The interlude tells a folktale about Ferdowsi, a boy from Tus who loved the great river. When a flood swallows the stone bridge connecting the two sides of the river, separating families forever, young Ferdowsi vows to build a new, indestructible bridge. The villagers—a rope-maker, jeweler, and carpenter—mock him for being too young, poor, and dreamy. Ferdowsi retreats into his parents' house for years, writing in seclusion.

One day Ferdowsi emerges and travels to King Mahmud's palace, where he recites a flawless poem. Impressed, the king commissions him to write the great epic of Persia. Ferdowsi refuses palace luxuries, asking instead for one gold coin per couplet, payable upon completion. The king agrees, expecting only a short work.

For forty years Ferdowsi writes, marries Sara, and has two children, Sohrab and Tahmina. Sohrab drowns in the river, but Ferdowsi continues writing, weaving his lost son into the poem. He completes the Shahnameh at fifty thousand couplets. Furious at the length and delay, King Mahmud sends copper coins instead of gold. Ferdowsi laughs and gives the copper away to the servants, telling his daughter that copper cannot build a bridge but can buy the men new lives.

A year later Ferdowsi sends the king a cursing poem that terrifies Mahmud. Reading the manuscript at last, the king weeps at its greatness and sends gold with interest. The courtier's caravan meets Ferdowsi's funeral caravan en route. Tahmina accepts the gold and uses it to build "The Poet's Bridge," fulfilling her father's childhood promise.