“Zarbulmasal”: fable and allegory

“Zarbulmasal” is Gulxaniy’s critical-satirical work, also known among the people as “the Tale of the Little Owl” (Yapaloqqush). Its name is formed from the Arabic words “zarb” and “masal”, meaning “a collection of fables”. In the work human traits are transferred to birds: predatory and night-hunting birds such as the Owl (Boyo‘g‘li), Yapaloqqush and Ko‘rqush stand for bad officials around the khan. It is an allegorical work, i.e. through personification and allegory it speaks about its own time — a land ruined by wars and struggles for the throne. It contains about 400 proverbs and more than 15 fables and tales. “Maymun va Najjor” shows that trying something beyond one’s ability brings shame; “Toshbaqa va Chayon” that one must be careful in choosing a friend; “Tuya bilan bo‘taloq” the tragedy of a person without freedom; “Kabutar bilan Zog‘” the danger of company that does not suit you. The tale “Yodgor po‘stindo‘z” is about a boastful lying craftsman.