Humbert and the Flower-Breathing Dragon

         Let’s just say that Humbert wasn’t your ordinary dragon. While most dragons hoarded gold and burnt down villages, Humbert decided not to jump on that band-wagon. 

           All of the dragons he knew breathed out flames to scare others and show their power. But being afraid of fire himself, he decided that he would much rather spend his time breathing in the lovely scent of… flowers!

         Humbert loved all flowers; from red and yellow roses, to pink petunias, to the bluest forget-me-nots. And let’s not forget the tall golden sunflowers that towered over all others. Yes, he liked those a lot!    

         Every morning, Humbert would visit his favorite meadow surrounded by purple mountains, admiring the field of bluebells and red-orange daylilies. “This is much better than destroying, pillaging, and burning villages,” Humbert said out loud. “When you think about it, all that violence just seems silly.”

         Later that day, the leader of the clan and a group of dragons swooshed down to where Humbert was counting petals on a daisy. “There you are, Humbert,” said Thorne, looking at the magnificent flowers in disgust. “Get away from these flowers and stop being lazy.” But Humbert continued picking at the daisy.

           “Join me tonight and fight in the war of dragons against men. The mighty against the weak. They took our gold, so we’ll swoop down and burn all their homes!” Alas, Humbert wanted to remain far away from fire and wished Thorne would leave him alone.

           “Why don’t you make peace with the humans instead?” asked Humbert. “This way you can avoid war and bloodshed.”

           “Bah!” cried Thorne. “If you refuse to stand by your brothers, you will disgrace us all and be banished into the night.” Thorne turned to the rest of the dragons behind him. “Come my friends. Tonight, we fight!”

           Thorne and the others flew away and Humbert sat in the meadow surrounded by his favorite wildflowers, troubled as ever. He didn’t want to turn his back on his clan, but was violence the answer?

           And then an idea dawned on him. He knew what to do! And with haste, Humbert flew.

           Over the mountains and across the river was the land known as the Valley of the Fairies. It was deep in the enchanted woods and was a place Humbert knew well. The valley was home to the most beautiful flowers in the land, and some would say their immense beauty came from an ancient fairy spell. “What are you doing here, Humbert?” asked a nearby fairy named Luna, who flew up to Humbert as quick as lightening.

           “I’m afraid I can’t stay long,” said Humbert. “The kingdom is in trouble and I must stop the fighting.”

           “Oh no!” cried Luna, who was so startled that she toppled off the edge of a leaf. “What can we do?”

           “To obtain peace, I will need the most splendid rose in the land to give to the king.”

           “Wait here,” Luna replied with a smile. “I believe I know just the thing.”

           As the day passed and the sky grew dark, the small village down below was a sight to behold. The King’s knights were ready, positioning their swords, bows and arrows. Village men with pitchforks and torches were ready to fight as well, although most were afraid and hid behind their wheelbarrows.

           Thorne, mighty and fearsome, sat upon a nearby mountaintop. Behind him was an army of dragons about to take off. But before he could fly, he looked up and saw Humbert soaring through the darkening sky. As Humbert drew near, the men below steadied their weapons. Humbert gently landed next to the King, who stood with confidence and poise so that he could clearly be seen.

           The King peered suspiciously at Humbert. “You, dragon,” he said loud enough for all to hear. “Why have you not come down breathing flames? This is war, is it not?” At this question, Humbert carefully laid a bouquet of flowers at the King’s feet, feeling nervous, his stomach in a knot.

         “Aye,” replied Humbert bashfully. “However, I came with a peace offering, for I do not wish to kill. I love my brothers. I do not wish harm to befall them, so I brought you a gift of many beautiful colors.”

           “This is an outrage!” blurted out the King, who wanted to fight. But as he looked down, he stopped talking and his gaze became softer. His eyes rested on the most beautiful flowers any King had ever been offered.

           A rainbow of colors burst from the bouquet, the petals shining as if they were aglow. But there was one flower that caught the king’s eye; a golden rose.

           This rose’s petals gleamed whiter than new-fallen snow, held by a stem of solid gold. The king picked up the rose and gasped, for it was such a sight to behold. “Tell me dragon. Where did you find such a treasure?”

           “When I heard of the war,” Humbert began, “I flew to the realm of the fairies, for the fairy gardens have the most beautiful flowers in the land. And I hoped, oh noble king, that when you received such a prized gift, that you would be delighted beyond measure.”

         The King smiled, for he knew of the fairy gardens from tales he heard as a boy. He rested his hand upon Humbert’s giant wing. “Thank you, my friend. Why, I must admit that this changes everything.”

           Then his Highness turned to Thorne. “I hereby announce peace between dragons and men. And in exchange for this gracious gift, I vow to return the gold we have taken from thee.” And to Humbert’s relief, Thorne stretched out his wings and bowed to the King.

           The townspeople rejoiced! And since that day, men, women and children of the village (and Thorne too!) would join Humbert in his field of flowers, and would spend their days in joy and laughter. And needless to say, the two races lived amongst each other in harmony; happily ever after.