THE DRAGON
A big, soft and chubby cat was sleeping in the woods, when a young, shiny- haired wolf arrived. The wolf said that the whole forest was in danger 'cause a dragon was threatening to set fire to everything. The cat, alarmed by the news, told the wolf that it was necessary to leave the volcano to look for the dragon and prevent him from setting fire to the whole forest .
On their way to the volcano, the two fellows met a frog and told it about the enormous danger: the forest was in danger from the fire-breathing dragon. The frog decided to join the cat and the wolf to try to save the forest.
On the way they found a river to cross and the cat was very afraid. The frog, an expert jumper, helped him to choose the best stones on which to place his paws, so all of them managed to cross the river.
Continuing on their way, they met a red squirrel, lively and skittish, who asked them where they were going. The three answered they wanted to go to the volcano to look for the fire-breathing dragon, and told him about the danger the whole forest was in.
The squirrel decided to join the group and to set off with the cat, the wolf and the frog.
After few steps they met a fox, to whom they told the whole story.
The fox also wanted to follow them on this dangerous journey to save their beloved forest .
Along the way, arriving close to the volcano, our heroes encountered a river of incandescent lava. The cat looked for a passageway that would allow them to continue, but guarding the road there was an eagle who wouldn't let them continue. The wolf tried to convince her and the frog begged her. The fox patiently explained that if the dragon had burnt the forest all the animals would die and therefore the eagle too would no longer find food.
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The eagle understood that they were right and decided to join the expedition.
At the end of a long and dangerous journey they all arrived in front of the dragon, who accused the eagle of treason. All the animals explained why they had come all the way up there, and the dragon said that he would spare the forest, if they brought him diamonds, gold and precious stones.
The animals decided to embark themself on a journey to find the precious the dragon requested.
The eagle offered to carry the frog and the squirrel, which had short legs and would have a hard time getting down from the volcano.
They divided up the tasks: the frog, an expert swimmer, searched in the river;
the
fox , cunning and shrewd, searched under stones and leaves; the squirrel , nimble and agile, searched on the trees; the wolf, strong and determined,
searched digging. The eagle , majestic and proud , flew over the mountains , on the plains and in every corner of the country; the cat, lazy but determined , searched the burrows and every hole it saw.
Each one of them found diamonds, gold and precious stones, so they decided to go back to the dragon. The dragon, seeing that the animals had fulfilled his wish, kept his promise and did not set fire to the forest, nor ever again threaten to do so.
This fable shows that, with everyone's commitment and collaboration, wonderful results can be achieved.
Storia scritta da F. Rubinelli, traduzione di D. Senape
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