بخش 3
Prose Version
The Mobad related that one day Tus, at the time when the rooster crowed, went happily with Giv, Gudarz, and a few horsemen from the King's court to hunt onagers in the plain of Daghavi, taking hawks and cheetahs with them. They caught and shot much game, securing provisions for forty days. The Turks were nearby, and the land was dark with their tents. A forest appeared in the distance, near the border of the Turanian horsemen. Giv and Tus rode ahead, followed by several brave attendants. The two riders entered the forest and roamed around that meadow. In the forest, they found a beautiful girl; both hastened towards her with smiling lips. There was no one like her in the world; no excuse could be found for her beauty. Giv said to her, 'O deceiving moon! How did you find your way to this forest?' She replied, 'Last night my father struck me and I left my home. He came drunk from a feast in the dark night, and when he saw me from afar, boiling with rage, he drew a water-colored dagger and wanted to cut off my head.' The hero asked her lineage. She listed her ancestors one by one, saying, 'I am a relative of Garsivaz; my lineage goes back to King Fereydun.' He asked, 'How did you come on foot, without a horse or guide?' She answered, 'My horse stopped from exhaustion and left me on the ground. I had much gold and jewels, and a golden crown on my head. They took them from me on the way and struck me with a scabbard. When my father becomes sober, he will surely send a horseman after me. My mother will come galloping; she does not want me to leave this land.' The hearts of the heroes softened towards her. But Tus, son of Nowzar, became greedy and said, 'I found her, for I hastened here so quickly.' Giv replied, 'O commander of the King! Were you not without an army equal to me? Tus, son of Nowzar, stopped where my horse reached.' Giv said, 'Do not say this, for I galloped ahead in search of game. A chivalrous warrior does not fight over a warm-speaking servant.' Their words grew sharp, to the point that they suggested beheading the moon-faced girl. When their dispute prolonged, a noble mediator came forward and said, 'Take her to the King of Iran, and let him decide.' They did not turn from his advice and set their faces towards the King of Iran. When Kavus saw the girl's face, he laughed and bit his lip. The King said to the two commanders, 'The trouble of the road has been shortened for you. Let us spend half the day on this story, for warriors capture the sun with a cheetah! Whether she is a deer or a heart-stealing gazelle, such prey is worthy of a king.' Khosrow (Kavus) asked her, 'What is your lineage? For your face is like that of a fairy.' She said, 'My mother is a Khatun (noble lady), and on my father's side, I am descended from Fereydun. My grandfather is the commander Garsivaz; his tent is the center of that border.' Kavus said, 'You wanted to give this face, hair, and lineage to the wind? I will place you in the golden harem; you shall be the head of the moon-faced ones.' She replied, 'I saw you and chose you from among the proud ones.' The King sent the idol to the harem and ordered her to be seated on a throne. They adorned her with yellow brocade, rubies, turquoise, and lapis lazuli. Whatever else was needed was provided; she was like an un-bored red ruby.