WHEREFORE SACRED CHIMES HAD RANG  (CHRISTMAS STORY BY BOST, 2025)

All acts of kindness however minuscule do not escape the notice of Heaven, even though they may go unnoticed here on Earth.

Once upon a time in a far-off land there was a magnificent spiritual temple set on a hilltop. Though the mortal beings that inhabited this region (all the myriad beings) worshipped many different gods, they still respected each others religion and at times even actively participated in the other’s celebrations. Christmas time being one such.  

01- WHITE CHURCH -JP

This spiritual temple in particular, its congregation called it the White Church, for the outside stone was exactly that, was magnificent. The tall stained-glass windows, placed specifically to catch best angles of the sun’s rays, depicted angels and brilliantly executed religious scenes praising God Almighty’s power and extolling the virtues of the Christian saints. Pious carpenters had painstakingly carved magnificent wooden reliefs above and to the sides of the main entrance. The Church’s most prominent feature however was the white stone tower with ivy growing over it as far up as the eye can see. In the steeple an array of Christmas chimes was housed.

Every Christmas Eve many inhabitants of the city, re-enacting an old tradition, flocked to this church bringing with them many offerings to their savior, the Christ Child. Legends told of a time when, after the greatest and best offering was laid on the altar, there arose above the voices of the choir a beautiful sound, emanating from the top of the tower the most divine music of the Christmas Chimes.

Some claimed it had to be the wind that rang them, while other more pious ones believed in their heart of hearts, and exclaimed loudly so, that it had to be the angels that set the bells swinging to produce that heavenly sound.

Then came a time when, however great the offerings were, the chimes never again created blissful melody. As a result, the pious group belonging to this church were saddened, feeling there must be something amiss. Yet many Christmases came and went, and no chimes (no heavenly music) were ever heard.

02- WARRIOR ERLAND

It so happened that there was a disillusioned, recluse warrior called Erland, his name meaning, aptly, an outsider or foreigner. He was of about thirty-five years old, height over six feet tall, burly physique (muscular, strong, robust body) with long blond hair that cascaded down his shoulders.  Erland had never been married, he lived a solitary life, by choice, with his dog Longze as his sole companion, in a ramshackle hut at the edge of a dense forest, not far from the notable church.

This once a mighty warrior had a deep scar, from his eyebrow to chin, on his left cheek, which in part spoiled his very handsome features (face). He had many more scars under his tunic and on the rest of his body that told of many fought battles won or lost.  At the end of one such fierce battle, when the crimson ground was strewn (spotted) with dead and dying warriors, Erland searching for his fallen friend, had instead found Longze, a tiny little whelp no more than three months old, curled up beside a bloody corpse of a warrior; the puppy was cold and frightened, but refused to leave his master. Such resolute loyalty had tugged at Erland’s heartstrings, and he’d reached to pick him up. The puppy, despite its size was fierce and fought him, even bit his hand, which had made Erland love him all the more.  In time Longze, the name that had come to him in a premonitory dream shortly thereafter, and upon waking he’d called him by that name and the little puppy had responded to his call. Gradually Longze had accepted him as his new master and the two had since then had become basically (essentially,) inseparable.

03  PUPPY LONGZE 2

Erland, sometimes visited the local tavern to have a pint or two, always seated in a dark corner, rarely accepting company, with Longze always by his side.  Once or twice, Erland had acquiesced however, needing contact with another human soul and it had happened to be at around winter solstice and Christmas. On that particular night, feeling unusually sentimental, and thinking he had the other’s ear (that he was being heard), Erland, had reminisced (recalled) a time when his mother had spoken to him of hearing the chimes when she was but a little girl. In her waning years, always a devout Christian, she had mourned the fact that lately people had become more selfish and grown less generous in their hearts with their donations for the needy. That the last five years love and compassion for a fellow being had gradually diminished, in some cases had been entirely nonexistent; pomp and ceremony, hand in hand with greed and ambition taking root instead. As a result, when an offering was made without the purest heart and intentions and it had become only a show, it did not move the angels and justly did not merit the music of the chimes.

Erland stopping at this point, had quaffed (guzzled) a swig (mouthful) of the barely tolerable brew, for he’d imbibed better spirits in his heyday, then nodded morosely and then asked, not really expecting an answer, “As testament of these demoralizing times, when was the last time anyone had heard of the chimes?”

Even though wars had ended and on the surface, subsequent six or seven years, all seemed peaceful, there was a hidden coercion (undercurrent censorship) in that realm; and certainly, no one wanted to hear the truth; and so, the person seated across from Erland had typically fidgeted, blinking first with fright , then furtively casting  his stone gaze about him, to ascertain that no one had heard Erland’s rebellious tirade (rant). But Erland had kept his voice low, he was simply letting off steam, not a shout certainly that could be overheard amidst this drunken cacophony (discord, noise) of patrons (regulars) of the tavern. His burly companion, seeing he was safe, exhaled in relief as he, same time lowered his head and said nothing.

“Why did he bother?” Erland inwardly scoffed; angry that he was a wolf still living among sheep.

Swallowing his irritation however, Erland simply (bolted) rose to his feet, and with trusted companion dog Longze, wagging his tale, happy to be at last leaving this loud, stinky environment, trailing him, left the tavern.  

Subsequent winter had been particularly harsh for those living on the fringe (peripheral, the outlying areas). Snow and ice had permanently for months, covered the entire region. When the warrior Erland, having stayed out in the woods longer than he should, hunting for game, and later still chopped some wood, hence, was beset with fever, burning up in his bed, his exasperated dog Longze had finally on the third day left his side to go fetch him some help. But owing to the frantic, festive time, help was not that easy to get. Still, Erland’s faithful companion Longze, had unrelentingly tried and tried, seeking help, trying to fetch anyone, without avail, for his master.

                                                                                              ~

04- TAZA AND KALEN'S PARENTS

In a remote country village, several miles from the capital city Mortak, meanwhile, there lived a boy named Taza and his little brother Kalen. Their parents had once belonged to an indigenous group that had been systematically hunted to near extinction, because they had refused to forsake their heritage and conform to the rigid rules of this present regime.  Taza and Kalen’s highly educated parents who had chosen to live on the fringe, had always fostered tolerance of all spiritual beliefs and traditions; however, they had same time maintained their heritage (birthright) ideologies and different sort of religious beliefs... One embracing warship of Sun, Moon, Sky and the nature spirits.

Meanwhile, as the information about varied different religions were readily available at libraries and schools, Taza and Kalen had been drawn, especially at Christmas, to the religious practices of Christianity.  There were many beautiful aspects in that religious teachings (doctrines), and profuse (abundant) lessons and stories that had captivated their young imagination; hence, at Christmas time, they were as excited in their hearts and were eager to participate in copious (plentiful) religion’s traditions and festivities.

