The Knight Who Asked Why

6-8 min read
9 pages
5+

When a fire-breathing dragon starts burning fields and knocking down houses, brave, kind Sir Arthur rides off to stop him. But instead of fighting, he asks the dragon why he is so angry, and then he helps the dragon and the villagers become friends. A warm bedtime story about being brave enough to listen.

Far away, among green forests and tall mountains, there was a little kingdom. In that kingdom lived a knight named Sir Arthur. Everyone knew he was brave, and everyone knew he was kind. He had a loyal horse named Orion, as black as night.

One day, a huge dragon named Ember woke up from a long, long sleep. He breathed fire on the fields. He swung his tail and knocked houses down. The villagers were so scared! They ran to Sir Arthur and begged him for help.

Sir Arthur saddled Orion right away, and off they went to the Misty Mountains, where the dragon lived. The path was steep and rocky. Orion huffed and puffed. But Sir Arthur did not turn back. He wanted to keep the village safe.

At the dragon’s cave, Ember roared, and the ground shook. Sir Arthur was scared. Still, he got down from Orion, drew his sword, and stepped forward. “Dragon!” he called. “I am Sir Arthur. Stop hurting people!”

Ember narrowed his red eyes and laughed. “Brave little knight! Do you really think you can beat me?” Sir Arthur stood tall. He had come to fight, but now he wondered why the dragon was so angry. “I don’t want to fight you,” he said. “Tell me, why are you hurting our land?”

“I’m angry because people cut down the forest around my mountain,” Ember grumbled. “Those trees kept the wind and the hot sun off me. I woke up, and they were gone! Now cold wind blows in, and the sun bakes my scales.” Sir Arthur put his sword away. “Now I see why you’re angry,” he said softly. “I’ll talk to the king and the villagers so nobody cuts your trees again.”

Ember promised to stop burning and smashing things. He went to the village with Sir Arthur. The king came to listen, and the villagers huddled close. Sir Arthur told them why Ember was angry. “I’m sorry,” said Ember. Everyone promised to keep the forest safe.

Soon the villagers brought little trees up the mountain. Ember dug holes with his big claws, and the people planted. They worked side by side and became good friends. Everyone cheered for Sir Arthur—not for fighting, but for listening to Ember and making peace.

Now the forests grew tall again, and the fields were safe and golden. The villagers waved to Ember every morning, and Ember waved back. And Sir Arthur kept watching over the kingdom, as brave and kind as ever.

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