Aura Lea And The Reluctant Dragon

Aura Lea and the Reluctant Dragon - a children's story written by Kenneth Grahame in 1898, and the song Aura Lea published in 1861 by Fosdick and Poulton. Adapted and read by Gerald Blomeyer, piano by Lázara Cachao. The young girl Aura Lea discovers a song-loving dragon living in the grassy hills above her home. The two become friends. When the dragon is discovered by the villagers, they send for St George to rid them of it. The girl introduces St George to the dragon.

Transcript

Aurali and the Reluctant Dragon,

A children's story written by Kenneth Graham in 1898,

And the song Aurali published in 1861 by Fostick and Poulton,

Adapted and read by Gerald Blomire,

Piano by Lazara Kachow.

Long ago,

Might have been hundreds of years ago,

In a cottage halfway between an English village and grass-covered hills,

A shepherd lived with his wife and their little daughter.

Now the shepherd spent his days,

And at certain times of the year his nights too,

Up on the wide ocean bosom of the hills,

With only the sun and the stars and the sheep for company,

And the friendly chattering world of men and women far out of sight and hearing.

But his little daughter Aurali,

When she wasn't helping her father,

And often when she was as well,

Spent much of her time buried in volumes of books that she'd borrowed from the folks nearby.

And her parents were very fond of her,

And rather proud of her too.

She was left to go her own way and read as much as she liked,

And she was treated more or less unequal by her parents,

Who sensibly thought it a very fair division of labor,

That they should supply the practical knowledge and she the book learning,

As they knew that book learning often came useful in a crisis.

Now what Aurali chiefly dabbled in was natural history and fairy tales,

And she took them just as they came in a sandwich-y sort of way without really making any distinctions,

And really her course of reading strikes one as rather sensible.

One evening the shepherd,

Who for some nights past had been disturbed and preoccupied and off his usual mental balance,

Came home all of a tremble,

And bursting into the room he exclaimed with much agitation,

It's all up with me,

Maria.

Never,

Momoa,

Can I go up there on them hills.

Now don't go on like that,

Said his wife,

Who was a very sensible woman.

Tell us all about it first,

Whatever it is that has given you this shake-up,

And then me and you,

And Aurali between us,

We ought to be able to get to the bottom of it.

It began some nights ago,

Said the shepherd.

You know that cave up there.

I never really liked it somehow,

And the sheep never liked it neither.

Well,

For some time past there's been faint noises coming from the cave,

Noises like heavy sighings with grunts mixed in with them,

And sometimes a snoring far away down,

Real snoring,

Real snoring,

Yet somehow not honest snoring like you and me,

O'Knight,

You know.

Ha!

I know,

Remarked Aurali quietly.

Of course I was terrible frightened,

Said the shepherd went on,

And yet somehow I couldn't keep away.

So this very evening,

Before I come down,

I walked round the cave quietly,

And there,

O'Lord,

There I saw him at last,

As plain as I see you.

So who,

Said his wife,

Beginning to share her husband's nervousness?

Why him,

I'm telling you,

Said the shepherd.

He was sticking halfway out of the cave and seemed to be enjoying the cool of the evening in a poetical sort of way.

He was as big as four huge horses and all covered with shiny scales,

Deep blue scales on the top of him,

Shading off to a tender sort of green below,

And as he breathed there was that sort of a flicker over his nostrils that you see on our dirt roads on a baking windless day in summer.

He had his chin on his paws,

And I should say he was meditating about things.

Oh yes,

A peaceable sort of beast enough,

Not rearing up or carrying on or doing anything,

But what was quite right and proper,

I admit that.

And yet,

What am I to do?

Scales,

You know,

And claws,

And a tail for certain.

Though I didn't see that end of him,

I ain't used to them,

And I don't hold with them,

And that's a fact.

Oralee,

Who apparently had been absorbed in her book during her father's recital,

Now closed the volume,

Yawned.

Hmm,

Clasped her hands behind her head and said sleepily,

It's all right,

Father,

Don't you worry.

It's only a dragon.

Only a dragon,

Cried her father.

What do you mean sitting there,

You and your dragons,

Only a dragon indeed,

And what do you know about it?

Cause it is,

And cause I do know,

Replied the girl quietly.

Now look here,

Father,

You know we've each of us got our line.

You know about sheep and weather and things,

And I know about dragons.

I always said you know that that cave up there was a dragon cave.

I said it must have belonged to a dragon some time,

And ought to belong to a dragon now,

If rules count for anything.

Well,

Now you tell me it has got a dragon,

So that's all right.

Rules always come right if you wait quietly.

Now please,

Just leave this all to me.

I'll stroll up tomorrow morning.

No,

In the morning I can't,

I've got a heap of things to do.

Well,

Perhaps in the evening,

If I'm free,

I'll go up and have a talk to him,

And you'll find it'll be all right.

Only please,

Please don't you go worrying round there without me.

You don't understand them a bit,

And they're very sensitive,

You know.

She's quite right,

Father,

Said the sensible mother,

As she says dragons are her line,

Not ours.

She's wonderful knowing about book beasts,

As everyone knows.

Next day,

After she'd had her tea,

Oralee strolled up the dusty track that led to the summit of the hills,

And there,

Sure enough,

She found the dragon,

Stretched lazily on the grass in front of his cave.

The view from that point was a magnificent one,

To the right and left,

The bare and billowy extent of grassy hills.

In front,

The valley with its clustered homesteads,

Its threads of white roads running through the hills,

Its threads of white roads running through orchards and well-plowed fields,

And far away,

A hint of grey old cities on the horizon.

A cool breeze played over the surface of grass,

And the silver shoulder of a large moon was showing above the distant juniper trees.

No wonder the dragon seemed in a peaceful and contented mood.

Indeed,

As the girl approached,

She could hear the beast purring with happy regularity.

Well,

We live and learn,

She said to herself.

None of my books ever told me that dragons purred.

Oh,

Hello,

Dragon,

Said Oralee quietly when she had got up to him.

The dragon,

On hearing the approaching footsteps,

Made the beginning of a courteous effort to ride,

But when he saw it was a child,

He set his eyebrows severely.

Now,

Now,

Now,

Don't you hit me,

He said,

Or throw stones,

Or squirt water,

Or anything.

I won't have it,

I tell you,

I won't have it.

Not going to hit you,

Said the girl wearily,

Dropping on the grass beside the beast.

And don't,

For goodness sake,

Keep on saying don't.

I hear so much of it.

It's monotonous,

And it makes me tired.

I simply looked in to ask you how you were,

And all that sort of thing.

But if I'm in the way,

I can easily clear out.

I've lots of friends I have,

And no one can say I'm in the habit of shoving myself in where I'd not want it.

No,

No,

No,

Don't go off in a huff,

Said the dragon hastily.

Fact is,

I'm as happy up here as the day is long.

Never without an occupation,

My dear,

Never without an occupation.

And yet,

Between ourselves,

It is a trifle dull at times.

The girl bit off a stalk of grass and chewed on it.

Going to make a long stay here,

She asked politely.

Can't really say it,

Present replied the dragon.

Seems a nice enough place,

But I've only been here a short time,

And one must look about and reflect and consider before settling down.

It's a rather serious thing,

You know,

Settling down.

Besides,

Now I'm going to tell you something,

You'll never guess it,

If you tried ever so.

Fact is,

I'm so confoundedly lazy.

You surprise me,

Said the girl civilly.

It's the sad truth,

The dragon went on settling down between his paws and evidently delighted to have found a listener at last.

And I fancy that's really how I came to be here.

You see,

All the other fellows were so active and earnest and all that sort of thing,

Always rearing up and skirmishing and scouring the desert sands and pacing the margin of the sea.

And chasing knights all over the place and going on generally,

Whereas me,

Ha ha ha.

I like to get my meals regular and then prop my back against a rock and snooze a bit and wake up and think of things going on,

You know.

So when it happened,

I got fairly caught.

When what happened,

Please,

Asked orally.

Well,

That's just what I don't precisely know,

Said the dragon.

I suppose the earth sneezed or shook itself or the bottom dropped out of something.

Anyhow,

There was a shake and a roar and a general ruckus and I found myself miles away underground and wedged in tight as tight.

Well,

Thank goodness my wants are few and at any rate I had peace and quiet and wasn't always being asked to come along and do something.

And I've got such an active mind,

Always occupied,

I assure you.

But time went on and there was a certain sameness about the life and at last I began to think it would be fun to work my way upstairs and see what you other fellows were doing.

So I scratched and borrowed and worked this way and that way and at last I came out through this cave here.

And I like the country and the view and the people,

Well,

What I've seen of them,

And on the whole I feel inclined to settle down here.

What's your mind always occupied about,

Asked the girl.

That's what I want to know.

The dragon colored slightly and looked away.

Presently,

He said bashfully,

Um,

Did you ever just for fun try to make up poetry or songs,

You know?

Of course I have,

Said the girl,

Heaps of it.

And some of it's quite good,

I feel sure.

Only there's no one here cares about it.

Mother's very kind and all that when I read it to her and so's father for that matter.

But somehow they don't seem to,

Er,

Exactly,

Cried the dragon,

My own case exactly.

They don't seem to,

Er,

And you can't argue with them.

Now you've got culture,

You have.

Oh,

I can tell it on you at once.

And I should just like your candid opinion about some little things I threw off lightly when I was down there.

I'm awfully pleased to have met you and I'm hoping the other neighbors will be equally agreeable.

There was a very nice gentleman up here last night,

But he didn't want to intrude.

That was my father,

Said Orly.

He's a nice old gentleman.

I'll introduce you some day if you like.

Can't you two come up here and dine or something tomorrow,

Asked the dragon eagerly.

Only,

Of course,

If you haven't got anything else to do,

He added politely.

Thanks,

Orly,

Said the girl,

But we don't go out anywhere without my mother.

And,

To tell you the truth,

I'm afraid she might not quite approve of you.

You see there's no getting over the hard fact that you're a dragon,

Is there?

And when you talk of settling down and the neighbors and so on,

I can't help feeling that you don't quite realize your position.

You're an enemy of the human race,

You see.

Ha!

Haven't got an enemy in the world,

Said the dragon cheerfully.

Too lazy to make him to begin with.

And if I do sing other fellows my songs,

I'm always ready to listen to theirs.

Oh dear,

Cried the girl,

I wish you'd try and grasp the situation properly.

When the other people find you out,

They'll come after you with spears and swords and all sorts of things.

According to their way of looking at it,

You're a curse and a pest and a vicious monster.

Not a word of truth in it,

Said the dragon,

Wagging his head solemnly.

Character will bear the strictest investigation.

And now,

There's this little song thing I was working on when you appeared on the scene.

Oh,

If you won't be sensible,

Cried the girl,

Getting up.

I'm going off home.

No,

No,

I can't stop for songs.

My mother is sitting up.

I'll look you up tomorrow sometime,

Moreover,

And do,

For goodness sake,

Try to realize that you're a pestilential scourge,

Or you'll find yourself in the most awful fix.

Good night.

Aura Lee found it an easy matter to set the mind of her parents at ease about her new friend.

They had always left that branch to her,

And they took her word without a murmur.

So the shepherd was formally introduced,

And many compliments and kind inquiries were exchanged.

And his wife,

However,

Though expressing her willingness to help in any way,

Could not be brought to recognize him formally.

She made no objection,

However,

To her little daughter spending her evenings with the dragon quietly,

So long as she was at home by nine o'clock.

And many a pleasant night they had,

Sitting outside while the dragon told stories of old,

Old times,

When dragons were really plentiful,

And the world was a livelier place than it is now,

And life was full of thrills and jumps and surprises.

He even wrote her a little song.

As the blackbird in the spring,

Neath the willow tree,

Sat and rocked,

I heard him sing,

Praising Aura Lee.

Aura Lee,

Aura Lee,

Aura Lee,

Girl with shining hair,

Sunshine came along with thee,

And swallows in the air.

What the girl had feared,

However,

Soon came to pass.

The most modest and retiring dragon in the world,

If he's as big as four huge horses,

And covered with blue scales,

Cannot altogether keep out of public view.

And so,

In the village tavern at night,

The fact that a real live dragon sat brooding in the cave on the hills was naturally a subject for talk.

Though the villagers were extremely frightened,

They were rather proud as well.

It was a distinction to have a dragon of your own,

And it was felt to be a feather in the cap of the village.

Still,

All were agreed that this sort of thing couldn't be allowed to go on.

The countryside must be freed from this dragon.

He was a dragon and couldn't deny it.

But in spite of much of brave talk,

No hero was found who was willing to take sword and spear and free the suffering village and win deathless fame.

And each night's heated discussion always ended in nothing.

Meanwhile,

The dragon,

A happy free spirit,

Lolled on the grass,

Enjoyed the sunsets,

Told timeless anecdotes to Aurelie,

And polished his old songs and verses while meditating on fresh ones.

One day,

Aurelion walking into the village found everything festively decorated.

Carpets and bright-colored stuffs were hung out of the windows.

The church bells clamored noisily.

The little street was flower-strewn.

And the people jostled each other along each side of it,

Chattering,

Shoving,

And ordering each other to stand back.

Aurelie saw a friend of her own age in the crowd and called her.

What's up?

She cried.

Is it the players or bears or a circus or what?

It's all right,

Her friend called back.

He's a-coming.

Who's a-coming?

Demanded Aurelie,

Pushing into the crowd.

Why,

St.

George,

Of course,

Replied her friend.

He's heard tell of our dragon,

And he's come on purpose to drive the beast out and free us.

Oh,

My,

Ha-ha,

Won't that be a jolly fight?

Here was news indeed.

Aurelie felt that she ought to make quite sure,

And she wriggled herself in between the legs of her good-natured elders.

Once in the front row,

She breathlessly awaited the arrival.

Presently,

From the faraway end of the line came the sound of cheering.

Next,

The measured tramp of a great warhorse made her heart beat quicker,

And then she found herself cheering with the rest as,

Amidst welcoming shouts,

Shrill cries of women,

Uplifting of babies,

And waving of handkerchiefs,

St.

George paced slowly up the street.

Her heart stood still,

And she breathed with sobs.

The beauty and the grace of the hero were so far beyond anything she had ever seen.

His armor was inlaid with gold,

His plumed helmet hung on his saddle,

And his thick,

Fair hair framed a face gracious and gentle beyond expression,

Till you caught the sternness in his eyes.

He drew rain in front of the little inn,

And the villagers crowded round with greetings and thanks and loud statements of their wrongs and grievances and oppressions.

Oralee heard the grave gentle voice of the saint assuring them that all would be well now,

And that he would stand by them and see them righted and free them from their foe.

Then he dismounted and passed through the doorway,

And the crowd poured in after him.

But Oralee made off to the hill as fast as she could.

It's all up,

Dragon,

She shouted as soon as she was within sight of the beast.

He's coming,

He's here now.

You'll have to pull yourself together and do something at last.

The dragon was licking his scales and rubbing them down with the cloth the girl's mother had lent him,

Till he shone like a great turquoise.

Don't be violent,

Girl,

He said without looking round.

Sit down,

Get your breath,

And try to remember that the noun governs the verb,

And then perhaps you'll be good enough to tell me who's coming.

That's right,

Take it coolly,

Said Oralee.

Hope you'll be half as cool when I've got through with my news.

It's only St George who's coming,

That's all.

He rode into the village half an hour ago.

Oh,

Of course you can beat him,

A great big fellow like you.

But I thought I'd warn you,

Because he's sure to be round early,

And he's got the longest,

Wickedest spear you ever did see.

And the girl got up and began to jump round in sheer delight at the prospect of a battle.

Oh,

Dearie,

Dearie me,

Moaned the dragon,

This is too awful.

I won't see him,

And that's flat.

I don't want to know the fellow at all.

You must tell him to go away at once,

Please.

Say he can write if he likes,

But I'm not seeing anybody at present.

Now,

Dragon,

Dragon,

Said the girl imploringly.

Don't be silly.

You've got to fight him some time or other,

You know,

Because he's St George and you're the dragon.

Better get it over with,

And then we can go on with the songs.

And you ought to consider other people a little too.

If it's been dull up here for you,

Think how dull it's been for me.

Oh,

My dear little girl,

Said the dragon solemnly.

Just understand once for all that I can't fight and I won't fight.

I've never fought in my life,

And I'm not going to begin now just to give you some fun.

In old days,

I always let the other,

The earnest fellows,

Do all the fighting.

And no doubt,

That's why I have the pleasure of being here now.

But if you don't fight,

He'll hurt you,

Gasped the girl.

Miserable at the prospect of losing both the fight and her friend.

Oh,

I think not,

Said the dragon in his lazy wail.

You'll be able to arrange something.

I've every confidence in you.

You're such a manager.

Just run down there as a dear girl and make it all right.

I leave it entirely to you.

Aurelie made her way back to the village in a state of great despair.

First of all,

There wasn't going to be any fight.

Next,

Her dear and honored friend the dragon hadn't shown up in quite such a heroic light as she would have liked.

And lastly,

Whether the dragon was a hero at heart or not,

It made no difference.

For St.

George would undoubtedly hurt him deeply.

Arrange things indeed,

She said bitterly to herself.

The dragon treats the whole affair as if it were an invitation to tea and croquet.

The villagers were straggling homewards as she paced up the street.

All of them in the highest spirits and gleefully discussing the splendid fight that was in store.

The girl pursued her way to the inn and passed into the main room where St.

George now sat alone,

Musing over the chances of the fight and the sad stories of robbery and wrong that had lately been poured into his sympathetic ears.

May I,

May I come in,

St.

George asked the girl politely as she paused at the door.

I want to talk to you about this little matter of the dragon if you're not tired of it by now.

Oh yes,

Come in,

Girl,

Come in,

Said the saint kindly.

Another tale of misery and wrong,

I fear me.

Is it a kind parent then of whom the tyrant had robbed you or some tender sister or brother?

Well,

It shall soon be avenged.

Nothing of the sort,

Said the girl.

There's a misunderstanding somewhere and I want to put it right.

The fact is this is a good dragon.

Exactly,

Said St.

George,

Smiling pleasantly.

I quite understand.

A good dragon.

Believe me,

I do not in the least regret that he's an adversary worthy of my spear.

Oh dear,

Oh dear,

Cried the girl distressedly.

How stupid men are when they get an idea into their heads.

I tell you he's a good dragon and a friend of mine and tells me the most beautiful stories you've ever heard,

All about old times and when he was little.

And he's been so kind to mother and mother would do anything for him and father likes him too,

Though father doesn't hold with art and singing much and always falls asleep when the dragon starts talking about style.

But the fact is nobody can help liking him when once they know him.

He's so engaging and so trustful and as simple as a child.

Sit down and draw your chair up,

Said St.

George.

I like someone who sticks up for their friends and I'm sure the dragon has his good points.

Well,

If he's got a friend like you,

That's not the question.

All this evening I've been listening with grief and anguish unspeakable to tales of murder,

Theft and wrong.

Rather too highly colored perhaps and not always quite convincing,

But forming in the main a most serious role of crime.

Oh,

You've been taking in all the tales those fellows have been telling you,

Said the girl impatiently.

Why our villagers are the biggest storytellers in all the country?

It's a known fact.

You're a stranger in these parts or else you have heard it already.

All they want is a fight.

Dogs,

Bulls,

Dragons,

Anything so long it's a fight.

And I've no doubt they've been telling you what a hero you were and how you were bound to win in the cause of right and justice and so on.

But let me tell you,

I came down the street just now and they were betting on the dragon winning.

On the dragon?

Oh,

This is an evil world,

Murmured St.

George sadly,

Resting his cheek on his hand.

Sometimes I begin to think that all the wickedness in it is not entirely bottled up in the dragons.

And yet,

May not this cunning beast have misled you as to his real character in order that your good report of him may serve as a cover for his evil deeds?

The moment he had spoken,

St.

George was sorry for what he had said.

The girl looked so genuinely distressed.

I assure you,

St.

George,

She said earnestly,

The dragon's a real gentleman,

Every inch of him.

And I may say that no one would be more shocked and grieved than he would at hearing you talk in that loose way about matters on which he has very strong views.

Well,

Perhaps I've been over credulous,

Said St.

George.

Perhaps I've misjudged the animal.

But what are we to do?

Here are the dragon and I,

Almost face to face,

Each supposed to be thirsting for a fight.

I don't see any way out of it exactly.

What do you suggest?

Can't you arrange things somehow?

That's just what the dragon said,

Replied,

Or a leave rather nettled.

Really the way you two seem to leave everything to me.

I suppose you couldn't be persuaded to go away quietly,

Could you?

Impossible,

I fear,

Said the saint.

Quite against the rules.

You know that as well as I do.

Well then,

Look here,

Said the girl.

It's early yet.

Would you mind strolling up with me and seeing the dragon and talking it over?

It's not far,

And any friend of mine would be most welcome.

Well,

It's irregular,

Said St.

George Rising,

But really it seems about the most sensible thing to do.

You're taking a lot of trouble on your friend's account,

He added,

Good-naturedly,

As they pass through the door together.

I've brought a friend to see you,

Dragon,

Said the girl rather loud.

The dragon woke up with a start.

Oh,

Excuse me,

I was just thinking about things,

He said in his simple way.

Very pleased to make your acquaintance,

Sir.

Charming,

Charming weather we're having.

This is St.

George,

Said the girl shortly.

St.

George,

Let me introduce you to the dragon.

Now we've come to talk things over quietly,

Dragon,

And now,

For goodness sake,

Do let us have a little straight common sense and come to some practical business-like arrangement,

For I'm sick of views and theories of life and all that sort of thing.

I may add,

Perhaps,

That my mother is sitting up.

So glad to meet you,

St.

George,

Began the dragon rather nervously.

Because you've been a great traveller,

I hear,

And I have always been rather a stay-at-home.

I think,

Said St.

George in his frank and pleasant way,

That we'd really better take the advice of our young friend here and try to come to some understanding on a business footing about this little affair of ours.

Now don't you think that after all the simplest plan would be just to fight it out,

According to the rules,

And let the best man win?

They're betting on you down in the village?

Ah,

But I don't mind that.

Oh,

Yes,

Do,

Dragon,

Said the girl delightedly.

It'll save such a lot of bother.

My young friend,

You shut up,

Said the dragon severely.

Believe me,

St.

George,

He went on,

There's nobody in the world I'd sooner oblige than you and this young lady here.

But the whole thing's nonsense and conventionality and popular thick-headedness.

There's absolutely nothing to fight about from beginning to end.

And anyhow,

I'm not going to,

So that settles it.

But supposing I make you,

Said St.

George,

Rather nettled.

Aha,

You can't,

Said the dragon triumphantly.

I should only go into my cave and retire for a time down the hole I came up.

You'd soon get heartily sick of sitting outside and waiting for me to come out and fight you.

And as soon as you'd really gone away,

Why,

I'd come up again,

Happily.

For I tell you frankly,

I like this place and I'm going to stay here.

St.

George gazed for a while on the fair landscape around them.

Ah,

But this would be a beautiful place for a fight,

He began persuasively.

These great bare rolling grass-covered hills for the arena.

And me in my golden armour showing up against your big blue scaly coils.

Think,

Think what a picture we would make.

Now you're trying to get at me through my artistic sensibilities,

Said the dragon.

But it won't work.

But,

But it would make a very pretty picture,

As you say,

He added wavering a little.

We seem to be getting rather nearer to business,

Put in orally.

You must see,

Dragon,

That there's got to be a fight of some sort.

Because you don't want to have to go down that dirty old hole again and stop there till goodness knows when.

It might be arranged,

Said St.

George thoughtfully.

I must spear you somewhere,

Of course.

But I'm not bound to hurt you very much.

There's such a lot of you that there must be a few spare places somewhere.

Here,

For instance,

Just behind your foreleg.

Now,

That couldn't hurt much,

Just here.

Ha ha,

George,

Now you're tickling.

Ha ha ha,

The dragon,

Said Golly.

Ha ha,

No,

That place won't do at all,

Even if it didn't hurt.

And I'm sure it would,

Most awfully.

It would make me laugh and that would spoil everything.

Well,

Let's try somewhere else then,

Said St.

George patiently.

Under your neck,

For instance.

All these folds of thick skin.

If I speared you here,

You'd never even know I'd done it.

Yes,

But are you sure you can hit the right place,

Asked the dragon anxiously.

Of course I am,

Said St.

George with confidence.

You leave that to me.

It's just because I've got to leave it to you that I'm asking,

Replied the dragon rather testily.

No doubt you would deeply regret any error you might make in the hurry of the moment.

But you wouldn't regret it half as much as I would.

However,

I suppose we've got to trust somebody as we go through life.

And your plan seems,

On the whole,

As good a one as any.

Look here,

Dragon,

Interrupted orally,

A little jealous on behalf of her friend,

Who seemed to be getting all the worst of the bargain.

I don't quite see where you come in.

There's a fight,

Apparently,

And you're to lose.

What I want to know is,

What are you going to get out of it?

St.

George,

Said the dragon,

Tell her,

Please,

What will happen after the deadly combat?

Well,

According to the rules,

I suppose I shall lead you in triumph down to the marketplace or whatever answers to it,

Said St.

George.

Precisely,

Said the dragon,

And then?

And then there'll be shoutings and speeches and things,

Continued St.

George.

And I shall explain that you're converted and see the error of your ways and so on.

Quite so,

Said the dragon,

And then?

Oh,

And then,

Said St.

