Long ago, in the very beginning of all things, there lived the Time Dragon whose domain was the whole of the limitless night sky. Surrounded by its treasure trove of countless twinkling stars and with its one great silvery eye that was sometimes open and other times no more than a slit, the Dragon waited.
The people came later and, when the time came that they were able to understand such things, they revered the Dragon for It had always been above them, and was forever watchful. Even in daylight, when the Dragon’s eye could scarcely be seen, they felt that eye upon them, and knew they were never alone.
Over time, Holy Men came to speak for the Dragon. “Heed our council,” the Holy Men said. “You must worship the Dragon, for the Dragon sees all.”
“How shall we worship the Dragon?” the people asked.
“In the doing good deeds and by our instruction, ” the Holy Men answered, “For these observances add stars to the Dragon’s great treasure trove and thus the Dragon is pleased. ” The people already knew the satisfaction from deeds well done so, with glad hearts, they embraced the Holy Men’s council.
During the Time of Understanding, the people continued to follow the Dragon’s law. They lived in community and their numbers grew. But in time, there were those who looked into the nighttime sky with questions: Was the Dragon to be loved or feared? Why could only Holy Men know the Dragon's will? Shouldn't any man of pure heart be able to speak with the Dragon? Some went to the Holy Men with their questions but the Holy Men gave no answers.
Over time, Holy Men came to speak for the Dragon. “Heed our council,” the Holy Men said. “You must worship the Dragon, for the Dragon sees all.”
“How shall we worship the Dragon?” the people asked.
“In the doing good deeds and by our instruction, ” the Holy Men answered, “For these observances add stars to the Dragon’s great treasure trove and thus the Dragon is pleased. ” The people already knew the satisfaction from deeds well done so, with glad hearts, they embraced the Holy Men’s council.
During the Time of Understanding, the people continued to follow the Dragon’s law. They lived in community and their numbers grew. But in time, there were those who looked into the nighttime sky with questions: Was the Dragon to be loved or feared? Why could only Holy Men know the Dragon's will? Shouldn't any man of pure heart be able to speak with the Dragon? Some went to the Holy Men with their questions but the Holy Men gave no answers.
In their confusion, some of the people spoke out against the Holy Men.
This time, Holy Men answered. “Only corrupted hearts speak against us. In doing so you offend the Dragon.”
This time, Holy Men answered. “Only corrupted hearts speak against us. In doing so you offend the Dragon.”
Those who has spoken against the Holy Men suffered a most terrible fate.
Over many years, The Time of Understanding gave way to the Time of Judgment. The people learned to obey the Holy Men, for to do otherwise would anger the Dragon. For fear that indolence might anger the Dragon, the people toiled unflaggingly; for fear that their words might anger the Dragon, the people neither spoke nor laughed nor sang; for fear that the hidden contents of their hearts might anger the dragon, they neither hoped nor wished nor prayed.
Yet the people accepted these ways for the Time of Judgment brought unimagined marvels. Generations of builders, stonemasons and artisans toiled to create a temple of such magnificence it was second only to the Dragon in beauty and awe. Carved of the purest black marble and taller than thirty of the tallest men, the temple walls glittered with countless moonstone stars. Inside, the temple arched to a great open dome, as vast and round in its center as the Dragon’s one all-seeing eye. Directly beneath, on the floor of the temple, rose a dais of translucent white marble from which the Holy Men spoke.
Over many years, The Time of Understanding gave way to the Time of Judgment. The people learned to obey the Holy Men, for to do otherwise would anger the Dragon. For fear that indolence might anger the Dragon, the people toiled unflaggingly; for fear that their words might anger the Dragon, the people neither spoke nor laughed nor sang; for fear that the hidden contents of their hearts might anger the dragon, they neither hoped nor wished nor prayed.
