The Old Knight

by Victoria Robinson

Once upon a time there was an old knight. He had a horribly lame horse that could hardly move a muscle. His wife was dead and he was very, very poor.
One day, the king called upon all his brave young knights. "A dragon has kidnapped my dear daughter! I will let whoever rescues the princess marry her and become king when I die!" he promised.
But the young knights were too afraid to even ride out of the castle's gates!
Finally, the king called upon the old knight. "I know your time to serve me is finished," he said, "But as your king I ask you one thing, to rescue my only daughter!"
The old knight had to obey the king. So he put on his rusty armor, strapped in his broken, dirt-clad sword, and mounted his lame horse. Then without anyone noticing, he rode through the castle gates without a backward glance.
As he headed into the woods, he heard a sparrow mournfully singing,
" On them sat I
To hide them I
From eagle's eye

Now the dragon owns
Their lives and homes
And crush them he will
Sweet innocence kill!"

The knight asked the sparrow what she could mean. "The evil dragon stole my precious eggs and I am mourning for them," croaked the sparrow sadly. "I will retrieve them!" promised the knight and the sparrow sang hopefully.
The knight rode on until he came to a hill where some horses were neighing to each other sadly,
"Alas my dear, dear lovely foal
Now in dragon stomach full
How I wish I could dance
And you around me prance
But alas! alas! oh alas!
Never shall I get that wish
For you are a dragon dish!

"What do you mean by this?" asked the knight again. The horses neighed, "One of our foals was captured and we are mourning because he is most likely dead!" "I will find him!" thundered the knight riding on, determind.
After awhile, he came to a cave, the dragon's lair. Quietly, he snuck in and the sight amazed and astonished him. A fair princess was humming and braiding the ugly dragon's hair. (all dragons have hair and I do not know a single one who does not) When she saw him, she stopped and pleaded, "Go away!" Ignoring her, the old knight spotted the eggs laying close to the dragon and he scooped them up. "DO NOT!" cried the maiden, " The dragon loves them! They are like his own children!" "Where is the foal?" the knight asked gruffly. Frightened, the foal showed itself. "Do not take it for it rather be here than anywhere else!" screamed the princess. The old knight considered this. He was old and tired and he was not sure if he could win in a duel against the dragon so he said, "Wake the dragon!" The maiden did so and the dragon awoke with a great big roar.
The dragon sniffed the air. "Why I smell armor!!" he growled furiously. When he saw the knight he laughed, " That king does not even send his best knights to fetch his daughter, only an old man!"
"Dragon," began the knight angrily, " I have journeyed far and seen many a thing all being sadness! You thief! You worm! You kidnapper of innocence! You evil thing!"
The dragon hung his head and cried great big tears. "I know! I know I am pure evil but I am just so lonely. I have never had a friend. BOOHOOOHOOO!" ( Seeing a dragon cry is quite pitiful, believe me)
The knight's tone softened, "Of course you won't if go around kidnapping! You must be lovable and loyal." "I do not know how!" wailed the miserable dragon. "Follow me! Return your prey and learn!!"
spoke the knight. Sulkily, the dragon agreed to return his prey.
It was an interesting sight, an ancient horse with a lovely maiden carefully carrying eggs, leading a prancing foal, a bent-over knight, and a sad, sad dragon.
Soon they came to a hill where horses were grazing. The foal whinnied happily and joined his worried and fretting mother. The knight nodded and the dragon brightened.
A little later, they trekked through the woods and saw the sparrow's nest. The grateful sparrow chirped as her eggs were laid one by one in the nest. The knight smiled and the dragon weeped with joy.
At last, they reached the castle. The king ran to the gates to meet his daughter. They embraced affectionately and the king asked the knight, "Why have you brought this vile worm?" But the princess cried,
"Do not harm him! He is my friend!" Unconvinced, the king asked the knight," How can I repay you? And why have you brought this worm?" The knight answered, "You can repay me by sparing this worm. For I am old and greatly desire a friend." The king was impressed.
If you happen to meet a bent-over knight with a friendly dragon, strong young steed, and a cheery group of birds, most likely he will tell you this tale.