In ancient times, in the Jeti-Oguz gorge, there lived a young man and a young woman who were dear to each other. However, fate played a cruel joke on them.
The young man's name was Zhetigen, and the young woman's name was Cholpon. They dreamed of being together and made plans for the future, even swearing to spend their lives together.
At that moment, a close relative of Zhetigen, Baskak, arrived and reported that Cholpon's parents were arranging her marriage to someone else. However, these words were spoken out of jealousy, as Baskak himself was in love with Cholpon. Zhetigen did not believe him, but time passed, and the day of their wedding approached. On the day of the celebration, Baskak, consumed by jealousy, along with Odurman and a group of friends, caused a commotion, intending to deal with Zhetigen in order to marry Cholpon. At that time, their fathers, Kazyq and Urkor, approached them.
During the confrontation, Zhetigen fought with Odurman, but he broke the rules and shot Zhetigen in the heart. Cholpon's younger brother, Zhyldyzbek, struck Baskak with a sword, and he fell to the ground. Dying, Baskak confessed his love for Cholpon, and Zhetigen, addressing her, said: "Oh, my beloved, I never thought we would face such a fate. Be brave and pull the arrow from my heart..." [“Оо сүйгөнүм, ушундай тагдырга туш болорубуз миң уктасам түшүмө кирген эмес. Эми сен эрдик кылып, төшүмдү жарып, жүрөгүмдөгү жебени суруп ал”].
Cholpon could not do this and turned to her brother: "Zhyldyzbek, you are stronger than me. Fulfill your 'brother-in-law's' request so that we can save him" [“Жылдызбек сен мага караганда алда-кайда күүлү- күчтүүсүң. Жездеңдин суранычын өзүң аткара көр, аны аман алып калалы”]. When Zhyldyzbek pulled out the arrow, he accidentally tore out Zhetigen's heart as well.
Suddenly, everything plunged into darkness, and a snowstorm began. When the light reappeared, those present realized that Zhetigen's body had vanished. In the place where he lay, the sun began to shine. Zhyldyzbek, holding the heart, said: "Sister, look how the heart of the 'brother-in-law' burns. Call him, speak with feeling. If he hears, his heart may find peace." Cholpon, in tears, cried out: "Zhetigen, where are you?! Let your voice be heard." And from the heavens, Zhetigen's voice echoed. Cholpon, spreading her arms, leaped from the cliff, hoping to fly. At that moment, the sounds of animals were heard, dogs began to bark, and the rocks started to crumble with a terrible roar. The next morning, everything became bright, and the rocks took on a dark red color," concluded Bekmurza Jumabaev.
