At dawn on the third day, King Bahram Gur rode forth toward the hunting grounds surrounded by his imperial host. At his left side moved Hormoz the steward, and at his right rode his pure-minded mobad, Roozbeh. As they traveled, they recited the heroic chronicles of antiquity, speaking of Jamshid and Fereydun. Hounds and cheetahs bounded ahead while falcons and hawks soared in the sky, yet as the shining sun climbed to the crest of the heavens, not a single wild ass or gazelle crossed their path. Disappointed and heavy-hearted, the king turned back from the hunt.
On their return, they came upon a verdant village teeming with prosperous homes, thriving people, and abundant livestock. The villagers thronged the roadside to gaze upon the royal procession, yet not a single soul uttered a blessing or raised a chant of praise for the monarch. Insulted by their stony silence, Bahram's heart surged with prideful anger. He turned to Mobad Roozbeh and commanded that this lush haven be ruined, transformed into a haunt of wild beasts with its streams turned black as pitch.
Roozbeh, possessing deep wisdom, shrank from bringing unjust ruin upon the innocent, yet could not directly defy the king's mandate. Instead, he devised a profound lesson. Entering the village, he declared to the folk: 'The King of Kings is delighted with you! As a royal favor, he decrees that every single inhabitant—man, woman, child, and laborer—is now a master and chief. Henceforth, no one shall obey another!' The villagers rejoiced at their sudden exaltation, but order dissolved into catastrophe. Without a single guiding head, reckless youths turned violent and severed the heads of the elders. Blood flowed, plundering erupted, and the terrified populace fled. Within months, crops withered, irrigation channels dried up, and the once-vibrant settlement decayed into a desolate wasteland.
A full year passed, and with the arrival of spring, Bahram Gur hunted once more along the same path. Beholding the ruined homes, barren fields, and dead trees, the king's heart softened with remorse and fear of God. He turned to Roozbeh, lamenting the tragedy, and ordered him to use the royal treasury to rebuild the village. Roozbeh returned to the ruins and discovered a frail, lone elder. When asked who had wrought such devastation, the old man cursed the 'foolish mobad' who had declared everyone a chief and unleashed madness upon them.
Roozbeh then appointed this wise old man as the sole headman and master of the village. He provided gold from the crown treasury, seed, oxen, and beasts of burden, instructing him to enforce discipline and lead the community. The elder set to work; the scattered refugees returned, streams were unblocked, and trees were planted. Within three years, the hamlet blossomed into a lush paradise of tall halls, green meadows, and thriving herds.
When Bahram Gur revisited the site and marveled at its miraculous resurrection, Roozbeh revealed the hidden truth: 'O King, a realm with many rulers collapses into ruin, but under a single wise leader, harmony flourishes. By giving command to all, I let their own lawlessness destroy the village without shedding innocent blood; by entrusting command to one righteous elder, prosperity was restored.' Deeply moved by the mobad's wisdom, Bahram Gur praised Roozbeh, invested him with a royal robe of honor, and bestowed upon him a purse of gold coins.
#1
بیامد سوم روز شبگیر شاه
✦
سوی دشت نخچیرگه با سپاه
“At dawn on the third day, the king rode out toward the hunting grounds accompanied by his army.”
#2
به دست چپش هرمز کدخدای
✦
سوی راستش موبد پاک‌رای
“On his left rode Hormoz the steward, and on his right stood the pure-minded Mobad.”
#3
برو داستانها همی خواندند
✦
ز جم و فریدون سخن راندند
“They recited ancient tales to him, speaking of Jamshid and King Fereydun.”
#4
سگ و یوز در پیش و شاهین و باز
✦
همی تا به سر برد روز دراز
“Hounds and cheetahs bounded before them, with falcons and hawks aloft, as they spent the long day in pursuit.”
#5
چو خورشید تابان به گنبد رسید
✦
به جایی پی گور و آهو ندید
“When the radiant sun reached its zenith in the dome of heaven, nowhere did he spot the tracks of wild ass or gazelle.”
