Bahram and His Father the Shah of Yemen

His father longed for Bahram, that willful sun of a son. Bahram the lion said to Mundhir: however long we have stayed at your side, my father's wish still rises in me; once I feel safe, it stirs me to go. Mundhir prepared, as was fitting, a royal gift to send from Yemen. Arab horses with golden bridles, and everything they called precious, Yemeni cloth and Yemeni swords, and whatever the mines of Aden held. Nueman, who traveled with the prince, was like a crown of the moon beside him. So they came to the city of Istakhr, honored to arrive with the king's son. When word reached the Shah of his son and of Nueman the Arab on the road, Bahram came at once before his father, and when the father saw him he lifted his head. He hurried before that lofty royal throne and bowed low in salute. When the alert Shah saw Bahram, that glory, that stature, that broad frame, he stood amazed at all he was: his height, his learning, his bearing. He questioned him at length and welcomed him, and gave him a place close beside himself. Within the quarter he chose Nueman's lodging, a palace worthy of Bahram. He sent servants to attend him, attendants suited to his rank. Night and day Bahram stood before his father, never tiring of his service. When Nueman had spent a month with the Shah, he wished to set out on his way home. At night the Shah sent for him and called him, and seated him on the royal throne facing himself. He said: Mundhir took much trouble to raise the noble Bahram. The reward for this rests with me; your springtime is my Hormozd. I have approved his judgment and his learning, for I see his heart leans toward wisdom. Since you have stayed so long at this court, surely your father waits, watching the road. They gave from the treasury fifty thousand gold coins, along with a royal robe. From the stables, ten costly horses were named, with bridles of silver and gold. And beautiful furnishings too, of every color, scent, and kind. From the treasury of Iran's ruler he took them, and handed each to Nueman for Mundhir. With joy he opened his hand in giving, and gave each of the man's companions a fitting gift. The Shah wrote a letter to Mundhir, as befitted the royal court, generously acknowledging what he had done for his son, that the Shah of Yemen was now his kin. I reach out to reward this deed; I take pride in such a son. But Bahram Gur wrote a letter: My affairs here are wretched and bitter. This is not what I hoped of the Shah, that he would look upon his lesser one this way. Here I am neither treated as a son, nor like a servant, nor even like a lowly man happy at the door. He told Nueman all he kept hidden: the wrongs and the ways of the world's Shah. When Nueman left the ruler's court, he came to the renowned Mundhir. He gave him the letter of the world's Shah; Mundhir kissed it and pressed it to his head. He showed his joy at the gifts, and heaped blessing upon blessing on the giver. Then, in secret, the messenger told Mundhir a good deal about Bahram. Then the scribe read the letter before him, and the great man's face turned pale as jaundice. At once he quickly wrote a reply, words full of wisdom and good fortune. He wrote: O renowned lord, take care not to turn your head from your father's path. Be content with the Shah in good and bad; be devoted, and be wise. Wrongs from the great pass away through patience; a man's head must hold wisdom. This is the will of the turning heavens; do not raise a foot against its will. The sky holds one heart full of love, another full of hate and a frowning face. The world's Creator made it so: wherever He drives, you must go. From now on, whatever you need, of coin or of royal jewels, I will send it; be sure you do not fret. Treasure squandered is not worth your pain. For now I have sent ten thousand gold coins from a treasury, here, to scatter as you please. A servant who will guide you, one who will gladden your heart behind the curtain, I have now sent to you, to brighten your darkened soul. Whenever you put gold to use, never be a burden to the king. For I will send you much more, and every kind of thing from this kingdom. Be devoted and be praising; grow ever greater in your service. You cannot secretly cut that bad temper away from the world's Shah. He sent ten of those Arab riders, eloquent, clear-sighted, and loyal. They reached King Bahram bearing purses of gold, servants, and goodwill. The wise Bahram was gladdened by this; all his sorrows blew from his heart like wind. And after that, following the counsel of the Arab king, his work day and night was devotion.