Here is the hero Rustam, fighting the White

Div, a very evil enemy of the King of Iran

ARTS OF THE BOOK……HEROES AND VILLAINS

Ancient stories of the Islamic world had heroes and villains, just as we have today. They

tell of the struggle between good and evil, with heroes showing bravery and courage to

overcome the enemy.

The most famous storybook is the Shahnamah, the Persian Book of Kings. The hero,

Rustam and his very courageous horse Rakesh, are seen on an earlier page of your book

fighting with a dragon.

You will recognise a modern day hero of

our times, Batman.

Rustam stands out as the most

celebrated character in the

Shahnamah. Known for his

extraordinary strength, bravery and

loyalty Rustam protects the kings of

Iran against their enemies.

Rustam needs to find a horse to

match his own strength. After days

of searching he spots a young colt

‘as strong as an elephant…with

hoofs of steel. He calls the horse

Rakesh. His horse becomes as big a

hero as Rustam himself in the

Shahnameh.

STORYBOARD 1. Rustam catches Rakesh with a lasso. Can you write a story

yourself of how it would be possible to catch such a brave horse? How would you

get close enough to lasso him, and how would Rakesh behave when he finds he

has been caught?

C

Storyboard 2. Rustam had to succeed in many trials of courage and strength to rescue the King

Kavus from his enemies. On one of the stages of their journey a monstrous dragon comes out of the

forest in the night while Rustam is sleeping. Rakesh manages to awaken Rustam but he doesn’t see

the dragon at first. Rakesh awakes him several times to warn him and eventually there is enough light

for Rustam to see the dragon and he slays it. Can you add Rustam or Rakesh to the picture below?

Storyboard 3. The White D

Storyboard 3. On the last of his heroic acts Rustam rescues King Kavus whose army had

been captured by the Divs. Rustam overthrows and kills the Div-e-Sepid, the White

Demon. Can you write more of the story of the fight with the White Demon and illustrate

it?