Not much time had passed in this world

When the noble cypress bore fruit at last

The cheerful spring faded away

Her heart burdened with grief and pain

Her belly grew heavy, and her body weighed down

Her rosy complexion turned saffron pale

Her mother said to her, 'O light of my soul,'

'What has happened that you’ve turned so pale?'

She replied, 'Day and night I cry out in anguish,'

With lips that open only for lamentation'

'Indeed, my time has come to its peak,'

'Yet I find no respite from carrying this burden'

'It feels as if my skin is filled with stones,'

'Or perhaps it’s iron embedded within me'

Thus, the time of childbirth approached

She needed rest and peace at last

One day, she lost consciousness entirely

A wail arose from Dastan's palace

Sindokht cried out and tore her face

She pulled out her musky, black hair

One by one, the news reached the Dastan family

That the graceful cypress had withered

Zal rushed to Rudabeh’s bedside

His face full of tears, his heart broken

He remembered the feather of Simorgh

He smiled and gave Sindokht the good news

He brought a censer and lit a fire

And burned a piece of Simorgh’s feather

At that moment, the sky darkened

And the majestic bird appeared

Like a cloud whose rain was coral

Not just coral but a jewel to adorn the soul

Zal praised the bird profusely

He admired it greatly and offered his prayers

The bird asked Zal, 'Why this sorrow?'

'Why are there tears in the eyes of a lion?'

'From this silver cypress, so moon-faced,'

'A mighty lion will be born, seeking fame'

'Even tigers will kiss the dust beneath his feet,'

'And clouds will not dare pass above his head'

'At his roar, a warrior leopard’s hide'

'Will tear apart, clawing itself in fear'

Whoever hears the sound of his mace

Sees his arms and his lion-like grace

By his roar, warriors lose their stance

The brave at heart lose their advance

Instead of wisdom, Sam stood firm as stone

In rage, a battle lion alone

As tall as a cypress, with the strength of an elephant

In battle, he hurled bricks two miles distant

No one on earth escapes his bowstring's wrath

By the Creator's command, goodness follows his path

Bring a shimmering, water-like dagger

And a wise, spellbound man to stagger

First intoxicate the moon-like one with wine

Remove fear and thoughts from her mind so divine

Let the hollow side of the noble cypress be torn

So she feels no pain while life is reborn

From her side, the lion cub will emerge

Her moonlike side soaked in blood’s surge

Then stitch the tear from where it split

Cast out fear, sorrow, and doubt from your spirit

The herb I tell you, mix with milk and musk

Crush and dry them all under shade's husk

Apply it gently to her wound's sorrow

That very day, her healing will follow

Then rub my feather upon the scar

My blessed feather will heal from afar

From this advice, joy should fill your heart

And you must present this to the world’s part

He who gifted you this royal tree

Whose fortune blossoms anew eternally

Let no sorrow cloud your mind’s way

For your fruitful branch bears hope today

He spoke and plucked a feather from his wing

Dropped it and soared high, vanishing

Zal took the feather in his hand

And did as told, wondrously grand

The world watched in awe at the sight

With teary eyes and hearts heavy with plight

Sindokht shed tears of blood in despair

Wondering when the child would appear from there