05- TAZA (22) JP

This winter marked the time, which their parents had been dead for over three years; fever had claimed them both, and Taza now at sixteen years old, as the sole provider, had done his best to in all that time, provide for his little brother Kalen. This was no small feat, for Kalen with his boundless exuberance, was a handful.

As education was widely available and was free (state funded) to all citizens, Taza and Kalen had continued with their schooling, and with their eager mind and insatiable appetites for acquiring new knowledge having never waned (diminished), each day they had borne (endured, weathered) the difficult terrain (topography) and at times harsh conditions of climate (weather, temperatures), and walked quite ways to attend school. It was during an ordinary school day that Kalen had overheard a group of kids that were eagerly discussing all the elaborate preparations their families (more than that, the whole congregation) had accomplished (fulfilled) for the upcoming Christmas celebrations.

Intrigued by all that he’d heard, Kalen, who was six years in age, later that day, had pleaded and pleaded with his elder brother Taza to take him to that particular spiritual white temple, the White Church. His curious nature demanded that he experienced it firsthand, for only then he would understand what all the fuss was about.  It was a perfect time to do this, as the school would be closed for ten days to also accommodate the winter solstice revelling, and other such, with groups rejoicing, with their own brand of festivities all over the region. Kalen had looked up at his brother with those wanting, puppy eyes, that always tugged at Taza’s heart’s strings. How could Taze say no?

06- KALEN (14) JP

This was also a particularly somber time for Taza and Kalen, as they watched joyful family interactions (exchanges), knowing they were all alone in the world; nevertheless, they did their best to celebrate, finding solace in the fact that they still had each other. They also carried the unwavering hope that Heaven would provide them with whatever they needed.

After a long consideration, Taza had answered yes, to Kalen, and watched him do a joyful dance, as he with his open palms reaching up to the sky, twirled about, elated, anticipating the thrilling adventure they were about to embark on.  

Always the responsible youth, Taza woke up at first daylight the following morning and bundled some dry rations, mainly two hard boiled eggs, half a loaf of bread, a clump of hard cheese, strips of dried meat and some seasonal berries, in a cloth and tied its ends. Leaving it on the side table, Taza then gently woke Kalen from his deep slumber; they had a quick breakfast, then Taza picking up the already prepared bundle, slung it over his shoulder and both exited their humble abode.

The days preceding (prior to) Christmas were always bitterly cold with frigid temperatures plunging below zero and made worse by thrashing winds that whipped and punished any wayward souls who dared venture outside.  Knowing this, they had set forth on their adventure with skins of water that hung at their waists and, both already dressed in several layers to escape the bitter, bone chilling hoarfrost (rime frost and ice).
For untold hours the boys trudged to cover the great distance to the place where the White Temple stood. Huddled together, they walked hand in hand bending their backs to brace themselves against the strong winds. The icy drizzle still however, mercilessly chilled them to the very marrow of their bones. By dusk they were tired, famished and exhausted, almost unable to take another step, yet the lights of the big structure now visible, perched on a hilltop, just ahead, egged them to soldier on.

At dusk, panting, they at long last approached the gates of the Temple ground; their eyes assessed the long gravely, icy path, configuring the steps they would still have to take before reaching the Temple’s doors.  From the look of things, the afternoon prayers had already been concluded; however, there was the evening prayers and activities yet to transpire, so the gates had remained wide open for the anticipated congregation (worshipers, flock, churchgoers, parishioners).

Taza and Kelon, though extremely tired, without stopping passed through the iron gates and began walking the long path; just then however, Taza spotted off to the side something dark on the snow and he veered off to take a closer look. It was a poor dog who had obviously suffered a mishap, some trauma and fallen into the shallow ditch. Stranded, he lay there practically half-dead, too sick and shivering with cold, to rise up and seek help. Rushing over, Taza knelt beside the poor thing, and carefully examined his injuries, paying particular attention to the incapacitated leg. Thankfully the bone was not broken but there was a deep slash (tear, cut) into the muscle, though not too serious and the wound was fresh. It had happened recently, for the blood was congealed, frozen but not black, the laceration not angry, therefore, no infection had set in.  Taza heaved a deep sigh of relief and before starting anything, checked the dog’s name tag, to find out his name. Longze was his name. Just then Longze had opened his eyelids and looked at Taza, his eyes searching, wanting something; next he then with some difficulty lifted his head, whimpering, nudging his nose on Taza’s hand and same time, strove to get up.

07- LONGZE INJURED AND IN DITCH

“Take it easy boy; I mean you no harm. Be still Longze… stay put, I’ll do my best to help you.” Taza talked to the dog soothingly as he, same time stroked the side of Longze’s keck.  He was good with animals that way. The poor thing was shivering, he was certainly freezing; without another thought, Taza took off his outer layer and wrapped it around the dog, to allow him some warmth. Understanding that he was also dehydrated, Taza fetched his waterskin; intelligent animal that Lonze was, he opened his mouth and allowed Taza to trickle some water down his throat.  

Taza next began tending the injured leg carefully as if he had all the time in the world. Fortunately, Taza had also packed some salve (lotion, ointment, balm), a healing liniment, which he carried in his pocket for just in case they got scraped or injured.

First, by rubbing some snow on the area, Taza carefully cleaned the laceration (slash) on the leg, then applied the salve on it. Next, he cut long strips off his tunic and used it to bandage the wound.

While he’d done all that, Kelan had stood by patiently, watching him intently, though he registered deep concern and impatience in his eyes, for they were in a snowy field, some ways off the path.  Kalen feared that when darkness descended on them, no one would know they are there. The sky laden with clouds and this, coupled with the diminishing light of the setting sun, would soon shroud (blanket) them in pitch darkness and invisible.

Just then, as if reading his mind, Taza suddenly looked up and addressed his little brother, “It’s no use, Kalen; I can’t leave Longze in this condition. You go on ahead to the church, without me.”

“Alone?” cried Kalen in a fearful voice. “No, I can’t. I can’t let you ... miss the Christmas Festival.”

“You are brave, just go on by yourself. I’ll be fine and, I’ll be right here when you come back. I must tend to his other needs; there is still more to be done.  I know he’s starving.”

Taza then questioned the canine: “How long has it been boy, since you’ve eaten?”  He asked the poor thing, not expecting any answer. He looked at those soulful eyes of Longze, who lacked (human speech) vernacular ability to communicate something that was obviously vital(critical)… That of which wasn’t about him…. It was something imperative, something else.

“How horrible it must be, to be without the faculty of human speech?”  Taza pensively nodded his head and then turned to look at Kalen, who remained reluctant to leave, and pleaded.
“Go on Kalen; please don’t make things any harder, I can’t leave him in this state!”

Kalen knitted his brows and pouted; then, with certain resignation, turned to go.

“Oh, wait…”  Taza suddenly urgently cried out, remembering something.  He then quickly reached deep into to his inner pocket and withdrew a treasured object for his little brother to take.