#6
چو خورشید تابان درم ساز گشت
✦
ز نخچیرگه تنگدل بازگشت
“As the bright sun turned setting-gold, he returned from the hunt sullen and heavy-hearted.”
#7
به پیش اندر آمد یکی سبز جای
✦
بسی اندرو مردم و چارپای
“Before him appeared a lush, green place, brimming with dwellings, people, and cattle.”
#8
ازان ده فراوان به راه آمدند
✦
نظاره به پیش سپاه آمدند
“Many people of that village came out to the road to spectate before the royal army.”
#9
جهاندار پرخشم و پرتاب بود
✦
همی خواست کاید بدان ده فرود
“The world-ruler was filled with wrath and agitation; he had wished to dismount in that village.”
#10
نکردند زیشان کسی آفرین
✦
تو گفتی ببست آن خران را زمین
“Not one among them voiced a word of praise; as though their tongues were bound to silence.”
#11
ازان مردمان تنگدل گشت شاه
✦
به خوبی نکرد اندر ایشان نگاه
“The king grew aggrieved with those villagers and refused to bestow a favorable glance upon them.”
#12
به موبد چنین گفت کاین سبز جای
✦
پر از خانه و مردم و چارپای
“He spoke thus to the Mobad: 'May this verdant place, teeming with houses, people, and stock...'”
#13
کنام دد و دام و نخچیر باد
✦
به جوی اندرون آب چون قیر باد
“'...become a haunt for wild beasts and game, and may the water in its streams turn black as pitch!'”
#14
بدانست موبد که فرمان شاه
✦
چه بود اندران سوی ده شد ز راه
“The Mobad understood what the monarch intended; he turned off the road toward that village.”
#15
بدیشان چنین گفت کاین سبزجای
✦
پر از خانه و مردم و چارپای
“He addressed the villagers, saying: 'O people of this green site, full of homes and folk and cattle...'”
#16
خوش آمد شهنشاه بهرام را
✦
یکی تازه کرد اندرین کام را
“'The King of Kings, Bahram, was well pleased with you, and has granted a new fulfillment of your desires.'”
#17
دگر گفت موبد بدان مردمان
✦
که جاوید دارید دل شادمان
“The Mobad further said to those people: 'Keep your hearts joyful forevermore!'”
#18
شما را همه یکسره کرد مه
✦
بدان تا کند شهره این خوب ده
“'He has made every single one of you a master, so that he may bring fame to this fine village.'”
#19
بدین ده زن و کودکان مهترند
✦
کسی را نباید که فرمان برند
“'In this village, even women and children are leaders; no person ought to obey another's command.'”
#20
بدین ده چه مزدور و چه کدخدای
✦
به یک راه باید که دارند جای
“'In this village, laborer and householder alike must stand upon equal ground.'”
#21
زن و کودک و مرد جمله مهید
✦
یکایک همه کدخدای دهید
“'Women, children, and men are all chiefs; one and all are now headmen of the land!'”
#22
خروشی برآمد ز پرمایه ده
✦
ز شادی که گشتند همواره مه
“A shout of joy arose from that prosperous village, celebrating their eternal elevation to mastery.”
#23
زن و مرد ازان پس یکی شد به رای
✦
پرستار و مزدور با کدخدای
“Thereafter, women and men became equal in council; servant and laborer matched the householder.”
#24
چو ناباک شد مرد برنا به ده
✦
بریدند ناگه سر مرد مه
“When the young men grew headstrong in the village, they suddenly severed the heads of the elders.”
#25
همه یک به دیگر برآمیختند
✦
به هرجای بی‌راه خون ریختند
“All turned against one another; in every corner, blood was spilled unjustly.”
#26
چو برخاست زان روستا رستخیز
✦
گرفتند ناگاه ازان ده گریز
“When such turmoil erupted in that settlement, the folk suddenly fled from the village.”
#27
بماندند پیران ابی پای و پر
✦
بشد آلت ورزش و ساز و بر
“Only helpless old elders remained behind, while all tools of husbandry and labor vanished.”
#28
همه ده به ویرانی آورد روی
✦
درختان شده خشک و بی‌آب جوی
“The entire village sank into desolation; trees withered and streams dried up.”