George.

Why,

And then there'll be the usual banquet,

I suppose.

Exactly,

Said the dragon,

And that's where I come in.

Now look here,

He continued,

Addressing orally.

I'm bored to death up here,

And no one really appreciates me.

I'm going into society,

I am,

Through the kindly aid of our friend here,

Who's taking such a lot of trouble on my account.

And you'll find I've got all the qualities to appeal to people who entertain.

So that's settled.

Now,

If you don't mind,

I'm an old-fashioned fellow.

Don't want to turn you out,

But.

.

.

Now remember you'll have to do your proper share of the fighting,

Said St.

George,

As he took the hint and rose to go.

I mean rearing up and breathing fire and so on.

I can rear up all right,

Replied the dragon confidently.

But as to breathing fire,

It's surprising how easily one gets out of practice.

But I'll do the best I can.

Well,

Good night.

Next morning,

The people began streaming up the hills at quite an early hour,

Dressed in their best clothes and carrying picnic baskets,

Everyone intent on securing good places for the fight.

The places were chosen in view to a speedy retreat in case of emergency,

And the front row was full of children who had escaped from their parents and now sprawled and rolled about on the grass,

Regardless of the shrill threats and warnings shouted at them by their anxious mothers.

Oralee had secured a good front place,

Well up towards the cave,

And was feeling as anxious as a stage manager on the first night.

The higher portions of the ground were now black with sightseers,

And presently the sound of cheering and waving of handkerchiefs told that something was visible to them,

Which Oralee,

Far up towards the dragon's end of the line as she was,

Could not yet see.

A minute more,

And St.

George's red plumes topped the hill as the saint rode slowly forth on the great level space,

Which stretched up to the grim mouth of the cave.

Very gullant and beautiful he looked on his tall warhorse,

His golden armour glancing in the sun,

His great spear held erect,

The little white banner flattering at his point.

He drew rein and remained motionless.

The lines of spectators began to give back a little,

Nervously,

And even the children in the front stopped pushing each other and leaned forward,

Expectant.

Now then,

Dragon muttered Oralee impatiently,

Fidgeting where she sat.

But she need not have distressed herself,

Had she only known.

The dramatic possibilities of the thing had tickled the dragon immensely,

And he'd been up from an early hour preparing for his first public appearance with as much heartiness as if the years had run backwards and he had been again a little dragonlet,

Playing with his sisters on the floor of their mother's cave at the game of saints and dragons in which the dragon was bound to win.

A low muttering,

Mingled with snorts,

Now made itself heard,

Rising to a bellowing roar that seemed to fill the plain.

Then a cloud of smoke obscured the mouth of the cave,

And out of the midst of it,

The dragon himself,

Shining,

Sea blue,

Magnificent,

Pranced splendidly forth.

And everybody said,

Ah,

Ooh.

His scales were glittering,

His long spiky tail lashed his sides,

His claws tore up the turf and scented flying high over his back,

And smoke and fire incessantly jetted from his angry nostrils.

Oh,

Well done,

Dragon,

Well done,

Cried already excitedly.

Didn't think he had it in him,

She added to herself.

St.

George lowered his spear,

Bent his head,

Dug his heels into his horse's sides,

And came thundering over the turf.

The dragon charged with a roar and a squeal,

A great blue whirling combination of coils and snorts and clashing jaws and spikes and fire.

Mist,

Yelled the crowd.

There was a moment's entanglement of golden armor and blue-green coils and a spiky tail,

And then the great horse tearing at his bit carried the saint,

His spear swung high in the air almost up to the mouth of the cave.

The dragon sat down and barked viciously while St.

George with difficulty pulled his horse round into position.

End of round one,

Thought Orally.

How well they managed it.

But I hope the saint won't get excited.

I can trust the dragon all right.

What an actor the fellow is.

St.

George had at last mastered his horse to stand steady and was looking round him as he wiped his brow.

Catching sight of the girl,

He smiled and nodded and held up three fingers for an instance.

Oh,

It seems to be all planned out,

Said Orally to herself.

Round three is to be the finishing one,

Evidently.

Wish it could have lasted a little bit longer.

Whatever's that old fool of a dragon up to now?

The dragon was using the interval to give a ramping performance for the benefit of the crowd.

The ramping,

It should be explained,

Consists of running round and round in a wide circle and sending waves and ripples of movement along the whole length of your spine from your pointed ears right down to the spike at the end of your long tail.

And when you're covered with blue scales,

The effect is particularly pleasing.

And the girl recollected the dragon's recently expressed wish to become a social success.

St.

George now gathered up his reins and began to move forward,

Dropping the point of his spear and settling himself firmly in the saddle.

Time!

Yelled everybody excitedly.

And the dragon sat up and began to leap from one side to the other with huge ungainly bounds whooping like a wild warrior.

Well,

This very naturally disconcerted the horse,

Who swerved violently,

The saint only just saving himself by the mane.

And as they shot past,

The dragon delivered a vicious snap at the horse's tail,

Which sent the poor beast,

Careering madly far over the hills.

So that the language of the saint was fortunately inaudible to the crowd.

Round two evoked audible evidence of friendly feelings towards the dragon.

The spectators were not slow to appreciate a combatant who could hold his own so well and clearly wanted to show good sport.

