Clancey lived in a cave on top of an enormous Mountain. The cave was dark and gloomy, just the right sort of cave a dragon could feel comfortable in. It was big enough so his wings could stretch without touching the sides. He also could stand up in it without banging his wedge-shaped head on the ceiling. His wings were very beautiful; he liked them. He was very careful when he flew. He didn't want anything to happen to his feathered wings, because then he would be unable to fly.

Like all dragons, Clancey could breathe fire when he felt like it. He didn't like to do it much, because it frightened the villagers, who lived in a little town at the foot of his mountain. Now, Clancey really loved the town, and it's people. He was a gentle dragon, and being a vegetarian, the people loved him, too.

Clancey's best friend was a knight in shining armor, named Silver Sam. Silver Sam was 6'7" tall, with blond hair and big brown eyes. His armor was silver and very heavy, so he only wore it when he was doing battle. He always carried a silver-tipped 10 foot lance. A dark green banner under the lance fluttered in the breeze.

Silver Sam was a very big, muscular man, but he was not afraid of anyone. He liked to sing a lot, and was always singing happy songs. He really liked Clancey, so he started a holiday called National Dragon Day to honor Clancey. Since Clancey was so lovable, Sam had no trouble getting the town to help build a giant 60 foot long platform with wheels, 3 on each side, for Clancey to ride on.

The town met secretly for months, building the platform and decorating it with fat white paper roses all over the outside. The inside was filled with pink and red real rose petals, piled high, for Clancey to ride on, in scented splendor. On the morning of National Dragon Day (April 19), the townspeople would hitch 30 horses to the float and sneak up on Clancey when he was sleeping. Yelling "Surprise! Surprise!", they would wake him up.

Clancey was always happy to see them, and he pretended to be surprised when they lugged the platform as close as they could and yelled "Surprise!" Dragons are very observant, so Clancey knew they were coming, but he loved them so much, he never let them know he knew they were there. Standing on his hind legs, he would bow to them, then glide down the mountain to land perfectly on the float. Making a great show of getting comfortable, Clancey would then lay down and allow the horses to pull him through the town at the head of a parade. The parade always ended in a big feast. The town had made a giant salad for Clancey, and they picnicked next to him, in the town meadow. Everybody was happy, Clancey especially, because he felt loved.

Clancey would blink back tears and sigh with great relief, because dragons were not usually loved by anyone, and he was happy that the town loved him. After the picnic, the townspeople would surround Clancey and make comments on his appearance, how gentle he was, how handsome he was, and how lucky they were to have a good dragon instead of a mean one.

Clancey's three favorite pastimes were sleeping in the sun (his massive tail wrapped around his body, head resting on his front paws), letting the children play leap frog over his tail (he would play too, but he thought he was too big and didn't want to hurt the children), and playing chess in the evenings with Silver Sam (while blowing smoke rings to amuse the children).

Clancey was not a typical dragon. He liked grass, trees, butterflies, horses, children, people, and soft summer breezes. He did not care for gold and jewels, so he didn't have a horde to protect. He protected the town and the people instead, and that's why the town loved him so much.

Occasionally, someone new would move into the town. Usually, the newcomers would be a little nervous about Clancey, but when he would glide down from his mountain, land perfectly in the town square, and welcome the newcomers, most of them laughed and greeted him. There would be no trouble from either side, then.

Mr. Defoe moved in and immediately started making trouble for Clancey. As always, Clancey flew down from his mountain, landed, and very politely spoke to Mr. Defoe, trying to make friends with him. Mr. Defoe didn't want to be friends. He was a small man, going bald, with a plump body. He wore glasses, but they couldn't hide his pale sea green eyes. He said there wasn't any way he would make friends with a dragon. "

Everyone knows dragons are unreliable. I don't want a dragon to tell me how happy he is to meet me today, just to have him eat me for breakfast tomorrow." He said, ignoring all the townfolk's protests. He then turned his back on Clancey and walked quickly back to his house. Clancey was crushed.

That evening during the chess game, he felt out of place. The children still played leap frog with his tail, but the atmosphere of the town had changed. Everyone was more watchful, and Clancey felt the scrutiny.

Silver Sam finally said, "Clancey, please pay attention to the game. You're letting me win."

"Sorry. I guess my heart just isn't in it tonight, Sam." Lowering his voice to a whisper, he said, "Do you feel anything different tonight, Sam?"

"Not really, Clancey. I just think you're upset because Mr. Defoe didn't want to be friends. You are a pretty impressive sight, you know. Maybe he just needs some time to get used to you."

"Maybe. I'll talk to you later, Sam." Clancey flew back to his cave, very depressed. Things gradually got worse, until about a week later, when Clancey came down, he actually saw people running into their houses, dragging their children behind them like they were afraid of him. Silver Sam was the only one who would talk to him anymore.

After landing in the town square, Clancey softly asked himself, "They can't be afraid of me, can they?"

