Chapter 3
When Asha had gone, I’hua’Mazda spoke to Too’che, the virgin mother, saying: Take your child away and hide yourself, lest the king has you and your child put to death. So Too’che departed with her child, and hid in another part of the city.
Now Asha went directly to So-qi, the king, and related what had transpired. When he had finished, the king said: According to the histories of the ancients, when a God appeared among mortals, there were signs and miracles. You have told me only words. Go, therefore again to the child and say: The king desires a miracle.
Asha returned the next day, but lo and behold, woman and child were gone, and not one of the neighbors knew where. Asha said: If I go before the king with this story, he will have me slain as an inventor of lies. So he did not return to the king.
But where Too’che and her child dwelt, there came a maker of songs, by name Choe’jon, and he spoke to the virgin, saying: Where is the child? She answered: He sleeps in the rack of hay; I will fetch him. So she brought the child from his bed of new hay; and straws stuck to the baby’s mantle, and these straws had no roots.
I’hua’Mazda spoke through the child while its own spirit slept, saying: I came to you, O Choe’jon; I brought you here, for you shall frame songs about the virgin’s baby. Choe’jon was frightened, but nevertheless he said: Can it be true, in this enlightened age! A miracle! Shall I talk to you, O child? Then I’hua’Mazda said:
Behold, you do not speak to the child, but to I’hua’Mazda. Take these straws to your writing-box and plant them in new earth, and in one day they shall grow and bear ripe wheat. So Choe’jon departed and planted the straws, and in one day, they grew and bore ripe wheat.
Choe’jon had previously sung his songs before the king, and so had permission to approach the court; and he went and told the king of the miracle. The king said: The philosopher, Asha, told me about this child, and I sent him for a miracle, but he does not return. Now you have come and said: Behold, a miracle! || What value is a miracle, except to those who witness it? Shall your king accept a thing because of belief? Is not belief the fruit of darkness? Go, therefore, again to the child and bring it before me, so I may see with my own eyes.
Choe’jon returned to the place, but lo and behold, virgin and child were gone; nor did the neighbors know where. But she was concealed in another part of the city. And now there came before her one Os’shan, who was weeping because of the apparent death of his son. To him I’hua’Mazda spoke, saying: Do not weep, for I have healed your son and also given sight to your daughter.
Os’shan trembled at such words coming from the lips of a child, and he ran away; and he found his son healed, and his daughter restored to sight. In his joy he returned to the place, but the virgin and child were gone. Os’shan was hostler to the king, and capable of audience, and so he went and told the king of his good fortune.
The king said: Asha, the philosopher, told me a fine story of this child, but when I sent him for information he did not return. Then came Choe’jon, the maker of songs, telling me what he had witnessed. I sent him to have mother and child brought before me, but he did not return. Now you come with tale of a miracle, like those told in the dark ages. Go, therefore, and search the city over till you find this wonder, and bring him before me.
On the next day another man, the king’s brother’s son, came before the king, saying: Today I have seen such a wonder that it would have been marvelous in the days of angels and Gods. Behold, a little child spoke to me such words of philosophy that they made me tremble. And yet, O king, you know I am no coward. My house is hung with a hundred scalps. Yes, and this child already proclaims itself Zarathustra in communion with the God I’hua’Mazda! To me it said: Why do you kill the sons and daughters of your God? Do not think that your many scalps are a glory before heaven. Behold, I am stronger with my little finger than So-qi, your king.
So-qi, the king, said: Enough! Unless this mother and child are brought at once before me, so I may see the truth of these wonders, every male child in Oas shall be cast into fire! || The king’s brother’s wife had a child, and the son’s wife had a child, and they foresaw that the decree of the king would affect them dearly; so many went forth searching for Too’che and Zarathustra.
But the spirit, I’hua’Mazda, had previously directed the mother to go beyond the gates, and led her far off into the Forest of Goats, where the tribes of Listians lived by fishing and hunting, and on goats’ milk. I’hua’Mazda talked to the virgin, saying: Twenty years you shall dwell in the forest, fearing nothing, for your God will provide for you. And when your son has grown to be larger and stronger than other men, behold, your God will manifest for the redemption of the races of men who are hunted and slain for the glory of the kings.
So the virgin and her son dwelt in the Forest of Goats until Zarathustra was a large man and grown to maturity, and his stature was equal to three ordinary men; nor could any number of men lay him on his back. But because of his gentleness like a young goat, the tribes of the forest called him the Lamb of God, signifying, strength and goodwill.