The Giant Bull and the Farmer's daughter

Once upon a time, between the land of the Persians and the land of the Arabs, lived a giant bull named Rostum.

It is said that this fantastic beast was born before time existed and would live forever, for no man could kill him. Legend had it that the giant bull had magic powers and one glance from him would return any man to his mother’s womb, so no one dared to enter his domain. It was known to all as the ‘Forbidden Zone’.

Let it be known that this story, as told by Asiya, is the story of how a farmer’s daughter from Basra confronted the giant bull named Rostum.

There was a farmer from Basra. His name was Adel, which in Arabic means ‘Just’. Adel was, in fact, a very fair and considerate man, which was lucky, for names rarely describe their holders.

Adel was married to Fatima, the daughter of a Syrian merchant, and she gave him two daughters, Nehal and Nedal. In those days, a man from Basra was shamed for having no sons, but Adel loved his daughters. A lesser man would have blamed his wife, as other men in his tribe would (and did), but Adel knew that a well-raised daughter was worth her weight in gold. Adel loved his daughters unconditionally and treated them equally.

The first-born daughter, Nehal, was slim like a gazelle. Her face was as pretty as the moon. Suitors rode for days from faraway places just to ask for her hand in marriage. After many proposals, Adel chose a rich husband for Nehal. She married and lived in a big house that she didn’t have to clean, nor was she troubled to cook, for her rich husband had many servants to perform such lowly tasks.

Nedal looked like her father, which was unlucky, for he wasn’t a handsome man. Therefore, Adel taught Nedal to farm and to fight. He wanted her to be strong and independent.

When a war was declared against the Persians, the Grand Vizir ordered his men to collect war taxes from the farmers. Messengers went from village to village, proclaiming, “Those who can pay will stay home, and those who can’t pay must join the fight.”

Fatima asked her husband Adel to send a message to Nehal and ask for money from his son in law. Nehal’s husband sent a rider with a purse of gold, because he did everything to please his beautiful wife. Adel paid the taxes, but the Grand Vizir was a greedy man. He kept the purses of gold from Adel and the other farmers in his large, deep pockets and ordered his men to force the farmers to fight, whether they paid or not.

Adel didn’t lack courage, but riding against the Persians meant leaving his wife and daughter unprotected. He rode to see the Qadhi, the fair and honorable judge, to make a complaint against the Grand Vizir. The news soon reached the Grand Vizir – since stories traveled on the tongues of men in the Souk quicker than men rode horses.

It is known that killing the first man to stand up for his rights could spark a revolution. The Grand Vizir, who was very cunning and didn’t want the farmers to rebel, hatched a plan. He ordered his men to kill Adel and bring his corpse back to his home to make it look like a robbery.

The Grand Vizir’s guards followed the sinister orders. They stabbed Adel and dropped him at his door. Nedal found her father lying on the ground with a dagger in his chest and cried. She kneeled to remove the blade, but Fatima ordered her to leave it.

Fatima consoled her daughter and told her that she had a plan, for her grandmother had taught her old Syrian magic spells. Fatima gave Nedal her father’s sword. It was made of the finest Damascus steel, worthy of a hero. She said, “Go to the Forbidden Zone! Slay the giant bull named Rostum and bring me his horns!”

Nedal knew the army was between her and the giant bull. “But how would I go to the Forbidden Zone?”

“Wear your father’s robe and go to the fighters’ camp. They will not cross the Forbidden Zone, but they don’t want to do a long march around it. Share your intention to slay Rostum with the commander. I am sure he would support your plan.”

Nedal left in haste and reached the fighters’ camp. She asked for permission to speak with the commander. She entered a tent full of fighters sitting around the commander.

“May peace be upon you, o’ brave commander, and may God grant you victory over the Persians. I am Nedal, my father is Adel, son of Ahmed, son of Mansour. I am heading to the Forbidden Zone to kill the giant bull.”

The fighters’ laughter shook the tent. The commander motioned with his finger for his men to be quiet.

“How could a beardless boy beat the giant bull? A bull that no man can kill?” asked the commander.

Nedal lifted her headcover and answered, “I am my father’s daughter. I have his courage and his sword – one made of the finest Damascus steel.”

Before any of the fighters could object, the commander stood and told Nedal, “I am reminded by the history of our prophet Mohammad, may peace be upon him, and the courage of his wife, Aisha. I am giving you permission to go to the Forbidden Zone. May God bless you in your quest!”

The commander ordered his guards to give Nedal a horse and food.

When Nedal reached the Forbidden Zone, she was exhausted. She took off her robe and went for a swim in the lake. The stars were shining over the lake and over Nedal’s naked body. Rostum watched Nedal swimming and was mesmerized. She heard a noise and yelled, “Who is watching me?”

Rostum responded, “It is me, the lonely giant bull. What brings you here to my land?”

“I came here because I need your horns. They hold the cure to save my father.”

“What a brave soul you have! You come where men fear to go,” said Rostum. “I will give my horns – if you give me your hair.”

“But why do you want my hair?”

“Your long, raven-black hair holds the cure for my curse.”

“Are you a cursed prince?” she asked.

The giant bull laughed and responded, “No, I was just a rich merchant who refused to give water to an old beggar, and he cursed me to wander alone as a giant bull for years. Only the touch of a woman’s hair on my skin could lift the curse.”

“Well, that’s seems like a fair trade,” said Nedal. “I will cut your horns first, then give my hair – but first, close your eyes so I can dress.”

Nedal stepped out of the water and put on her robe. She took the sword of Damascus steel and with one clean blow, severed the giant bull’s horns. Then she cut her hair and placed it on his skin. He instantly transformed into a handsome man. He thanked Nedal and left to find his family.

Nedal went back to the fighters’ camp. Everyone cheered when she showed up with the horns and the blood of the giant bull on the sword. The commander wanted to celebrate her victory, but Nedal left to go back home.

Fatima was so proud to see her daughter return. She took the horns of the giant bull. She grinded them with her mortar and pestle and cooked them with Rabbit’s fat until they made a paste. She applied the paste to Adel’s wound and he returned to life. He exposed the Grand Vizir and the Sultan removed him from power. Nedal was rewarded for her bravery with purses of gold from the Sultan himself.

The story of Nedal’s bravery spread across the land and suitors lined up at the door to ask for her hand in marriage. Adel let Nedal choose her husband, for he trusted her judgment. When Nedal fell in love, she accepted a man who was fair – just like her father.

For centuries Arabs named their boys Nedal, for they wished their boys to have Nedal’s courage. Many times, the story of Nedal was told, and over time details were added or omitted. Rostum was said to be more dangerous with every retelling, and Nedal was no longer the daughter of the farmer, but his brave son. But now you know the true story.

So sayeth me, Asiya, the seventh great-granddaughter of the heroine Nedal.