As the dawn sun cast its golden mantle across the heavens, King Bahram Gur took his place upon the imperial throne. Before the monarch stepped the envoy of Caesar, accompanied by the Shah's chief Mobad, a man renowned for his radiant wisdom. Joyfully they stood before the Shahanshah and conversed on matters of depth and gravity.
Seeking to explore the boundaries of understanding, the Mobad addressed the Roman messenger: "O prudent man, tell me: what deed in this mortal realm brings the direst loss, such that one must weep over its occurrence? And what action stands as the most beneficial, elevating a man to true nobility?" The envoy responded that knowledge brings power, whereas the body of the fool is viler than dust. Yet the Mobad urged him to ponder more deeply, revealing: "The death of the righteous and harmless is the greatest tragedy of existence, whereas the demise of the wicked brings relief—for death claims both. Therefore, let Wisdom be the supreme judge to discern true gain from ruin."
Astonished by such profound lore, the Roman ambassador praised the Mobad and exalted the realm of Iran. He declared before Bahram Gur that a monarch who possesses such an enlightened counselor is worthy of receiving tribute from Caesar himself. Delight filled the Shah's heart as night wrapped the earth in its musky veil.
When the morning sun once again unfurled its luminous banner, Bahram Gur re-ascended his throne and commanded a magnificent robe of honor to be presented to the Roman ambassador—a vast treasure of fine steeds with ornate bridles, gold dinars, radiant gems, musk, and precious ambergris, exceeding all human imagination.