Sepehr the Superhero & the Haft-Seen on Damavand
- Zohreh Khosravi
- 4 hours ago
Once upon a time, in a vast land called Iran, there lived a brave and kind-hearted boy named Sepehr.
Sepehr was a little superhero with amazing powers, and he wished to bring joy to the people of Iran.
Nowruz was approaching, and Sepehr decided to set up the most beautiful Haft-Seen table at the highest peak of Iran, Mount Damavand, so that all people could celebrate the arrival of spring together.
But this task was not easy at all! He had to travel to every corner of Iran and find the reddest apple, the greenest grass, the most beautiful fish, the tastiest garlic, the sweetest Samanu, the best vinegar, the finest sumac, and the best silver berries, which are all Nowruz Symbols.
Sepehr went to Iran-Banoo, the wisest woman in Iran, and asked her, “How can I find the best items for the Haft-Seen table?”
With a smile, Iran-Banoo replied, “Only the Simorgh can help you. It is a wise bird that lives on Mount Qaf. Take this feather and make a wish from the bottom of your heart, and the Simorgh will come to you.”
Sepehr took the feather, closed his eyes, and wished to see the Simorgh. Before he even opened his eyes, the Simorgh appeared in the sky with its golden, shimmering wings!
The Simorgh said, “I know what you seek. Sit on my back, and together we will prepare the most beautiful Haft-Seen.”
With joy, Sepehr mounted the Simorgh, and their journey began. They traveled to the Mughan Plain in the northwest of Iran, where they picked the greenest grass, symbolizing the rebirth of nature.
From the spice markets of Sardasht, they bought the finest sumac, symbolizing strength in the face of hardships. In the herbal markets of Zanjan, they found the best vinegar, symbolizing wisdom gained through experience. In the gardens of Damavand, they picked the reddest apple, symbolizing beauty and health. They went to the garlic fields of Hamadan (also Hamedan), where they dug up the best garlic, symbolizing protection from diseases.
They visited the local markets of Khorasan, where they bought the sweetest Samanu, symbolizing strength and patience. Furthermore, they went to the silver berry gardens of Isfahan, where they picked the best silver berries, symbolizing friendship. They traveled to Yazd and bought the most beautiful Termeh fabric from the traditional market. They went to Qur’an Gate in Shiraz and borrowed the Quran from the guardian of the Gate.
Not only that, but they traveled to the Persian Gulf in the south of Iran, where they put the most beautiful Goldfish, symbolizing life, in a crystal-clear bowl, and then flew toward Mount Damavand.
When they reached the summit, dawn was almost upon them. Sepehr spread the Termeh fabric and arranged the Haft-Seen. The sun rose behind the mountain, and the hearts of the people of Iran were filled with joy as they saw the most beautiful Haft-Seen on their country’s highest mountain.