“I’d done some preliminary reading on this religion; offerings could also be made at this particular time for the souls of the departed; it will bring them apt solace in afterlife. If you get a chance, little brother, to slip up to the altar without getting in anyone's way, please take this little wooden angel (which I’ve carved) and (the copper  coin) the two pence, and place them all down, as our offering, before the icon (image) of their deity, for our parents’ sake, when no one is looking. That way it will be the same as me going there. "

08 -KALEN HOLDING ANGEL AND TWO COINS (15) JP 2

Kalen had simply nodded and then with a heavy heart left Taza; someways down, he looked back over his shoulder and saw that his brother Taza was now feeding the strips of dried meat they had taken along, to the one that needed it the most. Kalen smiled in approval, thinking how fortunate he was to have such a kind, loving brother, which made him feel that instant, warm and safe all over.

“You can do this; you are no coward!” Thereafter, sticking his chin out, he hastened his steps, to reach the procession of the people, that had alighted (descended) from their posh (grand) carriages and were presently ascending (climbing), the stairs of the Temple.

The decked-out interior of the great church was truly a magnificent place that night. The decorations, lights and glitter, all the displays, riches he’d never seen the like of before simply took his little breath away. A small urchin like himself was virtually invisible amidst the procession as they took their gifts for the Christ Child to the altar.
Some worshipers laid down wonderful jewels; some gave baskets with massive amounts of gold so heavy they could scarcely carry them down the aisle. A famed author laid down his prized work, a book he had, after many years, just completed.

09- FAMOUS AUTHOR OFFERS A BOOK

Then the King and Queen appeared in all their majesty, hoping, like the least petitioner, to win for themselves the music of the Christmas chimes. A great murmur rippled through the church as the people witnessed the King, additionally, taking his priceless golden crown, set with diamonds and rare precious gems, from his head and laying it to gleam on the alter as his offering to the Christ Child.

“Surely, “They intoned in unison, “Surely we shall hear the bells now.” But the chimes did not ring. Not even a whimper was heard.

When the gifts were all on the altar, prayers uttered, long sermon ended and finally, the choir began the closing hymn…. And still no chimes manifesting…. By degrees, the disappointed crowd, murmuring under their breath, slowly but surely, began to disperse.

Suddenly however, the organist had abruptly ceased (stopped) his playing; and everyone shocked (holding their breath), looked aghast at the old Priest, who was holding up his hand for silence.

“What’s this?” A hushed murmur rippled through the air.

For unmistakably, when the people strained their ears and listened hard, there came at first a manifest unearthly sound of akin harp; but then, resonating through the air, softly but distinctly, ensued (materialized) the heavenly music of the chimes in the tower!

The divine music seemed so far away and yet so clear. The notes were so much sweeter than any sound they had ever heard. Melody rising and falling in the sky was so entrancing that the people in the church held their breath and stood perfectly still.

Then they all stood up together and stared at the altar, wanting to see what great gift had awakened these long-silent chimes. But all the nearest of them saw was the figure of Kalen, who had crept softly down the aisle, perfectly unseen and placed Taza’s little wooden angel and the two pieces of copper on the altar. He’d then quickly left, never realizing the miracle he’d gifted to the people.

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

 

The story could well end here, but not just yet.

 

The two brothers, Taza and Kalen, had followed the guidance of the Longze, part carrying him, part following him, that night, to finally, after a long trek, they had reached the wooden cabin at the edge of the forest.

Inside, they discovered, the ailing Erland, still in the grip of fever but stubbornly hanging onto life.

 Longze, with renewed strength had rushed to the side of his master, nuzzling Erland’s head and whimpering to him that help was there, to hang on. The warrior Erland seemed to understand his dog’s urgent pleas and forced open his eyes to take a good long look at Taza. He nodded his head and closed his eyes, though temporarily.

Taza, despite his young age, knew exactly what to do, for after his parent’s demise, he had diligently studied and acquired the amassed knowledge of how to cure this terrible fever which had taken so many lives.

He had been motivated since that time, with strong determination not to have this sickness rob anyone else of a loved one, not if he could help it. He’d poured into books absorbing, learning every bit of knowledge that provided the cure and moreover, he had sought the help of homeopathic healers nearby. And learned to identify the key plants that was helpful in eliminating some of the symptoms.  These accrued (combined) information permanently committed to memory; he set to work at once to help cure this ailing solitary warrior Erland.

As Taza tended to the sick warrior Erland, little brave Kalen and Longze proved two useful assistants in foraging (finding) the necessary herbs, which was essentially easy feat, once one knew where to find it

Local physicians could not have achieved what Taza did after a week; for he had put his heart and his very soul into curing Erland.  Taza during that week, many a night loosing sleep, had worked (diligently) tireless, long laborious hours, to diminish Erland’s fever and afford him comfort. Then as his condition began to improve, Taza nursed him back to health by providing him apt nourishment and allowing warrior’s own natural immune system to also assist in speeding up his convalescence. 

And yes, Erland finally recovered; he was so filled with gratitude and loved these two boys, understanding how very heroic, self-sacrificing, stoic, precious things they were, that he later, formally (legally) adapted them as his children. And so, a loving family (of four) was formed, including Longze of course.  Longza lived to a ripe old age (dog’s years), contended and never lacking for anything.

Erland was also, for the first time ever, was at peace with his past; he spent the rest of his life protecting, nurturing Taza and Kalen and bringing them up proper and later still, passing on his warrior skills onto them.

 

The End

 THE FIERY DRAGON - THE HEART OF STONE AND THE HEART OF GOLD (Revised by BoSt 2025)

 

The adorable little Princess residing (since baby) in a high tower, always woke in her little white bed at crack of dawn when the starlings began to chatter in the pearl-gray morning. As soon as the (forest) woods were awake, she would excitedly throw off the warm quilt and sit upright,  and then (not bothering to don her slippers) with her little bare feet treading on the cold flagstones, she would run up the twisting turret-stairs; beaming in face she would stand on the top of the tower in her white bed-gown then, after an intake of a deep breath, she would kiss her hands to the sun. Subsequently, in her sweet melodious tone, she would greet the woods, the sleeping town below (whom she’d never ventured to) and the fresh new day: "Good morning world, I with joyful, grateful heart, greet you all!"

Next, she would run down the cold stone steps and dress herself in her short skirt and her cap and apron and begin the day's work. She would tidy-up, sweep the rooms spotlessly clean, and then hasten to make breakfast (from available rations) for two, for herself and for her Nurse; afterwards, she would wash the dishes and scour the pans, then with the mourning chores done, she would sit by her old faithful nurse (for of all who should have served her, only one remained faithful ) and listen in rapt attention to her reminiscences of the past, the golden era when her parents were still alive, and she was just a baby. This world she had never truly known, a wonderous world of bygone era, nevertheless, with her fertile imagination, still thrilled and palpitated her heart with special warmth.

