used is, Bijî Newroz! Simply meaning "Long live Newroz"! Touring Iran www.Mahan.aero NOWRUZ GARDEN

Nowruz Park is located in Abbasabad Area which has turned into the cultural heart of Tehran. Nowruz Park with more than 90 thousand square meters, is a center for recreational and cultural activities, located in West Highway Modares and South Park of Ab-o-Atash (Water and Fire Park). Nowruz Park is connected to Ab-o-Atash Park by" Abrisham" suspension bridge.

32 April 2018 Mahan Inflight Magazine Touring Iran www.Mahan.aero NOWRUZ GARDEN

April 2018 Mahan Inflight Magazine 33 Story www.Mahan.aero

The Return of Private by Hamlin Garland

The soldiers cheered as the train Private Smith, the soldier with the crossed the border into the state fever, shivered in the night air. of Wisconsin. It had been a long His joy in coming home was mixed trip from the south, back to their with fear and worry. He knew he homes in the north. was sick and weak. How could he One of the men had a large red take care of his family? Where scar across his forehead. Another would he find the strength to do had an injured leg that made it the heavy work all farmers have to painful for him to walk. The third do? had unnaturally large and bright He had given three years of his life eyes, because he had been sick to his country. And now he had with malaria. very little money and strength left The three soldiers spread their for his family. blankets on the train seats and Morning came slowly with a pale tried to sleep. It was a cold evening yellow light. The train was slowing even though it was summertime. down as it came into the town of

34 February 2018 Mahan Inflight Magazine Story www.Mahan.aero

La Crosse where the three soldiers story to Billy's mother and young would get off the train. The station wife. But there was little to tell. The was empty because it was Sunday. sound of a bullet cutting through “I'll get home in time for dinner,” the air. Billy crying out, then falling Smith thought. “She usually has with his face in the dirt. lunch about one o'clock on Sunday The fighting he had done since afternoon,” and he smiled. then had not made him forget the Smith and the other two soldiers horror of that moment when Billy jumped off the train together. died. Soon, the fields and houses “Well, boys,” Smith began, “here's became familiar. Smith knew he where we say good-bye. We've was close to home. The sun was marched together for many miles. burning hot as he began climbing Now, I suppose, we are done.” The the last hill. Finally, he reached the three men found it hard to look at top and looked down at his farm in each other. the beautiful valley. He was almost “We ought to go home with you,” home. Misses Smith was alone on one of the soldiers said to Smith. the farm with her three children. “You'll never be able to walk all Mary was nine years old. Tommy those miles with that heavy pack was six and little Teddy had just on your back.” turned four. “Oh, I'm all right,” Smith said, Misses Smith had been dreaming putting on his army cap. “Every about her husband, when the step takes me closer to home.” chickens awakened her that They all shook hands. “Good-bye!” Sunday morning. She got out of “Good luck!” “Same to you!” bed, got dressed and went out to “Good-bye!” feed the chickens. Then she saw Smith turned and walked away the broken fence near the chicken quickly. After a few minutes, he house. She had tried to fix it again turned again and waved his cap. and again. Misses Smith sat down His two friends did the same. Then and cried. The farmer who had they marched away with their long promised to take care of the farm steady soldier's step. Smith walked while her husband was away had for a while thinking of his friends. been lazy and dishonest. The first He remembered the many days year he shared the wheat with they had been together during the Misses Smith. But the next year, he war. He thought of his friend, Billy took almost all of it for himself. She Tripp, too. Poor Billy! A bullet came had sent him away. Now, the fields out of the sky one day and tore a were full of wheat. But there was great hole in Billy's chest. Smith no man on the farm to cut it down knew he would have to tell the sad and sell it.

February 2018 Mahan Inflight Magazine 35 Story www.Mahan.aero

Six weeks before, her husband worked hard, laughed often and women stayed to drink their tea. told her in a letter that he would was always in a cheerful mood. “Mamma,” said one of Misses be coming home soon. Other When she saw Misses Smith and Gray's daughters. “Please read our soldiers were returning home, but the children coming down the fortunes in the tea cups. Tell us her husband had not come. Every road, Misses Gray went out to about our futures!” day, she watched the road leading meet them. “Please come right in, Misses Gray picked up her down the hill. Misses Smith. We were just getting daughter's cup and stirred it first This Sunday morning she could ready to have lunch.” to the left, then to the right. Then no longer stand being alone. She Misses Smith went into the noisy she looked into it with a serious jumped up, ran into the house house. Misses Gray's children were expression. “I see a handsome man and quickly dressed the children. laughing and talking all at the same with a red beard in your future.” She carefully locked the door and time. Soon she was laughing and She said. Her daughter screamed started walking down the road to singing with the rest of them. with laughter. the farmhouse of her neighbor, The long table in the kitchen Misses Smith trembled with Misses Gray. Mary Gray was a was piled with food. There were excitement when it was her turn. widow with a large family of strong potatoes, fresh corn, apple pies, “Somebody is coming home to sons and pretty daughters. She hot bread, sweet pickles, bread and you.” Misses Gray said slowly. was poor. But she never said ‹no' butter and honey. They all ate until “He's carrying a rifle on his back to a hungry person who came to they could eat no more. Then the and he's almost there.” her farm and asked for food. She men and children left the table. The Misses Smith felt as if she could

36 February 2018 Mahan Inflight Magazine Story www.Mahan.aero

hardly breathe. “And there he is!” suffering?” Misses Gray cried, pointing to the Trembling and weak with emotion, road. Misses Smith hurried up to her They all rushed to the door to look. husband. Her feet made no A man in a blue coat, with a gun sound on the grass, but he turned on his back, was walking down the suddenly to face her. For the rest of road toward the Smith farm. His his life, he would never forget her face was hidden by a large pack on face at that moment. his back. “Emma!” He cried. Laughing and crying, Misses Smith The children stood back watching grabbed her hat and her children their mother kissing this strange and ran out of the house. She man. He saw them, and kneeling hurried down the road after him, down, he pulled from his pack calling his name and pulling her three huge, red apples. In a children along with her. But the moment, all three children were in soldier was too far away for her their father's arms. Together, the voice to reach him. family entered the little unpainted When she got back to their farm, farmhouse. she saw the man standing by the Later that evening, after supper, fence. Smith and his wife went outside. He was looking at the little house The moon was bright, above the and the field of yellow wheat. eastern hills. Sweet, peaceful stars The sun was almost touching the filled the sky as the night birds sang hills in the west. The cowbells softly, and tiny insects buzzed in rang softly as the animals moved the soft air. toward the barn. “How peaceful His farm needed work. His children it all is!” Private Smith thought. needed clothing. He was no longer “How far away from the battles, young and strong. But he began to the hospitals, the wounded and plan for next year. With the same the dead. is my little farm in courage he had faced the war, Wisconsin! How could I have left Private Smith faced his difficult it for those years of killing and future.

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