8. The Bridge of Zakho

The arch of the bridge in Zakho could not be completed. An agha had seven water-mills, seven daughters-in-law and seven horses. An angel told him in a dream that he must stop one mill and kill one daughter-in-law and one horse so that the bridge could be completed. He stopped one mill and killed one horse. He sent his youngest daughter-in-law, Dalale, to take food to the workers on the bridge. It was said that the first soul to come onto the bridge would be killed. She came with a dog, but the dog was distracted by the scent of carrion. As a result Dalale was the first to come to the bridge and she was killed. They put her in the bridge and the arch of the bridge was completed. The story finishes with a song lamenting the death of Dalale.