Once upon a time, long ago, there was a wicked king named Zahhak. On each shoulder he had a black snake, and the two snakes frightened everyone. People were afraid of Zahhak day and night. Nobody laughed any more, and the city was full of sadness.
One night Zahhak dreamed that a brave young man defeated him, and woke afraid. In those very days a boy was born. His name was Fereydun. Zahhak wanted to find him, so Fereydun's mother had to hide her son.
She carried little Fereydun to a green meadow where a beautiful, gentle cow lived. Her name was Barmayeh. Barmayeh gave Fereydun her milk, and he grew up quietly beside her among the flowers. Nobody found them.
Years passed and the danger came closer. This time the mother took Fereydun to a high mountain where a wise, kind old man lived and looked after him well. On that mountain Fereydun grew strong and wise, and became a young man.
One day Fereydun heard the story of Zahhak and understood that the people were sad and afraid. His heart ached for them. "I will set the people free," he said. He was no longer afraid of Zahhak, and he came down from the mountain.
In the city a blacksmith named Kaveh was angry too. He tied his leather apron to the top of a spear, and it became the people's flag. Old and young gathered around Fereydun, their hearts full of hope, and Fereydun walked in front of them all.
Fereydun made himself a heavy, strong mace with a head shaped like the head of a cow. In memory of Barmayeh he called it the cow-headed mace. Now he was ready to go to Zahhak's palace.
They reached the palace and opened the great doors one by one. Zahhak sat on his throne, angry and afraid, the snakes twisting on his shoulders. Fereydun was not frightened at all. He gripped the cow-headed mace, and a great fight began.
Fereydun raised the mace and brought it down hard. Zahhak's helmet broke into pieces; he staggered and fell, and the snakes stopped moving. The people shouted with joy. Wicked Zahhak was beaten.
Fereydun lifted the mace once more to finish it. But at that very moment a kind voice came from the sky. He held his hand still and listened.
It was the angel Sorush. "Fereydun, do not kill him," Sorush said softly. "Do not kill Zahhak; only bind him." Fereydun nodded and lowered the mace.
He tied Zahhak's hands and feet tightly and took him to Mount Damavand, and deep inside that tall mountain he chained him. Now Zahhak could hurt no one. The people were free, and they laughed again.