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PERSIAN,
BLEECK writes:--"In narration, when, after a verb in the "preterite", a second verb occurs, which in English would also be naturally in a "past" tense, the Persians employ the present (or aorist), as, 'The young tiger saw that he "has" not the power of resisting.'
"Similarly, in recounting a conversation, the Persians always make use of a dramatic style, i.e., they report the very words, as, Hattim told her that he would not eat--lit., Hattim said to her thus, I will not eat."--"Grammar", p. 79.