A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.

Overview

Two pigeons alight above the stranded Mahmad as he partly wakes from sleep. They address one another as Didu, which the Lorimers gloss as sister in Bakhtiari. One knows his entire misfortune and explains how the tree’s bark can let him cross the sea, its twig can turn people into donkeys and back, and its leaves can restore sight. On fully waking he loses the opportunity to hear one further secret, and the birds depart.

The pair deliberately offers guidance rather than merely being overheard accidentally. Mahmad also calls one sister when appealing for help, but that address does not establish that he is their biological brother. Their knowledge and speech are explicit; no human-to-bird transformation or connection with the egg-laying magic bird is supplied.

Speaking birds who reveal an island tree’s magical propertiesSpecific translated narrative
01

Origins & earliest records

Bakhtiari storytelling, Iran

02

Records & interpretation

Complete tale XXXI and all attached notes read in retained 1919 scan transcription.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

  1. 01

    Persian Tales

    D. L. R. Lorimer and E. O. Lorimer, collectors/translators · 1919

    Bakhtiari tale XXXI, The Story of the Magic Bird, pp. 197–211

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

Primary records and illustrations

Direct primary record

D. L. R. and E. O. Lorimer, Persian Tales (Macmillan, 1919)

Bakhtiari tales. XXXI, The Story of the Magic Bird, pp. 197–211; Haur and pigeon terminology notes pp. 206, 208

Full pp.197–211 read, including all notes and conclusion. Organ talismans are retained in amulets, not equated with eating alone. Pigeon sisters, provisional haur/Haush glosses, and all three tree powers retained.

Inspect the digitized plate · Source collection manifest

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

  1. Historical collected narrative in translationOriginal 1919 edition of Persian TalesResearch access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.

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