Sám

Also known as: Sám Súwár · Family: Zábul · Role: warrior · First appears: Minúchihr · Part 2

After Feridún placed Minúchihr under the protection of Sám and Narímán, Sám served as his warrior and later governed Kábul, Zábul, and Ind by his appointment. Sám had a son, Zál, born with perfectly white hair, but took him to Alberz and abandoned him there to be destroyed by beasts of prey. After dreams and the interpreters’ assurance that Zál was alive, Sám found him with the help of Símúrgh, received him as his son, and confessed that he was ashamed of his past cruelty, promising to treat him with respect and honor. Minúchihr welcomed father and son and later left Zál in charge of Zábulistán while Sám went against the Demon provinces.

When Zál sought approval to marry Rúdábeh, daughter of Mihráb, Sám approved the union but asked that it remain secret until his return and consultation with Minúchihr. Though ordered to destroy Kábul and kill Mihráb and his adherents, Sám instead sent Zál to plead his case to the king; he later accepted Síndokht’s presents and supported the marriage. Sám was present at the wedding, then returned to Sístán to resume his campaigns.

After Narímán died, Sám tried in vain for months and years to take the fort at mountain Sipund, then retired in despair. Later, hearing the people’s complaints about Nauder’s rule, he went from Mázinderán to Persia. Though the people urged him to take the throne, Sám refused, saying, “I should then be ungrateful to Minúchihr, a traitor, and deservedly offensive in the eyes of God.” He soothed the chiefs and mediated between them and Nauder, whose promise to rule better reunited the kingdom under his sway.