In the warm embrace of his family in Anshan, young Cyrus astonished those around him daily with remarkable progress. While other infants struggled for months to take their first steps and murmur basic words, Cyrus, with incredible speed, surpassed the natural developmental milestones of a child. Before his fifth month of life ended, his legs had gained such strength that he could sit gently with the help of his small hands and maintain his balance for moments. These early advancements were the first signs of his hidden genius.
His murmurs from the very first months were beyond the meaningless sounds of an infant. Simple but clear words like "water," "bread," or "mother" flowed from his lips before he turned one year old. These words, uttered with a tone indicating a full understanding of their meaning, astonished the nurses and Mandane. They repeatedly made him say these words to ensure that what they heard was not an illusion. His astonishing intelligence was also evident in his comprehension of complex instructions; with a gesture or a word, he knew what they wanted and responded with his gaze.
Before his first birthday, little Cyrus took his first shaky steps. These unsteady yet determined strides were not only a sign of his physical development but also displayed an iron will hidden behind his piercing eyes. Cambyses, his father, upon witnessing these unprecedented advancements, was overjoyed. He and Mandane, along with the nurses and family elders, were amazed by Cyrus's unusual intelligence and unparalleled calmness, considering him a divine gift.
Mandane, recalling ancient stories and her belief in the Farr-e Izadi, became even more convinced that Ahura Mazda had placed the Farr-e Izadi within Cyrus and blessed him. This unnatural calmness and intelligence, in her view, were the only explanations for such extraordinary progress. She felt that this small infant, despite his young age, carried a grand plan for the future of their land and that a great destiny awaited him; a destiny that might surpass all previous kings of Media and Parsa.
Cyrus, with a mind containing all the knowledge of the 21st century, meticulously observed his surroundings like a researcher. He analyzed every sound, every image, and every movement. The ancient Persian language he heard from Mandane and others quickly settled in his mind and was reconciled with the modern linguistic structures he knew. This process of comprehension was not only easy for him but intuitive and enjoyable, as if he had always known the language.
Despite being a young child, he did not feel confined by his small body. His mind floated amidst a wealth of information, and he strived to adapt this vast knowledge to the realities of the ancient world. In his childhood games, instead of typical play, he often engaged in construction with stones and wood, as if practicing for the great engineering feats of the future. Even at this age, he sought a way to communicate more effectively with the world around him so that he could convey his ideas in a more tangible way.
This early development and brilliant intelligence were not merely a gift for young Cyrus, but a tool. A tool to gain the trust of his parents and those around him and to prove that he was no ordinary individual. He knew that to implement his ambitious plans, he first needed to establish his position and demonstrate that he was more than just an ordinary child.