Fatna Al-Samha and Folk Tales from Central Sudan - 21

Narrated by May Zumrawi, edited by Adel Sid Ahmed. A wealthy merchant lived in a distant town with his wife, and they were blessed with a beautiful child named Hazar. As Hazar grew, he became a young lad who loved nature and animals, especially birds. His father gifted him a beautiful grey bird which they kept in a small cage, but Hazar noticed that this bird was always sad and rarely sang. One day, while having dinner with his parents, the grey bird sang in a beautiful, melodic voice. The father enjoyed it so much that he said, 'I am willing to pay half my wealth to anyone who can interpret the language of birds.' They finished dinner and went to sleep, but Hazar kept his father's words in mind, wondering how to learn the language of birds. He would sit by them for long periods watching, but that did not help him learn their language. Years passed, and Hazar grew into a handsome, brave young man, the pride of his parents. One day, Hazar went to the forest, as he was fond of doing. While he was wandering, a storm began. He sat under a tree to wait it out. While observing, he saw a nest in the tree with four chicks. Because of his interest in birds, he recognized them as nightingale chicks. They were alone, so he took off his vest and covered them from the rain. Before the rain stopped, the father nightingale returned. He thanked Hazar, explaining he had narrowly escaped a hunter's net, and without Hazar's care, he would have lost his children. He offered to reward Hazar with anything he desired. Hazar replied that he did not lack anything but wished to learn the language of birds. The nightingale revealed he was a magical bird from the Jinn kingdom and could teach Hazar all bird languages within three days. After three days, Hazar mastered the language of birds and could understand them when they spoke. He kept this a secret, believing no one would believe him, not even his parents. Later, during dinner, the grey bird sang again. Hazar understood the bird and told his parents: 'The bird says that Hazar will one day become a prince in the palace of the King of Bahrain, and the kingdoms of the plains and mountains will pay tribute to him.' His parents were terrified and angry, fearing the King would hear of this and punish their son. They decided it was better to get rid of him. They fed him a sleeping potion and, while he was asleep, set him adrift in a boat in the middle of the sea. Hazar was eventually rescued by sailors. While with them, he understood the cranes and warned the sailors of an upcoming storm, but they ignored him. The storm hit, nearly sinking the ship. Later, he understood the pelicans, who warned of pirates. The captain listened, changed course, and they were saved. They arrived in a distant land where the captain's brother worked as a gardener at the King's palace. Hazar was given a job there. He proved to be hardworking and intelligent. One day, he overheard birds talking about a hidden vase stolen from the King. Hazar found it, and realizing it contained a secret message from the King to a palace maid, he returned it anonymously. The King was relieved to find his secret safe. Later, when a bird stole the King's ring, Hazar heard the bird boasting about it in the garden. He retrieved it and surreptitiously placed it inside the King's bread during breakfast. The King was baffled but intrigued. When the King later set a trap to catch the 'thief,' Hazar overheard the birds talking about it and avoided the trap. Because of his kindness to the birds, they congregated around him in the garden, creating a beautiful atmosphere. Princess Noor, the King's daughter, noticed this and grew fond of Hazar. They fell in love. When the King brought home four ducks, he had one cooked for dinner, but the meat was bitter, and the King fell deathly ill. Hazar overheard the remaining ducks saying the King deserved his illness but that a violet flower was the cure. Hazar found the flower, prepared the medicine, and sneaked it into the kitchen to be put in the King's soup. The King recovered and, after the chief cook confessed it was Hazar's remedy, rewarded him. The King, however, fearing for his daughter's future, sent Hazar away to the 'Apple Orchard.' Princess Noor grew depressed and ill. When the King's doctors failed to heal her, the King recalled Hazar. Upon his return, the birds followed him, and the Princess was instantly cured upon seeing him. The King finally relented and allowed them to marry. Years later, the King, feeling his age, appointed Hazar as the new King. Hazar became a just and wise ruler. One day, he saw an old man sweeping the road and stopped his procession, reprimanding the guards for mistreating him. He realized the man was his own father. He brought his parents to live in his palace, and they lived happily ever after, fulfilling the grey bird's prophecy. The story ends.