In The Heart of a Dragon
Once upon a time, in the quaint village of Neziri, nestled between lofty mountains and dense woods, lived a boy named Jun. Jun was a shepherd. Every day, he led his flock to graze in the verdant pastures on the outskirts of the village. Life was simple, but for Jun, it was enough. He was content.
One quiet afternoon, as Jun was tending to his flock, there was an violent shake of the earth, followed by an ominous roar. It came from Mount Ryushi, the towering peak that touched the clouds, a mountain all villagers revered and feared. Everyone believed it was home to a colossal dragon, an ancient being powerful enough to either protect or destroy Neziri. This was the first time anyone heard a sound from the mountain, causing panic among the villagers.
Amongst the turmoil, Jun noticed his flock was scattered and one of his lambs had gone missing. Without a second thought, he decided to head to Mount Ryushi, having a peculiar feeling that his lamb was there. His heart pounded in his chest, but he carried forward, courageously undertaking journey to find his lamb and perhaps uncover the truth of Mount Ryushi.
Through treacherous paths, past thick foliage and precarious cliffs, Jun reached the dragon's lair. Fear welled in his heart, but the soft bleating of his lamb gave him courage. There, in the middle, lay a majestic dragon. Its scales shimmered like emeralds under sunlight, eyes reflecting a thousand stories. Jun approached the dragon, his heart filled with fear and awe. In his innocence, he asked the dragon to return his lamb. And, the dragon did.
This unexpected kindness from the dragon intrigued Jun. Plucking up the courage, Jun asked the dragon why it roared. The dragon confessed that it was lonely and its roar was a cry for friendship. Jun might be the only mortal who had ever consorted with the dragon without fear and prejudice. He felt a strange connection with the dragon, akin to the bond he felt with his lambs, a bond of friendship and mutual respect.
Jun started visiting the dragon regularly, sharing his tales of the village and the innocuous events of his life. The dragon in return would share stories laced with magic, wisdom, and experiences of a time long forgotten. A divine friendship blossomed between a mortal and an ageless creature.
One day, the dragon fell gravely ill. Jun, desperate to save his friend, sought the help of the village Sage. He revealed that the health of the dragon was connected to Mount Ryushi. The mountain, having been neglected and disrespected by the villagers, was dying. The life of the village and dragon were intertwined.
With the Sage's guidance, Jun convinced his villagers to respect the mountain again, to treat it with love and care. As the villagers started nurturing the mountain, the dragon's health improved, and the village prospered like never before.
The brave shepherd boy Jun had united an entire village with a creature they once feared, teaching them the profound lesson of harmony, mutual respect and the true meaning of co-existence. In return, he created a legacy of friendship that transcended lifetimes and conventions. Even now, many moons later, the villagers narrate the tale of Jun and the dragon, celebrating unity, love, and respect between all creatures, big and small.
And so, Jun left behind a legacy, a tale etched in time, and a life-long lesson for the villagers. He proved that size nor species matter in friendship, that beings from different walks of life can coexist and thrive together. Through one boy's bravery, Neziri learned to honour life in every form and fear no living creature based solely on tales.