"Speak to me..." "I haven't told anyone yet." "How long can I endure this?" "A day?" "A week?" "A month?" "Should I worry about myself or them?" "Daddy!" "If they find out..." "Daddy Yusef!" "Could they deal with it?" "I found them!" "Good." "Throw them in." "I'm ready" "I'm the small one and you're the big one" "One, two, three..." "Go!" " I'll win!" " No, I'll win!" " Hurry!" " Yeah!" "Go!" " I won!" " What about me?" "You got stuck in the middle of the stream" "And if you cheated?" "I swear to God!" " Are you angry?" " Of course not." "It's only a game" "Why are you crying then?" "I'm not crying, my eyes burn a bit." "Let's go" "Are we going to the mountains tomorrow, Daddy?" "I don't know." "Maybe" "But you promised we'd go on Friday with Mommy Roya" "Well, yes, but I might have to work tomorrow" "Daddy, don't work tomorrow, please" "OK, we'll go" "Rumi with his tact and sharp mind... gave all he had to Shams-e Tabrizi and told him to burn it" "Was Shams getting something in return?" "As for Rumi, he always bet on love and expected nothing in return" "Yusef, please wash Maryam's hands" "That's what I'm doing." "Where are my eye drops?" "Here, on the table" "My eyes still burn" "Come, I'll help you" "Tea's ready" "I also did Your Excellency's homework" "And they say angels are only in Heaven!" "Don't be silly!" " When will you get the test results?" " It's not important" " I want to talk to your doctor" " Excuse me, I can't see but I can talk" " I want to be sure" " Of what?" "Let me see who..." "Roya!" "Don't worry, I'll pick them up" " Thank you, Professor." " You're welcome" "When did you get here?" "Are you still worried?" "I have something to tell You" "Have You forgotten all about me?" "I'm Yusef" "The one You deprived of the beauties of the world and who never complained" "Instead of light and brightness, I lived in darkness and gloom" "I didn't protest" "I found happiness and peace in this small paradise" "Are all these years of hardship not enough... that You now want to cause me even more suffering?" "Will I come back from this trip to my loving family?" "Will this illness bring me to my knees?" "To whom should I complain about what You're doing to me?" "I beg of You to show me more compassion" "Don't take my life away" ""This is the Book of Masnavi-e Ma'navi"" "This is a prayer, my son" " Pray for me, mother" " May God hear our prayers" "Roya" "Don't worry" "It's time to say goodbye" "I've taken care of everything" "Mr. Kashani will be waiting for you in Paris." "I've told him everything" "May God protect you" " Thanks for everything, uncle" " Well, let's go, it's getting late" " Hello, I'm Kashani." "I'm glad to meet you." "I'm very glad too" "Let's go" " You're very kind." " Don't mention it" "I'm glad to finally meet you." "I hope your flight wasn't too tiring" "No, I'm fine" "I hate flying." "It's so boring" "I've scheduled your medical appointments" "You'll be staying in a guesthouse near the hospital" "It's very cozy." "I'm sure you'll like it" "Many Iranians stay there when they come for medical treatment" "You've gone to so much trouble." "How can I ever thank you?" "It's no trouble." "Your uncle Mahmoud is like a brother to me" "When I was studying here many years ago" "Mahmoud helped me." "I'm indebted to him" "It's best to close the windows at night, it can get very cold" "I'm upstairs." "If you need anything dial 9." "Is that OK?" "Yes, don't worry" " Good night" "Mr. Kashani, are you aware of Mr. Musavi's condition?" "More or less" "His condition is extremely serious" "The tests taken in Tehran show a cancerous growth under his right eye probably malignant" "Is it life threatening?" "Yes, indeed." "If the tumor grows we might need to remove his eye" "But we can't make a decision before he undergoes a biopsy" "Prior to that, we will need some more tests" "Should I tell you what to bring back for me?" "A beautiful doll" "Daddy, we're waiting for your return" "This poem is for you:" "Colorful butterfly, you're back... you sit on the window and admire our pretty garden..." "Hello, friend!" "Excuse me, who are you?" "My name is Morteza" "What are you doing here?" "What's wrong?" "It suddenly jammed" "Here, have some walnuts." "Let me take a look" "Thank you" "I saw you when you came in." "I'm getting treatment here" "This is my 3rd time" " Careful, don't break it." "Trust me!" "Nothing to worry about" "Have some