Köroglu : 2022 Europa Stories & Myths

2022-May-09 designed by Selçuk Ören

Köroğlu destanı as Rushen Ali, the son of the stableman Koca Yusuf lives in Dörtdivan under the service of the Bey of Bolu. One day, Yusuf comes across a filly which, to his trained eye, is an animal that will turn into a fine beast if well-fed. Yusuf wants to give good fillies to the Sultan as a present to repair their worsening relationship. Being a man of foul and easily provoked temper, the Bey suspects that he is being mocked and orders the poor worker to be blinded.

Köroğlu harbors an ever-increasing hatred towards the Bey in his heart as he grows up. The mare, which he names Kırat, grows up with him and indeed turns into an animal of legendary stature and strength.One day, Hızır shows himself to Yusuf in a dream and tells him that soon, the waters of the river Aras will flow briefly as a kind of thick foam and whoever drinks that foam will be cured of whatever physical problems that may be ailing him, including blindness and aging. Yusuf goes to the shore of the river with his son, but his son drinks the foam before he does. As this miracle can give everlasting health and youth to only one man, Yusuf loses his chance to see again; and dies a few days later, ordering his son to avenge him.