As usual, first we touch upon Iranian legends and myths and then take you to the land of Iranian stories.

We said that the usage of the four elements of nature, including wind, water, fire and earth are part and parcel of Iranian folk stories. Among these elements wind represents glory and magnificence. Actually in the ancient Iranian and Indian cultures, wind is the god of magnificence.

Wind is the most dynamic element of nature. It is also an invisible creature which is similar to the soul. In addition to symbolizing good characters, wind is believed to have a horrific face. In the Iranian myths and legends, storm is actually the horrific and destructive aspect of wind. Storm is the manifestation of God's anger.

According to the myths, the one who defeats the wind will attain longevity. There are examples of such stories in Iranian myths. Such examples are also seen in religious texts. The story of Prophet Noah (Peace upon him) is such an example in which we read that the people who had gone astray were trapped in storm and only Prophet Noah and his followers were survived.

Wind and storm are either helpful or destructive in myths. In the story of Jamshid and Tahmoureth, wind and storm have decisive roles. 

Also in some of the ancient Iranian myths storm is equivalent to a horrible demon. This is seen in the story of Akvan div from Shahnameh, the magnum opus of the great Iranian poet Ferdowsi.

  In the story of Darabnameh of Tartousi wind is a supportive element which assists Darab against his enemies.

Dear listeners, we have to skip this section and relate the rest of the story of Choghoondooz. We hope you’ll enjoy it.

We said that once upon a time there was a boy called Ebrahim who fell in love with the king's daughter. Everyone tried to convince Ebrahim to forget her as the king would be angry. However Ebrahim didn't listen to anyone and was deeply in love with the princess. Ebrahim's uncles gave him money to start a business so that he would forget about the princess. But Ebrahim paid the money for freeing a dragon, a cat and a dog and along with the trio left home on a journey to collect magic objects which assisted him to achieve his goal. And now the rest of the story.

It was dark and Ebrahim missed his beloved girl, the princess. So he wore the magic ring and turned it as it was suggested. It was the time when the earth was opened and five demons came out. Ebrahim was shocked, but then he went forward and ordered the demons to bring the princess to him. The demons flew away. Few moments had passed when the demons fetched the palace with the princess inside. Ebrahim was shocked to see the palace before his eyes! He then asked the demons to go away and entered the palace where he found the princess resting in her chamber.

As Ebrahim stepped into the chamber, the princess woke up and said:

"Who are you? And what are you doing here?"

She then got up and found herself in a desert devoid of water and greenery.

She then said:

"Where am I? Is it a nightmare? And am I still sleeping?"

And you know what happened in the city where people found out that the palace was disappeared? They immediately went to the king and informed him of the event.

The king, who was confused to hear those words, felt dizzy and fell on the ground. He then ordered his soldiers to look for the girl. In the midst of these events, an old woman went to the king and claimed that she was able to find the princess. But she asked the king to give her a box which can fly.

The king then ordered all the carpenters around the city to build such a box. After the box was ready the old woman went inside and flew away. She passed the seas and deserts until she found the palace. She landed and went forward. Ebrahim had gone hunting and the princess was alone in the palace.

As the old woman was stepping into the palace, a man guarding outside went out and warned the old woman to stay away from the palace.

AE/RM/SS