Her old nurse, bound by loyalty of the heart, had willingly endured this solitary existence, where both had been virtually held captive in the tower, to present time. And now that the nurse was in her advanced years and rather feeble and had gray streaks adorned most of her hair, the princess had taken on all the responsibilities of menial housework and necessary chores, completing them without grievance and with a smile, while the Nurse sat still and did the sewing, because this was a real Princess with skin like milk and hair like flax and a heart like gold.

The little princess Sabrinetta’s grandmother Sabra had married to St. George, a legendary figure, who had rid the country of the terrible, fierce dragon that had once terrorized the people and beasts. He had ruled the land wisely for many years after that. The country should have by rights, through her(royal) lineage, belonged to Sabrinetta: the woods that stretched away to the mountains, the downs that sloped down to the sea, the pretty fields of corn and maize and rye, the olive orchards and the vineyards, and the little town itself—with its towers and its turrets, its steep roofs and strange windows—that nestled in the hollow between the sea, where the whirlpool was, and the mountains, white with snow and rosy with sunrise.

But when Sabrinetta’s Royal father and mother had died quite unexpectedly because of a hunting accident and left her ambitious cousin to take care of the kingdom, at least, till she grew up he, being ambitious and evil, took everything away from her, and all the courtiers (ministers and imp. People) followed him, and now nothing was left to her, save for the great dragon proof tower that her grandfather, St. George, had built during his reign. And of all who should have been her servants only the good nurse remained by her side. This arrangement of her confinement suited him fine, so he let it be.

As she resided in this tall tower, this was why Sabrinetta was the first person in all the land to get a glimpse of the wonder. This morning again rising at first daylight, while all the majority townspeople were fast asleep, she ran up the turret-steps and looked out over the field, and at the other side of the field there was a green, ferny ditch and a rose-thorny hedge, and then came the wood. And as Sabrinetta stood on her tower she saw a shaking and a twisting of the rose-thorny hedge, and then something very bright and shining wriggled out through it into the ferny ditch and back again. It only came out for a minute, but she saw it quite plainly, and she said to herself: "Dear me, what a curious, shiny, bright-looking creature! If it were bigger, and if I didn't know that there have been no fabulous monsters for quite a long time now, I should almost think it was a dragon."

The thing, whatever it was, did look rather like a dragon—but then it was too small; and it looked rather like a lizard—only then it was too big. It was about as long as a hearthrug.

"I wish it had not been in such a hurry to get back into the wood," said Sabrinetta. "Of course, it's quite safe for me, in my dragon proof tower; but if it is a dragon, it's quite big enough to eat people, and today's the first of May, and the children go out to pick flowers in the wood."

When Sabrinetta had done the housework (she did not leave so much as a speck of dust anywhere, even in the farthest corner of the winding stair) she put on her milk white, silky gown with the moon-daisies worked on it and went up to the top of her tower again.

Across the fields troops of children were going out to gather the may (whitethorn, English hawthorn), and the sound of their laughter and singing came up to the top of the tower.

02- CHILDREN GATHERING FLOWERS IN A FIELD JP

"I do hope it wasn't a dragon," said Sabrinetta, recalling all the terrible tales the Nurse had enumerated (tallied) one stormy night, when they had little else to do, about the of dragon’s horrible temper, his wrath, the time the dragon’s peace had been disturbed.

The children went by twos and by threes and by tens and by twenties, and the red and blue and yellow and white of their frocks were scattered on the green of the field.

"It's like a green silk mantle worked with flowers," exclaimed the Princess, marvelling at nature’s exquisite tapestry and smiled.

Then by twos and by threes, by tens and by twenties, the children vanished into the wood, till the mantle of the field was left plain green once more.

"Most of the embroidery is unpicked," said the Princess, sighing. The sun shone, and the sky was blue, and the fields were quite green, the few remaining clusters of flowers at the edges of the field were very bright indeed, because it was May Day.

Then quite suddenly a cloud passed over the sun, and the silence was broken by shrieks from far off; and, like a many-colored torrent, all the children burst from the woods (forest) and rushed, a red and blue and yellow and white wave, across the field, screaming as they ran. Their voices came up to the Princess on her tower, and she heard the words threaded on their screams like beads on sharp needles: "The dragon, the dragon, the dragon! Open the gates! The dragon is coming! The fiery dragon!"

And they swept across the field and into the gate of the town, and the Princess heard the gate bang, and the children were out of sight—but on the other side of the field the rose-thorns crackled and smashed in the hedge, and something very large and glaring and horrible trampled the ferns in the ditch for one moment before it hid itself again in the covert of the wood.

The Princess went down and told her nurse, but the nurse, instead, at once locked the great door of the tower and put the key in her pocket.

"Let them take care of themselves," she said, when the Princess begged to be allowed to go outside and assist the children to safety. "My business is to take care of you, my precious, and I'm going to do it. Old as I am, I can turn a key still."

So Sabrinetta went up again to the top of her tower and there with a burdened (worried) heart shed some tears, as well, prayed that the children, despite the seeming danger, got to their home in safety. For she knew, of course, that the gates of the town were not dragon proof, and that the dragon could just walk in whenever he liked. In her heart of hearts, she hoped that the dragon would not be too angry and instead, be more tolerant of the disturbance, as children were naturally rambunctious.

The children, meanwhile, had first ran straight to the palace, where the prince (the reigning King) was cracking his hunting whip down at the kennels, and told him what had happened.

03- CHILDREN ARE FRIGHTENED BY DRAGON

"Good sport," said the prince, and he ordered out his pack of hippopotamuses at once. It was his custom to hunt big game with hippopotamuses, and people would not have minded that so much—but he would swagger about in the streets of the town with his pack yelping and gamboling at his heels, and when he did that, the green-grocer, who had his stall in the marketplace, always regretted it; and the crockery merchant, who spread his wares on the pavement, was ruined for life every time the Prince chose to show off his pack.

The prince rode out of the town with his hippopotamuses trotting and frisking behind him, and people got inside their houses as quickly as they could when they heard the voices of his pack and the blowing of his horn. The pack squeezed through the town gates and off across country to hunt the dragon. Few of you who had not seen a pack of hippopotamuses in full cry will be able to imagine at all what the hunt was like. To begin with, hippopotamuses do not bay like hounds: They grunt like pigs, and their grunt is very big and fierce. Then, of course, no one expects hippopotamuses to jump. They just crash through the hedges and lumber through the standing corn, doing serious injury to the crops, and annoying the farmers very much. All the hippopotamuses had collars with their name and address on, but when the farmers called at the palace to complain of the injury to their standing crops, the prince always said it served them right for leaving their crops standing about in people's way, and he never paid anything at all.

04- EVIL PRINCE WITH HIPOPOTAMUS - JP

So now, when he and his pack went out, several people in the town whispered, "I wish the dragon would eat him"—which was very wrong of them, no doubt, but then he was such a very nasty Prince.