And many encouraging remarks reached the ears of our friend as he strutted to and fro,

His chest stuck out and his tail in the air,

Hugely enjoying his new popularity.

St.

George had dismounted and was tightening his belts and telling the horse exactly what he thought of him.

So the girl made her way down to the saint's end of the line and held his spear for him.

It's been a jolly fight,

St.

George,

She said with a sigh.

Can't you let it last a little bit longer?

Well,

I think I'd better not,

Replied the saint.

The fact is your simple-minded old friends getting conceited,

Now they've begun cheering him,

And he'll forget all about the arrangement and take to playing the fool.

And there's no telling where he would stop.

I'll just finish him off this round.

And he swung himself into the saddle and took his spear from the girl.

Now don't you be afraid,

He added kindly,

I've marked my spot exactly.

And he's sure to give me all the assistance in his power because he knows it's his only chance of being asked to the banquet.

St.

George now shortened his spear,

Bringing the end well up under his arm.

And instead of galloping as before,

Trotted smartly towards the dragon,

Who crouched at his approach,

Flicking his tail in the air.

The saint wheeled as he neared his opponent and circled warily around him,

Keeping his eye on the spear-place,

While the dragon,

Adopting the same tactics,

Paced with caution round the same circle.

So the two of them sparred for an opening,

While the spectators maintained a breathless silence.

Though the round lasted for some minutes,

The end was so swift that all the girl saw was a lightning movement of the saint's arm,

And then a whirl and a confusion of spines,

Claws,

Tail,

Flying bits of turf.

The dust cleared away.

The spectators whooped and ran in cheering,

And Aurelie made out the dragon was down pinned to the earth by the spear,

While St.

George had dismounted and stood astride of him.

But it all seemed so genuine that Aurelie ran in breathlessly,

Hoping the dear old dragon was not really hurt.

And as she approached,

The dragon lifted one large eyelid,

Winked solemnly,

And collapsed again.

He was held fast to the earth by the neck,

But the saint had hit him in the spear-place agreed upon,

And it didn't even seem to tickle.

After a while,

St.

George declared pleasantly,

I think we'll all go down to the village now and have some refreshment,

And then I'll give him a good talking to,

And you'll find he'll be a very different dragon.

At that magic word refreshment,

The whole crowd formed up in procession and silently awaited the signal to start.

The time for talking and cheering and betting was past.

The hour for action had arrived.

St.

George,

Hauling on his spear with both hands,

Released the dragon,

Who rose and shook himself,

And ran his eye over the scales and spikes and things to see that they were all in order.

Then the saint mounted and led off the procession,

The dragon following meekly in the company of Aurelie,

While the thirsty spectators kept at a respectful distance behind.

There were great doings when they got down to the village again and had formed up in front of the inn.

After refreshment,

St.

George made a speech in which he informed his audience that he had removed their terrible threat at a great deal of trouble and inconvenience to himself,

And now they weren't to go about grumbling and fancying they got grievances because they hadn't.

Then he told them that the dragon had been thinking things over and saw that there were two sides to every question,

And he wasn't going to do it any more,

And if they were good,

Perhaps he'd stay and settle down there.

So they must make friends and not be prejudiced.

Then he sat down amidst much repentant cheering,

And the dragon nudged Aurelie in the ribs and whispered that he couldn't have done it better himself.

Then everybody went off to get ready for the banquet.

Now banquets are always pleasant things,

Consisting mostly,

As they do,

Of eating and drinking,

But the specially nice thing about a banquet is that it comes when something's over,

And there's nothing more to worry about,

And tomorrow seems a long way off.

St.

George was happy because there'd been a fight and he hadn't hurt anybody.

The dragon was happy because there'd been a fight,

And so far from being hurt in it,

He had won popularity and a sure footing in society.

Aurelie was happy because there'd been a fight,

And in spite of it,

All her two friends were on the best of terms,

And all the others were happy because there'd been a fight,

And,

Well,

They didn't require any other reasons for their happiness.

The dragon exerted himself to say the right thing to everybody and proved the life and soul of the evening,

While the saint and Aurelie,

As they looked on,

Felt that they were only assisting a feast of which the honor and glory were entirely the dragon's.

But they didn't mind that,

Being good fellows,

And the dragon was not in the least proud or forgetful.

On the contrary,

Every ten minutes or so he leant over towards Aurelie and said impressively,

Oh,

Look here,

You will see me home afterwards,

Won't you?

And she always nodded,

Though she had promised her mother not to be out late.

At last the banquet was over.

The guests had dropped away with many good nights and congratulations and invitations,

And the dragon who had seen the last of them off the premises emerged into the street followed by Aurelie.

He wiped his brow,

Sighed,

Sat down in the road,

And gazed at the stars.

Mmm,

Jolly night it's been,

He murmured.

Mmm,

Jolly stars,

Mmm,

Jolly little place this.

Ah,

Think I'll just stop here.

Don't feel like climbing up any beastly hill.

Aurelie's promised to see me home,

And she'd better do it then.

No responsibility on my part.

Responsibility is all hers.

And his chin sank on his broad chest,

And he slumbered peacefully.

Aurelie sat down in the road by the side of the sleeping dragon and thought to herself about all the events of the past hours.

