Dr. Khin Yee Win - Stories from the World of Mingalar Maung Mae (1)

Soon, Zoroaster sent a message to the Persians, saying that he wanted to fight the most powerful warrior among the Persians. The Persians were afraid of this young warrior, and suddenly they were afraid. Then they remembered that among them was the great warrior Rustan. But at that time Rustan was at odds with the king. Therefore, he would not participate in the fight. If this happened, they would lose in a one-on-one match. It would be a disgrace to the Persians.

So the Persian warriors went to the great warrior Rustan. They thought in their hearts, “Only Rustan can bring glory to Persia.” So they begged, “Great warrior Rustan, only a great warrior can bring glory to Persia. So please enter the competition.”

Rustan was a brave and courageous warrior. Therefore, when he heard this, his blood boiled. He did not want to harm himself or his country. However, he planned to fight secretly, not as Rustan, the great hero of Persia, but as an ordinary soldier.

Everyone in the Persian camp is happy. They have a hero to compete for their side. But few know that he is Rustan. Most do not.

Soon the two heroes met on a large, flat plain. They did not know each other. Rustan stood before Zoro. He looked at the young hero Zoro and felt a special emotion in his heart. So he said, "My dear boy, go back to your country. Why would you risk your life by fighting me? If you fight me, you will lose."

Zoroaster fell in love with Ruston at first sight. He ran up to Ruston and asked, "Tell me, aren't you Ruston?"

Then Ruston thought to himself, "This boy has no desire to fight and wants to return to his own country. But he will boast in public that he met Ruston." He did not like this kind of "cowardice." So he replied, "Here, boy, there is no need to ask if I am Ruston. I only want to fight. If you have the courage, come out."

When Zoro heard that, he became a brave man. So he fought with Rustan. The two of them fought with spears. Since they were equal, neither of them was injured in the fight.

After a while, Rustan swung his heavy mace at Zorab with all his might. Zorab staggered to the side as he swung. The shield in his hand also flew to the side. Soon Rustan himself could not support his weight and fell to the ground. Zorab was in a position to easily kill Rustan at that moment. But he said, "Tell me. Are you a hero, Rustan? I don't want to kill you. If you are Rustan, then let's live in love." .

Rustan was reluctant to accept the soft offer from Zoro. So he got up and said, "Young man, stop talking. I didn't come to fight a girl. Get ready. Let's fight."

"Zorab was upset. He reluctantly drew his sword. He fought Ruston. Ruston's blows shattered his steel sword and armor into pieces." - Standing helplessly in front of Ruston.

Rustan now had the opportunity. He shouted, "Rustan!" and swung his spear at Zorab with a loud voice. At the word "Rustan," Zorab felt every muscle in his body freeze. The shield in his hand fell to the ground. At the same time, he was struck by Rustan's spear and fell to the ground.

Rustan sat down next to the fallen Zoro. Zoro groaned in pain, "My hero, you did not kill me. The name Rustan has weakened my strength and led to my defeat. But you will not live long. My father Rustan will avenge you. I am Rustan's son. I will not be sad to die. But I am sad that I did not find my father Rustan, whom I searched for everywhere."

Then Rustan felt a darkness cover his eyes. He still did not recognize Zoro as his son. He replied, "Young man, you will die soon. Why do you lie before you die? The hero Rustan has no son. His wife Tamina has only given birth to a daughter. This daughter lives with her mother on a faraway island."

Hearing that, Zohar smiled and replied, "Father, I am not wasting my time talking about things that are not true. My mother is Tamina. I am her son. If you don't believe me, look at the ring on my arm as proof. Isn't this the ring that my father gave to my mother?"

As he spoke, Zorab showed him the bandaged arm. As soon as he saw the bandaged arm, Rustan froze and was about to die. He looked at the bandaged arm several times to make sure. He was deeply moved. He said with a hearty sigh, “My dear boy, I am your father, Rustan.” Then he picked up Zorab, who had fainted, and kissed him tenderly. As he kissed him, Zorab died in his father’s arms. Zorab’s wish to see his father before he died had been fulfilled.

The sun was just beginning to set in the sky. The dark shadows of evening were slowly falling like a great curtain. The armies of both sides were watching this pitiful scene in silence. In their midst, the great hero Rustan sat motionless, tears streaming down his face, beside the body of his son, Zoro.

(Persian story)