#29
شده دشت ویران و ویران سرای
✦
رمیده ازو مردم و چارپای
“The fields became a desert and the homes ruins; people and beasts all strayed away.”
#30
چو یک سال بگذشت و آمد بهار
✦
بران ره به نخچیر شد شهریار
“When a year passed and spring arrived again, the king rode along that path once more to hunt.”
#31
بران جای آباد خرم رسید
✦
نگه کرد و بر جای بر ده ندید
“He reached that once-flourishing place, looked about, but saw no village remaining.”
#32
درختان همه خشک و ویران‌سرای
✦
همه مرز بی‌مردم و چارپای
“The trees were all dry, the houses ruined, and the entire land stripped of people and livestock.”
#33
دل شاه بهرام ناشاد گشت
✦
ز یزدان بترسید و پر داد گشت
“King Bahram's heart grew sorrowful; he felt fear of God and was filled with a desire for justice.”
#34
به موبد چنین گفت کای روزبه
✦
دریغست ویران چنین خوب ده
“He said to the Mobad: 'O Roozbeh, it is a pity that such a fine village should lie in ruins!'”
#35
برو تیز و آباد گردان به گنج
✦
چنان کن کزین پس نبینند رنج
“'Go swiftly and restore it with treasury funds; act so that they shall know hardship no more.'”
#36
ز پیش شهنشاه موبد برفت
✦
از آنجا به ویران خرامید تفت
“The Mobad departed from before the King of Kings and hastened to the ruined settlement.”
#37
ز برزن همی سوی برزن شتافت
✦
به فرجام بیکار پیری بیافت
“He hurried from quarter to quarter, until at last he found a lone, idle old man.”
#38
فرود آمد از باره بنواختش
✦
بر خویش نزدیک بنشاختش
“He dismounted from his steed, comforted him, and sat him close to his side.”
#39
بدو گفت کای خواجهٔ سالخَورد
✦
چنین جای آباد ویران که کرد
“He asked him: 'O aged master, who laid waste to such a prosperous realm?'”
#40
چنین داد پاسخ که یک روزگار
✦
گذر کرد بر بوم ما شهریار
“The elder answered: 'Once, the King of the realm passed by our land...'”
#41
بیامد یکی بی‌خرد موبدی
✦
ازان نامداران بی‌بر بدی
“'...and a foolish Mobad came—one of those worthless nobles!'”
#42
به ما گفت یکسر همه مهترید
✦
نگر تا کسی را به کس نشمرید
“'He told us all that we were masters, saying: Take care that no one obeys another!'”
#43
بگفت این و این ده پرآشوب گشت
✦
پر از غارت و کشتن و چوب گشت
“'He said this, and this village erupted in turmoil, filled with plundering, slaughter, and violence!'”
#44
که یزدان ورا یار به اندازه باد
✦
غم و مرگ و سختی برو تازه باد
“'May God grant him help only in small measure, and renew grief, death, and hardship upon him!'”
#45
همه کار اینجا پر از تیرگیست
✦
چنان شد که بر ما بباید گریست
“'All affairs here became enveloped in darkness; matters reached a state where one must weep for us.'”
#46
ازین گفته پردرد شد روزبه
✦
بپرسید و گفت از شما کیست مه
“At these words, Ruzbeh was filled with sorrow; he inquired, saying, 'Who among you is the chief?'”
#47
چنین داد پاسخ که مهتر بود
✦
به جایی که تخم گیا بر بود
“He replied, 'Whoever stands where the grain sprouts considers himself the master.'”
#48
بدو روزبه گفت مهتر تو باش
✦
بدین جای ویران به سر بر تو باش
“Ruzbeh said to him, 'Be thou the master then, and take command of this ruined place.'”
#49
ز گنج جهاندار دینار خواه
✦
هم از تخم و گاو و خر و بار خواه
“'Request dinars from the King’s treasury, and ask for seed, oxen, donkeys, and beasts of burden.'”
#50
بکش هرک بیکار بینی به ده
✦
همه کهترانند یکسر تو مه
“'Compel into service whomsoever thou seest idle in the village; they are all thy subjects, and thou art their sole chief.'”
