Post by Jacinta Montajay on Mar 28, 2021 0:08:23 GMT
Rollo stood proudly on the speaking stump, hands on hips. “We are the dragon scouts. Dragons are strong and big. I want to be strong and big one day too. I want to go on adventures, saving people and scaring monsters. Then I can protect my mommy and daddy and even my sister nellie!” At this, he points to his slightly older sister, who promptly sticks her tongue out at him. Rollo jumps down from the stump, face red from excitement. “Most important, Dragons fly and roar. No one messes with a dragon!” Rollo stretches both arms out, pretending to fly and roaring at his fellow scouts. Many forget the point of this meeting and join him in play.
A small throat clearing disrupts the dragons in flight. The scouts turn to see Kasz standing on the stump, chest puffed out in determination.
“Everyone knows dragons are the best. But think of the flowers!” He cries in earnest. “Scoutmaster BB said flowers are re-silly-ants, they’re strong too! Even though they start out little, they have to be brave and put down roots. They have to be patient and grow the best they can. Flowers help everyone by making sure the bees and butterflies get food.” Kasz points at his fellow scouts. “ We’re like flowers. We’re little too, but we can be brave. We can be patient. One day we’ll grow up and be re-silly-ants! And we’ll protect everyone by staying here and helping people. Like good flowers should.”
Half of the scouts let out a cheer at this impassioned speech. Chants of “Flower scouts! Flower scouts!” break out. Of course, it is immediately met with chants of “Dragon scouts! Dragon scouts!”
Unbeknownst to them, the scouts are watched by three of their favorite “adults.” Jacinta looks on with exasperation, palm on forehead. BB’s amusement is clear on her face. Jasper’s emotions are difficult to discern...because he’s a shrub. But the slight rustling and dislodging of berries suggests the little shrub is trying not to laugh out loud.
“Jacinta, you know this is just going to get worse. They’ve been going at this for weeks now.” BB lets out an audible laugh as the children start circling each other. “Look at them, pack of wolves that they are. They’re dead set on these names.”
Jacinta sighs and pulls out a large canvas sack. “I was hoping this would die down on it’s own, but I did prepare for the worst.” She marches directly into the huddle of children. “Alright, scouts, story time!” The children immediately plop down in the grass, staring expectantly up at Jacinta. With a deep breath, Jacinta begins her tale.
“Scouts, I’ve told you many stories about my adventures, about the world. But there is one legend I’ve neglected to mention. Over a thousand years ago a powerful being of light and goodness roamed the earth. This being was a beacon of hope, a prophet of peace. Everywhere they stepped, life blossomed. After horrible wars scorched the earth, this being would walk onto the battlefield and will life to grow. And do you know who this being was?” The scouts were leaning forward, attention captured. “I’m talking about the greatest dragon that ever lived. They didn’t breathe fire or lightning or ice. No, to re-make the world, to bring peace, this dragon breathed flowers. Everywhere they went, flowers would bloom. Wondrous flowers, flowers no one had ever seen.”
Rollo’s hand shot into the air. “Scoutmaster, if this dragon was so powerful, where are they now?”
Jacinta shook her head sadly. “Well, some people grew jealous of this dragon, afraid even. A dragon so powerful and good, they had to hide away from covetous, evil eyes. In order to protect themselves, they had to perform only small acts of good. No more grand gestures. But we know every good, kind act is just as important as the big stuff. And with these small acts, they continue to make the world a better place.”
At this, Kasz couldn’t help but ask “So they’re still alive?”
“Of course! The flower-breathing dragon simply disguises itself as one of us mortals. They say if you run into a helpful hermit, a kindly gardner, a wondrous witch, well you might actually have met the flower-breathing dragon.”
BB let out a boisterous laugh at this proclamation. In draconic, she playfully chastised Jacinta. “Now, don’t tell them that. You’ll have the wee one harassing every farmer from here to Kundar.”
Jacinta could only smirk at that. “Better them than me!” She returned, her draconic tempered by laughter. She turned back to the scouts who were now staring at BB in awe. That can’t be a good sign. Diversion tactics engage. “Scouts, I’m sorry to say that most will never meet the flower-breathing dragon in person. But in every flower that blooms, we can find inspiration to do good, to bring peace.” Jacinta reached into the canvas bag and showed the scouts their new logo. “We don’t have to choose between dragon scout or flower scout, because we can be both.” On the patch was a rainbow scaled dragon breathing a bouquet of bright flowers from its mouth. The scouts all began cheering, eagerly collecting their new patches.
