At dawn, the King's wise minister brought young Shapur along with several boys of identical age, height, and attire to the polo field. So alike were their garments and features that no casual eye could distinguish the royal prince from the rest. The field glittered like a grand festival, with young Shapur moving boldly at its center.
As the play began and the ball spun across the grass, the boys gave chase with boundless zeal. Soon, King Ardashir himself arrived at the field, accompanied by his trusted inner circle. Looking upon the playing children, a cold sigh escaped his chest, and he pointed toward the field, remarking to his vizier that another Ardashir seemed to have stepped into the light. The wise guide replied, "O King, your very heart bears witness to your own blood!"
Ardashir commanded a servant to take a polo mallet, mingle cheerfully with the boys, and hit the ball directly toward the royal retinue. He wished to see which child would possess the lion-like courage to ride straight through the mounted nobles, heedless of the monarch's terrifying majesty, and claim the ball. "The one who fearlessly snatches the ball before my eyes," declared the King, "is beyond doubt my trueborn son."
The servant obeyed, striking the ball toward the King's horsemen. The children gave chase like arrows, but upon nearing Ardashir, they halted in awe and intimidation. Only Shapur the brave surged forward without hesitation, snatched the ball right from beneath his father's presence, and struck it far into the distance. Ardashir's heart swelled with such profound joy that youth seemed to return to his aging frame. The horsemen lifted the young prince upon their shoulders with thunderous cheers. The Shahanshah embraced his son, kissing his head and eyes, and offered glorious praises to the Almighty Creator.
Ardashir ordered the royal treasuries opened. Gold dinars, precious rubies, and sparkling gems were showered upon Shapur alongside fragrant musk and ambergris, until the prince was virtually hidden beneath the glittering riches. He then seated his righteous vizier upon a golden throne, rained gems upon him, and bestowed immense wealth to adorn his halls. Furthermore, he fully pardoned the daughter of Ardavan, cleansing all past grievance from her heart, and restored her to the royal palace in triumph.
The King summoned the finest scholars and sages to instruct Shapur in Pahlavi script, royal court etiquette, horsemanship, archery, battlefield tactics, and the art of governance. Following this, Ardashir ordered new coinage minted—dirhams and dinars bearing the name of King Ardashir on one side and the name of his noble, experienced vizier on the other. Finally, surveying a scrubland of thorns, he transformed it into a magnificent, flourishing city, endowing it with the proud name of Gondishapur.