Zal Raised by the Simurgh

Zal Raised by the Simurgh is a moving legend from the Shahnameh about a boy born with snow-white hair who was abandoned by his father. The mythical Simurgh rescues and nurtures him, guiding him to greatness. The story reminds us that what seems "cursed" or different can be a divine gift protected by wisdom beyond the mortal world.

King Sam, a celebrated ruler of the kingdom of Seistan, longed for a son to continue his lineage. When his child was born, he was strong and healthy, yet unlike any other baby. His hair was pure white, shining like snow, a sign that in ancient society was feared as either a mark of demons or a terrible omen. Worried about public gossip and ashamed of his family line, King Sam made a cruel decision. He ordered the infant to be abandoned on the highest peak of Mount Alborz, a cold, desolate place shrouded in clouds and inaccessible to humans, leaving the child to die.

High atop the mountain, the legendary Simurgh, a divine and ancient bird, dwelled in a massive nest of cypress wood and gemstones. When Simurgh heard the baby’s heart-wrenching cries amid the snowstorm, it swooped down. Instead of seeing the child as prey, the Simurgh recognized a noble and radiant soul. With its powerful talons, it carried the baby to its nest, warming him with its vibrant feathers and feeding him with sweet fruits and divine water. Simurgh taught the boy, named Zal, the language of all creatures and the wisdom accumulated over millennia, raising him not as an abandoned child but as a prince of the skies, strong and exceptionally intelligent.

Years passed, and King Sam lived in constant regret for his cruelty. One night, he dreamt of a rider who revealed that his son still lived and was under the protection of the divine bird. Filled with hope and repentance, the king led a small army to the base of Mount Alborz. Looking up, he saw Zal standing tall beside the majestic Simurgh, his white hair glinting like silver in the sunlight. The king fell to his knees, begging forgiveness from his son and from God for his lack of compassion.

Simurgh knew that Zal’s destiny was to live among humans and eventually become a great hero, the father of the legendary Rostam. Yet the bird’s love for Zal was profound. Before letting him return to his father, Simurgh plucked a single feather and handed it to Zal, saying, “Whenever you face difficulties beyond your strength, burn this feather, and I will appear immediately to protect you”. With this magical talisman, Zal would later save his wife Tahmineh during a dangerous childbirth, ensuring the birth of Rostam and marking the first mythical surgery in Persian legend.

Zal returned to his father’s kingdom to a warm welcome. The same white hair that had once been feared became a symbol of wisdom, divine protection, and extraordinary destiny. The story of Zal and Simurgh highlights profound lessons: it teaches acceptance of difference, showing that society’s fear of the unusual can hide extraordinary gifts. Simurgh embodies ultimate compassion, greater than any human society, representing the divine and natural wisdom that nurtures greatness. The union of Simurgh’s intelligence and Zal’s human strength would establish the greatest heroic lineage in Persian history, a testament to the enduring power of courage, knowledge, and compassion.