Courage

~Kindle Joy Miller

“Take Courage, my sword, and defeat this beast.”

“But, Father, the monster is huge and there is no way I alone can defeat it,” said John, “Our whole army couldn’t even defeat it!”

“Yes, son, but they didn’t have Courage,” Said his father, “Courage will defeat this beast.”

“But I’m afraid, Father…”

“It is alright to be scared but you must also be brave,” His father told him, “Now go! The village rests in your hands!”

John took Courage and ran out to hear the screams of innocent people. He knew something had to be done but what? The ferocious dragon was crushing homes and toasting people on sight. He had to think of a plan. Right then Courage started pulling John closer to where the monster was. John didn’t fight it he knew he had to do what he had to do. He remembered his sister’s last words. She said, “Now you’re the only one that can save us.”John heard it clearly in his mind but he didn’t want to believe it. His older sister was brave and cunning but now she was gone and it was up to him. John’s family was chosen to protect this village but now half of them were dead and he wasn’t going to let that dragon kill anyone else.

Courage pulled John closer and closer to the dragon. He knew it wanted to kill the beast as much as He did. The sword had been in his family for generations and he never thought he would be the one to use it now, in their darkest hour. John gave up holding back and ran with Courage toward the beast. The dragon got bigger and bigger as he ran towards it. He could see the smoke rising from the monster’s nostrils. The dragon saw him coming and was ready for a fight. It wanted another toasty treat but John wouldn’t let that happen.

“Who is this?” the dragon asked, “Do they send a little boy to defeat me!”

“I am John, the son of Sir Peter and Lady Jessica,” Said John, “I’m from the family of Tynia and I will not let you kill another person as long as I live.”

“Ha! I already killed your sister and your mother,” Said the dragon, “Do you really think you have a chance? You are just a boy and you’re afraid! I should just toast you right here!”

“We’ll see about that,” John said as he lunged at the dragon’s belly. The dragon blew ferocious flames at John but Courage moved to protect him. I will avenge the people that have died for this town, thought John. He ran up and Courage stabbed the dragon’s foot. The dragon Screeched with anger.

“Now you will die, young knight!” The dragon hissed, “I was going easy on you but now you’re in for it!”

John ran quickly around to the back of the dragon and started to climb up its back. The dragon tried to shake him off but Courage stabbed into it so John could keep his balance. The dragon squealed in pain which gave John time to climb to its head. The dragon started to fly but Courage knew what to do. Courage quickly stabbed into the dragon’s head right when John lost his balance. John fell and the dragon began to fall too. John braced himself for the hard landing but nothing could’ve prepared him for that horrible fall.

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“You have done well, John. Don’t fear I will save you,” Said Courage.

“Who are you?” John asked in a daze.

“I am your trusty sword and I will protect you. You will be okay for you have won.”

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“Son?”

John opened his eyes. “Where am I?” he asked.

“You are at home, in our house, lying on your bed,” said his father.

“What about the dragon? And where is Courage?” So many questions were going through his head.

“We found you unconscious next to the dead dragon’s body. Courage was by your side…” His father told him, “You shouldn’t have survived that fall you know.”