article May 17, 1998
Khadir
Arabic name of the pre-Islamic deity, the 'Green One'. Immortal, since long ago he drank from the Well of Life, Khadir wanders the earth, visiting the same spot every 500 years. When local people tell him their land has always been a desert, he emembers forests, orchards and green fields. Identified with the vegetation god Adonis, annualy killed then born again in spring, Khadir is also identified with Hebrew prophet Elijah, who never died. It is said he entered Africa with Alexander the Great. They reached a city guarded by a bronze horseman holding a sword, on it inscribed:' This sword is for none but him who rules the world.' Khadir, speaking all languages on earth, dechipered the inscription, whereupon Alexander claimed the sword.
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