Folio 26v: The Snakes of King Zahhak

Mehran DHN

Now king of Arabia, Zahhak employs a cook—Iblis in disguise who produces a succession of delicacies that carn Zahhak's praise. For his efforts the cook asks only to kiss the king's shoulders. Upon doing so, the cook disappears, and from Zahhak's shoulders spring, two ravenous snakes whose appetites can be appeased only with human brains.