walnuts, they'll give you strength." "Here, have some more" "Thanks" "A screw is loose." "I'll fix it" "You think the tape will be alright?" "Don't worry" "We've got plenty of time here" "Do you use tapes for teaching at the university?" "I do." "But how do you know I teach at a university?" "Listen, do you hear the birds?" "They're heading toward the forest" "Behind this guesthouse, there's a forest full of birds" "I go there everyday." "If you like we can go there today" "I'll fix your tape later" "Come on, let's go" "You haven't told me what brought you here" "A stupid little shrapnel, souvenir from the war, is still in my head" "It's affecting my sight" "Look at all these trees and not a single walnut tree!" " What about willow trees?" " Willow trees don't have nuts!" "No, but they bring back memories and also bring me luck" "How's that?" "When I was at the School for the Blind, they gave me a small willow to take care of" "We grew up together" "Now, it's now much taller than me" "There's a big pond over there." "Maybe there are some willow" "Let's go and take a photo" "I have excellent news for you" "The biopsy shows that the tumor is benign and presents no danger" "That's unbelievable!" "There's more." "You know that Mr. Musavi became blind at the age of 8?" "Yes" "Firework sparks burned both corneas and badly damaged the retinas" "That's how he went blind" "Yes, but we've noticed both retinas are slightly sensitive to light" "This gives us hope" "Hope for what?" "For Mr. Musavi to partially regain his sight" "Is that possible?" "Believe me, I'm as surprised as you" "I have to tell his family at once" "It's better not to give them too much hope" "We need more tests before we can attempt a cornea transplant." "Nothing is certain" "I know I was wrong" "My biggest mistake was not knowing You well enough" "Now I know You didn't cross me off Your book of compassion" "You didn't forget about me" "You're with me and protecting me" "If only Your goodness could be complete" "Now that You've taken my hand, I beg You to lead me all the way" "More than anyone else I long for the light" "If I come out of this darkness," "I'd be with You forever" "Who's there?" "Is that you, Mr. Morteza?" "You devil, I bet you can see me!" "That good scent could only be yours" "I heard the good news and I'm so happy" "Now I understand how this willow tree brings you luck" " Who told you?" " You underestimate me!" " Come, sit down" " let me just pick up the walnuts" "What about you?" "Did you have your operation?" "No, this damned shrapnel is hopeless" "If they operate on me I may go totally blind" "I don't want that." "I'd rather go blind slowly, no?" " When is your operation?" " In a few days" " Are you excited?" " I don't know." "I'm excited and scared" "Scared of not seeing?" "Maybe scared of seeing." "I've lived in another world for 38 years" "I don't know what might happen" "Eat this, it's got phosphorus." "It's good for your eyes" "Thanks" "Oh, I nearly forgot" "I fixed your tape." "Here it is" "Thank you so much" "And these are the leftovers" "I'm all done here." "I must leave now" "Where to?" "Give me another chance, Mister Hunter." "I am a fawn born in this mountain" "Your bullet pierced my right side, but I am wounded on the left side" "You wounded my heart, you wounded my heart.." "I am just a fawn, just a fawn..." " How is he?" " He's OK." "He needs to rest now" "This is my 57th night away from Iran" "But it feels like years since I saw my family" "Tomorrow they'll take off my bandages" "Will I see?" "Will I not see?" "Will I be able to see or not?" "But I..." "Mother..." "Welcome Professor!" "I get dizzy just thinking about all you'll have to see" "I can't believe it!" "I must be dreaming!" "Unbelievable but true!" "Puran gave me the news when I was stuck in traffic.." "I was so happy I opened the window and yelled:" ""Hey, people, Yusef can see, my Yusef's eyes can see!"" "They must have thought I was crazy!" "He gave out sweets to all our neighbors" "Uncle Mahmoud only forgot to announce it in the newspapers" "Do you remember we used to go to "Twin Waterfalls"?" "It's the first thing I want to show you" "Look at me, Maryam." "I want to take your picture, sweetheart!" "Now, get ready Mr. Yusef." "Good!" "Yusef, I've got thousands of photos of you growing up" "I could make a TV series out of them!" "Pari, my dear sister-in-law, you haven't taken