“The Egyptian Vulture and the Kingdom of Sparks”

11.07.2014

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“You left Egypt a long time ago,’ he said eventually, ‘and you survived countless ordeals. You visited many lands far and wide, and met with poor and rich, with sages and fools, with beasts and birds but you never strayed from your quest! My friend, you are pure at heart and you have gained so much experience and wisdom, as no people in the world has. Stop asking men about your quest. Fly back to your Pharaoh because the answer to your question is within yourself.”

What is the question and what – the answer, where the Egyptian Vulture wandered and what were the mission, tribulations and tests that he had overcome – find out in the story “The Egyptian Vulture and the Kingdom of Sparks” (author: Nikolai Terziev, editor: Alexander Marinov, illustrations and design: Yana Kazakova).

This new legend joins the many others, in which the Egyptian vulture has appeared over the centuries. Revered by many cultures, it has been even called ‘the bird of the Pharaohs’. Another legend recognizes it as the phoenix bird which sets itself on fire and rises from the ashes for a better life. To the present day Muslims in the Rhodope Mountains believe in a beautiful legend: when an eagle attacked Muhammad, the Egyptian vulture was the only bird that came to help him and the Prophet blessed it with the white colour of its plumage, as well as a thousand-years-long life. Therefore many Muslims regard the Egyptian Vulture as a sacred bird and still observe a taboo of sorts – they dare not to disturb neither the bird nor its nest and reverently name it “Ak Baba” – the White Father.

“The Egyptian Vulture and the Kingdom of Sparks” tell us the story about the strength of a bird, capable of preserving the all human happiness in his heart. To give us back when we become worthy of it…

 

Author: Nikolai Terziev

Editor: Alexander Marinov-Sancho

Illustrations and design: Yana Kazakova

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