They hunted through the field and hunted through the forest; but the pack drew blank; this dragon, contrary to belief, was not innately nasty (confrontational), and even though they had evaded his space, had elected not to show himself.

But just as the prince was beginning to think there was no dragon at all, but only a cock and bull story, his favourite old hippopotamus gave tongue. The prince blew his horn and shouted: "Tally ho! Hark forward! Tantivy!" and the whole pack charged downhill toward the hollow by the wood, prince thinking only of future fame and glory, to annihilate the dragon and destroy his refuge. Forced into defending mode, the Dragon confronted them; however, he did so in manifest form as big as a barge, glowing like a furnace, and spitting fire and showing razor sharp teeth.

05- FIERCE, FIRE BREATHING DRAGON- JP

"The hunt is up!" the prince, drunk with power, bellowed his order. “Charge! “And they all surged (rushed) forward.

Meanwhile, the brave young dragon—instead of behaving as a sensible quarry (target, game) should and running away—ran straight at the pack and the prince perched on his elephant. The prince was mortified now, shocked, seeing his prize pack swallowed up one by one in the twinkling of an eye, by the dragon they had come out to hunt. The dragon’s fury unleashed, he’d swallowed all the unsavory hippopotamuses, just as a dog swallow’s bits of meat. It was a shocking sight. Of the whole of the pack that had come out sporting so merrily to the music of the horn, now not even a puppy-hippopotamus was left, and the dragon was looking anxiously around to see if he’d missed anything. And true enough, he had! 

The real culprit, the once arrogant prince thinking only of his salvation, had in fact slipped off his elephant on the other side, and cowardly ran into the thickest part of the wood. He hoped the dragon could not break through the bushes there, since they were very strong and close. He went crawling on his hands and knees in a most un-Prince-like way, and at last, finding a hollow tree, he crept into it. The woods were soon very still—no crashing of branches and no smell of burning came to alarm the prince. He drained the contents of silver hunting bottle slung from his shoulder and stretched his legs in the hollow tree. He never shed a single tear for his poor tame hippopotamuses who had eaten from his hand and followed him faithfully in all the pleasures of the chase for so many years. For he was a false Prince, with a skin like leather and hair like hearth brushes and a heart like a stone. He never shed a tear, but he just went to sleep.

When he awoke it was dark. He crept out of the tree and rubbed his eyes. The wood was black about him, but there was a red glow in a dell close by. It was a fire of sticks, and beside it sat a ragged youth with long, yellow hair; all around lay sleeping forms which breathed heavily.

"Who are you?" said the prince.

"I'm Elfin, the pig keeper," said the ragged youth. "And who are you?"

"I'm Tiresome, the Prince, your Sovereign." declared the other in an arrogant tone. “You should bow your head to me.”

Elfin nodded slightly, obliging the haughty prince. "And what reason takes you out of your safe palace, your Grace, at this time of night?" then asked the pig keeper, deferentially.

"I've been hunting," said the prince.

The pig keeper laughed. "Oh, it was you I saw, then? A good hunt, wasn't it? My pigs and I were looking on."

All the sleeping forms grunted and snored, and the prince saw that they were pigs: He knew it by their manners.

"If you had known as much as I do," Elfin went on, "you might have saved your pack."

"What do you mean?" asked Tiresome curiously, forgetting his ready scoff (deride).

"Why, the dragon," said Elfin. "You went out at the wrong time of day. The dragon should be hunted at night."

"And I imagined that you were going to say something intelligent." said the prince, mockingly. “Dragons are not nocturnal and besides, a daylight hunt is quite good enough for me, you silly pig keeper."

"Oh, well," said Elfin and shrugged. "Do as you please, Your Grace; however, I feel that I should warn you, that the dragon will surely come and hunt you tomorrow, as likely as not. You have after all, trespassed on his domain, which incidentally he’d quietly existed all this time, without giving anyone least cause for fear or harm. You have disrespected him and caused him to be violent, for that ruin (violation, harm), he will carry a lasting grudge against you."

"You're spouting nonsense," said Tiresome. “Dragons are abomination; they are to be hunted down and terminated (eliminated) without hesitation. Furthermore, you a pig keeper, how dare you try sermon (lecture, admonish) your betters! I should have your head for this breach (infraction), this outrage! “

"I am only being truthful; but my counsel falls on deaf ears." said Elfin shrugging, more to himself. He’d with admirable control, had stopped his tongue from uttering, ‘daft’ (silly, stupid) ears.

06- HANDSOME BOY ELFIN  WITH PIGS

"Well, tell me the truth, then. What is it that, if I had known as much as you do about, I shouldn't have lost my hippopotamuses?"

"You don't speak very good English," said Elfin. "But come, what will you give me if I tell you?"

"If you tell me what?" said the tiresome Prince.

"What you want to know."

"I don't want to know anything," said Prince Tiresome.

Elfin stifled a laugh, “Then you're more eccentric,” He said, instead of the word, ‘daft’, “even than I thought." again, with admirable constraint. "Don't you want to know how to settle the score with the dragon before he settles with you? But first, you must promise that he will just be contained, not destroyed."

" It might be as well; also, another treasure to keep. Oh well, why not.”  The prince somberly, outwardly acquiesced; inwardly meanwhile, he gloated. “Hah, I will have more time to think of ways to torment the captive dragon”

“Well, what are you waiting for, do tell.”

" All right, I will impart the knowledge, as I need some sleep tonight." Elfin reluctantly nodded, not entirely trusting the prince." However, this ancient knowledge, whom I was lucky to be privy to, should not be given freely; hence, what will you give me for it?"

"Half my kingdom," said the prince, "and my cousin's hand in marriage."

"Done," said the pig keeper. "Here goes! The celestial dragon grows small at night! That’s when he is most vulnerable. He sleeps under the root of this tree. He is not aggressive; in fact, when asked politely, he will even oblige one with a spark of light for a campfire. “This said, Elfin fell silent and looked away, thinking of a time in the dead of night, when once he was in dire straits and the dragon had saved his life, with that life giving fire. He hoped, he was not, by his action now, being ungrateful wretch.

“Take me there now; I want to see this for myself.” The prince ordered. And, sure enough, there under the tree was the dragon on a nest of scorched moss, and he was about as long as your finger.

"How can I capture, I mean, contain him?" asked the prince eagerly.

"I suppose there is one sure way," said Elfin, " you can take him away if you've brought anything to put him in. That bottle of yours would do."

So, between them they managed, with bits of stick and by singeing their fingers a little, to poke and shove the dragon till they made it creep into the silver hunting bottle, and then the prince screwed on the top tight.

"Now we've got him," said Elfin. "Remember your promise! You are not to hurt him any. Gently take him home and put Solomon's seal on the mouth of the bottle, and then he'll be contained and be safe enough for you. Later tonight, after I had some shuteye, I shall call on the palace to reclaim my reward. At least this way, I shall have some money (means) with which to buy fine attire and so, be presentable when I meet the princess."

