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The Dragon's Wish

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______Story_____

The dragon was feared throughout the lands by the villagers, castles, kings, and courts. The beast flew day and night seeking its treasure. One day the dragon landed in a grassy meadow where the trees rolled across the hillsides and the wind blew the wild flowers like an orchestral sea of music. In the distance a lone white sycamore tree stood among the dancing lilies and tulips. A noise came from beneath its heavy branches and the dragon looked silently as it peered ever closer. It moved towards the sound and his eyes met the gaze of a fair maiden who happened not to realize the approaching danger.

The young princess was reading a story of old out loud. Her voice was soft and loving to the dragon's heart. His treasure was found at last. Years of searching for a moment like this was upon him. "Someone who can read! She must teach me!" He thought. Although his thoughts were of joy, in his dragon ways, that joy came out as a grumble of smoke and flame. The young princess suddenly noticed the giant beast from behind the great tree and fell off her stack of books. The fear in her eyes gave no comfort to the dragon.

It was always said that dragons were dumb evil creatures who wanted nothing but gold and gems. This dragon knew of those vile creatures, yet the only treasure he ever wished for were of the stories and adventures found in the books of old.

In a panic, the princess started to run, not knowing the true intent of the animal before her. The dragon, only thinking that this was his one chance at true knowledge, leaped over the great tree and collected the young princess before she could escape. As the dragon flew higher and higher the fair maiden whimpered in fright. They arrived atop the highest peak of the lowland mountains and the golden winged creature gently put her down.

"Let me be!" she roared as one last defense to what she thought would be the impending end of her. He shook his giant head and raised his claw in peace. "I wish you no harm," he said in his most calm breath. "Your voice is the treasure I seek." She looked at the winged beast confused and scared. "My voice?" she replied feeling dizzy. "You can read, I do not know how, and I wish to learn." His voice cried out. "Asking the villagers, only results in their fleeing out of fear that I am there to burn the land."

The princess didn't know what to say, moments ago she thought her life forfeit and now new feelings arose from her. "You took me captive so I may teach you to read?" the girl exclaimed. The whimpering animal puffed out smoke from its nose in agreement. "I would trade anything for such a gift. All of the treasures I have claimed throughout my long life." He finally gave words to his thoughts.

"I Accept." she let out in a sigh. The dragon came back with all of the books that the fair princess left at the great sycamore tree that morning, and began to give the dragon the knowledge he sought.

And so there was an agreement made between the dragon and the princess. She would teach the beast to read and learn. He would offer protection and wealth beyond their farthest dreams. The people of the towns grew to love the dragon they once feared, knowing he was not like others of his kind. True to his word he gave treasures and protection to all the people of the kingdom. And true to her word, the princess arrived each day to teach the dragon his letters.

Spring turned to Summer, Summer to Fall and months into years. The princess grew into a queen of the kingdom, and everyone in the land was safer and more prosperous for many years to come. The lonely beast learned to read, and the queen was his closest friend. The golden winged creature became ever wiser and all was right in the land.

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The-DAKnight's avatar

A spectacular scene out of a spectacular story! :clap: It could almost be the backstory to The Reluctant Dragon that I fondly remember from PBS's Long Ago & Far Away program (which aired many years ago)! :nod: