A short story by Lazarus Carpenter
Image courtesy of Gill Brooks https://www.gillsplace.com/
Once upon a time, in a far-off land, there lived a dragon named Graig y Graig. He was known throughout the land for his love of bourbon and was often seen staggering around with an empty bottle in his claws. Graig was a heavy drinker, and his love for bourbon had become an obsession. He would spend all his time hoarding and consuming bottles of the finest bourbon he could find, often causing chaos and destruction in his drunken stupor. Despite his love for bourbon, Graig was a fearsome dragon who was feared by all who lived in the nearby villages. His fiery breath could melt even the strongest of metals, and his sharp claws were able to tear apart anything in his path. One day, a brave knight named Sir Lazarus ap Powys, decided to put an end to Graig’s drunken rampages once and for all. Armed with his sword and shield, he rode his trusty steed Cwtch, toward the dragon’s lair. As Sir Lazarus approached, he could hear the sound of bottles clinking and Graig y Graig’s stertorous breathing and loud snoring. Sir Lazarus carefully crept towards the sleeping dragon, hoping to catch him off guard. But as he got closer, he realized that the dragon was in a most terrible state. Graig y Graig had drunk so much bourbon that he was completely passed out, his claws still clutching an empty bottle. Sir Lazarus couldn’t bring himself to slay Graig y Graig in his vulnerable state. Instead, he carefully took the empty bottle from Graig’s claws and replaced it with a note. The note read,
“Dear Graig, please consider seeking help for your terrible drinking problem. Your love for bourbon is causing harm to yourself and those around you. Sincerely, Sir Lazarus ap Powys.”
When Graig y Graig awoke, he was surprised to find the note in his claws. At first, he was angry and defensive, but as he read the words over and over again, he realized that Sir Lazarus was right. Graig decided to seek help and went on a journey to find a wise old dragon Tan y Mynedd, who was known to help those in need. The old dragon taught Graig y Graig the importance of moderation and self-control and helped him overcome his addiction to bourbon. From that day on, Graig y Graig was no longer known for his drunken rampages. Instead, he was respected for his newfound wisdom and self-control. He even became a mentor to young dragons, teaching them the importance of moderation and the dangers of addiction. In the end, Graig y Graig realized that his true strength came not from the number of bottles he could consume, but from the ability to overcome his weaknesses and become a better dragon.
Lazarus Carpenter
Lazarus Carpenter - Author 