English
Gushtasp and Katayun
When the emperor heard this, he resolved to give his precious daughter to Gushtasp.
He told her: go with him just as you are; you will get no treasure, crown, or signet ring from me.
When Gushtasp saw this he was stunned, and he called on the Creator of the world again and again.
He said to the proud young woman: you who were raised with honor and comfort,
out of so many famous nobles and princes, why did your choice fall on me?
You are choosing a stranger who has no wealth, and you will stay with him in hardship.
Look for an equal among these proud men, someone who would bring honor to your father.
Katayun said to him: you doubting man, do not quarrel with the turning of the sky.
If I am content with you and with my fate, why should you go seeking a crown and a throne?
Grieving, Katayun and Gushtasp left the emperor's palace out into the cold wind.
The village headman said to the husband and wife: be content and hopeful.
The headman gave them an empty house, food, and the best bedding he had.
When Gushtasp saw this, he blessed that noble and honest headman.
Katayun had countless jewels, rubies, and every kind of gem in abundance.
She picked out one gem from among them, the like of which no wise eye had ever seen.
They took it to a jeweler, who accepted it with boundless gratitude.
He paid six thousand gold coins for the ruby, from a treasury fit for a king.
They bought what they needed, things suitable even for such hard days.
They lived as fate had dealt them, sometimes happy, sometimes weeping.
Gushtasp's whole occupation was hunting; all year long he carried quiver and arrows.
It so happened that one day, coming back from the hunting ground, his road led him past Hishuy's place.
He had bagged all sorts of game, and rode on with his quiver full of arrows.
Everything he had caught, large and small, he brought near to Hishuy's door.
When Hishuy saw him, he came running, gladly welcoming him with a joyful heart.
He spread bedding beneath him and brought out something to eat.
Gushtasp rested and ate a little, then hurried back to Katayun like the wind.
Gushtasp befriended Hishuy and, through knowledge, grew as close to him as body and skin.
Whenever he went from the town to hunt deer, on his way back he gave Hishuy two shares.
Another share went to the headman of the village, whoever was the leading man there.
So it came about that Gushtasp and the headman became as one in eating, in rest, and in counsel.