The youngest sister became queen and soon gave birth to two sons and a daughter. However, jealousy and malice grew in the hearts of her older sisters. On the very night the children were born, they swapped the babies with animals, a cat, a dog, and another creature, and cast the infants into the river. King Khusrau, furious and heartbroken, stripped the queen of her title and imprisoned her in a dark, lonely chamber.
Fortune intervened, and the children were rescued by the king’s loyal steward, who raised them at a distant estate. They grew into remarkable young adults: Bahman, the eldest, brave and wise; Perviz, clever and bold; and their sister Parizade, graceful and intelligent beyond her years.
One day, after the steward passed away, a mysterious nun visited the estate. In truth, she was a disguised fairy who revealed to Parizade the existence of three magical treasures that could transform their estate into a paradise. The treasures were extraordinary: the Talking Bird, capable of naming every bird in the world and possessing infinite knowledge; the Singing Tree, whose leaves acted as musical instruments to create a harmonious symphony; and the Golden Water, which could produce an endless fountain of liquid gold with just a single drop.
Bahman and Perviz attempted to retrieve the treasures, but both failed. The mountain spirits cursed them because they looked back at the terrifying illusions of screaming and mocking souls along the path, and they were turned to stone. Parizade, determined to save her brothers, took on the quest. Using her wisdom, she stuffed cotton in her ears to block the eerie voices and climbed the mountain calmly. She successfully captured the Talking Bird, collected the Golden Water, and obtained a branch from the Singing Tree.
Following the guidance of the Talking Bird, Parizade sprinkled the Golden Water over the petrified forms of her brothers and hundreds of enchanted knights. Miraculously, the spell was broken, and they returned to life. Together, they carried the three treasures back to their estate, which now radiated wonder and splendor.
Word of the magical estate reached King Khusrau Shah. He traveled to see it and was astonished by the beauty of the children and the treasures. During a grand feast, the Talking Bird cleverly narrated, through vivid metaphors, the story of the sister’s jealousy and the infant swap. The king recognized the truth, welcomed his children back to the palace, and released the wronged queen from her prison. The older sisters, guilty of their misdeeds, were appropriately punished, and justice was restored.
This timeless tale teaches profound lessons. Perseverance and focus are vital, as seen in the “do not look back” challenge that tested courage and discipline. The power of women shines through Parizade, whose intelligence and bravery saved her brothers and secured harmony. The three treasures symbolize balance in life: music and beauty (Singing Tree), wisdom and knowledge (Talking Bird), and prosperity and abundance (Golden Water). Together, they embody the ideals of courage, insight, and the rewards of steadfast virtue.