Learn Persian with Chaiang Conversation, Culture Fair Doses Shah Nameh, The Tale of Zahak, The Serpent King with welcome, that was the longest title of a lesson ever, but we're here with Dr. Sapa Shaiyanis.

Saddam, Sapa, Jan.

Palam Lela John.

We're here with another tale of the Shah Nama. If you've listened before, we've done a couple of these series with Zappa, where we listen to stories of the Shah Nama if you've listened before we've done a couple of these series with

Zappa where we listen to stories of the Shah Nama'amai. He reads us from the original text

and then tells us the story. So if you can provide a little introduction on what story we're

going over today. Yes, absolutely. So Hoshamadid Hamagi, welcome. It's wonderful to be here with you all,

as always, and thank you, Leila John, for having me on again. And in case someone doesn't,

isn't familiar with you, can you give a brief introduction to who you are and how you know the Shahnameh?

Sure. My name is Sahba Shaiani.

I am a lecturer in Persian language at UCLA.

I hold a PhD in classical Persian poetry.

And my specialty is on the women of Shahnaameh, Gorghanis Wiesuramin and Nazamis Chosro and Shirin.

So three epic, epic romantic epic myths.

I've been working with the Shahanamo for a while now and it's one of my favorite things to talk about.

So happy to be here with everyone.

Wonderful.

So why this particular story?

Why this particular story is a great question.

I think it is really in line with the zeitgeist of the time.

It really is up.

I think once we go through it, people will see the parallels to perhaps what we are

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