The Shahnameh The Persian Book of Kings

The Shahnameh is a fabulous collection of stories and myths from ancient Persia, written into an epic poem by the poet Firdousi in the 10th century. The Shahnameh's place in Persian literature is equivalent to the Arthurian legend in Europe. The tales describe the beginning of the world, and include amazing birds who bring up orphaned Kings, noble horses who kill lions to save their masters, wars between demons and heroes, a feisty princess who goes to war incognito, and above all the great hero Rostam, who tragically kills his own son Sohrab, not knowing his identity. Elizabeth Laird is passionate about bringing this great epic poem to the children of western cultures, as well as retelling it for Iranian children living in the West.

Elizabeth Laird is the author of Red Sky in the Morning, The Garbage King, Crusade and Lost Riders. She has been shortlisted five times for the Carnegie Medal. She has traveled extensively throughout the Middle East, and her son lived for four years in Iran. She met her husband while travelling in India and they lived together in Iraq, Lebanon and Austria. Her other books for Frances Lincoln are A Fistful of Pearls: Stories from Iraq, Pea Boy, and The Ogress and the Snake: Stories from Ethiopia. Laird divides her time between London and Edinburgh. Shirin Adl was born in Harlow, Essex, and grew up in Iran. Back in England, she studied Illustration at Loughborough University, going on to win the Hallmark M&S Talented Designer Award. She also designs greetings cards and makes cartoons. Adl's books for Frances Lincoln are Ramadan Moon and Elizabeth Laird's Pea Boy. She lives in Oxford.

Kaveh, the Courageous BlacksmithZahhak sat hunched on his ivory throne, with his crown of turquoisepressing down on his head, brooding about Feridun, while the snakeswrithed on his shoulders."I must be protected," he thought. "I must gather armies of men,with demons and angels in the ranks, to save me from this boy."One day, as he sat scowling in his audience hall, there was a commotionat the door of the palace."I want justice!" a man was shouting. "I demand to see the king!""Who is it? Who's there?" asked Zahhak fearfully.A furious man entered the audience chamber, beating his head withhis hands."I am Kaveh, the blacksmith," he called out in his deep voice."And you, O king, are an evil tyrant! Eighteen sons I had, good men allof them. Seventeen have been sacrificed to feed your loathsome snakes,and now the last, my youngest, waits for death. What have I done todeserve this? Let my last son go! You owe me this, at least."Zahhak listened, frightened and astonished. Then he smiled a falsesmile."You will see what a good and noble king I am," he said. "Yourson is free to go. But first sign this document, which my elders haveprepared, telling the world how merciful I am."The sight of the document made Kaveh more furious than ever."Give that thing to me," he bellowed. "I'll show you how I'll sign it!"He snatched the document from Zahhak's hands, and tore it in two.The king's servants and courtiers stared in wonder as Kaveh strodeaway to rescue his imprisoned son."Why did you let him go, sire?" they asked Zahhak. "No one hasever dared to speak to you like that before."Zahhak shook his head, puzzled. "When he entered my hall," he said,"I seemed to see a mountain of iron rise up between us, and when hebeat his hands against his head, I felt that my own heart was bruised."24 2527The blacksmith's son leaps from the tyrant's cageAnd the streets echo to his cries of rage,While on the throne the serpents writhe and hiss.Threatening Zahhak with their deadly kiss.Outside the palace, a crowd gathered around the blacksmith and his son.Kaveh ripped off the leather apron which he wore when working in hisforge, and fixed it to a lance to make a banner."Men of honour!" he cried. "Follow me! We'll go to Feridun. He'lldeliver us from the tyrant Zahhak!"A cheer went up. The people flocked to Kaveh's leather banner. Theyfollowed him all the way to Feridun's palace, and when the young herocame out to greet them, they raised a deafening shout."You are the man to lead us!" they cried. "You'll be our king!"Feridun took the leather apron and decorated it with cloth of goldand sparkling jewels. On the tip of Kaveh's lance, he placed a moonwhiteglobe. "This will be my royal banner," he declared.A humble apron, with its leather string,Is now the sign and symbol of a king.