ABSTRACT
At this juncture Zal decided to send Rustam to fetch Kay Qubad, a prince of the line of Faridun, from his secluded retreat on Mount Alburz. But first the young hero must have a steed. In Zal’s herd was a fierce mare with a fine young colt; she had killed several men who had tried to secure her offspring, and when Rustam approached she attacked him furiously with hoofs and teeth. But Rustam felled her with a blow of his fist, and turned his attention to the colt. It took him a long time and much patience to break him, but eventually he was subdued, and remained Rustam’s faithful charger and companion till they met death together. His name was Rakhsh, Lightning.
