Once upon a time there lived a rich man. Countless treasures belonged to him. But the most expensive treasure was his son, Qutub Khan.
The father spoiled his son, and any wish of Kutub Khan was immediately fulfilled.
Kutub Khan grew up so handsome and slender that he looked much more like a gentle girl than a young man.
Trade - his father's craft - Kutub Khan could not stand; the war also did not attract him like other young men. He loved to hunt, wander through the mountains and forests, admiring flowers and birds - all living things that rejoiced in the sun.
But on the other hand, Kutub Khan possessed a marvelous art, inaccessible to the rest of his peers. He was an excellent singer, and he had no equal in playing the rabab. When he played and sang his songs, sometimes sad, sometimes cheerful, like spring rain, people cried or had fun, and birds, enchanted by his singing, sat in his arms. For a person who sings such songs cannot be a bad person.
But years passed and Kutub Khan's father died. Kutub Khan did not continue his father's work. Gradually he became poorer, but did not stop playing with his slave. And in the end he became completely poor,
But his fame as a singer spread throughout the country, and people passing by his house stopped to listen to his wonderful singing. .
At that time, a powerful warrior and brave man, Adam Khan, lived in Afghanistan. And he also played the rabab beautifully; when word reached him about the wonderful singer Kutub Khan, Adam Khan wanted to see this wonderful singer.
And Kutub Khan once sat with his friends and played them new songs. Then one of his friends told Qutub Khan that there was one man in the country named Adam Khan who played the rabab no worse than Qutub Khan. Kutub Khan was surprised, and anxiety crept into his heart. And every day he began to think about how he could meet the mysterious Adam Khan, who plays the rabab so well.
And one day Kutub Khan collected his things, tied the rabab to the saddle and set off on a long journey to look for Adam Khan.
The night before Kutub Khan left his hometown, Adam Khan had a dream that Qutub Khan was riding on a horse, laughing and cheerful, singing songs and asking the birds where he could find Adam Khan.
Early in the morning Adam Khan got up, shared his joy with his friends and said:
“Whoever sees Kutub Khan first and brings him to me, I will give my sister Nazo as his wife.”
At the same moment, his friends saddled their horses and scattered in different directions. And each of them rode with one thought - to be the first to see the singer, because Adam Khan promised the beautiful Nazo as a reward for this.
And Nazo was so beautiful that it is impossible to describe her beauty with a pen. Her delicate head is like an almond flower, her neck is like a stalk, her skin is like cream, so white and fragrant. And Adam Khan loved her so much that he built a beautiful palace with a huge garden for her alone.
And Kutub Khan, not suspecting anything about this, rode on his horse and rejoiced at everything that came along the way.
The day was hot, Kutub Khan was tired and lay down to rest in the shade of a huge tree. He hung the rabab on a tree branch, right above him. He lay down and fell asleep... And he stopped not far from the palace of Adam Khan.
Just at this time, Adam Khan’s favorite servant Bilo left the house and headed to the ditch that flowed near the tree where Kutub Khan was sleeping. Bilo approached the tree and saw: a man was sleeping and a rabab was hanging on a branch.
“Hey,” thought Bilo, “isn’t this Kutub Khan? Too beautiful! And the rabab is apparently very good!” Bilo ran to Adam Khan and said:
- O almighty Adam Khan, I brought you good news!
- Which one?
“Kutub Khan is sleeping under a tree not far from here. Adam Khan was amazed, happy and at the same time sad: “Will I really have to give the servant the beautiful Nazo as a wife? After all, so many warriors, famous for their courage and wealth, have wooed her! What should I do now?!” Adam-khai went with Bilo to that tree. He sees a beautiful young man really sleeping in the shadows. Adam Khan thought about it and said:
“If this is really Qutub Khan, then there is no need to wake him up, he will find his way to me himself.” Let's go home...
Meanwhile, Kutub Khan rested, woke up and got ready to move on. He jumped on his horse and soon reached a large village. Here Qutub Khan rode more slowly. He sees the kids playing on the road. Kutub Khan asked them where Adam Khan lived and promised to give money to the one who would show the way. Hunters to make money immediately appeared, and soon Kutub Khan stood at the gates of Adam Khan's palace.
He struck the strings of the rabab and sang loudly:
If Adam Khan lives here, let him come to me! If Adam Khan comes to me, I will be doubly glad!
Adam Khan heard his voice, was delighted and went out to meet the long-awaited guest.
– May Allah help you in everything, my dear guest! Aren't you going to be the wonderful singer Qutub Khan, whose fame is resounding throughout the country?
Qutub Khan modestly replied:
– I am Qutub Khan, it’s true. Aren't you the same Adam Khan, whose fame resounds far beyond the borders of our homeland?
Adam Khan smiled and, going up to Kutub Khan, extended his hands to him.
“If Allah sent you to me, my happiness knows no bounds, O most beautiful of singers!”
They entered the house together, and a day later they were already as friendly as brothers born from the same mother.
