Here we continue discussing legends and myths in Iran and then take you to the land of sweet Iranian stories. This week we relate the first episode of the story of Malek Mohammad and one-footed demon. Keep us company till the end of the program.

We said that demons are supernatural creatures and can be found in many cultures. In the fables, all evil traits are attributed to demons. In the oral and written literature, demons are ugly creatures which are believed to be cannibals. It is also believed that they do not have visible face and instead they appear in a silhouette. It is said that if demons show their real faces, they are so horrible.

One of the characteristics of demons is that they act in the opposite way. In Ferdowsi’s magnum opus Shahnameh, we see many such cases. In one of the sections of Shahnameh we read that Demon Akvan transforms into a zebra and makes Rostam. Rostam spends an entire day striving to catch the zebra in a whole day, but fails to do so and falls asleep. Then Demon Akvan changes into its real form and lifts Rostam along with the piece of land he is sleeping on to the heavens. As Rostam wakes up, the demon asks him where he wants to land, on the desert or in the sea. Rostam who knows demons act conversely, says that he’d like to land on the desert and the demon drops him in the sea so he is survived.

That is why in Persian literature the one who acts conversely is called Divaneh meaning mad in English.

It is believed that demons go to deep sleep during the day and start their activities at night. In Iranian fables, demons usually kidnap a beautiful girl and keep her in their residence in wells, caves or beneath the earth. Sometimes these girls willingly get married with these demons and have children from them. Therefore their children in Persian are called “Divzad” meaning child of a demon in English.

Sometimes demon’s guts can be used as remedy and treatment for illnesses. In a story we read that a king orders a white demon’s liver for his illness. Also in the story of “Amir Arsalan Namdar” we read that the guts of a demon called Fouladzereh are used for unlocking a door and his brain as a remedy for illness.

One of the other characteristics of demons is that they can fly. In the story of Eskandarnameh, the flying of demons is represented. Some also believe that demons appear from heavens.

Well dear listeners it’s time to relate this week’s story that is Malek Mohammad and one-footed demon. Stay tuned.

Once upon a time there was a king who had seven sons. He had his six sons from a wife and his last son Malek Mohammad was from his other wife. Once he dreamt that he had a parrot and asked his sons to bring him the parrot inside a golden cage. His six sons went after the parrot but returned to the palace empty-handed. This time his youngest son Malek Mohammad asked his father to do the job. So he packed his baggage, took some pieces of gem in case he needed, saddled a fast horse and set out for the journey.

On his way to find the parrot Malek Mohammad found out that his brothers were chasing him. He stopped for a while to see what they wanted. His brothers came forward and beat him badly. Malek Mohammad went unconscious and his brothers left the town.

As the six princes had spent all the money they had and nothing were left for them to come back home, they decided to beg. Three of them started begging around the town while the other three began working for a man.

And Malek Mohammad who had survived from the wounds he had sustained after being beat, went to the city and took residence in an old woman’s house who lived with her daughter. Over there Malek Mohammad sold one of the gems and prepared dinner for the house.

After the dinner, the old woman burst into tears. Malek Mohammad asked the woman why she was crying and she answered:

“I feel pity for the princess of this land. I have heard that a demon comes to this land every month and forces people to give him food. Tonight he is supposed to go to the palace and I’m afraid he wants to take the princess to his residence. I am really worried for the princess because I am her nanny.”

As Malek Mohammad heard the story of the old woman, got up immediately and tied his sword around his waist. The old woman who realized that Malek Mohahammad wanted to go to the war with the demon said:

“Stop right now! Son! Don’t think about going to war with the demon! The king has for so many times sent his troops to fight with the demon but they have failed!”

Malek Mohammad, who looked to be listening to the old woman, left her.

AE/RM/ME