Yigenek and Kazilik Koja

Kazilik Koja was one of the oldest and wisest of the Oghuz lords. One day, while travelling far away, he fell into enemy hands and was locked up in a castle. Years passed. At home he had a small son called Yigenek. Yigenek grew up without knowing where his father was.

One day while he was playing, a friend asked him, "Where is your father, anyway?" Yigenek ran to his mother. Weeping, his mother told him everything: "Your father has been a captive in Duzmurd Castle for years. Nobody has been able to rescue him." Yigenek clenched his fists: "I will rescue him."

Yigenek went straight to Bayindir Khan's feast. He stood before the Oghuz lords and said: "My father Kazilik Koja has been a captive for years. You were his friends. I am small, but my heart is big. Will you come with me?" The lords were amazed at this little boy's courage. Salur Kazan stood up: "This child has taught us a lesson. We will all go with him."

They set out. The castle was very high and strong. The lords could not open the gate. Yigenek walked around the castle and noticed something: at the back of the castle there was a small water channel. "I can get in through here," he said. In the dark of night he slipped in through the channel and unbolted the castle gate from the inside.

The Oghuz lords came in. Yigenek ran down to the dungeon. In the darkness sat an old man with a white beard. "Father?" said Yigenek. Kazilik Koja raised his eyes; he had never seen his son, but his heart knew him at once. "My son!" he cried, and embraced him.

The castle was taken and the captives were freed. When they returned to the camp, a great feast was held. Bayindir Khan gave Yigenek the title of lord.

Dede Korkut played his kopuz: "A small key opens a big door. The road of a son who looks for his father is never closed."