Here we are with you with another edition of Iranian stories and fables. We hope you enjoy the program.

We told you that one of the prominent features of folk stories is their use of ancient methods of prophets' stories. In most of Iranian folk stories, prophets' stories are used in order to draw the attention of addressees.

Iranian literature has been influenced by Islamic and Qur’anic teachings since Islam entered this country.

In some Iranian folk stories prophets play serious and critical role. They usually come to assist the hero of the story or an army. 

 Khedhr is the beloved character who assists the hero of the story. In Khavarannameh, Khedhr assists Amr Zamiri Ayyar and in Hamzehnameh, he guides Hamzeh in all difficult stages of life.

In the story of Hamzeh, Hamzeh sees Khadhr in Qaaf Mountain. Khedhr feeds him and lets him know about the signs of demons.

In the long story of Junaidnameh, Junaid mounts a flying horse and lands on a mountain. There he meets with Khedhr. Then Khedhr takes him to the city of Saneh badr in order to meet with Rashideh. The hero of the story takes long ways in an hour by getting on flying horses, and fairies.

Here we skip this section and start relating the story of the apple of Prophet Solomon. We hope you’ll enjoy it.

Once upon a time there was a king who had three sons named, Malek Mohammad, Malek Ebrahim, and Malek Jamshid. The king had a large strange garden which nobody was allowed to go in.

Time lapsed and the king got old and sick. He thought to himself as he was on his death bed, it would be better if he divided his properties among his sons.

Therefore he summoned his sons and told them that after his death nobody would be allowed to open the garden's gate. He then closed his eyes and passed away. The three sons held funeral ceremonies for their father. And then the trio took their properties.

The eldest son, Malek Mohammad thought as why such a large garden should stay untouched. So he ordered his men to open the garden's gate and he went inside along with the vizier, his attorney and his army. They all went and went until they reached a backdoor where they unlocked and went out. Outside the garden they found a desert. So they decided to go hiking in the desert. After a short while they spotted a beautiful gazelle. The gazelle ran toward Malek Mohammad and told him:

"Do you want me to jump over your head or over your army?"

Malek Mohammad told the animal to jump over his head.

Then the gazelle jumped over Malek Mohammad's head and ran away.

Malek Mohammad left his companions and went after the gazelle. He went on and on until he got close to the gazelle. The gazelle again spoke out:

"Malek Mohammad! Stay here till I come back."

Malek Mohammad waited outside. After a few minutes a man came out and told Malek Mohammad that the king wanted to speak to him. Malek Mohammad then went after the man. The king of the land had a daughter who was dumb. As Malek Mohammad went into the palace, the king asked him to make his daughter speak. He then added that if he succeeded in doing the job, he would let him marry his daughter, and if not, he would cut his head!

Malek Mohammad resisted and tried to escape several times, but the king's soldiers arrested him and tied his hands and feet. They then took him to the princess's room.

And now let me tell you about the other princes, Malek Ebrahim and Malek Jamshid!

After hearing that Malek Mohammad was lost, Malek Ebrahim went after his brother. He went on and on until he reached the point Malek Mohammad had left the army. At that place, he saw a gazelle which jumped over his head and fled. Malek Ebrahim then went after the gazelle until he reached at a gate. The gazelle told Malek Ebrahim to stay still until it comes back. Malek Ebrahim waited for a while until the same man came and took him to the king. The king repeated the words he had told to Malek Mohammad. He also told Malek Ebrahim that Malek Mohammad was not able to make his daughter talk so he ordered to behead him. This time Malek Ebrahim was handcuffed and taken to the princess's room. The poor prince had to make the princess speak till morning.

It was early in the morning. Realizing that Malek Ebrahim had failed to make the princess speak, the king ordered to behead him just like Malek Mohammad.

And now let me tell you about the youngest brother Malek Jamshid. After waiting for a long time for his brothers to return home, he decided to set off to the desert to look for them. He went to the garden and reached the back door. There he opened the backdoor and faced a desert. Overthere a gazelle came forward and told him the same words it had told Malek Jamshid's brothers. Malek Jamshid then followed the gazelle until they two reached a gate…..

And the rest of the story is for next week.
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