Cambyses I, King of Anshan and father of young Cyrus, was a man of dramatic presence and powerful demeanor. His face was often stern and his eyes piercing, as if perpetually engaged in weighty state affairs and impending battles. Beneath that regal bearing, however, lay a compassionate and kind heart, especially for his family and particularly for his unusual and serene child, Cyrus. Instead of openly expressing his emotions, he showed his affection in silence, through support and attention. He had a special fondness for Cyrus's unusual tranquility and, in his solitude, harbored hopes for his future.
One day, after attending to state matters, Cambyses strolled into a beautiful garden in Anshan. The sun was at its zenith, and the scent of jasmine and roses wafted through the air. Mandane, his beloved wife, sat beneath towering trees, caressing young Cyrus, who lay in a wooden cradle, gazing at his surroundings. The serene sight of mother and child momentarily released Cambyses from his governmental concerns. He walked calmly towards them and sat beside Mandane, his gaze filled with paternal affection fixed upon his infant son.
Seeing her husband, Mandane smiled and gently said, "Cambyses, your son is as calm and thoughtful today as always. It's as if he's already pondering the secrets of the world." Cambyses nodded in agreement and gently stroked Cyrus's small cheek with his large, rough hand. He felt that this child was different from other children; the intelligence and tranquility that sparkled in his eyes assured him that Cyrus possessed a brilliant mind and a great destiny awaited him.
Cambyses fell silent for a moment, lost in thought. Then, in a voice softer than usual, he turned to young Cyrus and said, "My son, today I want to tell you about a great ritual; a ritual that holds the heart of our people. An ancient ritual called Mehregan." He paused and continued, "Mehregan is a grand celebration that we hold at the beginning of autumn, on the sixteenth day of Mehr, which is the day of 'Mehr.'
This day commemorates Mithra; the great deity of light and illumination, truth and covenant." He continued softly: "Mithra, the goddess of light and the sun, spreads the light of truth in the darkness of night and the gloom of falsehood. She is one who upholds covenants and agreements. Opposite Ahura Mazda, our wise and great God, Mithra is His assistant in the fight against Ahriman and the forces of darkness. She is an observer of human deeds and leaves no covenant without reward or punishment. That is why whenever we make a covenant, we swear by Mithra, so that there may be no falsehood in it."
Cambyses, pointing to the sunlight filtering through the leaves onto Cyrus's face, added: "Mithra is present everywhere and supervises everything. It is she who purifies our souls from impurities and empowers us. In this ritual, we not only praise her but also ask her to establish cosmic order and bestow blessings upon our land. She is the guardian of truthfulness and the protector of covenants, and for this reason, we call her 'the pure and benevolent helper.'"
He continued the story by explaining the Mehregan festival: "During the Mehregan festival, our people, dressed in new clothes and offering gifts, give thanks to Mithra. We gather, eat abundant food, and express gratitude to bountiful nature. This festival is not only for Mithra but also for abundant harvest, the fertility of the land, and victory over evil. Your grandfather, Astyages, also respects this ritual and participates in it. This festival reminds us that order and truth will always triumph over chaos and falsehood."
Cambyses ended the story with a profound gaze at his son. He knew that young Cyrus, with a mind beyond his years, understood these words. He thought of the future in which this serene infant would reign. He hoped that Cyrus, by understanding the deep roots of these rituals and inspired by Mithra's principles—truth, covenant-keeping, and light—could build a land where justice and truth would always endure. These beliefs were a legacy that Cambyses, not with complex words, but with simple tales, passed on to his son.