The Dragon at the Beginning of September

As summer thins out and autumn has not yet fully arrived, the writer turns to a dragon. Not an angry dragon, and not one bent on kidnapping, but a dragon concerned with its own appearance. The story opens a series about Balkan imagination and its remarkable figures.

While roaming the Prahova Valley, the dragon encounters a man who shrinks with fear. Instead of threatening or killing him, it asks a strangely personal question: does the man think it is beautiful? The dragon wants to know whether its eyes, scales, wings and other features inspire admiration.

“

Tell me, please, do you think I am beautiful?

The man first responds politely, praising the dragon’s eyes, shining scales and perfectly gray wings. But the dragon is dissatisfied. It insists that he also mention anything less successful. Pressed to be honest, the man points to its protruding ears and its tail, saying the tail is too long and resembles a dog’s. Worse, he adds, it does not even look like a dragon’s tail.

“

Your eyes are like windows, your scales shine in the sunlight, and your wings are a perfect gray. You are by far the most beautiful dragon I have ever met.

Silence falls. The dragon then draws an axe and orders the man to strike it in the back of the neck. The man hesitates, but eventually obeys and makes a deep cut. With blood streaming, the dragon disappears along the road it came from.

A year later, the dragon returns and points to the scar. The wound that seemed severe has healed, leaving barely a trace. The man’s words, however, still cut into the dragon’s wounded soul. The physical injury faded, but the image revealed by the criticism continued to occupy the dragon’s thoughts.

“

Come on, man, do not be shy. Tell me whether there are also some less successful aspects! I want to hear everything!