When Being Different Matters

There weren’t always dragons in the valley,

or in the inlets by the bay.

In fact, the very thought of them,

was just a tale that some would say.

*

The story goes, some time ago,

when the boats arrived on shore.

The valley was a field of green,

where nearly everything would grow.

*

They came in droves, from far away,

looking for a place they could call home.

Where they could live under their rule,

on this vast island, still unknown.

*

Houses went up like wildfire,

faster than the winds at sea.

Everyone began to settle in,

unaware of the creatures, still unseen.

*

One day while out exploring,

a small boy stumbled on a cave.

He lit a torch and entered,

he knew not to be afraid.

*

It was colder than the winter

And darker than the night

He squinted through the blackness

and saw a tiny flickering light

*

His hands reached out for guidance,

he aimed is fire for a look.

It wasn’t stone his hands felt,

and what he saw, it left him shook.

*

With his eyes and mouth wide open,

holding his gasp inside his throat.

He saw 4 or 5 huge dragons,

feasting on a herd of goats.

*

His finger moved ever so slightly,

the texture took him by surprise.

And as he dropped his torch of fire,

the mighty beast and he, met eyes.

*

He couldn’t move, his legs betrayed him,

he stood face to face with certain death.

The beast lowered his head, to get closer,

across his neck, the dragon’s breath.

*

The boy kicked the torch away from him,

to scare the monster with the spark.

The dragon turned to chase the fire,

the boy just stood there, in the dark.

*

He watched the dragons for a moment

Before he turned to run away

He counted 50 maybe 60

But were there more? He couldn’t say.

*

He made his way out of the cave,

bruises and scratches marked his skin.

He had to go and warn the village,

He had to protect his dearest kin.

*

From these fire breathing creatures,

He saw eating flesh off their goats.

They could decide to eat the village,

and burn the docks and all the boats!

*

And that is just how he told the story,

let his wild imagination tell the tale.

Of the danger these beasts promised,

and of their massive plates of scale.

At first, they all were frightened!

Change is a beast that’s hard to tame.

When you feel out of control,

fear needs a place to lay the blame.

*

But then fear turned into anger,

and anger into a call to arms.

They would rid this land of monsters,

at all costs, protect from harm.

*

So, they forged their iron in fire,

making the blades stronger, sharper than before.

This was a battle of the ages,

this was a full-on call to war!

*

Back to the cave is where he led them,

torches and spears to lead the way.

Until they all saw for themselves,

the danger lurking in those caves.

*

Chasing them out into the sunlight,

where it was a fairer battle ground.

They shot their arrows and their spears.

the victors won, would wear the crown.

*

They roped and tied the mighty dragons,

locked all their babies in a cage.

The battle was intense and ruthless,

the air was thick and full of rage.

*

All for a piece of ground they battled,

they were willing to kill the beasts.

Take control of this small island,

Then celebrate it, with a feast.

*

The moon looked on, as the valley burned

the ground-stained brightly red with blood.

Both beast and man lay there, broken,

faces and hands covered in mud.

*

When out of the cave emerged the small boy,

whose story sparked this fiery fight.

In the grasp of a female dragon,

a spear extruding from his side.

*

They watched helplessly in disbelief,

the care she showed to this small boy.

She cleaned and washed his wounds so gently,

she had no intention to destroy.

*

Gently she laid him on the mountain,

then ever so slowly backed away.

She waited for his folks to help him,

his face was pale, ash and gray.

*

She bowed her head as they approached her,

showing she meant no one any harm.

They took the boy back to the village,

carried him safely in their arms.

*

Though she surely could have killed the boy,

she showed him tenderness and peace.

The people followed her lead, cut the ropes,

until every last one was released.

*

Once intent to drive the dragons, from a land that wasn’t theirs.

They tell the story to remember, in hopes that all their future heirs,

would glean from this painful lesson and learn to practice self-control.

Because being different isn’t harmful,

sometimes our differences, makes us whole!

No, there weren’t always dragons in the valley,

or in the inlets by the bay.

But, suddenly they’re everywhere,

and, if we are lucky, they're here to stay.