While hunting on the border with Turan, Rostam’s horse Rakhsh was stolen. Searching for it, he came to the city of Samangan, where the king’s daughter Tahmineh visited him and confessed her love. They married, but the very next morning Rostam moved on. He left an armband: if a child was born, it should wear the band.
Tahmineh gave birth to a son, Sohrab, who at ten was stronger than any warrior. When he learned who his father was, he resolved to conquer Iran, overthrow the unworthy Kay Kavus and put Rostam on the throne. The Turanian king Afrasiab supported him but made sure that father and son would not recognise each other. In battle Rostam kept his name secret.
They fought for three days. On the second day Sohrab threw Rostam to the ground; Rostam saved himself with a trick, claiming that a hero only kills his opponent at the second victory. On the third day Rostam drove his dagger into his opponent’s chest. Dying, Sohrab said his father Rostam would avenge him. Then Rostam saw the armband. He begged Kay Kavus for the healing potion nushdaru, but the king hesitated, and Sohrab died. “Nushdaru after Sohrab’s death” is still said in Persian when help comes too late.