The third, however, set to work in a business-like way, not only to rescue his foolhardy brother, but to slay the dragon.
On perceiving this, the father resumed his wonted form, and announced he would divide his realm into three parts, of which the best share, Iran or Persia, was bestowed upon Trij, the son who had shown both courage and prudence.
Not long after this division, the two elder brothers united to despoil the younger, but, although they succeeded in slaying him, his infant daughter was brought up by the aged Feridoun, and in due time gave birth to a son, Minuchir, destined to avenge his grandfather's death by defeating and slaying his great-uncles.

Having done this, Minuchir occupied the throne, while his favorite vassal was made governor of one of the newly conquered realms.

This swarthy, dark-haired man proved perfectly happy in these new estates until he heard his wife had given birth to a son with snow-white hair.
"No human being of this earth could give to such a monster birth, He must be of the demon race, though human still in form and face.
If not a demon, he at least, appears a parti-colored beast." Such an offspring seeming nothing short of a curse, the father had little Zal exposed on Mt.

Alborz, where he expected he would perish in a brief space of time.
On the top of this mountain the Simurgh, or Bird of God,--a marvellous golden-feathered eagle,--had built a nest of ebony and sandal-wood, lined with spices, around which she had piled all manner of precious stones, whose glitter pleased her.

Hearing the cry of a babe, this great bird swooped downward, and, fastening her talons in the child's dress, bore him safely away to her aerie, where she dropped him in the nest beside two eaglets.