The Story of Beginning

Once there was a village far from other should. It stood bare and lonely, except for one big lake in the middle of the village, but its people could not leave; for the mountains were too high to climb, the rivers much too harsh to cross, and the forests much too frightening to trek.

Its people were small but tightly knit for they only had each other. Yet as time went on, the land began to grow barren in crops. A wave of scorching oranges and yellows washed over bright greenery. And if it rained, it would flood. But, the people never gave up hope.

One night, a storm had raged on, but the stars were brighter than ever. Down came a dragon amongst the rain, whose body tore up a field of wheat. Her wing had been torn in half as she lay helpless upon the village.

Her eyes widened as the people had gazed upon her, if this was her fate, so be it! But to her surprise, they brought her food, drink, and bandaging.

“Do you not cower at the sight of me? Do you not wish to kill me” She hissed gravely

“But we have never been afraid of dragons. We are much more afraid of drought and famine. There is more than just you to worry about.” Spoke the head of the village.

And the dragon began to weep for the kindness she had been given.

As she was being tended to, a young maid had asked, “Why did fly out in such a wicked storm?

“I had fallen in love, yet I have never seen his face. He talked to me by moving the stars, and illustrated such beautiful images into my head. I had traveled far from my home just to find him. Yet, my pride had caught up to me, my dedication was much weaker than the storm. But oh! How will I ever get to see him now?”

The dragon had pondered her love. They had arranged to meet when the winter began to meet spring, in a distant mountain eastward.

Within time, her injuries were healed, but she wished to return the kindness of the village. She could climb the mountains with ease, swim through the rivers like a salmon, and held no fear in the thicket of the forests. She even offered to take the villagers away, into a land much more suitable for living.

But the villagers refused, who would they be without their home?

The dragon understood, but still wished to have a role among them.

On sunny days, she would transport goods to and from the larger cities alongside the young maid. Selling wares from her village, connecting them with a world oh so distant. Some cityfolk had even begged for a ride back, to see a town that no one had known.

It was then that nature gave kindness back to the village. The harvests were bountiful, it was never too hot nor too cold, and the village had shown beauty like never before. More people flocked to live there, soon it was a village no more, but a town!

The small village never stopped expanding, but the dragon had never forgotten her love. Each night she would look towards the stars. How could she ever leave such a kind place? How she wishes she could tell her love! But he was a wanderer, with no home, so his messages never had a return.

It was one night when she had arrived back from a day of transport, a unicorn had sat himself by the lake. My! His mane flowed along with the sky. His body shifted with each movement, it was like he was horse, dragon, and person all at once. And most of all, he was handsome.

“My fair lady!” He called out buoyantly.

“Who? Me?”

“I’ve searched far and wide for you.”

“Why? I am no one special. Maybe you should be on your way.”

“If you are so cold because you are saving yourself for another, you should open up. For who can illustrate the night sky, quite like me.”

“And we meet–”

“When the winter meets the spring.”

It was her love! He had been in search of her all this time. Oh to finally gaze upon his face. Her excitement burst through the whole village. The two had danced through the night, into the days, into the months, then into the years.

Born some time later right along the lake was a boy who could change shape at will, just like his father, but was a strong and bold dragon just like his mother. With seven heads and a heart of gold. Far and wide, people had come to see the newborn. It was then they began to say, would it be possible for this boy to one day lead us?

The dragon was taken aback, they claimed because of her, all the villages, towns, and cities in the nearby lands were connected. But to her, it was because of the villagers' kindness. Yet the people adored her and her boy, and all the help she had done. Everyone had banded together, to form Sárkánytava. The center of the kingdom was the village that helped save a young dragon so long ago. And now, generations of dragons have become part of this prosperous land, all ruling lovingly and greatly.

A tale for children, told through the sweet embrace of his mother’s voice.