CHAPTER I.

On the beginning of the creation of the human race original footnote: Sons of Adam—on their conflict with the animals—on their seeking justice in the presence of the wise King Biwárásb, and on that sage summoning the men before him.

Writers have recorded the circumstances of the first appearance of the human race in this way: As long as humans were few in number, they would run away and hide in caves out of fear of the animals; they took refuge in the hills and mountains because they were terrified of wild beasts. There was so little security that not even three or four people could gather to practice agriculture and find food. There was certainly no possibility of them weaving clothes or covering their bodies. In short, they ate whatever fruits and vegetables of the jungle they could find, and they covered their bodies with the leaves of trees. In cold weather, they lived in warm places, and during the heat of summer, they chose to live in cooler districts.

When a short period had passed in that condition, and their