Standup Historian - Kourosh

A Satirical Epistolary Short Story By C. S. Lewis These are excerpts from “Screwtape proposes a toast” essay by C. S. Lewis. These excerpts address the issues and dilemma of Democracy how it leads to the dictatorship of the majority and the creation of personal envy and all-out evil, as we are witnessing around the world, in every country and society and every system of governing, which is supposedly “democratic.” The scene is in Hell at the annual dinner of the Tempters’ Training College for young devils. The principal, Dr. Slubgob, has just proposed the health of the guests. Screwtape, a very experienced Devil, who is the guest of honour, rises to reply:

Now when Zohak returned from his search after Feridoun and learned that he was seated upon his throne, he encompassed the city with his host. But the army of Feridoun marched against him, and the desires of the people went with them. And all that day bricks fell from the walls and stones from the terraces, and it rained arrows and spears like to hail falling from a dark cloud until Feridoun had overcome the might of Zohak. Then Feridoun raised his cow-headed mace to slay the Serpent-King. But the blessed Serosch swooped down, and cried-

Kāveh was, according to ancient legends, a blacksmith who launched a national uprising against the evil foreign tyrant Zahāk, after losing two of his children to serpents of Zahāk. Kāveh expelled the foreigners and re-established the rule of Iranians.[3] Many followed Kāveh to the Alborz Mountains in Damāvand, where Fereydun, son of Ābtin and Faranak was living. Then a young man, Fereydun agreed to lead the people against Zahāk. Zahāk had already left his capital, which fell to Fereydun's troops with small resistance. Fereydun released all of Zahāk's prisoners.

Zahhak was warned about a child to be born and he will be the one who will put an end to his reign of horror. In this episode, I'l telling the story of the birth of Fereydun.

Fereydoun is an Iranian mythical king and hero from the Pishdadian dynasty. He is known as an emblem of victory, justice, and generosity in Persian literature. He's the young king who defeated Zahhak the reclaimed the throne of Persia.

Zahhāk or Zahāk also known as Zahhak the Snake Shoulder is an evil figure in Persian mythology, evident in ancient Persian folklore as Azhi Dahāka, the name by which he also appears in the texts of the Avesta. In Middle Persian, he is called Dahāg or Bēvar Asp the latter meaning "he who has 10,000 horses". In Zoroastrianism, Zahhak is considered the son of Ahriman, the foe of Ahura Mazda. In the Shāhnāmah of Ferdowsi, Zahhāk is the son of a ruler named Merdās.

I this episode I have read my latest article from Standup Historian.

I discuss the end of the war in Afghanistan and what I see coming next.