“Sure, you will… In a pig’s eye!” Prince inwardly sneered, looking away to hide his contempt. True enough, the wicked Prince had made promises he had no intention of ever keeping. Returning to the palace, darkness still blanketing the earth that night, the prince summoned the Prime Minister secretly, at once, to his private chambers.

The Prime Minister was urgently awakened from deep sleep, still groggy, he hastily dressed in his garbs and rushed compliantly to the prince’s private chambers. He was briefly informed of the facts, told of the dragon’s capture, then set to task of finishing the job.

Subsequently, the P.M. had obligingly, solemnly put Solomon's seal on the mouth of the bottle, and the bottle was then carried off to be put in the Treasury, which was the impenetrable, strongest building in the palace. For it was made of solid copper, with walls as thick as Waterloo Bridge.                     

                                                                                         ~

Later still that night, Elfin had innocently shown up but was barred entry to the palace by the rude, hostile armed guards. "Go on, be off with you! What do you mean?" They bellowed at him. “You have the goal to show your face here at this ungodly hour and demand to see the prince; just who do you think you are!”

The prince did not even deign to deny or give excuses when two of the guards came forth to report Elfin’s claim, as well, give reasons for the sure ruckus (disturbance) created at the town’s main gate.

"I alone found and captured the dragon. Imagine, a nobody like him having the audacity to spread such lies, such vicious, disrespectful claims.” The prince indignantly complained to his two trusted ministers that happened to be by his side at the time.”  However, as I am benevolent and merciful ruler, otherwise, I would surely claim his head for this bold, brazen audacity…” Then turning to the guards, he ordered: “Clearly, he is insane, so just drive him away, and if he dared to show his face at the gate again, tell him he will be executed on the spot."

"All right," said Elfin, shrugging his shoulders. "I'm better off than he is, anyhow."

"What do you mean?" one of the guards scowled (glowered) at him incredulously.

"Prince has got a kingdom (and a dragon), but I've got clean hands (and five and seventy fine black pigs)." His reaction was duly reported to the prince, who sneered (jeered, scoffed), but outwardly said nothing.

In small hours, few hours before daybreak, not the usual time at noon, at the assembled court, his Parliament, the Prince with some flare and elaboration recounted to his captive, sleepy audience, how clever and brave he had been in finding the fierce dragon and imprisoning it, even though it had cost him his entire hunting party and his longtime pet hippopotamuses and the riding elephants.

Noting his lack of remorse (sorrow), some ministers suspected the prince (their present Sovereign), of duplicity (deceit, lying), however, none dared to voice this; instead, they in unison said: "You are indeed brave and clever, your Majesty." For they knew what happened to people with whom the prince was not pleased.

08- PRIME MINISTER PLACES THE IMPRISONED DRAGON IN BOTTLE, IN TREASURY

Back at the Treasury, the bottle had been securely placed (stored) among the sacks of gold, and the junior secretary to the junior clerk of the last Lord of the Treasury had been duly appointed to sit up rest of the night with it and see if anything happened. The junior secretary had never seen a dragon, and what was more, he did not believe the prince had ever seen a dragon either. The prince had never been a truthful boy, and it would have been just like him to bring home a bottle with nothing in it and then to pretend that there was a dragon inside. So, the junior secretary did not at all minded being left to guard it. They had entrusted him the key, and when everyone in the palace had gone back to bed, he (smuggled in) let in some of the junior secretaries from other Government departments, and together they had a jolly game of hide-and-seek among the sacks of gold and played marbles with the diamonds and rubies and pearls in the big ivory chests. In this care-free manner they had enjoyed themselves very much, but by-and-by the copper treasury began to get warmer, and suddenly the junior secretary cried out, "Look at the bottle!"

All heads turned to look where’d he pointed, and they saw the bottle sealed with Solomon's seal had swollen to three times its proper size and seemed to be pulsating, and furthermore, was blazing red hot. The air, same time had gotten intolerably warmer as the bottle  grew bigger and bigger, till all the junior secretaries agreed that the place was too hot to hold them, and out they went, tumbling over each other in their haste, and just as the last got out and locked the door the bottle burst, and out came the dragon, very fiery, and swelling more and more every minute, and he began to eat the sacks of gold and crunch up the pearls and diamonds and rubies as if they were sugar.

By breakfast-time he had devoured the whole of the prince’s treasures, and when the prince came along, his feet nearing the treasury building, around the bend, he came face to face with the dragon coming out of the broken door of the Treasury, with molten gold still dripping from his jaws.

09- DRAGON HAS EATEN HIS FILL OF THE TREASURY GOLD

The terror-struck  Prince hastily turned and ran for his life, and as he ran, naturally towards the only safe place, the dragon proof tower, the Princess who had awoken early, happened to see him coming, and she ran down at once and quickly unlocked the door to let him in. She had slammed the dragon proof door in a nick of time, right in the fiery face of the dragon, who, instead of being furious, quietly sat down at outside and morosely (sullenly, grumpily petulantly) grumbled, because he really wanted to get back at the despicable Prince.

The Princess, unaware of the committed wrongdoing, ushered Prince Tiresome into the best room, and laid the cloth, and gave him cream and eggs and white grapes and honey and bread, with many other things, yellow and white and good to eat, and she served him just as kindly as she would have done if he had been anyone else instead of the bad Prince who had taken away her kingdom and kept it for himself—because she was a true Princess and had a heart of gold.

When he had eaten and drunk, he asked the Princess to show him how to lock and unlock the main door to the tower. The nurse was asleep, so there was no one to tell the Princess not to, and she did.

"You turn the key like this," she said, "and the door keeps shut. But turn it nine times around the wrong way, and the door flies open."

And so, it did. And the moment it opened, the prince showed (pushed) the Princess out of the main door and cast her outside of her safe abode, just as he had pushed her out of her kingdom, then quickly, heartlessly bolted the door behind her. For he wanted to have the tower all for himself. And there she was, left stranded (forsaken, left )and vulnerable in an open street, and across (on the other side of the way) the assumed, fierce dragon which happened to be sitting, presently, intently  gazing at her. Other than this, however, he did not stir, nor try to eat her; for beknows (unknown) to all citizens, celestial dragons could not do harm or eat innocent Princesses with hearts of gold.

As the dragon initiated no hostile action towards her, the Princess’s fears were allayed (dispelled); however, knowing it would be most improper of her to walk through the streets of the town in her milky-silky gown with the daisies on it, and with no hat and no gloves, she naturally turned the other way, intending to ran out across the meadows, toward the woods.

As it were, she had never been out of her tower before, so, stopping briefly at the perimeter of the fields, she had first bent down and swiftly removed her silk slippers; subsequently, her bare feet had tread (glided) over the plush soft grass, like silk-grass of Paradise it was, an experience  she most immensely enjoyed.