Yet the people accepted these ways for the Time of Judgment brought unimagined marvels. Generations of builders, stonemasons and artisans toiled to create a temple of such magnificence it was second only to the Dragon in beauty and awe. Carved of the purest black marble and taller than thirty of the tallest men, the temple walls glittered with countless moonstone stars. Inside, the temple arched to a great open dome, as vast and round in its center as the Dragon’s one all-seeing eye. Directly beneath, on the floor of the temple, rose a dais of translucent white marble from which the Holy Men spoke.
Long before the coming of the Holy Men and the building of the temple, long since the very beginning of time, the Dragon would occasionally reveal itself. The people knew it as the Nights of the Dragon’s Ascending. On those nights, the greens and violets and blues of the Dragon’s great body shimmered across the star-filled sky in awesome, magnificent display. Long ago, the people celebrated the Nights of the Dragon’s Ascending in open fields, with their families, friends and community, united under the great star-scattered sky. During those times, they shared their food and drink with laughter and joy and gratitude.
But that was very long ago.
Now during the Time of Judgment, inside the Dragon’s magnificent temple, the people comprehended their smallness.
It was on a particular Night of The Dragon’s Ascending when the Holy Men dressed, in their finest robes––indigo they were, deep as the night sky after twilight––and their fine tall crowns of intertwining black coral set with twinkling diamonds, they called the people to their Temple. Crowded together, the people peered upward, through the open dome, in solemn observance of the Dragon’s passing. When the Dragon could no longer be seen through the dome, the Holy Men spoke.
“Worship the Dragon for the Dragon sees all,” the Holy Men called.
“How shall we worship the Dragon?” the people responded.
“With work; with obedience; with fear,” the Holy men called, for their good deeds were no longer enough for the Dragon. “Look above you,” the Holy Men warned. “Even in this temple the stars shine less brightly. It is a sign.”
The people hung their heads in shame.
Suddenly, a voice called out, clear and strong and unafraid. “Is it not the temple’s many torches that seem to dim the stars?”
The people gasped for it was only by the Holy Men’s permission that they could speak within the temple.
Again, the voice called out. “If one leaves here to walk among the meadows and mountains, the stars are fully restored.”
All eyes turned to where the voice had come.
It was on a particular Night of The Dragon’s Ascending when the Holy Men dressed, in their finest robes––indigo they were, deep as the night sky after twilight––and their fine tall crowns of intertwining black coral set with twinkling diamonds, they called the people to their Temple. Crowded together, the people peered upward, through the open dome, in solemn observance of the Dragon’s passing. When the Dragon could no longer be seen through the dome, the Holy Men spoke.
“Worship the Dragon for the Dragon sees all,” the Holy Men called.
“How shall we worship the Dragon?” the people responded.
“With work; with obedience; with fear,” the Holy men called, for their good deeds were no longer enough for the Dragon. “Look above you,” the Holy Men warned. “Even in this temple the stars shine less brightly. It is a sign.”
The people hung their heads in shame.
Suddenly, a voice called out, clear and strong and unafraid. “Is it not the temple’s many torches that seem to dim the stars?”
The people gasped for it was only by the Holy Men’s permission that they could speak within the temple.
Again, the voice called out. “If one leaves here to walk among the meadows and mountains, the stars are fully restored.”
All eyes turned to where the voice had come.
It was a maid who had spoken! She stood at the temple’s entrance, alert and motionless as a doe in the forest. The people, with their ruddy skin and closely cropped hair and eyes the color of chestnuts had never seen such a maid: hair as pale as silver––it flowed, like a river, over her shoulders down her body, almost to the floor––yet her skin was the color of bronze. Unlike the people, she was tall . Even her simple tunic sparked curiosity from the people in their intricately structured garments of velvet and wool. Curious as all this was, it was the stranger’s eyes that mesmerized, for they were the color of glaciers, shade upon shade of the palest, most delicate blue.
“Bring the maid before us,” the Holy Men called. As the temple guards did so, the people could barely control their murmurings.
The Holy men studied the maiden. One put his hand before her face.
“Why, this girl is blind!” He said.The people gasped for all deformity was an offense to the Dragon. “This creature is cursed,” the Holy Men said.
The maiden laughed. It was a pleasant sound, like wooden chimes ticked by a breeze.