a single picture of me." "My photographer always tells me I could've been a movie star." "Mahmoud, you talk too much!" "Well, hello!" "Look at me for a second" "I'm Uncle Mahmoud." "The kid from Hassan Abad." "And as you all know, a great guy!" "Hello!" "Welcome." "So glad to see you" "Do you know who this is?" "Hello, Mr. Yusef!" "We're all so happy for you" "It's Puran, my wife!" "Hello" "Come in all of you, I'm so pleased" "Roya, come and visit, allright?" "I'll be waiting" " Goodbye, Yusef." " Goodbye" "Come again, Yusef" "This is our neighborhood, Darakeh." "We're almost home" " Where are we?" " About 200 meters from the bakery." " can you stop?" " What for?" "Just stop" "You're going the wrong way!" "It's the street on your left" " Guess where I am?" " Where Are you?" "I'm here, here..." "Why are you looking at me like that?" "Don't you want to change your clothes?" "Of course..." "I feel a bit cold" "Where are you, Mommy?" "Come, I'm scared" "I'm here, honey" "I'm scared" "It's just thunder, darling." "Don't be scared, I'm here" "Daddy Yusef!" "Run!" "Wait for us!" "Wave to him!" "Hit him!" "Take this, Maryam" "Hit him!" "See, I hit you too!" "What color is this?" "Yellow" "Yes!" "And this one?" "White" "Good!" "And this?" "Black" "No, it's purple" "Is it purple?" "You're right" " Do you know how fish drink water?" " No, I don't." "Some young fish drink like this." "The old ones drink like this." "I like this one!" " Be careful, Yusef." " Don't run, Maryam." "Stop!" "I bet you can't catch me!" "I'm telling you to stop, you little rascal!" "Stop, Maryam!" "Granny, we're coming!" "Mahmoud" "Yusef, my dear, come..." "I want to serve the food I vowed to give" "Forgive me, Mr. Yusef" "My sister Pari is driving me crazy." "She feels too shy to give you her thesis herself" "Please take a look at it." "It's very important to her" "Tell her that I'll read it to Yusef myself and get his comments quickly" "Thanks so much" "Mommy!" "Come!" "Auntie Pari is here" "Give me the pictures, Mommy" "It was Pari." "She brought the pictures" "Let me see them first!" "Pari was in a hurry" "I asked her to come in but she was late for her music class" "Just look at this cute little Maryam!" "Look how nice this place is!" "Yes, it's very nice" "Look at this one!" "It's pretty" "Auntie Pari is filming here" "Yes" " Why is she filming?" " So we remember these Good moments..." "Well, Mr. Kazemi, Mr. Keshavarz?" "Should I order this one?" " This one's fine." "Order it." " Yes, it's just fine" "You too." "Very good." "Thanks" "Let's go, Uncle" "Ladies and gentlemen, you'll have to excuse me." "Mr. Amiri, I'm going to the workshop" " I'm so glad you came to see me, Yusef." " Thank you, Uncle" "Let me show you my workshop." "We'll have a good cup of tea" "You'll see how we make jewelry." "I'm sure you'll enjoy it." "I've planted shoots for the children at the School for the Blind" "By spring we'll give a prize to the owner of the tallest tree" " How about that?" " That's good" "The University called again today" "They want to know whether you'll be teaching next term" "I haven't made up my mind yet." "I might change jobs." "And do what?" "I don't know" "Anything but the University" "Why don't you come to the School?" "They could use your experience." "Come with me tomorrow." "Forget it!" " Letters from the University" " OK" "I'm so glad you changed your mind" "The teachers and the children will be so happy" "They certainly need your experience there" "Mr. Abbas, come here, please" "Hello" "Mr. Abbas, please ask some of the children to take these pots inside" "Who's there?" "Who's there?" " The garden won't be cold?" " No darling, not anymore" "Hello, my dear Roya, this is Pari" "Are you there?" "I know you're very busy these days... but I wanted to know whether Mr. Yusef has read my thesis... and what he thinks of it?" "I wanted to come and talk to him but somehow I feel shy" "I can't look into his eyes." "It's a strange feeling" "Roya, I'll be so thrilled if one day I could discuss my thesis and... many other things with him" "Please tell him that I'm in a hurry" "Love and kisses till I see you." "Oh!" "There's a concert by the Mowlana group." "I wanted you and Yusef to..." " Have you counted the pots?" " Yes" " How many Are there?" " Four" "But there are more than four!" "...I wanted to know whether Mr. Yusef has read my thesis... and what he thinks of it?" "I