Towards the evening of the next day, his faithful Bilo came to Adam Khan and, stomping in the door, said this:
- O Adam Khan, my mighty lord! Your word is harder than iron. You promised to give the beautiful Nazo to the one who finds Qutub Khan first. I did it. It's up to you now.
Adam Khan answered him:
– Don’t worry, Bilo, I won’t break my word. Go in peace.
Bilo calmed down and went home. After this conversation, Adam Khan became sad. He went to Kutub Khan, sat down next to him and asked:
- Play something for me, O Qutub Khan! Your songs will heal the wounds of my soul.
Kutub Khan took out a rabab and played Adam Khan a sad, affectionate song, like the murmuring of a brook late in the evening, when everything in nature fell asleep.
Tears appeared in Adam Khan's eyes, and he, forgetting everything in the world, enjoyed the beautiful music.
And Nazo was in the next room at that time. She also heard wonderful sounds. Nazo ran upstairs and pressed her head to the hole in the ceiling, admiring the handsome young man. A fire of love was lit in her heart. She could not take her eyes off Qutub Khan's face. And then two small tear pearls fell on his rabab.
Kutub Khan shuddered and raised his eyes. The gazes of the beautiful young man and the beautiful Nazo met. And Kutub Khan forgot what he was singing about. Without looking away, he looked at the girl’s huge, tear-filled eyes, and his heart beat faster and faster.
Adam Khan was only amazed at what sounds could be extracted from a rabab and shook his head in admiration.
Then Adam Khan took Kutub Khan to the chambers prepared for him, and he returned to his room and thought bitterly about the fate of his beloved sister Nazo.
And Nazo and Kutub Khan were sad, burning with love for each other.
Several days passed like this. Nazo was completely thin, only her huge eyes still shone on her face. Kutub Khan did not rise from the palang and could not think about anything except Nazo.
Noticing that his guest and friend was ill, Adam Khan was upset and spent whole days next to Qutub Khan, not knowing what the beautiful singer was sad about.
Adam Khan called the best doctors to the patient, but they only shook their heads. All their medicines were powerless. Qutub Khan faded away like a rose on a cold day.
Having learned about this, Nazo called the old servant woman to her and told her this:
“Tell me, you who raised me, can you keep a secret?”
The old woman answered:
“Let my tongue wither if I tell you anything, my daughter.”
- So listen. I love the wonderful Qutub Khan. No medicine will help him. Go to Adam Khan and say that you can cure Qutub Khan, but for this you need to move him to your house for a whole month and not let anyone in to see him. Understood?
- Yes, daughter.
“I’ll give you this handkerchief, and you can wipe Kutub Khan’s forehead with it.” After this he should recover. Well, go ahead and do everything as I told you.
The old woman went to Adam Khan and fell on her knees before him.
- O almighty Adam Khan! Your friend Kutub Khan is sick, and the doctors cannot cure him. Give it to me for one month and I will cure it.
Adam Khan was surprised, but decided to try. He ordered the unconscious Qutub Khan to be transferred to the old woman’s house. As ordered, so they did.
They had just brought the young man to the old woman’s house when she wiped him with Nazo’s handkerchief. And a miracle happened: Kutub Khan opened his eyes, looked around and, healthy, got up from his bed. He saw the old woman and immediately asked her:
– What is this, Nazo’s scarf?
The old woman smiled and nodded her head happily.
“She gave it to me and told me to give you greetings and words of love.” Wait a little, Allah is good, and you will be together.
Kutub Khan was delighted, kissed the beautiful Nazo’s handkerchief and sang a joyful song of love. One day passed like this. At the end of the second day, Qutub Khan began to turn pale again, and he said to the old woman like this:
“I can’t be away from my beloved anymore.” Tell me, O good woman, how can I see my Nazo?
The old woman thought and said:
- Don't worry. I'll make sure you see each other. My son is a shepherd for Adam Khan. Every morning he drives the sheep into the garden, which is next to Nazo's garden. Slaughter the largest sheep, dress in its skin, and in this way you will sneak into the garden and see your beloved.
This is what Qutub Khan did. And the next morning he found himself in Nazo's garden. There he threw off the sheep's skin and hid in the bushes.
Kutub Khan waited for a long time and finally saw his beloved Nazo. She was in a white dress, and Kutub Khan admired her beautiful face, slender figure and gentle hands in admiration. Then Kutub Khan came out of his hiding place, and the joy of the lovers was great when they found themselves together. The day flew by in an instant.
So the evening has come. With tears in his eyes, Kutub Khan climbed into the sheep's skin and safely got out of the garden. And Bilo was guarding the garden, ready to kill anyone who tried to see the beautiful Nazo. But everything turned out well. Kutub Khan returned to the old woman’s house, and she asked him:
- Well, son, did you see your beloved?
“I saw it, mother, but my love for her grew even more.” I don’t know what to do next!
- Don't be sad, oh singer. You too will be happy. For several days in a row, Kutub Khan went on a date with his beloved in sheep's clothing and each time he returned from her happy and joyful.
