A beautiful baby boy was born to the Persian nobleman Sam, but his hair was pure white from birth — a rare sight that frightened Sam deeply, making him fear his son was cursed. Overcome with grief, Sam made the painful decision to leave his baby alone atop the towering Mount Alborz, and walked away in tears.

Living on that mountain peak was a magnificent, ancient, legendary bird called the Simurgh, wise beyond measure, whom all the other birds listened to and respected. Hearing the baby's cries, the Simurgh gently carried him up to her high nest and raised him alongside her own chicks as one of her own, teaching him wisdom and courage.

The boy, who would later be named Zal, grew up strong and handsome among the birds, until word reached Sam of a strange child living on the mountain. Overwhelmed with regret for what he had done, Sam climbed the mountain and begged the Simurgh to return his son to him.

The Simurgh agreed to give Zal back to his father, but before saying goodbye, she plucked two golden feathers from her wing and gave them to him, saying, 'If you ever need my help, burn one of these feathers, and I will come to you wherever you are.'

Zal returned to his people and grew up among them as a wise and beloved prince, always keeping the Simurgh's gift close as a symbol of loyalty. Years later, in one of the most difficult moments of his life, he called on that gift, and the great bird came to his aid, faithful to the love she had given him since the very beginning.