Middle Eastern FolklorePersian Tales

The Conference of the Birds

Thirty birds journey through seven valleys to discover that the king they seek is themselves.

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Illustration for The Conference of the Birds - a persian tales Middle Eastern Folklore story with moral lessons

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Story Summary

Discover the profound Persian epic The Conference of the Birds, where thirty birds cross seven valleys to find the Simurgh, only to find the truth within.

Thousands of the world’s birds gathered, distressed by the lack of a leader. The wise Hoopoe, messenger of Solomon, addressed the assembly, proposing they seek the legendary Simurgh, the king of birds who lives on the mystical Mount Qaf. The journey was grueling, requiring the crossing of seven treacherous valleys: Quest, Love, Knowledge, Detachment, Unity, Bewilderment, and finally, Poverty and Annihilation. Many birds made excuses to stay behind, while others perished from exhaustion, heat, and fear along the way. After immense hardship, only thirty birds remained to reach the Simurgh’s dwelling. Upon arrival, they found no great king on a throne, but a pool of clear water. Looking into it, they saw their own reflections. In that moment of enlightenment, they realized that 'Si-murgh' literally means 'thirty birds' in Persian. The divine king they sought was not an external entity, but the collective soul and truth found within their own hearts.

The Moral

The journey toward truth and divinity is an internal one; the enlightenment we seek is already within us, discovered only through perseverance and the shedding of the ego.

“If Simurgh unveils its face to you, you will find that all the birds, be they thirty or forty or more, are but the shadows cast by that unveiling.”

Fun Fact

The poem's title in Persian is 'Mantiq-at-Tayr,' and its clever linguistic pun—where 'Si-murgh' means 'thirty birds'—is one of the most famous literary reveals in world history.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the moral of The Conference of the Birds?

The story teaches that the search for God or ultimate truth is a journey inward. By stripping away the ego through various trials, one realizes that the divine resides within the self.

Who wrote The Conference of the Birds?

It was written by the 12th-century Persian Sufi poet Farid ud-Din Attar of Nishapur. It is considered one of the most important works of Sufi literature and Islamic mysticism.

What do the seven valleys represent in the story?

They represent the stages of a spiritual journey: Yearning, Love, Knowledge, Detachment, Unity, Bewilderment, and finally, Poverty and Annihilation of the ego.

What does the name Simurgh mean?

In the context of Attar's poem, it is a clever pun; 'Si' means thirty and 'murgh' means birds in Persian. This signifies that the thirty birds were the Simurgh they sought.

Why is the Hoopoe the leader of the birds?

In Islamic tradition and folklore, the Hoopoe is seen as a wise bird and a messenger for King Solomon, making it the perfect spiritual guide for the journey.

Is The Conference of the Birds a religious text?

While it is a work of literature and poetry, it is deeply rooted in Sufi mysticism. It uses allegory to explain complex spiritual concepts about the soul's path to enlightenment.