Meanwhile, Adam Khan inquired every day from the old woman about the health of his beloved singer, and each time the old woman invariably answered the same thing:
“He is better today than yesterday, oh lord.” But you can’t see him yet. Wait a few more days and then come in.
And Kutub Khan, saying goodbye to his beloved that day, said:
- O light of my life, this cannot continue like this. Let's tell everything to your brother and my friend Adam Khan.
- O beloved! After all, I must become Bilo's wife. But I will never do this. Better death than separation from you. You know what? Do this: take a saber and a shroud, come to your brother, put it in front of him and say: either kill me with this saber and wrap me in this shroud, or give me your sister as a wife.
So they agreed.
And the next day Kutub Khan came to Adam Khan. Adam Khan was surprised and delighted to see his friend alive and well. But Adam Khan was even more surprised when he heard the words of Qutub Khan. Qutub Khan said this:
– O brave warrior and wonderful singer, beloved Adam Khan! I love your sister and I can’t live without her. And she loves me. Without her there is no joy for me. If you don’t give her to me as a wife, it’s better to kill her now with this saber and wrap her in this shroud.
Adam Khan thought. He thought for a long time. And how can one not think about it: he loved Qutub Khan very much! But Bilo was not only his faithful servant, but also a good friend who often helped Adam Khan out of trouble. Finally, Adam Khan made up his mind and said:
“Okay, oh wonderful singer, my beloved friend!” I will give you my sister Nazo as your wife. So be it.
The next day he sent Bilo to a distant village on some business, and at that time he ordered Bilo’s brother, Miro, to slaughter sheep and prepare an excellent treat for the wedding of Kutub Khan and his sister Nazo.
And on the same day they celebrated a wedding that had not been seen in the area for a long time!
Only in the evening the fun died down. Night came, and Adam Khan took Qutub Khan to the house of his bride. Suddenly they see Bilo standing at the entrance to the palace. He managed to return by that time, but still knew nothing about the wedding and, as if nothing had happened, guarded the entrance to Nazo. How can we be here? Then Adam Khan wrapped Qutub Khan in his fur coat and went straight to Bilo. Bilo gave way to the owner. Then he looked at his legs and was surprised:
- Oh Adam Khan! Either I'm crazy or you have four legs!
-You're really crazy, Bilo! I have one head and two legs, like all people. And what seems like extra legs to you are the sleeves of a fur coat! – and with these words Adam Khan entered his sister’s chambers.
Bilo went home late at night and only there did he learn about everything that had happened. Bilo became furious, his eyes became bloodshot, and he rushed first to the house of his brother Miro. He began to break into the door, but Miro, fearing his brother’s revenge, locked himself tightly, and Bilo could not break into him. Then Bilo rushed to Nazo’s house to kill the newlyweds.
But Nazo, knowing Bilo’s character, also locked the doors tightly.
Bilo began to rush towards her, but the doors did not budge. Then he shouted loudly:
- Hey, you coward, come out here! We will fight one on one!
Kutub Khan grabbed a saber and wanted to go out to Bilo, but Nazo, falling at his feet, begged her lover not to go out.
- After all, he is like an animal! You will die on our first night! I beg you, don’t go, my love!
And Kutub Khan succumbed to Nazo’s persuasion and did not go to Bilo.
And Nazo rushed to her mother and began to beg her to go to Adam Khan. The mother heeded her daughter’s pleas, ran to her son, and began to ask him to save Nazo. Adam Khan came and, grabbing Bilo by the hand, said to him:
“You don’t have to do that, Bilo.” You're my friend, aren't you? So believe me, I will find you another wife, just as beautiful and just as noble. And Kutub Khan is as dear to me as you. Don't take revenge on him! Moreover, he is a completely lonely wanderer! No need, Bilo...
And he listened to Bilo Adam Khan. He returned home, but did not sleep a wink all night, thinking about how he could take revenge on Nazo and Qutub Khan. Bilo thought for a long time, and at dawn he got up and went, as before, to guard Nazo’s house.
He stood in his place, not raising his eyes, but noticing everything and thinking about something.
Several days passed like this. Adam Khan became cheerful, deciding that Bilo would not take revenge on Qutub Khan. But that was not the case. A terrible plan matured in Bilo’s head. One day, on a hot afternoon, Kutub Khan fell asleep. Bilo saw this, went up to his bed and drove huge sharp nails into the wall right above his sleeping head. Then he stepped aside and shouted loudly: “Get up, Qutub Khan!” Nazo is dead! The frightened Kutub Khan jumped up from the bed, hit the nails and immediately fell, bleeding profusely.
Nazo rushed to her beloved and began to kiss him, thinking by this to revive Qutub Khan. But it was all in vain. Like a crimson rose, covered in blood, the dead Qutub Khan lay on the palang.
Then Nazo anointed her forehead with the blood of her beloved and lay down next to him. They started to lift her, but she was lifeless.
And so they died in one hour, beautiful lovers, Nazo and Qutub Khan.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru