THE DRAGON of HUSHBY, PART II
by Abbie Farwell Brown · from Kisington Town
Adapted Version
Once, small Arthur went to a village. The village had a big dragon problem. People were very scared. Arthur was not scared. He had a magic glass and a net.
At night, the Dragon came. He roared very loudly. Everyone ran and hid. Arthur slept in his bed. He did not hear the Dragon. He slept very well.
In the morning, Arthur ate his breakfast. The innkeeper was very worried. "Please help us!" he said. Arthur smiled. "I will help," he said. He took his net and his glass. He felt ready.
Arthur walked to the mountain. The Dragon was huge and green. His eyes were like big lights. He roared at Arthur. Arthur was a bit scared. He took a deep breath. He held up his magic glass. He was very brave.
Arthur looked at the Dragon through the glass. The Dragon got smaller. He was as big as a cat. Then he was as big as a lizard. The little Dragon ran away. It was very funny.
Arthur chased the tiny Dragon. He caught it in his net. The Dragon hissed like a bug. Arthur tied it with string. He was very clever. He was very happy.
Arthur went back to the village. Everyone was so happy. They cheered for Arthur. "Thank you!" they said. Margot smiled at him. She clapped her hands. Arthur felt good. Arthur liked Margot. She was kind. He wished he could see her more. He had a small wish.
That night, Oscar tried to steal the Dragon. He was sneaky. He climbed to Arthur's window. The Dragon hissed. Arthur woke up. He was not happy.
Arthur used his magic glass on Oscar. Oscar became very small. He was like a little bug. Arthur put him under a cup. Oscar could not get out. He was very tiny.
Arthur knew his glass had one more use. He would save it. He was happy now. He had helped his friends. He was very clever.
In the morning, Arthur left the village. The tiny Dragon sat on his shoulder. Oscar was in his bag. Arthur waved goodbye. He was a hero. He had a big smile.
Being clever is good. Helping friends is nice.
Original Story
V. THE DRAGON OF HUSHBY, PART II
After a time, Arthur and his band came to the town of Hushby, and were received with wonder; for the people thought them all mad, especially Arthur, with his butterfly-net and his boast to slay the Dragon. But they treated him gratefully, as one who sought to be their deliverer, albeit shaking their heads over his small stature and slender strength.
Arthur slept that night at the inn, intending to seek the Dragon on the morrow. And about the inn, on benches, on the curbs of Hushby streets, and under the trees, slept the merry jesters who had followed Arthur from the King. And Oscar thought to rob Arthur while he slept; but he was prevented.
In the night came the Dragon down from his cave in the mountain, and rushing up the village street nearly caught Oscar as he was climbing in at the window of the inn. Oscar fled barely in time. But the Dragon caught and ate in one mouthful two of the merry band of jesters, so that they jested no longer. Then there was a great outcry and panic. But Arthur slept soundly through it all, dreaming of the Princess, and how fair she would be when he had made her his wife and had magicked her with the glass.
In the morning bright and early Arthur came down to table. He found the landlord and all the people white and trembling.
"Oh, sir!" cried Mine Host in a whisper. "Behold, the Dragon has descended from the mountain in the darkness and has eaten two of the King's men this night. His appetite is whetted, and we hear him roaring afar off. It is a sign that he will soon again make another descent upon us. In the name of St. George, haste to save us!"
Arthur listened and heard the far-off thunder of the loathly worm. But he did not tremble. He only drew himself up to his last inch and frowned, fingering the magic glass in his wallet.
"First will I breakfast," he said. "And then will I go forth to rid you of this pest. Bring on the morning meal."
When he had eaten heartily, even to the last crumb, Arthur arose and took his butterfly-net in hand.
"Farewell, noble youth!" cried Mine Host, with tears in his eyes. For Arthur had paid his score generously, and the landlord did not expect to see the little fellow again. The landlord's fair daughter, Margot, stood weeping, with the corner of her apron to her eyes. For she admired the brave lad mightily. She was a very little maid, no taller than Arthur's shoulder, and he looked at her kindly when he saw her weep.
"What a fair, sweet maid!" he said to himself. "If it were not for the King's daughter, I would choose her for my Lady, and ask her to give me the blue ribbon from her hair to wear in my cap. But that may not be. I must win glory for the King's big daughter."
He patted Margot on the head and said debonairly: "Farewell! And have a goodly dinner ready against my return. For I shall bring with me a Dragon's appetite."
So he spoke, jesting upon the terrible subject. Margot wept harder than ever, and his other hearers shuddered. Some of the people followed him afar off. But when, nearer and nearer, they heard the Dragon's roars shaking the hills, they turned about and fled back to the village, leaving Arthur to go his way alone.
Arthur was not afraid. He strode on manfully until he came to the valley which led up the mountain where the Dragon lived. And as he strode he whistled. Presently there was a roar and a rumble and a rattle, and Arthur stopped whistling. Nearer and nearer it came, and at last, down from the rocks writhed the terrible Dragon himself. And he was far worse to look upon than Arthur had imagined.
He was as big as twenty elephants, and he was green, covered with shining scales. His eyes glowed like the head-lights of two engines, and revolved horribly in his head. Steam and fire belched from his huge mouth, and he snapped his long, sharp teeth disgustingly. He was a terrifying sight as he writhed toward Arthur. Dreadfully he roared, lashing right and left with his tail, which uprooted the trees and bushes and dislodged the rocks on either hand till they came tumbling down in an avalanche. His hot breath scorched everything about him, and Arthur began to feel faint by reason of the poison in it. But he stood quite still, waiting for the Dragon, and fingering his magic glass. It was to be a mighty experiment.
Arthur waited until the Dragon was only a few yards away. Then he put the glass to his eye and stared hard at the beast; stared, and stared, and stared.
Such rudeness made the Dragon very angry. He roared louder than ever and came rushing toward Arthur at redoubled speed. But behold! As Arthur gazed at him the creature began to grow smaller and smaller. First he was no bigger than an elephant, though still terrible. Then he shrank to the size of a crocodile; then of a lion; and finally, when he was only a few feet away, he was no bigger than a cat, snarling and spitting fiercely as ever.
By this time the Dragon began to see that something was wrong. He did not know that he himself was changed, but it seemed to him that Arthur had swelled. It seemed to him that Arthur was a terrible giant; and, for the first time in his five thousand years of life, the Dragon was afraid!
Suddenly he turned tail and began to run away, all the while growing littler and littler in quite a ridiculous fashion. But Arthur was after him valiantly. Now the Dragon was no bigger than a lizard, making a funny squeak as he wriggled through the bushes. His eyes shone like tiny lucifer matches, and his mouth smoked like a cigarette. But for this it would have been hard to see him as he scuttled through the moss and under the ferns, trying to escape from Arthur's terrible eye.
At last Arthur saw that it was high time to lay aside the magic glass, unless he wished the Dragon to escape by "going out" altogether, which would never do. For he must take the creature back to the King.
Now was seen the use of the butterfly-net which Arthur had brought all the way from Kisington. With this in his right hand Arthur chased the absurd little Dragon under a stone, and finally threw it over the wriggling body, just as one would catch an insect. Hurrah! There was the creature tangled in the net, hissing as loudly as a locust. The terrible Dragon of Hushby was caught!
Arthur took from his wallet a reel of thread and tied the Dragon securely, so that he might not escape. And then, chuckling to himself, he strode back to Hushby pulling the Dragon behind him, just as a little boy drags a toy horse by a string. It was a very funny sight!
When he drew near the inn, Margot ran out to meet him with tears of joy in her eyes, for she had been watching for him all this time. Then all the other people came running out, and they cheered lustily when they saw that Arthur was quite unharmed.
"But what of the Dragon?" they said.
"This of the Dragon!" cried Arthur, drawing from behind him the struggling creature. "Here is the famous Terror of Hushby. Behold what I have done to him!"
Folk could scarce believe their eyes. This wriggling little lizard, could he really be their famous Dragon? Then they saw his tiny, fiery eyes, and the smoke coming from his funny little mouth; and they knew it must be a really, truly Dragon. A great silence fell upon them, and every one looked at Arthur in awe. They believed that he must be a wizard who had magicked the Dragon of Hushby. But after that they fell to rejoicing, because now no longer had they anything to fear. Arthur had become the hero of Hushby.
They set him on a seat and carried him on their shoulders around the village, with singing and shouting and huzzaing. And the Dragon went with him, spitting and hissing and lashing his absurd little scaly tail inside a cage made of fine wire. Arthur enjoyed all this greatly. But especially he enjoyed the eyes of little Margot, which followed him, full of admiration. And he said to himself, "It is a fine thing to be a hero. But I wish I had not asked for the King's daughter as my reward. I could choose better now!"
When night came Arthur slept once more at the inn, with the Dragon in his little cage beside the bed. Arthur slept soundly, because he was happy and his heart was honest. But the conquered Dragon did not sleep. You see, his conscience was bad,--he had eaten so many poor and deserving persons. And that gives the worst kind of indigestion.
There was another who did not sleep. And this was Oscar, the wicked. He had seen the Dragon when Arthur showed him to the people, and he knew that the strange little beast was a treasure worth far more than gold or jewels. For there was not another like it in the whole world. He meant to steal the miniature Dragon and carry it to a far land, where he could exhibit it in a museum and gain much wealth and honor. Of course, Oscar meant also to claim that this was a young Dragon which he had taken in a brave struggle with its parents, whom Oscar had killed. In that way, he would become a famous hero.
In the dead of night, when all the inn was quiet, Oscar softly climbed up the trellis to the window of the room where Arthur slept. In the darkness two tiny red spots showed him where the Dragon writhed and wriggled restlessly. Stealthily Oscar reached out his hand to take the Dragon. But when he did so the Dragon gave a hiss which he meant should shake the house, but which really was no louder than the chirp of a cricket. It was loud enough, however, to waken Arthur. The hero sprang from the bed to guard his treasure.
Oscar drew his dagger and rushed upon Arthur. But Arthur had been careful to sleep with his hand upon his trusty weapon. Swiftly he put the magic glass to his eye and looked at Oscar. And lo! the wicked man shared the Dragon's fate. Gradually he shrank and shrank, and though he struck fiercely with his dagger it was of little moment; for Oscar was soon but two inches high, and his dagger's prick was like that of a pin, which made Arthur laugh.
Arthur was merciful, and did not put him out entirely, as he could easily have done. Dropping the glass from his eye he picked up in his thumb and finger the little fellow, struggling like a beetle, and put him under an overturned pint-pot for safe keeping. There Oscar remained until morning, a restless neighbor of the restless Dragon.
But Arthur said to himself, "I have used the magic glass twice. I must be careful, for it can be used only once more before its virtue fades; and that chance must be saved to make my Princess little, since, alas! I must marry her and not dear Margot." Then Arthur went back to bed and slept soundly until morning.
On the morrow Arthur said nothing about this night's event to Mine Host nor to the admiring crowd who came to see him set forth on his triumphant journey to the King. He tied Oscar with thread and put him into his wallet, where the wicked fellow snarled and scolded in a chirp that no one could hear. As for the Dragon, Arthur fastened a tiny gold chain about his neck and secured it to his doublet, so that the creature could crawl up and down his shoulder but could not get away. He looked like one of the little chameleons which ladies sometimes wear; though why they like such unhappy living ornaments I cannot tell.
Story DNA
Moral
True courage lies in cleverness and wit, not just brute strength, and sometimes the greatest rewards are not the ones initially sought.
Plot Summary
Arthur, a small but brave hero, arrives in Hushby to defeat a fearsome Dragon, armed only with a butterfly net and a magic glass. After the Dragon attacks the village, Arthur confronts it alone, using his magic glass to shrink the monstrous beast until it is small enough to be captured with his net. Hailed as a hero, Arthur returns to the inn, where the wicked Oscar attempts to steal the miniature Dragon but is also shrunk by Arthur's magic glass. With both the Dragon and Oscar secured, Arthur prepares to return to the King, reflecting on his true desires and the limited power of his magic.
Themes
Emotional Arc
doubt to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The story draws on classic European fairy tale tropes, particularly the 'dragon slayer' narrative, but subverts it with a clever, non-traditional hero.
Plot Beats (12)
- Arthur and his jesters arrive in Hushby, where villagers doubt his ability to fight the Dragon due to his small stature.
- The Dragon attacks Hushby at night, eating two jesters, causing panic, but Arthur sleeps through it.
- Arthur calmly breakfasts, then sets out to confront the Dragon, ignoring the villagers' fears and Margot's tears.
- Arthur encounters the enormous, terrifying Dragon in the valley and stands his ground, preparing his magic glass.
- Arthur uses the magic glass to shrink the Dragon, making it progressively smaller until it flees in terror.
- Arthur chases the tiny Dragon and captures it with his butterfly net and thread.
- Arthur returns to Hushby, dragging the miniature Dragon, and is hailed as a hero by the overjoyed villagers, especially Margot.
- Arthur enjoys his hero status but secretly wishes he could marry Margot instead of the King's daughter.
- Oscar, coveting the unique miniature Dragon, attempts to steal it from Arthur's room at night.
- Arthur awakens, uses his magic glass on Oscar, shrinking him to two inches tall, and traps him under a pint-pot.
- Arthur reflects on the limited uses of his magic glass, saving the last for the Princess.
- Arthur departs Hushby triumphantly, with the tiny Dragon on a chain and the shrunken Oscar in his wallet, heading back to the King.
Characters
Arthur ★ protagonist
Small stature and slender strength, but carries himself with surprising confidence. He is not physically imposing but possesses an inner resolve.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing suitable for travel, likely made of sturdy linen or wool in muted colors. He would wear a doublet and breeches, perhaps a cap. His clothing would be well-maintained but not luxurious, reflecting his humble but determined nature.
Wants: To win glory for the King and marry the Princess, as promised. Later, a growing desire for Margot's admiration and a sense of duty.
Flaw: His initial naivety about love and his commitment to a reward (the Princess) he doesn't truly desire, which causes him internal conflict.
He transforms from a youth focused solely on a promised reward into a true hero who earns admiration and begins to understand his own heart's desires, even if he cannot act on them immediately.
Brave, clever, determined, kind, and a bit naive regarding love. He is unwavering in his quest and possesses a dry wit.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, slender young man standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has fair skin, a determined expression, and short, light brown hair. He wears a practical, fitted forest-green doublet over a cream linen shirt, brown breeches, and sturdy leather boots. A small leather wallet is visible at his hip. He holds a large, wooden-handled butterfly net in his right hand and a small, round, ornate magic glass in his left. A tiny, green, scaly dragon with a gold chain around its neck is perched on his left shoulder. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Dragon of Hushby ⚔ antagonist
Initially as big as twenty elephants, covered in shining green scales. Later, shrinks to the size of a cat, then a lizard, and finally a tiny creature. Its tail is powerful, capable of uprooting trees.
Attire: None, as it is a creature.
Wants: To eat and terrorize the people of Hushby. After being shrunk, its motivation is to escape.
Flaw: Vulnerable to the magic glass, which shrinks it. Its pride makes it susceptible to Arthur's gaze.
Transforms from a colossal, terrifying monster into a tiny, harmless, and captive pet. It experiences fear for the first time.
Terrifying, ravenous, easily angered, proud, and later, fearful and resentful. It has a bad conscience from eating many people.
Image Prompt & Upload
A tiny, green, scaly lizard-like creature, no bigger than a cat, standing on all fours, facing forward, full body visible head to toe. It has small, fiery red eyes, a tiny mouth from which a wisp of smoke emerges, and sharp, miniature teeth. Its body is covered in intricate, overlapping green scales. It is snarling and hissing, with a small, absurdly lashing tail. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Mine Host ◆ supporting
Likely a portly or well-fed man, typical of an innkeeper, but currently pale and trembling from fear. His build would suggest a life of hospitality rather than physical labor.
Attire: Practical, sturdy innkeeper's attire: a dark, perhaps stained, linen or wool tunic over a simple shirt, with an apron tied at the waist. Likely wears comfortable, worn leather shoes.
Wants: To protect his inn and the people of Hushby from the Dragon, and to ensure his guests are comfortable.
Flaw: His overwhelming fear of the Dragon, which paralyzes him.
Moves from despair and fear to relief and joyous celebration after Arthur defeats the Dragon.
Fearful, grateful, hospitable, and somewhat cynical about Arthur's chances of success.
Image Prompt & Upload
A middle-aged, slightly portly man with a kind but worried expression, fair skin, and thinning brown hair. He wears a dark brown linen tunic over a cream shirt, with a practical, stained white apron tied around his waist. He stands with a slight stoop, wringing his hands. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Margot ◆ supporting
A very little maid, no taller than Arthur's shoulder, suggesting she is quite young and small for her age. She is described as fair and sweet.