“How is blindness a curse," the maiden asked, "When I feel the warmth of the sun as it guides my way, and the animals tell of danger and birdsong heralds safety? When the sound of fresh water and the smell of wild fruit comes to me on the wind? Great Mother Earth supports my footsteps and cradles my sleep. Farmers and villagers invite me to to share their table.How is this cursed?”
“Why, this maid is not only cursed, she begs!” the Holy Man cried. “By interrupting our worship the Dragon is offended!”
Yet, even so, the maid seemed unafraid. “You speak of the Dragon,” she said.
“Bring the maid before us,” the Holy Men called. As the temple guards did so, the people could barely control their murmurings.
The Holy men studied the maiden. One put his hand before her face.
“Why, this girl is blind!” He said.The people gasped for all deformity was an offense to the Dragon. “This creature is cursed,” the Holy Men said.
The maiden laughed. It was a pleasant sound, like wooden chimes ticked by a breeze.
“How is blindness a curse," the maiden asked, "When I feel the warmth of the sun as it guides my way, and the animals tell of danger and birdsong heralds safety? When the sound of fresh water and the smell of wild fruit comes to me on the wind? Great Mother Earth supports my footsteps and cradles my sleep. Farmers and villagers invite me to to share their table.How is this cursed?”
“Why, this maid is not only cursed, she begs!” the Holy Man cried. “By interrupting our worship the Dragon is offended!”
Yet, even so, the maid seemed unafraid. “You speak of the Dragon,” she said.
“There are those who tell of the Great Frog that leaps throughout the sky, spewing great clusters of spawn."
"Others speak of the Fish, who lays its silver eggs into the heaven’s blackest waters.
"Some tell of the Giant Tortoise with an Elephant on its back and, together, they hold the great dome of the heavens suspended. I have heard many stories. Some say it is the Fish that is all-powerful; and others say it is the Frog. This Dragon that you speak of, I wish to learn more.”
Now this, the Holy Men knew, could be no ordinary maid for she spoke heresy. Even now, The Holy Men could hear their people whispering about fishes and frogs and turtles and elephants.
“The maid wishes to know of the Dragon, then we shall grant her wish." The Holy Men looked out among their people. "Tomorrow at dawn, prepare for the Procession of the Dragon’s Judgment.” The people fell silent.
When dawn came, The Holy Men led the procession, surrounded by their temple guard and followed by the people. Tethered to a bleating goat, the maiden came last, for the ritual had always been so; the Procession to The Dragon's Judgment demanded wailing and shame.
Now this, the Holy Men knew, could be no ordinary maid for she spoke heresy. Even now, The Holy Men could hear their people whispering about fishes and frogs and turtles and elephants.
“The maid wishes to know of the Dragon, then we shall grant her wish." The Holy Men looked out among their people. "Tomorrow at dawn, prepare for the Procession of the Dragon’s Judgment.” The people fell silent.
When dawn came, The Holy Men led the procession, surrounded by their temple guard and followed by the people. Tethered to a bleating goat, the maiden came last, for the ritual had always been so; the Procession to The Dragon's Judgment demanded wailing and shame.
The Procession to the Dragon’s Judgment was a difficult climb as the path led far up into the mountains to where the Dragon’s many caves were found. All the people knew the story of the Dragon’s Caves. Each time the Dragon came down from the sky, which happened on those nights when its eye was not seen, the Dragon dug deep into the side of the mountain, where it would sleep before taking to the sky again. The mountains were full of these caves. Those that were blocked with stones marked where others had met with the Dragon’s Judgment. Standing before the many sealed caves reminded the people never to anger the Dragon or question the Holy Men for, if they did, the Dragon’s Judgment would be their fate, just as it was to be the maiden’s.
When the procession came, finally, to an open cave, the Holy Men raised their hands to stop the procession. Speaking in one voice they said:
"The cursed shall be left in a place of darkness
To be sealed forever by the hailing of stones.
With the cry of the dying, the justice is served.
