Now we continue discussing legends and myths in Iran and then take you to the land of sweet Iranian stories. This week we will continue the story of Malek Mohammad and one- footed demon. Keep us company until the end of the story.

We told you that demons are imaginary supernatural powers which are common in every culture. In legends, demons live beneath the earth and all wicked traits are attributed to these creatures. Among their traits mention can be made of cannibalism, burglary, and acting reversely.

In some of the stories we face demons who claim to be god. In the book Darabnameh we read: “Eskandar heard that there exists a demon which had seized that land and claimed to be god.”

In Eskandarnameh written by Manoochehr Khan Hakim we read that there is a demon called “Hezardastan” who worships the Satan.

The position of demons in myths and folktales is different. As we told you demons have a secret life. They usually live in the heart of the mountains or in the caves. In folk stories we read that there are some demons which live in Mount Qaaf which is located in a very faraway land. In Eskandarnameh we also read that the demon Hezardastan lives in Mount Qaaf. Some demons also live in islands. In folk stories we read that there is a demon with seven heads which resides in a cave. In Eskandarnameh there is a demon called Archang who lives at a cave in Mazandaran.

According to the folk stories demons keep a glass with themselves which safeguards their life inside. If the glass breaks, the demon will change into ashes or smoke. The theme of most of the Iranian myths is the hero’s effort to gain the demon’s glass of life and so to kill the demon and save the girl who is kidnapped by the demon. Also in folk stories we read that demons keep large amounts of gold and jewelries. It is believed that they have the ability to change worthless metals into gold. It is said the one who breaks the demon’s glass of life, might gain its rich treasury.

We have to skip this section and shift to the interesting part of our program that is relating a story. This week we continue the story of Malek Mohammad. Stay with us please.

We said that once upon a time there was a king who had seven sons the youngest of whom Prince Malek Mohammad was from the king’s second wife. Once he sent his sons to fetch him a parrot with a golden cage. The six princes failed to bring the parrot, but Malek Mohammad set out to fetch the parrot, determined to achieve what he looked for. As he arrived to the other land, he heard that there was a demon who came to the city every month and seized people’s properties including their food and girls and this month is supposed to take the princess of the land to his residence. Upon hearing this, Malek Mohammaad decided to go war with the demon. And now the rest of the story.

So he saddled his horse to go after the princess. As he reached the palace, he found the princess in the highest balcony of the palace. He went forward and said:

“Oh princess! I have come to save your life.”

The princess said promptly:

“No don’t do it! The demon is very dangerous and you will be killed!”

Paying no attention to the princess’ words, Malek Mohammad replied:

“By God’s assistance I go on the journey to defeat the demon.”

The princess said:

“Now that you have no fear of going to war with the demon let me tell you something: the demon has three signs. First, when it flies the weather becomes warm. Second, when it flies faster the weather becomes so hot that your skin burns; and third the demon emits a kind of stench that makes you vomit…..”

Malek Mohammad was so tired that he went to sleep. He was deep asleep when the first sign of the demon appeared. The princess scared. Then the second sign of the demon appeared and this time the princess started weeping and a drop of tear shed on Malek Mohammad’s face and woke him up.

Malek Mohammad then asked the princess:

“Why are you crying girlie?”

The princess answered:

“All the signs of the demon have appeared. He now comes here.”

Malek Mohammad then said:

“Don’t be afraid. I am here.”

Then he went toward the demon brandishing his sword in the sky.

The demon burst into laughter and said:

“You cannot do anything boy! I want a horse and food in addition to that princess.”

Then Malek Mohammad said angrily:

“Shot up or I will kill you.”

The demon went bananas and came toward Malek Mohammad.

Malek Mohammad then threw his sword to the demon’s leg and cut it.

Seeing how brave Malek Mohammad is, the demon disappeared….

AE/RM/ME