 I am the source of life. I bring livelihood to many. I am the remedy. I am the cure. I clean. I purify. Many take me for granted, but without me they cannot live. They travel far to see me, and many travel along with me. I come from the mountains, the high mountains in Turkey, where it snows, and civilization is a distant vision. I have traveled the whole of Mesopotamia, and I have seen man tear up its soil. I have seen man take, but not give. You need me. You need me in the morning. You need me at night. You need me with your first born, and at every death I am there. When you eat or drink, no, I was behind it. I don't need anything from you. What could you possibly give that would benefit me? I was Karbala'i, before anyone ever stepped foot on this land. I was there, and watched every prophet walk on its sands. You think you know the story of Karbala? I saw the story of Karbala unfold in front of me. I heard the children wail over me. I saw Iman Hussein seek me for his infant. I trembled when Abul Fadhil gathered me in his hands, and I wept as his lifeless body lay by my banks. I saw Iman Hussein's head being raised upon a spear. They burnt the tents. If only I could put the fire out. I am water. I am the furat.