بخش 9
Prose Version
One day, Iblis (the Devil) held a secret meeting with the demons. He said that Kay Kavus was causing them much trouble and suffering. He needed a clever demon to deceive Kavus, lead him astray from God, and destroy his glory. One bold demon volunteered, claiming he had the skill. He disguised himself as a handsome servant and waited for the king to go hunting. He approached Kavus, kissed the ground, gave him a bouquet of flowers, and flattered him. The demon told Kavus that his glory was unmatched and that he ruled the entire world. However, there was one thing missing to make his fame eternal: understanding the secrets of the heavens. He asked Kavus why the sun rises and sets, what the moon and night and day are, and who rules the turning sky. Kavus was deceived. He began to think he could conquer the sky just as he had the earth. He didn't realize that the heavens are vast and under the command of the one God. Consumed by this thought, Kavus consulted astronomers about the distance to the moon. He then devised a foolish plan. He ordered his men to take eagle chicks from their nests and raise them on roast lamb and poultry until they were as strong as lions. He then built a throne of aloe wood, reinforced with gold. He attached long spears to the corners of the throne and hung legs of lamb from the tips of the spears. He tied four strong eagles to the throne and sat upon it. When the eagles became hungry, they flew upwards towards the meat, lifting the throne from the ground into the clouds. They flew as long as their strength lasted. Some say Kavus went to the sky to rule the angels, others say he went to fight with bow and arrow. Regardless, when the eagles grew tired, they plummeted from the dark clouds. The throne crashed into a forest in Amol. Miraculously, Kavus was not killed, as destiny had more in store for him. He was left in the forest, humiliated and in pain, praying to God for forgiveness.