One evening King Kavus sat in the palace garden, drinking wine and talking with the nobles of his court on subjects large and small. A chamberlain approached the throne, saying: “O ruler of the earth and sky, outside the door is a singer who says he has come from the country of Mazandaran. He has a sweet voice and desires to entertain the company.”

King Kavus instructed the chamberlain to seat the singer with the musicians. No one suspected the singer was a div -- one of Ahriman’s demons -- disguised in human form. The singer played a few pleasant airs upon his lyre, and then launched into a song.

“Famous is my country, the country of Mazandaran, the country of eternal spring! No cold or heat touches its gardens. Its air is soft and in every season its mountains are painted with tulips. The rose never wilts upon its stem. The song of the nightingale never ends. Everyone is rich and beautiful there. Even the slaves wear gold crowns and jeweled belts. If you live anywhere else, you can never be truly happy!”

The words of the singer, mixing with the strong wine, stirred in the heart of King Kavus a wild desire to own this enchanted country. He said: “My proud warriors, here we sit, feasting and drinking, but such idleness can never make soldiers content! I am greater than Gayumars, and more powerful than Faridun. My destiny is to conquer the world, and I will begin with Mazandaran!”