The Killing of the Cow Barmayeh

Zahhak was not satisfied by all his searching, and the whole world was buzzing with talk of the cow. Running, the mother came to the meadow and said to the man who guarded it: A divine thought has come into my heart, arriving by the path of wisdom. I must act, for there is no other way: my child and my sweet soul are one and the same. I will pull up my roots from this land of sorcerers and travel to the border of India. I will vanish from among the people and carry this beautiful boy to Mount Alborz. Swift as a courier, she carried the child, like a bird, up to that high mountain peak. On that mountain lived a devout man, free of the world's cares. Faranak said to him: 'Pure of faith, I am a grieving woman from the land of Iran.' 'Know this: my precious son is destined to become the leader of all.' 'You must be his guardian, trembling for his life like a father.' The good man took in her child and never let a cold wind touch him. Word reached the wretched Zahhak about the cow Barmayeh and the meadow. Filled with hatred, he came like a raging elephant and struck the cow Barmayeh down. Every animal he found there he slaughtered, and he emptied the place of them all. Quickly he rushed toward Fereydun's home, searched thoroughly, but found no one. He set fire to his hall and brought the lofty palace crashing down.