wanted to come and talk to him but somehow I feel shy." "I can't look into his eyes." "It's a strange feeling" "Roya, I'll be so thrilled if one day I could discuss my thesis... and many other things with him..." "The symbolic language of the mystics existed long before Hafez a subtle interaction between sensibility and vision Poetry draws on inner feelings to create visual images the encounter with Shams brought out the inner soul of Rumi... and the exaltation in his works..." ""My eyes opened to see the beloved and I thank God for that. "" ""I am a fool." "Without" "Your kindness, I can do nothing. "" "Daddy!" "The flowers are blooming." "Come and see!" "I was worried sick!" "Where were you?" "Worried about what?" "I shouldn't worry?" "Stop playing the role of a mother!" "I'm all grown up now." "I'm 45 years old" "Roya!" "I'm sorry" " Hello" "I'd like to see Pari Azarnoush" "You can't right now." "They're practicing" " When will It be over?" " An hour" "Thanks" "Be careful not to fall down" "Hello, my darling" "I missed you so much!" "Is something the matter?" "No, nothing's the matter" "I'm going to Kashan with Maryam" " By yourselves?" " Yes" "Has something happen in Kashan?" "No, don't worry." "I just have to go" "What's happened?" "Hello mother, where's everybody?" "I came to ask you the same question" "What's happened?" "Where are they?" "Do you really care?" "What a question, mother!" "Of course it matters" "I don't think so." "If it was important to you, they'd be here and not in Kashan" "Kashan?" "Why didn't Roya say anything?" "Did she need to?" "What are you talking about?" "Yusef, what are you doing with your life?" "What life?" "Does anyone understand how much I've suffered all these miserable years... without saying a word?" "Everyone felt sorry for me" "You, my wife, everyone around me" "I don't need anyone anymore" "I want the life I'm entitled to" "I've lost the best years of my life" "Look around and see what I've got" "Do you call this a life?" "A handful of nothing?" "Four trees and a house I thought was a little paradise?" "I'm sick of this paradise." "I want to live my own life" "Yes, I want to live my way!" "Can you understand that?" "Can you?" "Mother!" "Mr. Yusef, she isn't home" " Hello." " Hello" " Where is she?" " Haven't you heard?" "What?" "Last night your mother wasn't feeling well" "Mrs. Kokab and the neighbors took her to the hospital" "Hospital?" "Which hospital?" "I'll ask my daughter" "You've got to turn your life around" "What do you really want to do?" "You need to think of your family, your sick mother" "You can't go on like this!" "If you want to start a new job or invest in something" "I can give you whatever you need" "Why not work with me?" "Who'd be better than you?" "For months now you've been sitting at home... avoiding work, life and university" "You've been given a new life." "Take advantage of it!" "Greetings, Mr. Yusef!" "I really miss you" "I wanted so much to see you again" "Tell me what's worth seeing and I'll tell you what's not worth seeing" "Ever since I've practiced not seeing," "I've seen many wonderful things" "Guess what?" "I found a forest full of walnut trees" "I'd like to take you there sometime." "We'd eat our fill of walnuts" "How much have you been seeing?" "Are your eyes satisfied?" "So many questions to ask!" "Did you see the willow tree?" "I'd like to know if it still brings you luck?" "I'm sending you the photo I promised so you know that I always think of you" "Your friend, Morteza" "His eyes show no reaction to light" "It might be a rejection of the cornea transplant" "Is there any hope, Doctor?" "We must conduct more tests" " I'm not staying here!" " Relax, Yusef" " I want to get out of here!" " Everything is going to be alright" " I don't want to stay here." " Please, calm down." "Please get me out of here!" "Get me out of here" "Let's go to Kashan with Puran and Pari" "We'll go see Roya and Maryam" "Disagreements are a part of life" "I promise you everything will be alright." "You mustn't lose hope" "I talked to the doctors." "I'll send you abroad" "I'll pay whatever it takes so you can see again" "Where are you going?" "You'll get run over by a car!" "Wait!" "Tell me where you're going?" "!" "Wait!" "You'll get hit by a car!" "Let go of me..." "Go away!" "Where are you going?" "Yusef!" "My God" "I am asking You... for another chance... to start a new life"