The dragon has had such a busy day.

He was so brave,

And now he's so tired.

His greatest wish,

To be seen and heard for what he is,

Has been fulfilled.

How wonderful.

I'm so happy for him.

Just goes to show that if you can dream it,

You can do it.

Thank you,

St.

George,

For coming to support us and to teach us to face adversities and to show us that the real power lies in our choices.

What a lovely day.

I enjoyed every moment of it.

People say a good friend knows all your best stories,

But a best friend has lived them with you.

And I now have two best friends.

This shows if I truly trust my heart,

I can trust in life at any time.

The door behind them opened.

A stream of light illumined the road,

And St.

George,

Who'd come out for a stroll in the cool night air,

Caught sight of the two figures sitting there,

The great motionless dragon and the thoughtful little girl.

Is everything all right,

Orly?

He inquired kindly,

Stepping up to her side.

Oh,

It's this poor dragon,

She replied.

First he makes me promise to see him home,

And then he goes to sleep.

Might as well try to see a haystack home.

And here she stopped.

Now don't worry,

Said St.

George.

I'll stand by you,

And we'll both see him home.

Wake up,

Dragon,

He said,

Shaking the beast by the elbow.

The dragon looked up sleepily.

What a night,

George,

He murmured.

What a— Now look here,

Dragon,

Said the saint firmly.

Here's this little lady waiting to see you home,

And you know she ought to have been in bed these two hours.

And what her mother will say I don't know.

And she shall go to bedside,

The dragon starting up.

Poor little girl.

Just fancy her being up at this hour.

It's a shame,

That's what it is.

Come along at once,

And don't let us have any more shilly shelling.

You give me hold of your hand,

Girl.

Oh,

And thank you,

George,

An arm up the hill is just what I wanted.

So they set off up the hill,

Arm in arm.

The saint,

The dragon,

And the girl.

The lights in the little village began to go out,

But there were stars and a late moon as they climbed the grass-covered hills together.

And as they turned the last corner and disappeared from view,

Snatches of a song were borne back on the night breeze.

As the blackbird in the spring,

Neath the willow tree,

Sat and rocked,

I heard him sing,

Praising Aurelie.

Aurelie,

Aurelie,

Girl with shining hair,

Sunshine came along with thee,

And swallows in the air.

Aurelie,

Aurelie,

Girl with shining hair,

Sunshine came along with thee,

And swallows in the air.

Aurelie,

Aurelie,

Girl with shining hair,

Sunshine came along with thee,

And swallows in the air.

Aurelie,

Aurelie,

Girl with shining hair,

Sunshine came along with thee,

And swallows in the air.

Aurelie,

Aurelie,

Girl with shining hair,

Sunshine came along with thee,

And swallows in the air.

Aurelie,

Aurelie,

Girl with shining hair,

Sunshine came along with thee,

And swallows in the air.

Aurelie,

Aurelie,

Girl with shining hair,

Sunshine came along with thee,

And swallows in the air.

Aurelie,

Aurelie,

Girl with shining hair,

Sunshine came along with thee,

And swallows in the air.

Aurelie,

Aurelie,

Girl with shining hair,

Sunshine came along with thee,

And swallows in the air.

Aurelie,

Aurelie,

Girl with shining hair,

Sunshine came along with thee,

And swallows in the air.

Aurelie,

Aurelie,

Girl with shining hair,

Sunshine came along with thee,

And swallows in the air.

Aurelie,

Aurelie,

Girl with shining hair,

Sunshine came along with thee,

And swallows in the air.

Reviews

Thank you for this lovely, well read story. I had such lovely dreams. Please continue to release stories, they are very good

Amazing voice acting skills, we very much enjoyed it.Thank you so much🐉

I love this voice, this story, everything about it! I might know it by heart by now! Thank you!

I fell asleep, so it did its job. But before that, I enjoyed a sweet funny story of a loving family, a silly dragon, and a clever girl. The narrator really got into the story, while keeping a gentle bedtime tone, which I appreciated

Excellent reading and storytelling of a very charming story! Thank you 🙏

I was so into your reading, it seemed to go by quickly❤❤❤thank you 😊

I SO love the colorful resonant sound of GB’s voice! 💕

Soothing and put me to sleep. Going to listen again. Thank you

Soothing voice and music. Slept so well. Thank you!

Love this story; and your voice is so soothing

Gerald is my favourite story reader. Perfection. I listen to his stories over and over again.

Thank you!

I felt like a child again. Thank you!

Great storytelling! Thank you!!

Thank you for introducing me to such a lovely & most vivid story. Your telling of it is soothing and delightful 💞🦇💞

This is a wonderful story narrated in a most sonorous voice. I’ve been listening to this for the last two weeks and every night I learn just a little more of the story before I succumb to sleep. There is something so charming about the humanity of the characters in this tale, and something so relaxing in your expressive tone that I am transported to dreamland faster than Yoga Nidra. Thank you so much!
😴💗

Very relaxing. .. 😴

This is my favorite story on here. I've listened to it dozens of times to help me fall asleep.... I still don't know how it ends 😜

Such a beautiful story and very softly spoken. Absolutely lovely ❤️❤️🙂

Beautiful
Thanks