In this episode we take a look at myths and legends in Iran and then take you to the land of Iranian stories.

In the previous episode, we talked about demons in Iranian stories and said that in Iranian legends and myths bad traits are attributed to demons. Demons are actually imaginary creatures and imaginary creatures are a part of people’s culture in any society. Parts of people’s ideas, beliefs and attitudes in the past societies were related to these creatures. In Iran there are many historical texts and pieces whose main theme are extraordinary phenomena, weird creatures and devils. These pieces are known and classified as zoography. Zoography is classified as a genre in folk literature.

One of the most ancient pieces a part of which is dedicated to zoography is the Book of Animals or Kitab al- Hayawan written by Omar ibn Jahiz Adib from Basra in seven volumes in the 3rd century AH. Jahiz in the sixth volume of this series has introduced the wonders of the world of Jennies, devils and other exotic creatures. The book has also introduced some of the Iranian and Arab beliefs in this regard. This tradition is followed by other authors. In the time of the spread of Zoroastrianism, demons were descended to the lowest level and were supposed as gods of wickedness. Since then demons have fled the earth and hid under ground.

We have to skip this section and go to the land of Iranian stories. In this episode we relate the rest of the story of “Kachal Mam Siyah”.

We said that once upon a time there was a bald boy called “Kachal Mam Siyah” who lived with his poor mother. Once he hunted an exotic creature half of which was radiant and the other half sang and played music. When the king heared the story, he took the animal from Mam Siyah and promised to give him the position of his vizier in return. In order not to give his position to Mam Siyah, the vizier asked for his magic hat’s advice. The magic hat told the vizier to ask Mam Siyah to do really difficult jobs and each time Mam Siyah succeeded in doing the jobs. The last time, the king asked Mam Siyah to fetch the princess of the neighboring land. On the way to this mission, four other men with extraordinary talents accompanied Mam Siyah in his journey until they arrived at the palace of the king of the other land. After realizing that Mam Siyah had come to take his daughter home, the king decided to hold a pompous ceremony and poison Mam Siyah and his servants’ food. Stay tuned for the rest of the story.

Mam Siyah and his companions, who had promised to serve him until their death, were sitting together when suddenly The Blanket Ear burst into laughter. Mam Siyah asked:

“Why are laughing like that? Have you lost your senses?”

The Blanket Ear answered:

“They are hatching a plot against us!”

Mam Siyah asked again:

“Who? What are you talking about?”

The Blanket Ear answered:

“The king and his vizier! They have decided to poison our food!”

So the five men sat down to decide what to do. The Sea Drier then came forward and suggested Mam Siyah eating the entire food in a blink of an eye before they are poisoned.

So Mam Siyah and his servants all left for the palace where Mam Siyah asked the king to let his cook test the food that was being made.

The king accepted and let The Sea Drier who had introduced himself as Mam Siyah’s cook go into the palace’s kitchen.

The Sea Drier stood before the first pot, removed the lid and swallowed the food inside, in a blink of an eye!

He then walked along other pots and did the same. After he ate the entire food prepared for the ceremony, he put the lids back and came out without saying a word!

After that the palace’s chef came into the kitchen and found no food left! He informed the king of what had happened and the king ordered his officials to cancel the ceremony, realizing well that it was Mam Siyah’s job!

AE/RM/ME