The Knight and The Dragon

The villagers let it be known they were in need of a hero. Wanted, the decree began, one knight to save the princess and slay the dragon.

The Knight heeded the call and traveled on his trusty horse to the village.

“I have arrived,” said the Knight. “What seems to be the problem?”

“It is the dragon,” the Mayor said. “The beast must be fed young maidens or it will destroy the village. It has eaten half the maidens so far. Through lottery the princess has been chosen and will be sent to the lake where the dragon dwells.”

“It told you this I assume.”

“Well… No.” The Mayor’s face crumpled with confusion. “It’s just what dragons do isn’t it.”

“Not necessarily,” the Knight said.

By now the villagers had come to witness, and an audience had grown.

“Listen. are you going to kill the dragon or not?” The Mayor asked abruptly.

“Did you even ask it if it likes the taste of maidens? Have you tried feeding it sheep, or oxen, or pie?”

The villagers muttered amongst themselves. They had not.

“Let us go to the lake now,” the Knight suggested. “We shall bring a pot luck and feast with the beast.”

The villagers cooked and baked and headed to the lake. It was a wonderful party, the dragon came out and sighed with relief. It smiled and flew around with excitement. When the meat went cold the dragon heated it with fire. The dragon even fended off some bears that with were attracted by the food. The children rewarded the dragon by rubbing it’s belly.

A happy arrangement was made, the dragon would protect the village, and the village would feed the dragon.

“Now,” said the Knight, “As reward I wish to take the princess’s hand in marriage.”

“You didn’t do anything,” the Mayor said. And the villagers chased out the Knight as they called him a wimp.