Rudaba

Sam and the Mubeds, knowing that Rudaba's father, chief of Kabul, was Babylonian from the family of Zahhak, did not approve of the marriage.

When Zal arrived at the court of Manuchihr, he was received with honour, and having read the letter of Sam, the Shah approved of the marriage.

The Simurgh appeared and instructed him upon how to perform a caesarean section (rostamzad), thus saving Rudabeh and the child, who later on became one of the greatest Persian heroes.

[3] Scholarship points that the love story of Zal and princess Rudabah is related to an Afghan folktale tale named The Romance of Mongol Girl and Arab Boy.

[4] It has been noted by folktale collectors that Rudabah's long hair and the climbing incident are very reminiscent of the German story of Rapunzel.