She, without thought, had simply ran right into the thickest part of the dense forest; perhaps, it was to fulfill her yearning secret desire for any adventure; or perhaps it was fate, leading her steps towards what she was meant to go.  And lo and behold, there in a dell she suddenly came upon Elfin and his five and seventy fine pigs. He was idly sitting by, playing his flute, and around him the pigs were dancing cheerfully on their hind legs.

"Oh, dear me," said the Princess rushing towards her perceived rescuer, "please do take care of me. I am so lost and ever so frightened."

"I will," said Elfin, putting his arms around her. "Now you are quite safe. What were you frightened of?"

"The dragon of course," she, with a slight quaking (trembling) in her voice, responded. “The Celestial being may still change his mind and come after me!”

"So, it's gotten out of the bottle," said Elfin. "I hope it's eaten the notorious prince."

"No," said Sabrinetta. "But why would you say that?"

Elfin then briefly told her of the mean trick that the prince had played on him.

"And he promised me half his kingdom and the hand of his cousin the Princess," said Elfin.

"Oh, dear, how brashly inappropriate, the ruling prince can be!" said Sabrinetta with her face flushed crimson, she then strove to gently get out of Elfin’s protective embrace. "How dare he make promises he had no business doing? Doesn’t she get a say in this?"

"What's the matter?" Elfin asked, holding on to her still tighter, reluctant to let her go. "It was of course inappropriate, a shame, or at least I thought so. But now he may keep his kingdom, half and whole, if I may just keep what I have."

"What's that?" in a nervous, shy voice asked the Princess.

"Why, you—my beautiful fairy." said Elfin coyly, noting her flushed face just then, and unable to resist his harmless teasing of her. “And as for the Princess, his cousin—forgive me, dearest heart, but when I asked for her, I hadn't seen the real Princess, which my eyes now behold, and the only one I will ever love, till the end of my existence."

"Are you in earnest with your declaration of ….?" Sabrinetta blushed crimson.

"Of course?" he asked.

"Yes, but five minutes ago you hadn't seen me!"

"Five minutes ago, I was a pig keeper—now I've held you in my arms I'm a Prince, though I should have to keep tending pigs to the end of my days."

"You proclaim that I’ve captivated your heart and that you’ve chosen me; but aren’t you also being brazenly presumptions akin (similar, like) the prince, in deciding my fate?" said the pouting, Princess.

"You asked me to take care of you," said Elfin, feigning being cross, "and I will—all my life long."

Sabrinetta regretting hurting his feelings, moreover, she could not dispute his sound reasoning, nor did she want to, and for the first time taking a long hard look at his features, she noted the genuine sincerity in his eyes, and something more, a hint of vulnerability, also, how captivatingly handsome he truly was.

Sharing the certain kinship of the heart, they sat close but not touching, and then they began to talk of important things, such as the dragon and the prince, and all the time Elfin did not know that this was the Princess. Listening to her concerns however, about the dragon, and the welfare of the common folk, he knew that she had a heart of gold, and in his heart the spark of attraction, perhaps it was true affection, which had ignited into a flame, growing by degrees, till it made him rather uncomfortable, and he rose, to supposedly go check on his pigs.

He returned to her side more composed, "The mistake," then said Elfin, "was in not having a dragon proof bottle. I see that now. I could have long ago, utilizing such, to gently relocate the unfortunate dragon to a safer place. I owed him that much."

"I’m glad you feel the same way as I do and do not blame the dragon for his innate nature, for which he is now unfortunately more feared and hated, more so after the terrible destruction and the burdensome the costs he’d incurred by his decimating the treasury, this on top of the losses of the hunting group, though in every instance he was the victim of his circumstances?" said the Princess.

"Nevertheless, we can try mending some of the harm; I can easily get you one of those flagons (bottles, flasks)—because everything in my tower is dragon proof. We can contain the dragon and transport (deliver) him to safety, and in doing so, prevent any inadvertent (accidental) future harm to any meek and vulnerable beings or creatures (animals)." For she still believed what she had been told all her life, that dragons when hungry fed indiscriminately, whether it be any kind of wild animal, herd (sheep, pack, flock, steer) or the little children.

So, at dawn subsequent morning, she quietly rose and headed towards the town, (started off) to acquire such a bottle; and when he awoke with a start sensing her absence and rushed after her, catching up with her in no time, she still adamantly refused to let Elfin accompany her to town.

"If what you say is true," she stressed, "if you are sure that I have a heart of gold, the dragon won't hurt me, and somebody must stay with the pigs."

Elfin was quite sure (of her golden heart), so he let her go.

She found the door of her tower wide open. The dragon had patiently waited all day long for the prince, and the moment he opened the door thinking he was safe and came out—though he was only out for an instant to post a letter to his Prime Minister saying where he was and asking them to send the fire brigade to deal with the fiery dragon—the dragon ate him. Then the dragon after that had quietly retreated back to the wood, for rest and solitude after the unusually hectic, perhaps exuberant day. Furthermore, having just escaped a near disaster, he did not wish to be found in town when the night fell, and then in his small form be rendered vulnerable and fall prey (a sure target, a victim) to the evil designs of any conniving and powerful men.

Sabrinetta quickly entered the tower and went straight to check in on her nurse; she lovingly caressed her hand and planted a soft kiss in the palm to gently awaken her. By the time the nurse had completed (finished) washing up, Sabrinetta had returned, this time holding a tray of steaming cup of tea and some hot breakfast pastries and sliced fruit tidbits the nurse usually partook every morning.  She set quietly by her side and patiently watched and waited till the nurse completed her routine breakfast; then in a calm, composed manner, explained what had transpired during the night while the nurse had slept, and her careful plans for the future to assure security and well being (welfare) of all. She assured the nurse that since she had a heart of gold, the dragon hadn’t harmed her and would never eat her; the nurse noted that the Princess was quite safe and so, kissed her on the cheek and with prayers on her lips, simply let her go.

Sabrinetta without delay secured the small dragon proof bottle made of burnished brass in her pocket and ran back to the woods and to the dell, finding Elfin sitting among his sleek black pigs, impatiently and with obvious trepidation, waiting for her return.

11- ELFIN  THOUGHT HE'D NEVER SEE HER AGAIN

"I thought you were never coming back," he said as he rushed forward with his extended arms wide open to at once fiercely embrace her. "You have been away for so long, a year, at least."

“Silly boy, “The Princess smiling chided, as her affectionate (loving) gaze held his for a moment or two. She sat down beside him among the pigs, and they held each other's hands, talking till darkness encroached on them. They went then to find the dragon, trailing the scorched ground, each bent, charred blade of grass or branch or moss, followed key identifiable marks carelessly left by the dragon as it had crawled, getting smaller by degrees, till he had reached his favorite place, he then exhausted, had simply curled up under the root of the tree and instantly fallen asleep.