#51
بدان موبد پیش نفرین مکن
✦
نه بر آرزو راند او این سُخُن
“'Curse not that mobad of former times, for he spoke those words not out of mere whim.'”
#52
اگر یار خواهی ز درگاه شاه
✦
فرستمت چندانک خواهی بخواه
“'If thou seekest aid from the King’s court, I shall send thee as much as thou desirest; ask freely.'”
#53
چو بشنید پیر این سخن شاد شد
✦
از اندوه دیرینه آزاد شد
“When the old man heard these words, his heart grew joyful, and he was liberated from ancient grief.”
#54
هم‌انگه سوی خانه شد مرد پیر
✦
بیاورد مردم سوی آبگیر
“Straightway the old man turned toward his home, and gathered the folk near the reservoir.”
#55
زمین را به آباد کردن گرفت
✦
همه مرزها را سپردن گرفت
“He set about revitalizing the land, and began surveying and cultivating all the borders.”
#56
ز همسایگان گاو و خر خواستند
✦
همه دشت یکسر بیاراستند
“They borrowed oxen and donkeys from neighbours, and together adorned the entire plain with crops.”
#57
خود و مرزداران بکوشید سخت
✦
بکِشتند هرجای چندی درخت
“He and the local landholders strove diligently, planting trees in every corner.”
#58
چو یک برزن نیک آباد شد
✦
دل هرک دید اندران شاد شد
“When a single quarter became richly prosperous, the heart of all who beheld it overflowed with joy.”
#59
ازان جای هرکس که بگریختی
✦
به مژگان همی خون فرو ریختی
“All those who had fled that village were wont to weep tears of blood in their exile.”
#60
چو آگاهی آمد ز آباد جای
✦
هم از رنج این پیر سر کدخدای
“When news arrived of the land’s prosperity and the toil of this venerable headman,”
#61
یکایک سوی ده نهادند روی
✦
به هر برزن آباد کردند جوی
“One by one they turned their steps back to the village, digging channels in every flourishing lane.”
#62
همان مرغ و گاو و خر و گوسفند
✦
یکایک برافزود بر کشتمند
“Likewise, fowl, cattle, donkeys, and sheep multiplied steadily across the fertile fields.”
#63
درختی به هر جای هرکس بکشت
✦
شد آن جای ویران چو خرم بهشت
“Everyone planted trees everywhere, until that ruined place became like a lush paradise.”
#64
به سالی سه دیگر بیاراست ده
✦
برآمد ز ورزش همه کام مه
“In three years' time the village was fully restored, and through agriculture, all the headman's desires were fulfilled.”
#65
چو آمد به هنگام خرم بهار
✦
سوی دشت نخچیر شد شهریار
“When the verdant season of spring arrived, the King rode forth into the plains to hunt.”
#66
ابا موبدش نام او روزبه
✦
چو هر دو رسیدند نزدیک ده
“Accompanied by his mobad named Ruzbeh, both of them arrived near that village.”
#67
نگه کرد فرخنده بهرام گور
✦
جهان دید پر کشتمند و ستور
“The blessed Bahram Gur looked around and saw the world filled with tilled fields and livestock.”
#68
برآورده زو کاخهای بلند
✦
همه راغ و هامون پر از گوسفند
“Tall palaces had been erected, and all the meadows and plains were filled with sheep.”
#69
همه راغ آب و همه دشت جوی
✦
همه ده پر از مردم خوب‌روی
“Every meadow was watered and every plain crisscrossed with streams; the whole village teemed with fair people.”
#70
پراگنده بر کوه و دشتش بره
✦
بهشتی شده بوم او یکسره
“Lambs were scattered across mountain and plain, and the entire land had been transformed into paradise.”
#71
به موبد چنین گفت کای روزبه
✦
چه کردی که ویران بد این خوب ده
“He spoke to the mobad, saying: 'O Ruzbeh, what didst thou do? This fine village was once in ruins!'”
#72
پراگنده زو مردم و چارپای
✦
چه دادی که آباد کردند جای
“'Its people and cattle were dispersed; what didst thou bestow that they rebuilt this land?'”
