A full year had elapsed since King Bahram Gur issued his absolute prohibition of wine, and the realm strictly observed the decree. During this period, a young shoemaker sought the hand of a noble and wealthy maiden in marriage. Yet, on his wedding night, he found himself utterly lacking in vigor and virility, weeping in shame over his unfortunate plight. His mother, who had secretly preserved a flask of wine, summoned her son into a private chamber and offered him seven brimming cups of the hidden elixir, bidding him drink to reclaim his manliness.
The fiery wine coursed through the youth's veins, dispelling his weakness and enflaming his heart. Restored to full strength, he fulfilled his marital duties with triumph and stepped outside into the evening air, gloriously intoxicated. At that very moment, one of the King's ferocious lions had broken free from its chains and wandered into the town. Utterly fearless in his drunkenness, the shoemaker ran forward, leapt atop the roaring beast, and gripped its ears tightly, riding it as effortlessly as if it were a humble donkey.
The royal lion-keeper arrived with ropes and chains, astounded beyond belief by the sight of a shoemaker taming the fierce beast. He hurried to the royal court to report the impossible feat to King Bahram Gur. Astonished, the monarch summoned his wise mobads to inquire into the youth's lineage. Hearing of the commotion, the shoemaker's mother boldly entered the court and confessed the entire truth: that her son's legendary bravery was born not of royal blood, but of three secret cups of wine given to cure his marital shortcomings.
Bahram Gur laughed heartily at the mother's honesty and ingenuity. Recognizing the potent power of wine to grant vigor when used wisely, the King revoked the absolute prohibition. He decreed that wine was henceforth lawful, provided it was consumed in strict moderation—enough to grant the strength to ride a lion, but never so much that one loses consciousness and falls prey to black crows. Royal heralds proclaimed this new law throughout the kingdom, urging all to enjoy the cup with wisdom and self-control.