Book Description

The story of the once-fierce King Dodon, who becomes fond of peace and pleasure in his old age. As he grows old, his once-subdued enemies begin to attack his kingdom until al old astrologer gifts him a magical golden cockerel, which alerts the kingdom to danger and allows the king to rest peacefully again. In return for the golden cockerel, the old astrologer refuses generous gifts and honors from the king, instead asking that the first request he makes of the king to be granted. The king agrees. After a time of peace, King Dodon follows his sons and soldiers toward a danger in the east to find a beautiful young woman, the Queen of Shemakhan. He rests in the tent of the Queen of Shamakhan for a long time, eating, drinking, and being entertained by servants. Since the kingdom needs him, King Dodon's generals convince him to return, suggesting that he take the Queen of Shemakhan with him as his bride. When they return to the kingdom, the old astrologer returns to ask for the Queen of Shamakhan. When King Dodon refuses, both the old astrologer and the Queen of Shemakhan vanish, and the golden cockerel pecked the king on his head, causing him to fall and perhaps to die.