#73
بدو گفت موبد که از یک سخن
✦
به پای آمد این شارستان کهن
“The mobad replied to him: 'Through a single word, this ancient settlement was restored to life.'”
#74
همان از یک اندیشه آباد شد
✦
دل شاه ایران ازین شاد شد
“'With but a single wise thought it flourished, and thereby the heart of the King of Iran was made glad.'”
#75
مرا شاه فرمود کاین سبز جای
✦
به دینار گنج اندر آور به پای
“'The King had commanded me to restore this green place using gold from the royal treasury.'”
#76
بترسیدم از کردگار جهان
✦
نکوهیدن از کهتران و مهان
“'Yet I feared the Creator of the world, as well as blame from both low and high...'”
#77
بدیدم چو یک دل دو اندیشه کرد
✦
ز هر دو برآورد ناگاه گرد
“'I perceived that when a single heart holds two opposing intentions, it brings swift ruin upon both.'”
#78
همان چون به یک شهر دو کدخدای
✦
بود بوم ایشان نماند به جای
“'Likewise, when a single town has two headmen, their land cannot endure.'”
#79
برفتم بگفتم به پیران ده
✦
که ای مهتران بر شما نیست مه
“'I went and declared to the elders of the village: O self-proclaimed leaders, no one truly leads over you!'”
#80
زنان کدخدایند و کودک همان
✦
پرستار و مزدورتان این زمان
“'Women act as headmen, as do children; even your servants and day-laborers claim command today.'”
#81
چو مهتر شدند آنک بودند که
✦
به خاک اندر آمد سر مرد مه
“When those of low stature rose to power, the head of the noble man was cast down into the dust.”
#82
به گفتار ویران شد این پاک جای
✦
نکوهش ز من دور و ترس از خدای
“Through idle talk and misrule this pure abode was ruined; may blame remain far from me, and fear of God dwell in my heart.”
#83
ازان پس بریشان ببخشود شاه
✦
برفتم نمودم دگرگونه راه
“Thereafter the King pardoned them, and I stepped forward to show them a different path.”
#84
یکی با خرد پیر کردم به پای
✦
سخن‌گوی و بادانش و رهنمای
“I appointed a wise elder over them—an eloquent, knowledgeable man, and a true guide.”
#85
بکوشید و ویرانی آباد کرد
✦
دل زیردستان بدان شاد کرد
“He strived diligently and restored the ruined land to prosperity, bringing joy to the hearts of the subjects.”
#86
چو مهتر یکی گشت شد رای راست
✦
بیفزود خوبی و کژی بکاست
“When authority was unified under a single leader, sound judgment prevailed; goodness flourished, and evil diminished.”
#87
نهانی بدیشان نمودم بدی
✦
وزان پس گشادم در ایزدی
“At first I secretly made them taste the harsh consequence of evil, and thereafter I opened to them the door of divine grace.”
#88
سخن بهتر از گوهر نامدار
✦
چو بر جایگه بر برندش به کار
“Right speech is far more precious than famed jewels, provided it is brought into play at the proper place.”
#89
خرد شاه باید زبان پهلوان
✦
چو خواهی که بی‌رنج ماند روان
“A king requires wisdom, and his counselor an eloquent tongue, if one wishes the spirit to remain free from grief.”
#90
دل شاه تا جاودان شاد باد
✦
ز کژی و ویرانی آباد باد
“May the King's heart be ever joyful, and may his realm flourish, untainted by deceit or ruin.”
#91
چو بشنید شاه این سخن گفت زه
✦
سزاوار تاجی تو ای روزبه
“When the King heard these words, he cried 'Bravo!', saying: 'O Rozbeh, truly you are worthy of the crown!'”
#92
ببخشید یک بدره دینار زرد
✦
بران پرهنر مرد بیننده مرد
“He granted a pouch of golden dinars to that accomplished and clear-sighted man.”
#93
ورا خلعت خسروی ساختند
✦
سرش را به ابر اندر افراختند
“They bestowed upon him a royal robe of honor, raising his status unto the high clouds.”