Dragons Exist

Atop a hill stood a castle. Its thick stone walls loomed over the surrounding forest, and a great oak gate protected the entrance. In this castle lived two brothers. The first was named Archibald, and the second was William. Often, pilgrims and troubadours would spend a few days in the castle as they passed through. In the evening, they would tell stories of their travels on which they would encounter wars and dragons. The brothers both listened intently to these tales.

As the cold of the night set in, Archibald would retire to his quarters, but William would not. William pulled the travelers aside to inquire more about the world outside the walls. And beneath the moonlight, they told him not only of the wars and dragons but also of the noble knights who slayed dragons.

One day, the brothers were sent out by their father to seek adventure. Together, they traversed rivers, hiked mountains, and crept through forests until one day, they came to a cave. As they contemplated exploring it, a roar sounded from within, and a fire-breathing dragon emerged from the cave. Its red scales glistened in the sunlight. They had never seen such a beast. Archibald gazed upon the dragon. His knees trembled as it locked eyes with him. In the face of such an overwhelming threat, he fell to the ground crying. This was the end. There was no hope.

But William stood firm as he drew his sword. Just as Archibald, he knew dragons existed. But he had heard more. He knew dragons could be killed.

***

The English author and philosopher G. K. Chesterton once said, “Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.”

I love the boldness of this quote, its acknowledgment of reality, and the metaphor Chesterton uses. As children grow up, they will come to know that life offers hardship along with its beauty. Parents cannot shield their children from the cruelty of the world. Instead, they must prepare them to stand tall when adversity is met.

Children must know it is possible to overcome hardship and that there is honor in the struggle.

They must learn of the knights who slay dragons.