The Dragon and the Straw

The Dragon and the Straw by David Itamae

On an island far from the reaches of human cities and habitations, far from the wars and strife, high up on a volcanic mountain lived a dragon to whom the people came for judgements of wisdom, death and happiness. It was in these times of turmoil he felt most needed.

As the dragons decisions became more insightful, many people flocked to his charge. The answers they sought ranged from illness to injury, disputes to accords. Some even came in dispute to settle, not with the humnan corts, but to let the mighty dragon decide their fate. Even the people who were emotionally deprived came to him for leadership.

This was one such a case. A man came before the dragon kneeling low and looking to the ground. As the dragon called him forth the man stood up. He spoke to the dragon of the injury he had suffered and was no longer felt worth living.

With insight beyond the ages of man. The dragon spoke in low rumbling tones. He told the man to pick up a straw and bend it. The man finding a nice strong straw did so with ease. He told the man to drink from the water. The man finding a small spring did so.

As the straw began to suck the water did not go in the mans mouth. Seemed the bending broke the straws main function. The man looking up at the dragon and told him it was a worthless effort.

The dragon looked back at the man and told him to place his figers about the straw where it was broken and to try to get some water again. The man did as he was asked and began to suck water from the straw.

This time the water reached the lips of the man and cooled his parched mouth. The man stood up once more and asked the dragon what it all meant. The dragon bid him to come forward and kneel. He asked the man what was of value to him. The man simply told him my home sir. My wife has passed on and my son i have not seen in years.

The dragon muttering words of an ancient tongue spoke once again to the man. In that instant the man glowed a dim blue. He felt light and strong. His injury however was not healed. He looked around and nothing was changed he began to feel the dragon as nothing more that a snake hiding in the glory of his size.

When he began to turn to leave the dragon spoke once more to the man. He told him that he and his house were now bonded. That in times of strife and happiness. They would both reap of rewards. Hew warned him also that if the man did anything to do arm to himself that the house he would see fall before he took his last breath.

The man taking off down to the village was unsatisfied. The dragon could have healed him but instead did nothing but make him a dim light for a few minutes. He gruffed and went home. Looking over his house he just laughed and shook his head.

In the months ahead a great storm came from the oceans. The villagers fled and the dragon was not seen. The man departed on a boat and with the rest of the village found shelter far away from the storms cries. The nights the follwed the man was in great anguish and pain. Not knowing the what or the why the village shamens were stumped.

A few days passed and the man was up and about again. The village elders convened and decided that the worst was over and that to return to the island. The villagers all gasped at the destruction of there fair houses. All the belongings were scattered cross the lands. Many cried and fell in disbelief. As the man walked slowly toward his dwelling he saw something amazing. His house still stood.

In astonishment the villagers ran to the man and his home. Many were shocked that his home survived the great storm. Others however were bitter and angry. The began to taunt the man as though he was a demon that relished in the misery of their isfortune and his divine intervention. The man stunned by the sudden outcry fled into his home. Once the village was rebuilt he would come out again.

Some years had passed and the man getting older grew lonely. His home he had but his family he had not seen. He visited more with the drinks and the drunks than he did with neighbors. Many of whom asked for forgiveness for their actions durring the aftermath of the storm. It did not budge the man as he was stern and stubborn.

He walked home and once inside you could see the decay from within. The walls cracked and stained. The sun no longer showed as brightly through the windows. The furnature too was falling apart. Seemed nothing was going right for the man. He merely sat down and wept bitterly. To this even the house seemed sad.

One day news came about his son. The man rushed to get the letter from the elders and eagerly tore open the contents within. The scroll he unraveled and began to read. In a matter of moments the man wept bitterly and cried aloud. His son was dead killed by bandits. With nothing more to be said the man rushed home not reading the rest of the scroll.

He walked in his house thrashing and destroying trinkets and objects. In his tears he fell asleep. That night he awoke with grief. His mind plagued by thoughts of being alone. With nothing of a legacy left. He had many thoughts to end the misery of his plight.

He went into the small room upstairs. and layed on the floor. With a quickness he boldly declared what a miserable life he had and noone there to save him. He took a sharp knife and slit his wrist downward. He smiled as he did so seeing the life rush from his body.

He lay there watching the blood trickle. As he did so he could see the house stream blood from the walls. it too trickled down with little effort. The support beams of the home began to give way. Suddenly as the man knew time was near began to breath his last. Just then the house gave way and toppled over him. The roof fell first. The man seeing this looked in terror. His final moments had indded been seeing the last of his home destroyed before him.

Outside thge village looked at the specticle of what was going on. In it they saw the home of the man that survived great storms and hurricanes fall before them as if the weight of the world finally crashed in on it. As they turned to leave the rubble a woman with a babe walked up.

She was a pretty girl, not from the village, as she was unrecognized. Suddenly she lookerd in horror as the house collapased. She turned to her baby and stood in awe at the sight. She knew the tale of the dragon from village elders. She frowned as she realized he must not have read the scroll all the way.

She turned to her baby and looked down upon him and told oh the misfortunes of his grandfather. She told her baby only one thing "You Should not worry about what you havent, but what you have. All you need sometimes is a little positive reenforcement."