The Gentle Maiden and the Dragon
Once upon a time, a gentle maiden named Marie lived in the small hamlet of Wickersheim. Her sparkling eyes and warm heart made everyone in the village adore her; she was their sun on cloudy days. But Marie was not ordinary; she had the miraculous ability to hear the whispers of the wind, the lullabies sung by the trees, and the tales spun by the fireside.
One day, while Marie was chatting with the old oak behind her home, a chilling wind blew in from the north, whispering tales of a terrifying dragon that had awakened after a thousand years of slumber. It lived on the highest peak of the Dusklit Ranges, and its fiery wrath threatened all the neighbouring villages of Wickersheim. Marie shared this eerie prophecy with the elders. Initially sceptical, they eventually noticed the changes in weather and the increasing tremors shaking the ground. Fear took over their heart, dousing their spirits.
Realising the gravity of the situation, Marie decided to approach the dragon herself, bearing bravery in her heart and the hope of her village on her shoulders. There was murmuring among the villagers; their gentle maiden against a fearsome dragon seemed unthinkable. But Marie was determined. With tears glistening in their eyes, they bid her farewell, praying fervently for her safe return.
The journey to the Dusklit Ranges was perilous, with steep slopes, rocky terrains, and hairpin trails. It took days of walking through thick forests and crossing gushing rivers for Marie to reach the dragon's den. As she stood at the mouth of the cave, an enormous, fire-breathing creature with scales glittering under the faint sun emerged, radiating sheer power and danger.
Without letting her fear overshadow her courage, Marie introduced herself and conveyed her village's turmoil. The dragon listened, surprisingly calm, his red eyes scrutinising her. Touched by Marie's bravery and artlessness, the dragon unburdened his grievance: a thorn lodged in his scales, refusing him sleep for many nights. His wrath was merely his an agony unleashed to the wind.
Summoning her courage, Marie approached the dragon, pulling free the thorn lodged deep within its scale. The dragon roared but soon calmed down, a wave of relief washing over him. Marie had solved his pain. In his gratitude, the dragon pledged to cease his wrath and protect Wickersheim and its neighbouring villages henceforth.
When Marie returned, news of her bravery and the dragon's truce brought relief and joy to Wickersheim. They hailed Marie as their saviour, their pride. Years went by with harmony between the village and the dragon. The villagers often woke to a vibrantly warm morning, spotting a fire-breathing silhouette soaring through the skies of peaceful Wickersheim.
This tale of bravery and empathy traveled to the farthest corners of the world, reminding people that gentle courage could often be stronger than force and that understanding could turn foes into guardians.