"Now then," said Elfin, "you hold the bottle." Then he poked and prodded the dragon with bits of stick till it crawled into the dragon proof bottle. But there was no stopper. In her haste, she’d neglected to obtain one.

"Never mind," said Elfin. "I'll put my finger in for a stopper."

"No, let me," said the Princess. But of course, Elfin would not let her. He stuffed his finger into the top of the bottle, and the Princess cried out: "The sea—the sea—run for the cliffs!" And off they went, with the five and seventy pigs trotting steadily after them in a long black procession.

The bottle got hotter and hotter in Elfin's hands, because the dragon inside was puffing fire and smoke with all his might—hotter and hotter and hotter—but Elfin held on till they came to the cliff edge, and there was the dark blue sea, and the whirlpool going around and around.

Elfin lifted the bottle high above his head and hurled it out between the stars and the sea, and it fell in the middle of the whirlpool.

11B- DRAGON TRANSFORMS IN THE WHIRLPOOL

The dragon being a celestial being, naturally did not expire; Heaven taking pity on him, transformed the dragon into another form, which he could then, in his new form, shot upwards, to permanently disappear in the clouds.

"The dragon is free now, free to live his life in Heavens, “rejoiced the princess. “You've saved the dragon, all the earthly creatures, all the little children!” But then suddenly noting the (flicker) spasm of pain, which he could not hide, registering in his face, her heart now palpitating with dread, she urgently asked: “Show me your hands."

"I can't," said Elfin, his eyes pricked with tears. “I don’t want to frighten you; but regretfully, I shall never as before, be able to hold your dear hands again. My hands are badly scorched and scarred."

“What?” She screamed and reached for his hands, and sadly, she saw how charred and badly marred his hands were.

The Princess gingerly (cautiously) placed her hands underneath his, if only for support and, despite his stoic words and assurances, her heart in tatters, she could not help but shed copious (profuse) inconsolable tears. Then getting a grip on her senses, she tore pieces of her silky-milky gown to gently cover the worst parts, for no herbal medicine, no poultice of any kind would hell the dragon breath burns. And the two, walking side by side, shoulders barely touching, went back to the tower and told the nurse of all that had happened. And the pigs hearing this, sat outside and mournfully shed tears.

"He is the bravest man in the world," with a heavy heart, whimpered Sabrinetta. "With his heroic deed, he has saved everyone at a terrible cost to him. Why is fate so cruel to allow this? Now, his beautiful hands are scorched, marred forever—My poor, dear, darling, how can I make things better for you!"

Just then, the door of the room was pushed open ajar, and the oldest of the five and seventy pigs came in. It went up to Elfin and rubbed itself against him with little loving grunts.

"See the dear creature," said the nurse, wiping away a tear. "It knows, it knows!"

Sabrinetta stroked the pig, because Elfin’s hands were too painful for stroking or for anything else.

"The only cure for a dragon burn," said the old nurse, "is pig's fat, and well that faithful creature knows it——"

"I wouldn't for a kingdom," cried Elfin, stroking the pig as best he could with his elbow.

"Is there no other cure?" asked the Princess.

Here another pig put its black nose in at the door, and then another and another, till the room was full of pigs, a surging mass of rounded blackness, pushing and struggling to get at Elfin, and grunting softly in the language of true affection.

"There is one other," said the nurse. "The dear, affectionate beasts—they all want to die for you."

"What is the other cure?" said Sabrinetta anxiously.

"If a man is burnt by a dragon," said the nurse, "and a certain number of people are willing to die for him, it is enough if each should kiss the burn and wish it well in the depths of his loving heart."

"The number! The number!" cried Sabrinetta.

"Seventy-seven," said the nurse.

"We have only seventy-five pigs," said the Princess, "and with me that's seventy-six!"

"It must be seventy-seven—and I really can't die for him, so nothing can be done," said the nurse, sadly. "He must have cork hands."

"I knew about the seventy-seven loving people," said Elfin. "But I never thought my dear pigs loved me so much as all this, and my dear too—and, of course, that only makes it more impossible. There's one other charm that cures dragon burns, though; but I'd rather endure life without the use of my hands or be burnt black all over, than marry anyone but you, my dear, my pretty."

"Why, who must you marry to cure your dragon burns?" asked Sabrinetta.

"A Princess. That's how St. George cured his burns."

"There now! Think of that!" aghast, said the nurse. "And I never heard tell of that cure, old as I am."

12- HAPPINESS AT LAST

But Sabrinetta threw her arms round Elfin's neck and held him as though she would never let him go.

"Then it's all right, my dear, brave, precious Elfin," she cried, "for I am a Princess, and you shall be my Prince. Come along, Nurse—don't wait to put on your bonnet. We'll go and be married at the basilica (cathedral, church), this very moment."

So they went, and the pigs came after, moving in stately blackness, two by two. And, the minute he was married to the Princess, Elfin's hands miraculously got repaired. And the people, who were weary of Prince Tiresome and his hippopotamuses, hailed Sabrinetta and her husband as rightful Sovereigns of the land.

Next morning the Prince and Princess along with key religious affiliates, went out to the cliff top by the seashore and after the solemn ceremony, all eyes looking up, loudly apologized to the Celestial dragon, for all the past prejudices, misdeeds and sins of men, still a good lesson had been learned, one they will never forget. Afterwards they expressed their hopeful desire that the dragon will be happy and at peace at long last and living joyful existence among his own kind in Heaven.  For surely, they knew, where he must be.

They could see nothing, not a trace of the celestial dragon; but when they looked out toward the whirlpool, they saw a remanent cloud of steam descending from the clouds to join the whirlpool. The dragon was so moved, he pardoned the humanity for their past transgressions; furthermore, he conveyed (imparted) on that region, one final gift. The local fishermen reported later on that the water there for miles around was hot enough to shave with! And as the water is hot and maintained its therapeutic benefits to present day, along the shoreline sprung up countless hostels (inns and clinics) that prospered, treating and curing all manner of impossible ailments. Meanwhile, citizens of the region remained permanently grateful to the benevolent dragon that had once existed, though reticently (guardedly, evasively), among them.

*⁠*⁠*⁠*⁠*

The Prince and Princess since their happy union, ruled the land well and wisely. The nurse lived with them, and did nothing but fine sewing and narrate stories, chiefly about the benevolent dragon, delighting in the eager, wide-eyed children’s faces as they listened to her accounts, with such innocent, rapt attention. The prince kept no hippopotamuses, and consequently, remained very popular. The five and seventy devoted pigs lived in white marble sties with brass knockers and Pig on the doorplate, and were washed twice a day with Turkish sponges and soap scented with violets, and no one objected to their following the Prince when he walked abroad, for they behave beautifully, and always kept to the footpath, and obey the notices about not walking on the grass. The Princess fed them every day with her own hands, and her first edict on coming to the throne had been that the word pork should never be uttered on pain of death, and should, besides, be scratched out of all the dictionaries.

Fin