#settareh

WHY AM I ALWAYS PICKED ON!? I was just minding my own business when my horrid stepsisters came up to me and started making fun of me for the mud on my face. They know that it is not mud, it is actually a star-shaped birthmark on my left cheek, and I absolutely hate it. As I look in the mirror and try to scrub it off, I remember the horrific childhood I was forced to suffer through. My mother died when I was born and as soon as I learned to walk I was on my own, I never even received a single hug from any of my family. I learned how to get by on very little at a very young age, but don’t feel sorry for me, hey what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger right? I know my stepsisters pick on me because they are jealous, I have overheard them talking about me many times. I wish they could be nice to me, but I know that will never happen so instead I try to ignore their comments and be happy with what I have.

Now time for the good news… my father came today to visit and told us that we were all (yes even me!) invited to Prince Merhdad’s feast in celebration of NoRuz (the Persian New Year). He insisted that we all get new clothes and gave us each a gold coin, BEST DAY EVER. We covered our heads with our cloaks and went to the market, one of the most exciting and best smelling places I’ve ever been to; the smell of the roasting almonds is my favorite. In fact, the smell was so good that I ended up trading part of my gold coin for a paper twist of hot-spiced nuts (I should probably let you know that I can be a tad bit impulsive).

This is the part when my past came rushing back to me and I couldn’t stop myself from giving away some of my coins. There was a woman, old and shivering, whose sad eyes made me remember my childhood and the same feeling of hopelessness that she was feeling. Without hesitation, I gave the woman most of my coins. Satisfied with my decision, I set out to buy some cloth to make a sash for my dress with the small amount of money I had left. I didn’t get far when the most beautiful and mesmerizing jar caught my eye and the kind merchant let me have it for my remaining coins! My stepsisters laughed and made fun of me but I don’t care, this has been such a wonderful day. Well that’s it for tonight, I’ve had a long and eventful day and my bed is calling my name.

With Love,

Settareh (Star)

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To begin, I’m sorry I have not written in a few weeks, but once I explain why it will all become clear. Let’s begin at the beginning, when I returned home from the market and finally sat down with my new prized possession that I was so blessed to receive. I know this is going to sound crazy, but the jar I bought the other day at the market is no ordinary jar, it is MAGICAL, yes, I repeat, MAGICAL. As I was stroking it I mumbled out loud that I wish it was full of jasmine blossoms and all of a sudden the smell of the blossoms surrounded me and the jar was vibrating! At first I thought I was dreaming, but when I asked for food and something to wear, the pari granted my wishes and sweet figs appeared, followed by a warm shawl. I was very confused but decided not to question things, so instead I told the jar about myself and the lonely life I live. At this point I had to pinch myself because a turtledove flew down and my prayers had been answered.

Now let’s fast forward to tonight, the eve of No Ruz. I stayed behind as all the girls left to the palace to make sure no one would discover the magical power of my jar (I knew if my envious sisters caught me they would steal it). Luckily the girls were all so excited to go that they left quickly and I didn’t have to worry about any men because we live in separate quarters. When the coast was clear I politely asked my jar for No Ruz clothing and a dark red silk dress, golden pendant, turquoise bracelets, and diamond studded anklets were suddenly sitting in front of me. I take back what I said in my first entry, THIS, was the BEST DAY EVER! Once I was ready I made sure to give my thanks and at once I was outside of the palace, I couldn’t believe my eyes!

As I entered I made sure to stay far away from my sisters and keep my head turned at all times, this was my night and they were not going to ruin it. The feast was nothing less than perfection, there was roast lamb and spiced cucumbers, and even fresh snow brought down from the mountains (talk about fancy, oh my). Basically I ate and ate and ate until I realized I needed to get out of there, and fast, to avoid the beating that would be waiting for me if stepmother was home first (not a big fan of her). I ran as fast as I could and quickly swapped my silk dress for my tattered dress; it was then that I realized I had lost one of my diamond anklets along the way! I wasn’t too upset, however, because I couldn’t have asked for a better night and I was so thankful to even be able to attend (and to make it home before my stepmother). Now I must go and have the best sleep of my life, for the first time in a while I am going to bed with a full stomach!

With Love,

Settareh (Star)

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As crazy as the last two diary entries sounded, this one is going to sound craziest of all. After the feast life continued on as usual, I went back to being woken up by my stepsisters mean remarks every morning and back to going to bed with my stomach growling. You will never believe what happens next! As I was doing my daily chores I heard a knock on the door and it was the prince’s mother demanding that each of us try on the jeweled anklet she was holding in her hand… yes MY ANKLET. Though my stepsisters oiled their feet, the anklet wouldn’t go on, and then it was my turn. I stepped up politely and when the prince’s mother saw that the anklet slipped right on, she told me to join her at the palace, and I asked if I could quickly grab a few things. I tried to grab my jar in secret but my stepsister followed and forced me to reveal its’ power (I wasn’t that upset though because the thought of being with the prince distracted me).

When I arrived at the palace the prince’s mother handed me the most beautiful mirror so I could look at his handsome face without the embarrassment of looking at it directly. I felt once again like this was all a dream. We celebrated for 39 days, as is custom, and on the fortieth day the wedding was planned to commence. I had been looking forward to my wedding day since I was a child and I couldn’t contain my happiness that the day had finally come.

However, right before my wedding, my two stepsisters came into my room and insisted on doing my hair (looking back I should’ve known something was up). They told me that as a married woman I had to wear my hair up and that they had brought with them lovely blue pins as a gift since they knew it was my favorite. Side note: these “pins” were actually the shattered glass pieces of my now destroyed jar- I wish I had known that at the time. Each sister shoved a pin into my head, and a horrible pain came over me. I was screaming and crying and begging for them to stop, and finally, on the sixth jab, it all stopped and I felt as if I was transformed.

I had become… I had wings…. But… what… Then I finally realized what I had transformed into, a gray turtledove! I watched my prince from my spot on the windowsill each day, and though he would see no one, and eat nothing, at least I was there to be his companion, much like the bird that had become my companion so long ago.

As time past I wondered how this all had happened and wished more than anything I could be fully there with my prince. I had almost given up hope but one day the prince began to stroke me with his fingers, discovering the blue shard of glass under my sharp feathers. “Pull it out” I thought, “Please pull it out”. And that he did. Not just the one, but the other five pins stuck all over my poor and aching body. When he pulled out the last one I felt the transformation occurring again and all of a sudden I was back into my old body. I couldn’t have been happier, I will remember that moment for as long as I live.

I can now officially say that I am the wife of the prince and our celebration was everything I wanted and much, much more. As for my sisters, well, they got what they deserved I’ll just put it that way. (Okay I’ll tell you- their hearts couldn’t contain the rage and jealousy anymore and they simply burst). Well diary, I guess this is the end of the rode for me and you and time for me to go live my happily ever after as a PRINCESS, can you believe it? Me a princess.

With Love,

Princess Settareh (Star)

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