The King of Tabaristan

Tales from the Tutinama | 02

How loyalty took a palace guard of the King of Tabaristan from Rags to Riches

After spending the entire day in her usual routine, Khajista once again dressed up to the nines and came to the parrot to ask for his permission to visit the prince.

The parrot told her not to overthink or scheme. “Leave everything to me,” he said. “I will act swiftly and loyally on your behalf and arrange for you to be brought before the prince. But you, Khajista, must hold in your heart a friendship, devotion, passion, and love for him equal to the loyalty once shown by a royal guard of the King of Tabaristan, whose faithfulness was then rewarded with prosperity.”

She asked the parrot to tell her about the story of the King of Tabaristan.

The parrot began narrating, “The wise men of the past tell this story: Once, the king of Tabaristan hosted a banquet so splendid it seemed like paradise itself. The tables were filled with the finest dishes, rich roasted meats, and the best wines. Princes, nobles, scholars, and learned men from across the city were invited, and all ate and drank freely, enjoying the feast together.”

Suddenly, a man, who was a stranger, entered the place. The nobles of the court inquired as to who he was and where he came from.

He told them that he was a gladiator, a lion-hunter, and skilled at the art of archery, so much so that he could drive my arrow through a hard stone. He went on to explain that besides these, he was also skilled at other valuable arts and had been engaged in the service of Ameer Khojend. However, he felt that the Ameer did not understand the value of his skills, which is why he quit his employment, and would like to present himself to the King of Tabaristan, in hopes of finding work as a guard or sentinel, perhaps. He was employed and commanded him to keep watch every night, standing on one leg.

One night, the king was taking a stroll after midnight on the roof of the place. When he cast his eyes below, when he saw a man standing on one leg, the king asked who he was, and why he was observing his watch in such a strange manner.

He explained that he was a guard assigned to keep watch over the king’s palace. For several days, he had stood on one leg, keeping his eyes fixed on the palace, hoping that His Majesty would notice him. He had remained there patiently, day after day, in the sincere hope of seeing the king in person. That night, with the help of fate and the stars, he was finally blessed with the perfect sight of the king’s presence, and the moment filled him with great joy.

As this conversation continued, the king suddenly heard a voice rising from the wilderness and the surrounding desert, calling out, “I am leaving, who is it that would make me turn back?” Startled by the sound, the king asked the guard whether he had heard it as well.

The guard replied, “I have heard this sound on several nights, but my duty requires me to remain at my post, so I have not investigated it. However, if Your Majesty commands it, I will quickly discover the source of the noise and report back to the court.”

The king answered, “Go. Find out what this is about, and bring the news back.”

The guard left at once, and the king, wrapping himself completely in a black cloak to conceal his face, followed at a short distance. Soon, he saw a beautiful woman standing on the road, crying out, “I am leaving, who is the man who will make me turn back?”

The guard called out to her, “Who are you, woman of such striking beauty and grace? And why do you speak these words?”

She replied, “I am the living symbol of the king of Tabaristan’s life. His allotted time has come to an end, and I am now about to depart.”

The guard asked, “O symbol of the king’s life, how can you be persuaded to return?”

She answered, “If you, guard, are willing to give the life of your own son in exchange for the king’s, I will return. The king will then live a while longer in this world instead of dying at once.”

The guard replied, “I willingly offer my own life, and my son’s as well, to extend His Majesty’s days. Stay here for one hour while I return home, bring my son, and offer him in sacrifice before you.”

The guard hurried home, gathered his son, and explained everything that had happened. The son, loyal and clear-minded, responded, “The king is just and fair, loving toward his people and kind to strangers. A ruler like this ensures the prosperity of the kingdom and the happiness of its people. My teacher, may Allah have mercy on him, taught us this lesson: if, to prevent the death of a just king, one subject must give his life, it is not a sin. For when a good ruler is saved and allowed to live, he protects the peace and safety of thousands under his rule. God forbid that this righteous king should die and be replaced by a tyrant, whose cruelty would destroy countless lives and turn the kingdom into a wasteland. Therefore, it is fit that you take me quickly, and put me to death.”

After this resolution, the sentinel carried his son to the phantom. He bound the boy’s hands and feet, raised a sharp knife, and bent down to cut his son’s throat. At that very moment, the apparition seized the guard’s hand and said, “Do not harm your son. The Almighty has accepted your intention and, in His mercy, has commanded me to remain for sixty more years.”

Hearing this joyful news, the guard was overcome with happiness. The king, who had watched everything from a distance, the devotion of the father and the courage of the son, was deeply moved and greatly pleased. Reaching the palace before the guard, he climbed to the rooftop and resumed his walk as he had earlier.

About half an hour later, the guard appeared before the king and offered his greetings. The king commanded the guard to explain the source and meaning of the noise.

The guard respectfully folded his arms across his chest and addressed the king, whose presence overflowed with mercy: “A beautiful and elegant woman, unable to bear her husband’s harsh treatment, had left his house and was sitting on the ground, lamenting. I approached her and, speaking gently and truthfully, reconciled her with her husband. Peace and understanding were restored between them. She has now promised, agreed, and vowed never to leave his house again for the next sixty years.”

The king, having observed and appreciated the guard’s loyalty and wise conduct, revealed himself and said, “When you left, I followed you and witnessed all that passed between you, the woman, and your son. Your devotion, affection, and loyalty are clear, and both of you have done well.”

He continued, “This is my decision. Until now, you have been poor and troubled, your mind weighed down with worry. But trust in God for the future, and be calm and joyful. With divine help, I will make you wealthy and raise you to a high rank.”

After speaking, the king retired and rested on a couch. At true dawn, seated on his throne, he commanded the ministers to summon all the umarah, viziers, scholars, and provincial governors across the empire. In the presence of everyone at the council, he appointed the guard as his vicegerent and entrusted him with the care of all the locks and keys of the royal treasury."

By the time the parrot finished the story of the king of Tabaristan, the rays of the sun were starting to break the cover of the night, and so, Khajista’s departure was postponed once again. Having stayed awake all night listening to the tale, she finally retired and fell asleep.