1  Now, Muhammed was out and about one day, and they came into the caves where they had rested when they had first come to Medina, while their scouts checked the area.  And he saw some children throwing stones into one of the caves, and went to investigate.  He found a man in tattered robes, hiding in there.
2  "Stop that!"  Muhammed cried. "What harm has this man done that you stone him?
3  "We just don't like him," the oldest child answered.  "He wanders around and babbles, and makes everyone nervous."
4  "Well you do not stone someone," Muhammed scolded, "because he makes you nervous!  Now, move along and never do anything like this again.  If you have grievance with someone, tell your elders."
5  And when the children were gone, Muhammed cried, "Come out, sir, come out!  The children are gone."
6  "Thank you, oh, thank you!  Oh, kind and generous Muhammed, the restorer of the stone, the just and the honorable.  Thank you!  Thank you, thank you!  Thank you again for being kind to this old man!"
7  Muhammed suddenly recognized the man was the father of one of his worst enemies in Mecca!  "God be with you, Sheadad!" he cried.
8  The old man rose, and trotted over to Muhammed, took his hand, looked up at Muhammed and smiled.  "God is always with me," he answered. "it is time, Muhammed.  It is time for you to go home.  This place has been kind to you, but the seat of your Power, the seat of your Glory is where you were born.  Go home, Muhammed!"
9  Muhammed smiled. "If I could, dear one," he answered, "I would.  Come back to my house. Be bathed and get fresh robes, and I will send for your son.  Has he not sought for you?"
10  "Oh, yes!  Oh, yes!"  the old man answered. "He has sought for me constantly, but could not find me because it was not time for him to find me. Now it is time for him to find me, because he also must find Muhammed.  And though he is stubborn and will never accept The Truth, he must accept Muhammed."
11  The old man tottered back to one of the younger men and held up his hand.  Two men quickly dismounted and helped him up, at first to the back of the horse, but then, fearing he would fall, to the front.
12  "Does anyone know how he became like this?" Muhammed asked.
13  "He was stung by a black scorpion," one of the men answered, "and was sick for many days, and when he was recovered was like this."
14  And they rode back to the city, and when the old man saw Muhammed's house he cried, "Ah!  The camel led you to a good place, Muhammed!  It led you to a good place, indeed.  Where is your Winged Friend?  I have not seen him for some time!"
15  Muhammed suddenly stopped and turned to the old one.  "You know of The Winged One?" he asked.
16  "Tut tut!" the old man answered, "do you think, Muhammed, you are his only friend?  He is The Father Of All, he speaks to all who will listen to him.  He is a good Father, and loves his children.  But he will not tolerate them being naughty!  His children should never be naughty!  I am glad he is my friend, I am glad he is the friend of all!"
17 Now, Muhammed was amazed, and they continued on.  The old man was cleaned, and freshly robed, and was soon adored in Muhammed's house.  And Muhammed listened to his babbling, and realized he was repeating the book he was writing!  But he was repeating what he had just written the day before, that he had told no one, not even his wife, for she had discomfort, and gone to lie down!
18  "He does not speak babble," Muhammed muttered, "he speaks prophecy.  This old man sees what is to come!"
19  They sent for the old man's son, and he arrived quickly, thanking Muhammed for finding his father, and asked what ransom was due.  "None at all!"  Muhammed answered.
20  But the old man spoke up, saying, "Yes!  Yes there is indeed a ransom!  But because Muhammed is a kind man, he will not ask of it.  From this day forth there must be peace between you and him.  Though you are a stubborn, headstrong son, you have always been wise, and you must see that The Way Of Muhammed, no matter how much you oppose It, cannot be stopped, will NEVER be stopped.  What The Great Lords Of Haven have begun, man cannot stand against.  If a man stands against The Great Lords Of Haven, his body becomes dust, and his Soul becomes nothing.  Be not nothing, my son!  If you cannot tolerate The Way Of Truth, at least do not oppose it.  Be what you will be, but be a just and honorable man, and let others be the way they will be."
21  Now, the man's son stared at his father angrily.  "You have told him to say this!" he snapped at Muhammed.
22  Muhammed shook his head.  "What he says," he answered, "comes from his own heart, and, from mine.  I would be at peace with you.  I do not care what God you follow, as long as you live in peace with me.  And I wish only the same for you."