"Never go into Chutzpah Forest alone," Aunt Margaret always warned, as long as I could remember. "An ancient dragon dwells there and he would love nothing more than to capture you and devour you for supper." As a child, I used to squeal in terror and nod earnestly, reaffirming my promise to her that I would never venture into that dark and quiet forest, alone or otherwise. As I grew into a young woman, however, the warning seemed very childish. Dragons indeed! What did my aunt think of me, anyway? I wondered. How could she still treat me as though I was merely a young lass of just ten?
One day, while coming home from the bazaar after having made a handsome profit on a calf, I took a wrong turn. My mind had been preoccupied with fantasies …show more content…
It was warm and deep and soothing, like a rejuvenating summer rain. I wanted that voice to whisper sweetly in my ear forever, and all I had been privy to were three simple words.
I turned to face the being that had addressed me, wondering with bemusement about whether I would find myself looking down the throat of a fearsome and hungry dragon. Instead, I found myself looking up into the face of a handsome young man. He had to have been at least thirty centimeters taller than I. His eyes were the color of a calm, blue ocean. They emanated gentle kindness as they gazed into my own, and their effect was almost hypnotic. As I stood there gazing up into that round and youthful face, I began to wonder why the villagers had been so afraid. No dragon dwelt in Chutzpah Forest. Only a fool would believe in such childish nonsense.
"Yes?" I finally choked out, realizing that I had not spoken a word.
"You look as though you have lost your way. Chutzpah Forest is not a place for a fair maiden like you to be wandering about alone."
"Are the legends about the ancient dragon true, then?" I asked as I attempted to hold back a smile of amusement.
"Even if I knew the answer to that question, do you think I would reveal the mystery of this beautiful forest to …show more content…
"Did I not warn you that Chutzpah Forest was not a place for you to be wandering about alone?"
Was I mistaken or had I detected a note of wistfulness in Beau's voice?
"Yes, but I have had the pleasure to behold Chutzpah Forest's beauty thanks to your kindness and I chose to risk the dangers that lurk within for an opportunity to experience that paradise once again."
"You are as brave as you are beautiful, dear lady. Only a brave soul could look into my eyes without flinching."
I looked once again up into those earnest blue eyes and reflected upon those last few words. "Only a brave soul could look into my eyes without flinching."
Had my Aunt Margaret been correct about the legends, then? Was this being really a dragon who had appeared before me in the guise of a handsome young man? Perhaps there was a reason Aunt Margaret had become hysterical when she had seen me coming out of the forest. Was I in the grip of a blinding fear? Had I slipped into a delirium? Or was I now under a powerful spell? If so, then why did it feel so good and so right?
"Are you a dragon, then? Should I be afraid of you?" I finally asked, dreading to hear the
One day, while coming home from the bazaar after having made a handsome profit on a calf, I took a wrong turn. My mind had been preoccupied with fantasies …show more content…
It was warm and deep and soothing, like a rejuvenating summer rain. I wanted that voice to whisper sweetly in my ear forever, and all I had been privy to were three simple words.
I turned to face the being that had addressed me, wondering with bemusement about whether I would find myself looking down the throat of a fearsome and hungry dragon. Instead, I found myself looking up into the face of a handsome young man. He had to have been at least thirty centimeters taller than I. His eyes were the color of a calm, blue ocean. They emanated gentle kindness as they gazed into my own, and their effect was almost hypnotic. As I stood there gazing up into that round and youthful face, I began to wonder why the villagers had been so afraid. No dragon dwelt in Chutzpah Forest. Only a fool would believe in such childish nonsense.
"Yes?" I finally choked out, realizing that I had not spoken a word.
"You look as though you have lost your way. Chutzpah Forest is not a place for a fair maiden like you to be wandering about alone."
"Are the legends about the ancient dragon true, then?" I asked as I attempted to hold back a smile of amusement.
"Even if I knew the answer to that question, do you think I would reveal the mystery of this beautiful forest to …show more content…
"Did I not warn you that Chutzpah Forest was not a place for you to be wandering about alone?"
Was I mistaken or had I detected a note of wistfulness in Beau's voice?
"Yes, but I have had the pleasure to behold Chutzpah Forest's beauty thanks to your kindness and I chose to risk the dangers that lurk within for an opportunity to experience that paradise once again."
"You are as brave as you are beautiful, dear lady. Only a brave soul could look into my eyes without flinching."
I looked once again up into those earnest blue eyes and reflected upon those last few words. "Only a brave soul could look into my eyes without flinching."
Had my Aunt Margaret been correct about the legends, then? Was this being really a dragon who had appeared before me in the guise of a handsome young man? Perhaps there was a reason Aunt Margaret had become hysterical when she had seen me coming out of the forest. Was I in the grip of a blinding fear? Had I slipped into a delirium? Or was I now under a powerful spell? If so, then why did it feel so good and so right?
"Are you a dragon, then? Should I be afraid of you?" I finally asked, dreading to hear the