When the month of Farvardin arrived, painting the petals of the earth in vibrant hues, dew drops rained from soft clouds, and the valleys and mountains bloomed with crimson tulips. Nobles gathered in the royal gardens as wild deer roamed the meadows, and King Khosrow Parviz looked upon the crystalline fountains filled with waterbirds. He ordered the trumpets to sound, bringing forth golden goblets filled with fragrant, spiced wine. The court sat upon the tender grass, indulging in joyful discourse and celebration.
It was during this merry gathering that the clever Gordyeh devised a delightful spectacle. She brought forth a tiny kitten, dressed so exquisitely that it appeared no different from a small child. The kitten was seated atop a wooden toy horse adorned with a golden harness studded with precious jewels. From its delicate ears hung shimmering earrings, and its claws were dyed red like tulip petals. With eyes pitch black and a dreamy, drunken gaze, the creature trotted merrily around the garden, led by its golden reins.
At this humorous sight, the King of Kings burst into laughter, and all his court joined in the delight. Turning to Gordyeh, Khosrow asked: 'O beautiful lady, name whatever your heart desires, and it shall be granted.' The wise woman bowed low before the monarch and spoke: 'O exalted King, grant me governance over the realm of Ray so that I may free the hearts of the sorrowful from grief. And recall that ill-omened, wicked governor of Ray! For he is a vile and petty man who casts cats out of homes and smashes the rain-spouts of the poor line by line!'
Khosrow laughed heartily at her witty request and called her a warrior-moon. He at once ordered that the ugly-faced, malevolent governor—who behaved like Ahriman—be fetched in disgrace. The wicked official was swiftly executed in pain and misery for his cruelty and worthlessness. Thus, Gordyeh was granted the province of Ray, and King Khosrow's royal fortune grew ever brighter like a crowned tree of heaven.
#1
چنین تا بیامد مه فرودین
✦
بیاراست گلبرگ روی زمین
“Thus it came to pass until the month of Farvardin arrived, decorating the surface of the earth with flower petals.”
#2
جهان از نم ابر پر ژاله شد
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همه کوه وهامون پراز لاله شد
“The world became filled with dew from cloud-moisture, and every mountain and plain was brimming with tulips.”
#3
بزرگان به بازی به باغ آمدند
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همه میش و آهو به راغ آمدند
“The nobles came to the garden for revelry, while wild sheep and gazelles roamed into the meadows.”
#4
چو خسرو گشاده در باغ دید
✦
همه چشمهٔ باغ پر ماغ دید
“When Khosrow saw the garden gates wide open, he beheld all the fountains brimming with waterbirds.”
#5
بفرمود تا دردمیدند بوق
✦
بیاورد پس جامهای خلوق
“He commanded the trumpets to be sounded, and then brought forth perfumed goblets of wine.”
#6
نشستند بر سبزه می خواستند
✦
به شادی زبان را بیاراستند
“They sat upon the green grass, called for wine, and adorned their speech with joy.”
#7
بیاورد پس گردیه گربکی
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که پیدا نبد گربه از کودکی
“Then Gordyeh brought forth a small kitten, dressed so that it was indistinguishable from a young child.”
#8
بر اسپی نشانده ستامی بزر
✦
به زر اندرون چند گونه گهر
“Mounted upon a toy horse with a golden harness, inlaid with several kinds of radiant gems.”
#9
فروهشته از گوش او گوشوار
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به ناخن بر از لاله کرده نگار
“Earrings hung suspended from its ears, and its claws were stained red like tulips.”
#10
بدیده چوقار و به رخ چون بهار
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چو می‌خواره بد چشم او پر خمار
“Its eyes were pitch black as coal, its face like spring, and its eyes held a sleepy, drunken languor.”
#11
همی‌تاخت چون کودکی گرد باغ
✦
فروهشته از باره زرین جناغ
“It rode around the garden like a small child, with a golden breast-harness dangling from its steed.”
#12
لب شاه ایران پر از خنده شد
✦
همه کهتران خنده را بنده شد
“The lips of the King of Iran burst into laughter, and all the courtiers joined in hearty laughter.”
#13
ابا گردیه گفت کز آرزوی
✦
چه باید بگو ای زن خوب روی
“He said to Gordyeh: 'Speak your heart's desire, O fair-faced woman!'”
#14
زن چاره گر برد پیشش نماز
✦
بدو گفت کای شاه گردن فراز
“The clever woman bowed low before him and said: 'O exalted and majestic King!'”
#15
بمن بخش ری را خرد یاد کن
✦
دل غمگنان از غم آزاد کن
“'Bestow upon me the city of Ray in your wisdom, and free the heart of the sorrowful from grief.'”
#16
ز ری مردک شوم رابازخوان
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ورا مرد بد کیش و بد ساز دان
“'Recall that ominous man from Ray, and consider him a man of evil faith and sinister nature.'”
#17
همی گربه از خانه بیرون کند
✦
دگر ناودان یک به یک بشکند
“'He casts cats out of houses and breaks the water-drainpipes one by one!'”
#18
بخندید خسرو ز گفتار زن
✦
بدو گفت کای ماه لشکرشکن
“Khosrow laughed at the woman's words and said to her: 'O moon who shatters armies!'”
#19
ز ری باز خوان آن بد اندیش را
✦
چو آهرمن آن مرد بد کیش را
“'I shall recall that malevolent ruler from Ray—that wicked man who acts like Ahriman.'”
#20
فرستاد کس زشت رخ رابخواند
✦
همان خشم بهرام با او براند
“He dispatched someone to summon that ugly-faced man, venting his wrath over Bahram upon him.”
#21
بکشتند او را به زاری و درد
✦
کجا بد بد اندیش و بیکار مرد
“They executed him in pain and misery, for he was a worthless and evil-wishing man.”
#22
همی هر زمانش فزون بود بخت
✦
ازان تاجور خسروانی درخت
“And with every moment, the fortune of that crowned royal tree flourished more and more.”