Zimri, Big Dragon

Toddlers are naturally inquisitive and joyful. Forests are naturally colorful and beautiful. Dragons are naturally all of these things and more. Zimri was no exception, with her yellow-green scales and deep brown eyes. The toddler, sitting on the stump of a maple tree, was quietly sniffling, clearly lost. Zimri’s immense shadow made the little boy look up.

“What’s your name little one?” Asked Zimri.

“I am Jameson, son of James, and my mother says dragons do not exist.”

“Well, aren’t you going to have a story for her when we find her?”

“Really? You will help me, Big Dragon?”

“You may call me Zimri.”

“I like Big Dragon.”

“So do I,” conceded Zimri.

The Silver Maple Forest was just that, a forest of silver maples. Certain times of the year it was a sight to behold. Jameson happened to stumble into the forest at the best time that year. The light breeze made the silver leaves shimmer in all directions. As Zimri led them out of the forest, they entered a corn field like no other. The magic ears were half the size of the boy, which led to raccoons the size of deer and deer the size and shape of giant moose. Big Dragon was easy to understand when Zimri could be seen eating the animals of the magic corn fields. The ears of orn regenerated quicker than normal corn. Therefore the animals and humans of the area rarely had to go hungry. It also made for larger humans from whatever growth spell was on the field.

Zimri brought Jameson through the corn field to the boy’s cottage. His mother came out of the cottage at the sound of Zimri taking off.

“Thank you, Big Dragon!” Jameson, son of James, squeaked as loud as he could,

“Big Dragon is right,” his mother said, looking faint.

A dozen years later Zimri returned to speak to the toddler, turned talented archer and warrior. Years of magic corn, venison from giant deer, and the occasional giant raccoon had made Jameson a large man, even by his village’s standards. “Jameson, son of James, your renown has reached through The Silver Maple Forest. Would you come help me?” Zimri asked.

“What is it, Big Dragon?” Jameson asked with a slight smirk.

“There is a small army chopping down the magic corn. I don’t think I can destroy them on my own, but with you on my back, we can stop their madness.”

“You know this village depends on the corn. I will help you at once.” Jameson hopped on Zimri and flew into battle. The feeling of Jameson on her back brought Zimri back so many years. James, father of Jameson, was the first human to ride Zimri. Even more important, James sacrificed his life to save Zimri and her egg from a small army much like the one Jameson, son of James, helped Zimri cut down.

At the end of the battle, Zimri decided it was time to tell Jameson, son of James, why it was Zimri who found him in the forest, for Zimri had been keeping an eye on Jameson to repay his father for saving her and her egg.

Jameson looked up after the story with tears in his eyes. “And your egg, has it hatched?”

“Come and see,” Zimri replied.

Zimri allowed Jameson to climb on her once again. They flew farther into the corn fields than Jameson had ever dreamed of. Jameson suddenly laid eyes on the most beautiful dragon he had ever seen, its sides a swirl of red and black. The dragon was just the opposite of Zimri, Big Dragon. This beautiful dragon was small, especially in comparison to any dragons Jameson had ever seen.

“Zimri, your hatchling is gorgeous!”

“Jamie is no hatchling. She just never seemed to grow like other dragons.”

“Jamie? Is she named after my father too?”

“Of course.”

Jamie and Jameson made fast friends. Jameson had never ridden Zimri as fast as Jaime could fly. Her light weight made her quicker and more agile. Jameson worried, if he grew any more, he would be too big for Jaime. They started talking about the growth spell on the corn and animals of the corn fields. Jaime told Jameson the true reason behind her small stature. She had never eaten anything affected by the growth spell, her mother had made sure of it. They had always lived on the edge of the corn fields, closer to the hills and their natural berries. If Zimri and Jaime flew far enough into the hills, Jamie could have animals that had never eaten the magic corn.

Zimri and Jamie told Jameson the small army attack that had killed his father was because James had discovered the secret of the growth spell. The small army was sent to quiet him.

“At the center of the corn fields, there is a maple tree that is not silver. It towers above all the other trees. In that tree lives a wizard like no other, for his magical powers only seem to apply to corn, but the villagers and dragons are dying yonger and younger.”

“Zimri, I have never seen you breathe fire. Can dragons actually do that?”

“Yes, Jaime is particularly good at it, but we are afraid of burning corn angering the villagers.”

“If you can keep the wizard at bay, I will talk to the villagers. I have a plan.”

Days later, there was a strong wind coming from the hills. Jameson decided to put their plan into motion. Zimri and Jamie started at the edge of the corn fields. They blew fire and flew deeper into the corn fields. Before long, the wind and Jaime’s speed spread the fire quickly. The villagers had already escaped to the hills, but the wizard was stuck in his tree, surrounded by dragon fire.

“Zimri, what is the meaning of this?” The wizard asked.

“Wizard, what is your goal with the growth spell on the corn?”

“Ah, I didn’t think anyone knew about that but James. I am quite jealous of dragon flight. My magic does not allow me to fly. I had hoped that if the dragons grew large enough, they would no longer be able to fly.”

“Jamie, take down that tree.” Zimri felt sad to ruin this wonderful space, but things in the area needed to change for human and dragon safety.

Jamie blew fire on the tree and whisked Jameson away to the hills. Without the wizard and his corn around, the two friends would now have more years to spend with each other.