All tales / Tale 1
Boğaç, Son of Dirse Khan
A boy who earns his name by facing a bull, the lies of jealous men, and a mother who never stops searching.
The story
At Bayındır Khan's feast, those without sons or daughters are seated in the black tent. Dirse Khan goes home hurt. On his wife's advice he throws a great feast of his own, feeds the hungry and clothes the poor. The prayers are answered and a son is born.
By Oghuz custom a child is not named until he proves his courage. At fifteen the boy stands his ground in Bayındır Khan's arena when a bull breaks its chain. He holds it by the forehead, pushes it back and finally brings it down. Dede Korkut comes and names him Boğaç.
But every bright day has a shadow. Dirse Khan's forty men grow jealous of the boy and fill his father's ears with lies. Blinded by anger, Dirse Khan shoots his own son during a hunt. Boğaç falls wounded, and Hızır on his grey horse tells him that mountain flowers and his mother's milk will heal the wound.
His mother searches the mountains, finds him and nurses him back to health. When the forty traitors later try to hand Dirse Khan over to the enemy, it is Boğaç who rides to save his father. The tale ends as the story of a son who chose forgiveness over revenge.
What this tale is about
Characters
Dirse Khan
One of Bayındır Khan's lords, where the pain of childlessness meets the blindness of anger.
Boğaç Khan
The young man who earns his name by defeating a bull and bears his father no grudge.
Boğaç's mother
The conscience of the tale. Her advice builds the home and her search brings her son back.
Hızır
The wise traveller on a grey horse who comes to those in need.
The forty men
Dirse Khan's companions, who turn jealousy into lies.
Dede Korkut
The bard who names the boy and tells the tale.
Scenes
Original illustrations from the 22-page telling in the app. Tap to enlarge.
Listen to this tale
Boğaç, Son of Dirse Khan
A boy who earns his name by facing a bull, the lies of jealous men, and a mother who never stops searching.
To talk about as a family
A name is earned, not given; forgiveness, not resentment, is what makes us grow.
Live it in the app
In Live mode you are Boğaç. Your choices change the story, and there are five endings in this tale:
