Kayumars

What does the storytelling elder say first? Who was the one who first sought greatness in this world? Who was it that first set the crown upon his head? No one holds the memory of those distant days. Unless a son recalls it from his father, and tells it to you piece by piece, door by door. Who brought greatness forward first, and of the noble ones whose rank stood highest? The one who studies the ancient book, who tells the tales of the heroes of old, said this: the custom of throne and crown was brought by Kayumars, and he was king. When the sun entered the sign of Aries, the world grew radiant with glory, order, and fresh life. It shone so brightly from the sign of the Ram that the whole world became young again. Kayumars became the world's master, and first he made his home within the mountains. His fortune and his throne rose up in the highlands; he and his people dressed in leopard skins. From him came the ways of living: clothing was new then, and food was new. He ruled the world for thirty years, sitting on his throne, beautiful as the sun. The glory of kingship shone from him like the full moon rising above a slender cypress. Every beast, bird, and creature he set eyes on came from across the world to rest near him. They would bow low before his throne, all because his glory and fortune stood so high. They came before him as if in worship, and learned their ways of life from him. He had a son, handsome of face, gifted, and seeking fame like his father. His name was Siamak, and he was blessed; Kayumars kept his heart alive through him. His soul wept with love for the boy, and burned at the mere thought of being parted from him. Time passed on in this way, and the king's fortune grew ever brighter. He had no enemy in the world, except the evil, foul Ahriman. Ahriman, plotting harm out of envy, kept scheming until his ambition spread its wings. He had an offspring, huge as a fierce wolf, grown bold and backed by a great army. That demon child grew dark with envy at Siamak's fortune and that high rank. He raised an army and sought a way to reach the king, coveting the throne and crown of the mighty ruler. He spoke his plan to everyone, and filled the whole world with the noise of his intent. How could Kayumars have known of this, that anyone but him might claim the royal throne? Then the blessed messenger angel came, in the guise of a fairy dressed in leopard skin. He told the king the matter point by point: what the enemy was plotting against the father. When word reached Siamak of the deeds of the malicious, foul demon, the young prince's heart boiled over; he gathered an army and lent his ear. He clothed his body in leopard hide, for there was no armor yet, nor art of war. The warring demon came out to meet him, when army faced army face to face. Siamak came with his bare body and grappled with the son of Ahriman. The black demon struck his claws in a cruel blow and bent the prince's tall frame double. He threw the prince's body to the ground and tore open his waist with his claws. Siamak perished at the hands of that raging demon, and the gathering was left without a lord. When the king learned of his son's death, the world turned black before him with grief. He came down from the throne, crying out, beating his head and tearing his hair and face. His cheeks were stained with blood, his heart in mourning, his eyes brimming like spring rain clouds. A wail of sorrow rose up from the army, and they lined up in ranks at the ruler's door. They had dyed all their garments turquoise blue; their eyes were bloodied clouds, their faces pale. The beasts, birds, and wild game gathered in a throng and went wailing toward the mountains. They left in mourning and in pain, and dust rose from the mighty king's court. They sat a full year in such grief, until a message came from the Judge and Creator. The blessed angel brought him a greeting: 'Cry out no more, and gather back your wits.' 'Prepare an army and lead it out at my command; raise a storm of dust from that gathering.' 'Clear the face of the earth of that evildoing demon, and empty your heart of its hatred.' The renowned king lifted his head toward the sky and sought vengeance on the malicious one. He called upon that highest name of God and wiped the tears from his lashes. After that he rushed to avenge Siamak, finding no rest nor sleep by night or day.

The blessed Siyamak had left one son, who held a place of honor beside his grandfather. The precious boy was named Hushang; you would say he was intelligence and culture themselves. For the grandfather he was a keepsake of the lost father, and the old king raised him close against his heart. He kept the boy in place of his own son, and fixed his eyes on no one else. When he set his heart on vengeance and war, he summoned that precious Hushang to him. He told him everything that had to be said, and opened every hidden secret to him. He said: I mean to raise an army, I mean to send a great roar through the world. You must be the one who leads it, for my days are ending; you are the new commander. He gathered fairies and leopards and lions, and of the wild beasts, the bold wolf and tiger. An army of beasts and birds and fairies, with a commander full of fury and courage. King Kayumars marched behind the host, while his grandson led the army out front. The black demon came, gripped by dread and fear, flinging dust up toward the sky. At the roaring of the beasts, the demon's grip went slack before the rage of the world's lord. The two ranks clashed together, and the demons were worn down by the beasts and birds. Hushang reached out his claw like a lion's, and made the world too tight for the stubborn demon. He flayed the demon's hide from head to foot, and the leader cut off that peerless head. He threw it under his feet and trampled it with contempt, its skin torn, its whole affair overturned. When the one who sought this vengeance had it, the days of Kayumars came to their end. He went, and the world remained behind him as a legacy; look and see who ever kept its favor for long. He gathered this deceiving world together, showed the way to profit, then consumed his own store and left. The world, from end to end, is nothing but a tale; neither good nor evil stays with anyone.