The Return of the Dragon by Jane Zaring

[QueenOfTheShadows]

I recently came across this book at a local used book store, in the free box out in front.

Turns out that it was a delightful quick read, about a reformed dragon, who after befriending a benevolent monk had converted to Christianity, and was on a quest to good deeds in order to win back the trust of the people he once harassed and terrified. All so that he could return back to his cozy cave in Wales, with the new friends he had made throughout the course of the story. His friends willingly offer to aid him in his quest.

His task was deceptively simple: do twelve good deeds in the span of a year, the goodness of each deed was to judged after a year had passed, by those in the villages he once terrified.

Thought he source of the story they defeat a an evil witch who is starving a see sided town, fight a second dragon, defeat a giant and many other tasks some times with amusing results.

It's a good charming and quick read, very warm fuzzy sort of story. worth being a bedtime stoy for the very young, a decent solo read as an early on chapter book. of a light "snack" read for an avid reader.
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say hello! at zahz's keep;P

[Jasriella]

Is this literally a dragon that took on christianity? Or figuratively because I've read a couple books that say something similar about a dragon doing such things but to my dismay found that the person was only referred to as a dragon or resembled a dragon in personality or the such.
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I am trapped between heaven and hell. My wings carry me upon the winds. Above lies heaven, below hell. Yet I must land in hell to soar in heaven. I am a Dragon!

[albvan]

I'm going to look for that one. Even if it's not available in Croatian. And Galadriel why would a human return to his cozy cave? Even if a human does live in a cave, he will not call it cozy, especially if he's been living in a house or a stable, at least. Then again it is unusual to have a non-human baptised, but if it's a sentient being that can tell right from wrong...

[QueenOfTheShadows]

The story specifies that the dragon in the title is a fire breathing dragon, not merely a human who s being called a dragon. when he winds up having to defeat another of his kind he laments doing so, for he may well be the last of his kind.

[albvan]

Well caves indeed do have some advantages, and I guess you could make a cave a comfortable home. It's just that I live in a country which has many caves, but people abandoned them, in the south since Roman times, and in the islands they were abandoned since ancient Greek times. And here in the north of Croatia, where I live, there are no caves at all. Our terrain is the same as that of Hungary, Ukraine or Russia, which means plains and forests. Although from history now I remember that before the mass usage of the iron plough people dug their homes into hills in all these foresty regions... So guess I underestimated the cave.

Now back on topic. I've been reading children's books and watching children's movies lately. I watched The Little Humpbacked Horse or Konyok gorbunok a few weks ago, and I also have a little book called Serbo-Croatian fairy tales, printed in 1956! That's why I think this could be interesting too.

[QueenOfTheShadows]

Indeed, we shhould get back on topic.

there are often some incredibly charming childrens' books out there. that remain wonderful even when one is older.
lets see one of his quests Was find the stolen Book of Kells, probably one of the most famous evangelical texts in the world.

If i recall correctly they fought the same witch twice. and even wound up rescuing a kidnapped princess, which I might add was a refreshing departure from the usual tales of kidnapping involving dragons.

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If it is nearly impossible to get a hold of where you are, I have heard that some publishers do special reprint. You just have to get a hold of some information on it.. and likely get you paws on a chunk of change.

If worst comes to worst you may be able to find an E copy for download from the publisher. It's something some though far from all do from time to time.

Carroc may have rewon the trust of those he once terrorized but some of the tasks were not easy. He stressed over things, fretted and second guessed, he had doubts and at times was quite dismayed. Thinking at times that he verged on failure and would wind up once more in exile.... there was a distinct scene that Carroc might have felt that, should he fail he'd have also failed the monk who had befriended and converted him.

you could empthize with the people who lived near the dragon's cave, you could empthise with even the fairly ridiculous signing sheep, and the main character was endering without seeming overwhelmingly so.

Humm the Croatian fair tales does sound interstring. I have long been hunting down decent translations of not-toned-down/ otherwise Neutered Disney esk fair tales. too many versions out there have become too sugar coated over time. I liked this story because it was warm fuzzy, generally wholesome seeming story, with out being to candy coated. * annoyingly enough I seem to have lost my complete collection of the brother's grimm.... as translated from the original.. (i believe it ewas german) and have yet to find a decent (close to original context) collections of the collected tales of Hans Chisten Anderson

Like those stories this one may have something much like a"happily ever after" ending though it was more a they lived happily, despite up and downs

But to make your hunt easier:

Title: The Return of the Dragon (pleace note so far I have found two books with this title.)

Author: Jane T. Zaring

hard cover

published: October 1981 by Olympic Marketing Corp

length 146 pages

isbn (this should be the same in croatia as far as I know): 0395303508 (isbn13: 9780395303504)

took a bit of searchng but it looks like the Author has a couple books out. most listings are from used booksellers.

books by jane zaring
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say hello! at zahz's keep;P

[albvan]

Thank you, Queen!

[QueenOfTheShadows]

You're welcome, and happy hunting.
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say hello! at zahz's keep;P