How Hushang Discovered Fire and the Origin of the Sadeh Festival

One day the king of the world set out toward the mountains, a few companions at his side. From far off something long appeared: black in color, dark of body, and swift on the move. Two eyes above its head like two wells of blood; the smoke from its mouth turned the world dim. Hushang looked, alert and steady, seized a rock, and his grip grew fierce. With royal strength he let his hand fly loose; the world-burning snake fled from the world-seeking king. The stone crashed against a great boulder, and that very stone shattered it to pieces. A radiance sprang from both stones; the heart of the stone blazed bright with its glow. The snake was not killed, but from this hidden secret, from the nature of stone, fire rose up. The ruler of the world turned to the world's Creator, offering prayer and words of praise, because He had granted him a light like this. From that moment he made this fire his place of worship. He said: this is a light from God; if you are wise, you must revere it. Night came and he kindled a fire like a mountain; the king and his company gathered around it. That night he held a feast and drank wine, and he named that blessed festival Sadeh. From Hushang this Sadeh remains as a keepsake. May there be many more rulers like him. For by building up the world he brought it joy, and the world remembered him with fondness.