In the year 1982-83 I had an appointment with the Imam. When I reached the gate of his residence, an old man who was carrying a sack of almonds and speaking in a Turkish accent told me: “Sir if you are going to be received by the Imam tell him that an old man from the Arasbaran region has travelled a long distance and wishes to be received by you.” And then added: “I would like to present him with this sack of almonds.” I promised the old man that I would convey his message to the Imam. When it was my turn to be received by the Imam, Messrs. Hujjat al Islam Mahallati (martyred), Hujjat al-Islam Anwari and Hujjat al-Islam Movahhedi Kermani—the Imam’s representatives in the Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Gendarmerie and State Police Organization respectively—had come for a meeting as well. When the Imam told Mr. Sane’ie (his staff) that he was feeling tired for the time being and could not meet with the gentlemen, I thought to myself that when the Imam is not in a position to receive his own representatives, then how on earth he would be able to receive this old man considering that he was feeling tired! But in any case I told the Imam that “an old man is extremely excited to meet you.” The Imam immediately stated” “Tell him to come in.” When the old man entered the Imam bowed down to his waist and enquired about his health and how he was doing.”
Name of the narrator: Brigadier General Commander Mohsen Rafiqdoust
Title of the Book: Impressions and Memoirs about Imam Khomeini's Practical Behaviour, vol. 1, chapter two, page 161