Princess Shirin, Mekhmene Banu’s younger sister, is dangerously ill. The Empress and her court are in deep grief. Even the most skilful healers have turned out to be unable to help the noble patient.

A stranger, plainly dressed, is brought into the Empress’ rooms. He is aware of her sister’s illness and is sure of his powerful art of healing. He offers his help to cure the girl.
For the first time in many months Mekhmene Banu’s face brightens with hope.

As pay for curing her beloved sister she offers him gold and precious stones, but he scorns the offer. Amazed the Empress is prepared to sacrifice her crown. She takes it off and hands it down to him. But again he rejects the gift. "What kind of reward will satisfy you, stranger?” - asks Mekhmene Banu.

He demands an unheard of toll: the Empress is to part with her dazzling beauty. A storm of controversial thoughts and feelings descends on her. But for her sister’s sake she gives her consent to it.

The course of treatment starts. The stranger’s incantations, his movements are inexplicable and inconceivable. But another moment, and the Princess rises from her couch, over which the Death was stretching her arms just a minute ago.

The young princess with surprise stares at Mekhmene Banu and does not recognise her sister in this ugly woman.

The court artist Ferkhad and his friends have finished wallpainting the new palace. Mekhmene Banu and Shirin accompanied by their retinue and Vizier approach the place.

The Royal sisters see Ferkhad. Love for the young artist breaks out in their hearts. As to Ferkhad, he at first sight falls in love with Shirin.

As soon as the procession leaves the place Shirin secretly comes back because she can’t help seeing the young man again. The young people feel irresistibly drawn to each other.

Mekhmene Banu is flooded with passion for Ferkhad. Neither jesters nor court dancers can distract her from the thoughts about Ferkhad.

Left alone, Mekhmene Banu abandons herself to despair, as she realises only too well that now when she has lost her beauty Ferkhad cannot share her feeling.

Shirin is daydreaming of her happiness with the beloved. She is overwhelmed with excitement. She is looking forward to seeing Ferkhad. Ferkhad secretly penetrates into Shirin’s rooms. And the lovers forget about everything.

For fear of being separated, Ferkhad and Shirin steal out of the palace. The Vizier, devoted to the Empress, traces them and reports the incident to her. In a fit of jealousy Mekhmene Banu gives orders to capture them.

The Vizier’s warriors obey the order. The lovers pray for mercy but in vain. Mekhmene Banu sends Ferkhad to tear a breach through the mountain rock that closes the way to the water spring high in the mountains. Only then he will be allowed to return to his Shirin.

Ferkhad and Shirin bid farewell to each other. And Ferkhad is sent to the mountains to carry out the merciless order.

Mekhmene Banu is tormented by her vain feeling for Ferkhad. In the delirium she is as beautiful as ever before and Ferkhad loves her.

Shirin breaks Mekhmene Banu’s solitude; she brings the Empress back to earthly matters. Ferkhad is in danger – she begs her elder sister for Ferkhad to be allowed to return.

No longer Mekhmene Banu is willing to be in the way of the lovers. The sisters accompanied by their retinue make for the place where Ferkhad is.

Inspired by their great belief in Ferkhad the people have gathered here in the mountains near the rock that blocks the way to the water. Ferkhad is to accomplish his feat otherwise all of them are doomed to death.

Here Mekhmene Banu and Shirin appear.

Beyond themselves with joy the lovers rush to each other.

Mekhmene Banu releases Ferkhad from his obligation. She is ready to grant Shirin to him. But Ferkhad cannot betray the hope of the suffering people. He feels obliged to stay here and accomplish his feat.

Both Shirin and Mekhmene Banu share his feeling. They can’t help admiring Ferkhad’s selflessness and his sacrifice to the people.