"Yes, they are, sort of." Silver Sam came up to Clancey and sat down next to him. Clancey lay down so Sam wouldn't have to shout. Clancey knew his voice was loud, so whenever he talked to Sam and the rest of the town, he made a point of talking real low.

"Why are they afraid of me, Sam? I've been a part of this town for a long time." Clancey murmured softly.

"They are not really afraid of you, Clancey. They're afraid of Mr. Defoe. He's very powerful. He's only been in town for a week, and he already owns half of the town, including my house. So, when he talks, people listen." Sam explained quietly, laying his lance on the ground next to him.

Clancey puffed smoke rings thoughtfully for a few minutes, until he could sort out his feelings. "What do you think we should do, Sam? I don't want anyone to be afraid of me."

"I don't know." Sam answered, patting Clancey's head consolingly. The two friends sat there side by side, both trying to think of a way out of the dilemma.

"I think I've got it, Sam!" Clancey exclaimed. "Listen to this!" Clancey whispered his idea to Sam, then joined him in laughter as Sam nodded his approval.

The next evening, Clancey flew down from his mountain, landing in town square as usual. Sam was there, wearing his armor, the town standing behind him. Mr. Defoe was standing next to Sam, so he could hear everything.

Sam said; "You're going to have to leave, Clancey. We don't want you here anymore." As Sam said this, he winked at Clancey discreetly, so the rest of the town couldn't see.

Clancey pretended to be shocked. "But, Sam, I've been a part of this town for a long time. Why should I want to leave?"

Sam shrugged. "We don't care if you want to leave or not. You have to. We don't want you to stay."

Clancey sat up on his hind legs and shot a flame of fire towards the sky. He sat back, smoke oozing out of his nose, and tried to look mean as he snarled, "I won't go!"

The townsfolk gasped as one person and shrank back, pretending to be afraid. (Everyone knew that this was a fake fight, put on for Mr. Defoe's benefit. The previous evening, Sam had went to every house and told them the plan. Mr. Defoe had been in town for less than 2 weeks, but because everyone was already tired of his mean ways, they agreed to go along with the plan.)

Sam lowered his visor, and pointed his lance at Clancey's belly. "I don't want to hurt you, Clancey, but if you don't leave, I'll have to."

"Ha! I know you very well, Silver Sam. You wouldn't stick me with that lance. If you do, I'll.."

"You'll what?" Mr. Defoe stepped in front of Silver Sam, chest puffed out in a very business like manner.

Clancey hissed at him, wings spread, claws extended "You're the reason for this! Everything was fine until you came here. You've done nothing but cause trouble between me and friends. I could probably stay if you leave!"

Mr. Defoe stood deflated in front of Clancey. Gradually, the town began buzzing louder as the people began to talk. Suddenly, a little girl broke from the crowd and ran to Clancey. Clancey stooped and picked up the little girl, then straightened up, bringing her up to his eyes so he could see who she was.

"Clancey, please don't leave us! We love you!" The girl burst into tears and grabbed Clancey's claw, sobbing uncontrollably.

"I love you too, Cindy. Now dry your eyes." Clancey petted her on the head very, very gently. He asked her, "You're not afraid of me, are you, Cindy?"

"Oh, no. Never." Cindy shook her head and wiped her eyes. "I'm not afraid of you, Clancey."

"That's good, little one. Hang on, I'm going to put you down now."

"Ok." Cindy snuggled down into Clancey's paw, hanging on with both hands to one of his claws. Clancey lowered her gently to the ground and watched her jump down and skip to her mother. The town had become quiet, everybody's eyes were on Mr. Defoe. He was becoming very uncomfortable. This went on for some time.

Finally, he mumbled, "Well, I guess I'm not wanted anymore", swiftly walked to his house, and called a moving van. The town laughed and cheered, surrounding Clancey and dancing around him, begging him with their songs and passionate words not to leave. Finally, Clancey agreed.

One by one, the people came up and apologized to Clancey. He accepted happily. That night, the town had a feast honoring Clancey.

Silver Sam stood up and said; "Clancey, on behalf of the town, I have been asked to ask you if you would consider the position of town Mascot. We have discussed it, and decided that this town just would not be the same without you."

Clancey stood on his hind legs, spread his wings, and said, "I accept the position, Silver Sam, and I am happy to know that my home town loves me so much. I hope that our encounter with Mr. Defoe has taught us that friendship is the greatest gift there is between you and me. I hope that the last 2 weeks will never be repeated in the future." The town cheered, Clancey roared, the children ran up and hugged Clancey as far as they could.

Soon, Clancey and Sam were playing chess, the children were playing leap frog, and the adults were talking about how safe they felt now that things were back to normal. Since dragons live longer than humans do, Clancey is still the town mascot, playing with and protecting all the townspeople. He is a living legend, known throughout the land as the friendly Champion, always a part of the heart and soul of the town, and always ready to defend it against people who don't like people who are different.

by Khris Comstock August 29, 1990

Other Stories:

Department of Creative Spending The Beast WithinThe Bog How an Insect Gets Encased in Amber G.O.D.D. True DarknessHome Return to Banshee Page