I don`t know this tale is true or not. But they say - where formerly wide rivers flowed and high mountains stood - there lived a marksman. During competitions and hunting he never missed the mark and became famous in many countries. Time passed rapidly. The marksman grew old and weak. Once he understood that soon would die. He called Rustam, his only son, and opened a secret of his skill.“My son”, said the old man in sad voice, “after my death you`ll get my bow and arrows. They are magic and will make you happy. When you want to marry, you must shoot from my bow. At that place, where an arrow will fall, you`ll find your bride. She will be a faithful and careful wife for you”.
At night the marksman was dead. Rustam was inconsolable; he loved his father very much and had no other relations. Next day the son buried the old marksman. The youth didn't want to lead a lonely life and two months later he decided to fulfill the father's will.
In the early morning Rustam came to the field, took the magic bow and shot. An arrow flew far away. As it passed out sight, the young man went for its search. By noon Rustam leaved behind dense forest and stood by the foot of a mountain. In the ground he saw his arrow and a monkey sitting near it. The youth was very surprised and upset.
“Ah! ” exclaimed he, having looked on the big brown monkey, “What a fate! My future wife is this monkey and I can`t change anything”.“Don`t be sad, Rustam”, the monkey calmed him. “It`s a poor heart that never rejoices. My name is Mariam. Your life will be not unhappy. Let`s go, my dear! ”
Rustam didn`t believe the monkey`s words, but he went after it. When they crossed a mountain range, the youth saw a wonderful palace built of gold. It was large, touched the sky and bright shone as the sun. The monkey took his arm quickly and they came into a central hall of the palace. It asked Rustam to take the most honourable place and disappeared. After instant a door opened and a girl of uncommon beauty came in.
“You was mistaken, Rustam”, the girl smiled. “Your fate isn`t such cruel as you thought. I`m your bride”.
The youth was glad to this change and loved Mariam with all his heart. During two years their happy family life lasted. Mariam gave birth to Asan, their son. But in the mornings Rustam`s wife a monkey skin put on. The husband didn`t see her for all the day, but she told Rustam nothing of her occupations. He disliked very much as she was absent. Once Rustam didn`t stand: he stole the monkey skin and buried it into the ground. Mariam fell ill seriously, her beautiful face became yellow and every other day she was worse and worse.“Give back my skin! ” Mariam groaned. “It`s a part of me and I`ll die without it”.
Rustam fulfilled the wife`s wish and she turned into a monkey again.
“We will not be together”, said Mariam with regret. “I`m the queen of monkeys and you`re only a man. Take Asan and these five ingots of gold. You must forget me and my palace”.
After these words it was thunder and Rustam with Little Asan stood near his home. The marksman didn`t marry second time and devoted himself to his son. Asan was a pride of his father. He became a famous athlete and sage, who poor and rich people respected and loved.