Such is the will of the Dragon."
The maid had been fortunate. The cave was deep and angled sharply near the mouth, shielding her from the rocks––which might have done her damage if they had been thrown with force. Although the Holy Men encouraged with fervor, the people seemed to have little heart for their task.
The goat’s final bleating, mingling with terror and the gurgle of blood was followed by shuffling feet and gravel crunching. After that, silence.
But there was more than silence inside the cave: whistling winds, bat songs, water drops. She felt coolness and warmth next to roughness and smoothness beneath her hands, solid rock and soft dirt beneath her feet. The smells of decay mingled with the scent of earth. She listened for the bats for they would lead her. Just as she had always done, she made her way upon Great Mother Earth.
She did not hear words yet she felt the power of them. “You have come,” they said to her. “Yes. Trust what you feel. Mortal ears alone cannot comprehend.”
Again, she felt it flooding toward her. Coming from somewhere in the cave … a feeling not fully formed? Longing? Anticipation? She heard a low rumbling sound, like furnace catching flame.
“You feel my thoughts.Very well.”
Although she should have been afraid, she was not. “You are the Dragon,” said the maid.
“Some say Dragon. Others say Fish. Or Frog. Or Tortoise.”
“I feel your loneliness!” she said.The maid took a small step forward.She continued to advance until she felt something beneath her hands, something serpent-supple yet enticingly warm. She could not stop herself. She moved her hands slowly, feeling seamless articulation of scale against scale. Again, there came the low rumble, like a furnace churning.
“Climb onto my back.”
Instantly, she saw in her mind what she must do. She raised her foot and felt herself lifted up.
“Yes, ease yourself forward. My wings will support you. Have no fear."
“I am not afraid,” the maid said. And with that, the great whoosh filled the maiden’s ears. She felt the overwhelming power of the Dragon beneath her. She tightened her arms and leaned her chest against the Dragon, feeling its great pulse beating beneath her. She sensed the cave falling away as they flew up, up, up into the dark night sky. The air became clean and fresh again. Suddenly, she saw shape and form. Colors she had no words for danced beneath her newly seeing eyes. The maid gasped.
“We go to the Beginning.As we travel, you will see.”
Beneath what she knew to be her hands––even though she had never seen her hands before––she saw blue! A shade of blue like the peacock is blue. And, there, it was green, like spring moss! Such a bright green! And violet, so many shades, lilac and lavender and amethyst! Now cobalt, like the sea, shifting to turquoise and teal! So many colors, shades and hues! Shifting and swirling!
"The cursed shall be left in a place of darkness
To be sealed forever by the hailing of stones.
With the cry of the dying, the justice is served.
Such is the will of the Dragon."
The maid had been fortunate. The cave was deep and angled sharply near the mouth, shielding her from the rocks––which might have done her damage if they had been thrown with force. Although the Holy Men encouraged with fervor, the people seemed to have little heart for their task.
The goat’s final bleating, mingling with terror and the gurgle of blood was followed by shuffling feet and gravel crunching. After that, silence.
But there was more than silence inside the cave: whistling winds, bat songs, water drops. She felt coolness and warmth next to roughness and smoothness beneath her hands, solid rock and soft dirt beneath her feet. The smells of decay mingled with the scent of earth. She listened for the bats for they would lead her. Just as she had always done, she made her way upon Great Mother Earth.
She did not hear words yet she felt the power of them. “You have come,” they said to her. “Yes. Trust what you feel. Mortal ears alone cannot comprehend.”
Again, she felt it flooding toward her. Coming from somewhere in the cave … a feeling not fully formed? Longing? Anticipation? She heard a low rumbling sound, like furnace catching flame.
“You feel my thoughts.Very well.”
Although she should have been afraid, she was not. “You are the Dragon,” said the maid.
“Some say Dragon. Others say Fish. Or Frog. Or Tortoise.”
“I feel your loneliness!” she said.The maid took a small step forward.She continued to advance until she felt something beneath her hands, something serpent-supple yet enticingly warm. She could not stop herself. She moved her hands slowly, feeling seamless articulation of scale against scale. Again, there came the low rumble, like a furnace churning.
