The Dragon Wish

Once there was a mighty and powerful Dragon that flew over the forest. His scales glimmered like stars within his expanse bringing the beautiful wonder of dreams and of the night, to all those caught within his daily flight.

The boy’s eyes went wide as he watched adults both stern and kind whom had always insisted that they simply didn’t have time now run to hide giving him at last the opportunity to find. A simple dream to daily come true, though a nightmare for some, it’s still just a bit of fun.

The boy admired the dragon for giving him a role he could fulfill in people’s lives, though he didn’t understand that at the time. All he knew was that the dragon was special, and he wanted to be one too. He climbed into trees and briefly soared; he stomped on the ground, and gave his best dragon roar. To his dismay he never blew fire, but he never let that stop him from trying for just as he soared a little longer as he jumped from a little higher this too may improve.

One day the dragon let out a great roar as he soared overhead. The villagers quit hiding and instead played dead. The little boy ecstatic at the new game ran up to each and pretended to eat them before they could get up. This was the final straw. The next morning the villagers spoke for a long time in hushed tones. All the boy could make out was ‘What are we going to do about that dragon’ and ‘how do we get rid of him.’ The boy was devastated, He ran into the forest. He wished that he could just fly away, and so he would. He stomped harder, roared louder, and climbed higher than ever before… and before his fears could get the better of him, he jumped...

The boy hit the ground hard. He screamed into the sky, confused, lost, hurt, afraid, and just a bit ashamed. He had failed at the thing he wanted most. All of his practice and efforts had been a waste. He truly was a failure undeserving of love and a mere child he remained. He would never become a dragon; he fought back his sobbing as he screamed out in pain. He couldn’t even be a child anymore. His legs throbbed in pain. He couldn’t move them. This was the end of his games. For a few hours he cried as day turned to night, and back to day again. The ground quivered underneath his tears, as his screaming was the only thing that he could hear. The boy began to wonder why he cried, it was hopeless. Tears won’t change anything. He felt as though he had lost a part of himself as his tears began to subside and his eyes again opened wide. Before him stood the majestic Dragon with a rather pale look on his face.

“Young one… Are you alright?” The dragon drooped his head down close to his level resembling a cat getting ready to pounce.

The boy wasn’t sure whether to take that as a joke, or mockery, but it didn’t matter. The splendor of all his dreams stood before him. The most important thing was now treating him as the most important thing. This confused the boy more than anything before. He was shocked and amazed.

“Sorry, I’m not too good with people. I hope I’m not being a bother, but is there anything I can do to help? Carry you back to the village perhaps? It is your birthday, is it not?”

Receding from his stupor the boy looked into the Dragon’s vast emerald eyes.

“What? How did you get here?”

“By walking of course” The dragon beamed with a touch of pride. “I’ve been learning to act more human from watching you, that way I can fit in better and don’t scare anyone when I come to say hello.”

The boy stared at the awkward confession. “That’s not what I mean. Why are you here?”

“I didn’t see you when I flew over, and everyone was looking for you. I got worried.”

“But there’s nothing special about me.”

“That’s not for you to decide. I happen to think you are very special because you make my role of being a dragon more fun.”

The boy began to laugh, though he didn’t know why.

“Let’s get you back to the village.” The dragon very carefully scooped the boy up.

The villagers, confused and afraid as ever ran to hide until they saw the boy. They whispered to each other of how the dragon must have kidnapped the boy, until they understood that somebody needed to come and accept the child. Eventually a sturdy looking man covered in scary looking scars very cautiously did so. After receiving a scolding and medical treatment the doctor explained to the boy that it would be impossible for him to walk again, just as it is impossible for people to become dragons. they brought out a big cake with a single candle to surprise the birthday boy. The dragon was invited to stay too as he was no longer quite so scary now that he was up close, being himself, and also no longer scared.

The dragon piped up “I missed getting to see your dragon practice this morning. Can I see you practice by blowing out this candle?

“Sure” The boy beamed and he blew fire. The villagers doubled over in amazement, and the dragon jumped in shocked surprise. The boy blew their minds.