Hazār Afsānah 8 - No Good Deed Goes Unpunished (آمدم ثواب کنم، کباب شدم)."

Remember when Ziavash was told to leave his mum with the lady and take Zeba and get the ice cream from the marketplace .. Zia was angry ...

He was shocked by what he saw and knew that his mother was committing a sin. He took Zeba out with the intention of buying her some Bastani-e gol-o bolbol and got carried away by the sound of a Shurangiz (a type of lute). He walked with little Zeba in the direction of the Shurangiz until he reached a door on which hung an elaborate Persian lamp. The moment he crossed the threshold with Zeba, there was a loud clang! Every visitors entry into the harem was tracked. Zia walked on until he reached a large circular hall which hosted a massive gathering of Fereshteh (angels). This young, adorable, fair, brown hued boy was an immediate hit with all the ladies. They hugged and kissed him and asked him whence he came. In his childish slang, he said that he lived across the market side street. They asked whether he liked the harem and He said that he would love to live there!

As you know, men hold the post of prime protectors in any Persian household. This harem needed a man - a man who would lure innocent, young men into visiting the Fereshteh and at the same time, drive a chagoo through an unwarranted visitor. Gold trays of green grapes, blackberries and raspberries dared guests to take a bite like they were forbidden and yet tempting. All of this bore audience to the Shurangiz player - a young man who loved music - Taher Alizadeh (meanin pure or chaste). Taher never once looked up and he played with a passion for something - why did he not glance at the Fereshteh even once ? He had no interest in women. He might be interested in men, you say ? No! That was forbidden in Islam and Taher was a firm believer. Taher never felt a deep, passionate love for anything other than his Shurangiz. When ever the strummed the Shurangiz, he thought to himself how blessed he was to hear this sound that entertain the Gods.

(This is a famous Shurangiz player - Hossein Alizadeh.
He is not related to Hazār Afsānah in any way)

In the midst of all the bedlam, Zia got caught up with the Fereshteh. Time flew by and many more men entered the Harem. These men looked huge, bulky and for some reason, royal. They smoked shisha and chewed a weird substance that put them in some sort of trance. That's when Zia realised, he must protect Zeba. But where was Zeba ? He looked around, ran behind the pillars, to the balcony and still couldn't find her. He asked the Fereshteh and they told him to go to the main hall as they were getting ready for the night's performance. Zia ran helter skelter, up and down and still could not find her. He sat down and began to cry when Taher started playing the Shurangiz. Zia sobbed profusely for a while, then listened to the tune and followed the sound. It seemed like he too was in a trance with Taher.

Zia watched with the fascinated smile of a saint who has been granted his wishes by the presence of God, Herself. In disbelief, Zia watched how the men were playing with their beards, how their eyes twitched and to his curiosity, what were they chewing ? Taher took a short break and Zia ran up to him. He said, "Bar-a-dar (brother), I want to learn the Shurangiz from you. When you play, you remind me of my father's tunes. I don't remember his face, but I remember the tunes he played. But, man ghom shodam (I'm lost). I don't know my roots and I don't know where I am headed. At least, this way I will belong. Shoam mitooni ke komakam konid (Can you help me) ?" Taher said, " Ba man bia (come with me)" and took him to his quarter. Taher gave him a tiny Shurangiz and said "Music is not a language, digeh. It is the sound of your heart. Play what your heart pleases and how it wishes for you to play. It will sound right always."

Now, the question is - where is Zeba ? Was she kidnapped ? Why did she not raise a ruckus ?

Another thing is that there is one more Alizadeh you have been acquainted with previously. But I will tell you who he is only when the time is right. Until then ........ Bedrood Khoshgel Mardom (Goodbye beautiful people) !!

Love,
S