A Zoroastrian Fable, The King’s Favourite Horse
Long ago there lived a king in Persia, named Vishtaspa . One day, he had a strange dream. He dreamt that Zoroaster appeared in his room and handed him the Zend Avesta, explaining that it was God’s Holy Book. Next morning, one of the King’s Counsellors brought the message that there was a man named Zoroaster outside, who wished to speak to him. King Vishtaspa was very surprised as he remembered the dream he had, the night before. When Zoroaster came to the king he blessed him with wisdom, power and long life. Vishtaspa said he would believe in Zoroaster’s God if he could answer the questions of his wise men. Zoroaster answered all the questions they asked him about God, Heaven and Earth. Vishtaspa was so impressed that he asked Zoroaster to teach him the truths of the Zend Avesta and also gave him a house to stay in the palace grounds.
The King’s counsellors became extremely jealous of the favours the King Vishtaspa was showering on Zoroaster. They made plans to tell lies about Zoroaster so that he would be sent away from the palace. One night, they left some bones and skulls in Zoroaster’s house. Next morning, they went to the King and told him that Zoroaster was really a sorcerer making spells to destroy the King and his kingdom. Vishtaspa did not believe them and ordered them to visit Zoroaster’s house for proof of this wickedness. Before long, a guard returned with a tray holding the bones and skulls. The King became angry with Zoroaster who replied that he was innocent. Nevertheless, the king ordered Zoroaster to be sent to jail. The evil counsellors then laughed and made fun of Zoroaster’s plight, feeling triumphant that their wicked plan had worked.
One week later, King Vishtaspa was very heartbroken as his favorite horse Aspisiya had fallen ill. The King did not eat for three days. All of the four limbs of the horse were folded up beneath its stomach which prevented it from stretching its legs out and standing up. That evening, Zoroaster’s prison guard came to the king to bring him a message from Zoroaster that he could cure the horse. Zoroaster was brought to the king who demanded that he prove his greatness by curing Aspisiyah. Zoroaster replied that the horse required Vishtaspa to have faith in him as well as fulfilling four conditions. The king agreed.
The first condition was that King Vishtaspa would follow Zoroaster’s teachings and recognize him as a messenger of the one and only true God. The King agreed whole heartedly, and to everyone’s surprise the first leg of the horse became free and stretched forward. The second condition was that King Vishtaspa’s son would support the Zoroastrian religion and spread God’s message. When his son agreed with a promise, the horse’s second leg became free. Next the queen was called for, and when she also agreed the horse’s third leg stretched out. Zoroaster also called for the keeper of his house who, when questioned, admitted that it were the counsellors who had placed the bones and skulls in Zoroaster’s house. The fourth condition was that these evil counsellors were to be banished from the kingdom forever, after which the horse’s fourth leg was cured. Then Aspisiyah leapt up on its feet, to the delight of everyone present. The king was overjoyed to see his favourite horse completely cured and asked Zoroaster to forgive him . He also thanked him again and again for healing Aspisiyah.
Ref : The Great Ones by Joy Lynette Parker