Crisis mostly averted. Although...now these kids keep asking to search for the flower dragon...
A small throat clearing disrupts the dragons in flight. The scouts turn to see Kasz standing on the stump, chest puffed out in determination.
“Everyone knows dragons are the best. But think of the flowers!” He cries in earnest. “Scoutmaster BB said flowers are re-silly-ants, they’re strong too! Even though they start out little, they have to be brave and put down roots. They have to be patient and grow the best they can. Flowers help everyone by making sure the bees and butterflies get food.” Kasz points at his fellow scouts. “ We’re like flowers. We’re little too, but we can be brave. We can be patient. One day we’ll grow up and be re-silly-ants! And we’ll protect everyone by staying here and helping people. Like good flowers should.”
Half of the scouts let out a cheer at this impassioned speech. Chants of “Flower scouts! Flower scouts!” break out. Of course, it is immediately met with chants of “Dragon scouts! Dragon scouts!”
Unbeknownst to them, the scouts are watched by three of their favorite “adults.” Jacinta looks on with exasperation, palm on forehead. BB’s amusement is clear on her face. Jasper’s emotions are difficult to discern...because he’s a shrub. But the slight rustling and dislodging of berries suggests the little shrub is trying not to laugh out loud.
“Jacinta, you know this is just going to get worse. They’ve been going at this for weeks now.” BB lets out an audible laugh as the children start circling each other. “Look at them, pack of wolves that they are. They’re dead set on these names.”
Jacinta sighs and pulls out a large canvas sack. “I was hoping this would die down on it’s own, but I did prepare for the worst.” She marches directly into the huddle of children. “Alright, scouts, story time!” The children immediately plop down in the grass, staring expectantly up at Jacinta. With a deep breath, Jacinta begins her tale.
“Scouts, I’ve told you many stories about my adventures, about the world. But there is one legend I’ve neglected to mention. Over a thousand years ago a powerful being of light and goodness roamed the earth. This being was a beacon of hope, a prophet of peace. Everywhere they stepped, life blossomed. After horrible wars scorched the earth, this being would walk onto the battlefield and will life to grow. And do you know who this being was?” The scouts were leaning forward, attention captured. “I’m talking about the greatest dragon that ever lived. They didn’t breathe fire or lightning or ice. No, to re-make the world, to bring peace, this dragon breathed flowers. Everywhere they went, flowers would bloom. Wondrous flowers, flowers no one had ever seen.”
Rollo’s hand shot into the air. “Scoutmaster, if this dragon was so powerful, where are they now?”
Jacinta shook her head sadly. “Well, some people grew jealous of this dragon, afraid even. A dragon so powerful and good, they had to hide away from covetous, evil eyes. In order to protect themselves, they had to perform only small acts of good. No more grand gestures. But we know every good, kind act is just as important as the big stuff. And with these small acts, they continue to make the world a better place.”
At this, Kasz couldn’t help but ask “So they’re still alive?”
“Of course! The flower-breathing dragon simply disguises itself as one of us mortals. They say if you run into a helpful hermit, a kindly gardner, a wondrous witch, well you might actually have met the flower-breathing dragon.”
BB let out a boisterous laugh at this proclamation. In draconic, she playfully chastised Jacinta. “Now, don’t tell them that. You’ll have the wee one harassing every farmer from here to Kundar.”
Jacinta could only smirk at that. “Better them than me!” She returned, her draconic tempered by laughter. She turned back to the scouts who were now staring at BB in awe. That can’t be a good sign. Diversion tactics engage. “Scouts, I’m sorry to say that most will never meet the flower-breathing dragon in person. But in every flower that blooms, we can find inspiration to do good, to bring peace.” Jacinta reached into the canvas bag and showed the scouts their new logo. “We don’t have to choose between dragon scout or flower scout, because we can be both.” On the patch was a rainbow scaled dragon breathing a bouquet of bright flowers from its mouth. The scouts all began cheering, eagerly collecting their new patches.
Crisis mostly averted. Although...now these kids keep asking to search for the flower dragon...
~fin~