Of the Knight and the Dragon

There once was an old knight in Jerusalem,

whose face was worn

from sailing and treading many a long mile

of the world.

His days were numbered,

but before this life he was to leave,

the last great dragon he wanted to see.

So one morning, he bade farewell

to his king and companions of old,

and toward the snow-covered land

he directed his tireless steps.

It took him a full winter and moon

to finally reach the place

where all men must eventually meet their fate.

But upon arriving at the entrance

of the gloomy cavern,

his faltering strength failed him,

and down he fell to his knees.

As life flowed from his body,

lo and behold! The mighty dragon

walked out of the cavern.

The sky and the land began to shake

with each of his steps,

and when the creature stopped,

the whole universe came to a halt.

The dragon then spoke

in a voice that echoed

all those the knight had ever heard

from cradle to grave:

"Until the day a knight shall come

to the entrance of my cavern,

till that day,

dreams will accompany men."

Upon hearing these words,

the honorable knight closed his eyes

and departed this world—

in peace, at last—

as his long search had been fulfilled.

by Jason R. Forbus