The Dragon
Long after my childhood was over, I read a children’s book, ‘The Reluctant Dragon’ by Kenneth Grahame. It was originally published in 1898 as one of the chapters in Grahame’s book ‘Dream Days’. I read an abridged version published by Usborne and it had the most beautiful illustrations.
The story is about a dragon who lives high in the hills of Berkshire Downs in southern England. The villagers living in the nearby plains are not aware that they have a dragon in their midst. The usual stories about hidden dragons feature beasts that have been underground for centuries, guarding gold and other such riches. These dragons are fiercely attached to their treasure, though they never seem to use it much. And they are angry. Angry at being disturbed, angry at the potential theft of their treasure.
The dragon in ‘The Reluctant Dragon’ is different. He is just an introverted creature. He loves poetry. He isn’t angry at the world. He has no riches. But he has what we all crave… time. Time to do what he likes. The pictures in the book show him reading a book, or just enjoying the company of beautiful flowers. And he has an expression of such joy and contentment on his face on each occasion. He has time. And he is loath to give it up for anything. He just loves his home too much and he doesn’t think a trip elsewhere is worth his time.
In the story, a shepherd discovers the dragon and runs back to his family to report it. By listening to the shepherd’s description of the beast, his little son immediately recognizes that the creature must be a dragon. Not having any pre-conceived notions against dragons, the little boy visits him and befriends him. And they spend many happy hours together. As friends should.
Eventually, the villagers find out. They have definite pre-conceived notions about dragons. They decide that the dragon must die. They engage the services of a dragon killer, St George, to accomplish this dangerous task. How the boy, the dragon, and St George get themselves out of the mess in the most non-violent of manners is a master class in conflict resolution.
There are so many things that I love about this simple story. The dragon chooses a life for himself which is different from what culture demands of him. And flourishes in it. The little boy sees a dragon, and is able to look beyond the ugly outside at the artistic inside. The knight who would benefit enormously by the dragon’s death, chooses not to listen to the noisy opinions of the villagers. He decides to listen to the little boy’s tiny voice instead.
It is a simple story. These three characters, just by following their hearts and by being open to the voice of reason, make for a story that gives me a feeling of hope every time I read it.
You should read it too.