Attire: Simple, practical peasant dress, likely made of linen or homespun wool in muted colors, with an apron. The blue ribbon in her hair is a key detail.
Wants: To see Arthur succeed and return safely, driven by her admiration for him.
Flaw: Her youth and emotional vulnerability; she is easily distressed.
Her admiration for Arthur grows, and she becomes a source of quiet inspiration and affection for him.
Admirous, emotional, kind, and observant. She is easily moved to tears by both fear and joy.
Image Prompt & Upload
A very small young girl, no taller than a young man's shoulder, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible head to toe. She has fair skin, a round, sweet face, and long, light brown hair tied with a bright blue ribbon. She wears a simple, light blue linen dress with a white apron tied at the waist. She is holding the corner of her apron to her eyes, with a tearful expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Oscar ⚔ antagonist
Initially a man of normal size, but later shrunk to two inches high. His build would be unremarkable, allowing him to blend in with the jesters.
Attire: As one of the King's merry jesters, he would wear colorful, perhaps slightly tattered, jester's motley, but without the bells or cap of a true jester, indicating his darker nature. Later, his clothes would shrink with him.
Wants: To steal Arthur's treasures (initially money, then the miniature Dragon) and claim glory for himself.
Flaw: His greed and overconfidence, which lead him to confront Arthur and ultimately be shrunk by the magic glass.
Attempts to steal from Arthur, is thwarted, and then attempts to steal the Dragon, leading to his own magical shrinking and capture.
Wicked, greedy, cunning, and cowardly. He is driven by self-interest and a desire for wealth and fame.
Image Prompt & Upload
A tiny, two-inch-high man, full body visible head to toe, facing forward. He has a scowling, enraged expression on his miniature face, with dark, beady eyes and a thin mouth. He wears a miniature, slightly tattered jester's motley in faded red and yellow. He is struggling and flailing his tiny limbs, as if trying to escape. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Hushby Village
A bustling village with an inn, benches along the curbs of its streets, and trees providing shade. The people are initially skeptical but later celebratory.
Mood: Initially fearful and anxious due to the dragon, later joyous and celebratory.
The Dragon's night attack, Arthur's breakfast and departure, and his triumphant return.
Image Prompt & Upload
A lively medieval German village street scene with half-timbered Fachwerk houses, their upper stories overhanging cobblestone paths. Villagers in period attire gather, some cheering, others looking on in awe. Sunlight streams down, highlighting the thatched roofs and rough-hewn wooden details of the buildings. A small, triumphant figure is carried on shoulders through the crowd. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Inn Room
A simple, cozy room within the inn where Arthur sleeps, with a window accessible by a trellis. Later, it houses the captured Dragon in a cage and Oscar under a pint-pot.
Mood: Initially peaceful, then tense and dramatic during the attempted theft and Oscar's shrinking.
Arthur sleeps soundly, Oscar attempts to steal the Dragon, and Oscar is shrunken and captured.
Image Prompt & Upload
A dimly lit, rustic medieval German inn room at night, with rough-hewn timber walls and a small, leaded-glass window. Moonlight casts faint shadows on a simple wooden bed covered with a thick wool blanket. On a nearby wooden nightstand, a tiny wire cage holds a miniature, glowing-eyed dragon, and an overturned earthenware pint-pot sits beside it. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Mountain Valley leading to Dragon's Cave
A rugged valley at the base of a mountain, characterized by rocks, trees, and bushes. The ground is covered with moss and ferns. The Dragon's hot breath scorches the vegetation.
Mood: Initially brave and determined, then terrifying and dangerous, finally triumphant.
Arthur confronts and shrinks the Dragon using his magic glass, then captures it with his butterfly net.
Image Prompt & Upload
A dramatic, rugged mountain valley in a temperate European setting, with steep, jagged rock faces rising on either side. Scattered pine trees and gnarled oak bushes cling to the slopes, some appearing scorched or uprooted. The valley floor is a mix of exposed rock, loose scree, and patches of vibrant green moss and ferns. Bright morning sunlight illuminates the scene, casting long shadows and highlighting the textures of the terrain. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.