“Climb onto my back.”
Instantly, she saw in her mind what she must do. She raised her foot and felt herself lifted up.
“Yes, ease yourself forward. My wings will support you. Have no fear."
“I am not afraid,” the maid said. And with that, the great whoosh filled the maiden’s ears. She felt the overwhelming power of the Dragon beneath her. She tightened her arms and leaned her chest against the Dragon, feeling its great pulse beating beneath her. She sensed the cave falling away as they flew up, up, up into the dark night sky. The air became clean and fresh again. Suddenly, she saw shape and form. Colors she had no words for danced beneath her newly seeing eyes. The maid gasped.
“We go to the Beginning.As we travel, you will see.”
Beneath what she knew to be her hands––even though she had never seen her hands before––she saw blue! A shade of blue like the peacock is blue. And, there, it was green, like spring moss! Such a bright green! And violet, so many shades, lilac and lavender and amethyst! Now cobalt, like the sea, shifting to turquoise and teal! So many colors, shades and hues! Shifting and swirling!
“Your skin is so very beautiful,” the maiden said. When she stroked the Dragon’s neck, a kaleidoscope of hues shimmered beneath her fingertips.
“Describe what your eyes now see.”
“Describe what your eyes now see.”
“I see Great Mother Earth! Her mountains … valleys …rivers! There! I see lights … a village … a tall structure of the blackest stone." The Dragon’s wings beat with greater force taking them further and higher into the sky and far away from what the maiden knew to be the Holy Men’s temple. "Dragon! You are angry!”
“Mortals are easily misdirected.”
They flew in silence for a very long time.
“Mortals are easily misdirected.”
They flew in silence for a very long time.
Villages passed below them and many more temples. They crossed over great mountains and vast oceans. They traversed deep chasms and endless deserts. They passed over islands of ice and mountains of fire, they passed rivers and meadows and hills and marsh as far as the eye could see. The maid had never imagined there could be such sights. How could she?
Yet, from the Dragon’s back she saw the volcano’s eruption, spewing crimson fire into the inky night sky, its rivers of molten lava, flowing orange and hot, consuming everything;
she saw solid blue-white ice mountains fall into a broiling black sea;
she saw dolphins play and whales give spout,
She saw that geese fly like arrowheads
and flycatchers dance while they feed.
She saw great winds move tiny grains of sand to make towering dunes.
When they had circumnavigated Great Mother Earth many, many times, the maid leaned forward and stroked the Dragon’s cheek. “Dragon,” she said, “you said we would go to the Beginning.”
“The Beginning is a type of ending from which you can never return.”
.
The Dragon’s feelings came upon her again––a mixture, so many conflicting emotions: possession and longing, despair and hope, foreboding and triumph, and others the maiden did not understand.
“Take me there, Dragon.”
The sound of the Dragon’s wings, beating faster and faster and faster, drown out all thought or doubt. She could only watch as countless stars and planets flew by.
“The Beginning is a type of ending from which you can never return.”
.
The Dragon’s feelings came upon her again––a mixture, so many conflicting emotions: possession and longing, despair and hope, foreboding and triumph, and others the maiden did not understand.
“Take me there, Dragon.”
The sound of the Dragon’s wings, beating faster and faster and faster, drown out all thought or doubt. She could only watch as countless stars and planets flew by.
Galaxies passed in a blur. She witnessed stars explode and implode, nebulas expand and contract, great gas clouds billowed.
On and on they traveled until only a few stars remained.
And, suddenly, there was nothing. Nothing at all.
“Where have they gone? The stars and the planets?” the maiden asked.
“This is the Beginning. They have yet to be born.”
“Ah,” the maiden said "Then you and I will make them."
And, suddenly, there was nothing. Nothing at all.
“Where have they gone? The stars and the planets?” the maiden asked.
“This is the Beginning. They have yet to be born.”
“Ah,” the maiden said "Then you and I will make them."
