Christmas story - It's beginning to look a lot like Dragons

Snow fell softly, blanketing rolling hills, frozen roads, and the rooftops of the tiny village. The few people that were still outside, hurried home where the fireplaces were roaring and delicious stews were being made. A short horse ride from the village, behind the blacksmith’s shop and the baker’s warm ovens, which sat dark and still at this time of day, sat the Dragon Sanctuary—a collection of humble, slightly run-down stables that housed dragons, in all shapes and sizes, in need of a home.

The dragons were snuggled up beside each other, in twos and threes, their scales catching the dim glow of lantern light outside their pens. The air around them was warm because of the fire that burned within their chests. But the mood was bittersweet. 

Each dragon had a story: Odin had been abandoned by a careless adventurer, while Blacky and Rocky had been guard dragons until the owner couldn’t handle them anymore when they had grown too big.

Near the back of the sanctuary, in the darkest stall of all, sat an enormous golden dragon named Meo. She was easily the size of three houses, with wings that were a little too small for her body, making it impossible for her to fly, and a flame that never burned quite as brightly as the others. Meo had been at the sanctuary since the day her adventurous owner died in battle, years ago. Adventurers and merchants often came to adopt a dragon to accompany them on their journeys, but they always wanted a young one, a smaller one. And Meo stayed in her pen, dreaming about the days she would run freely. 

“She’s too big,” they would say. “I can’t keep her at my house or fit her on my horse.”

And hearing those words, the dragon would lower her head and curl into a ball. Deep down, she longed for someone to see her as more than a big nuisance.

🎄

It was the day before Christmas, and the sanctuary was abuzz with excitement. The dragons roared and the caretaker, an elderly man named Paulo, had hung garlands of holly and ribbons along the pens. He hummed a cheerful tune as he made his rounds, feeding the dragons and polishing their scales. Paulo knew that around Christmas, more people would visit the shelter and maybe even take a dragon home. He had tried to get word out for the younger dragons, because they were more popular than the older ones. 

Despite that, he told Meo, “Tomorrow’s the big day!” with a kind smile while he threw food into her bowl. “Every Christmas, someone comes to adopt a special dragon. You never know—it could be your turn this year.”

Meo’s heart fluttered at the thought, but she quickly pushed it away. She had hoped for so many Christmases before, only to be left behind. Still, as she watched the snow drift through the open roof of the pen, she made a wish: Please let this be the year I find my home.

🎄

The sun rose on Christmas morning, and the sanctuary doors creaked open, to the sound of jingling bells. People came and went and Meo watched from the back. The people marveled at the dragons. Two young dragons were brought home by a family, and one dragon was adopted by a bold adventurer. As the day crept on, less and less people came. The dragons grew silent and the light was slowly fading. An old woman with scraggly clothes stepped inside, her cheeks rosy from the cold. She walked with a cane and wore a hand-knit scarf.

“Merry Christmas, Madam!” Paulo greeted the stranger warmly. “Are you here to adopt a dragon?”

The woman nodded briskly. “Lila is my name. My children have left on adventures of their own and I am ready to settle down with a dragon. But I don’t want just any dragon. I want one that feels... special.”

The younger dragons perked up, puffing out their chests and flapping their wings in an attempt to catch Lila’s attention. Lila watched them with an unimpressed look and Paulo became nervous. Meo stayed in her pen, her eyes following the woman as she walked to every pen and walked past the dragons. Blacky and Rocky spat fire into the air, but Lila barely winced. Odin showed off his magnificent scales, but again the woman wasn’t showing much enthusiasm. Meo didn’t want to get her hopes up again and closed her eyes.

Lila walked through the sanctuary, stopping once to pet an emerald-green dragon and admire a pair of shimmering sapphire twins. But none of them felt quite right. As she reached the back of the Dragon Sanctuary, she spotted the golden dragon with the small wings, curled up as tightly as she could, but still looking as big as ever.

“What about this one?” Lila asked, stepping closer.

“Oh, Meo?” Paulo hesitated. “She’s sweet as can be, but she’s not like the others. She’s big and... well, not exactly a dragon that can fit into any home.”

Lila ignored the words and crouched down to Meo’s level. “Hello, you,” she said softly. Meo lifted her head, her golden eyes meeting Lila’s. For the first time, someone wasn’t looking past her—they were looking at her. 

Cautiously, Meo stretched out her neck and let Lila place a gentle hand on her snout. A small puff of warm air escaped Meo’s nostrils, and Lila smiled. But the old woman got up and walked to the next pen and the gold dragon rested her head on the cold ground. The woman walked until she had seen all of the dragons and then went inside with Paulo. All the dragons were quiet to hear what Paulo and Lila were discussing. 

After a while, they came out and all the dragons held their breaths. Some of the dragons whispered to each other that it looked like Paulo had been wiping away tears. They walked back past the pens to Meo.

“She’s perfect,” Lila said firmly.

🎄

As the sun set on Christmas Day, Meo stepped out of the Sanctuary with Lila by her side. Meo wore the hand-knit scarf around her neck, which was too small to be tied in a knot, but she loved it all the same.

The walk to Lila’s home was magical. The village streets were lined with glowing lanterns, and children sang carols by the Christmas tree in the square. But they walked out of the small village and the dragon became anxious. Where were they going?

When they walked over a hill Meo saw an enormous house with parapets and a grand front door. One she would be able to fit through! Lila led Meo to the door and while the dragon was anxious, she followed Lila into the house. She would be able to sleep inside! Meo’s heart fluttered and her small wings fluttered with it.

Lila showed the dragon a big rug next to the fireplace, which would be her bed, and a bowl the size of a couch. It was filled to the brim with stew and Meo started eating happily.

Lila stroked Meo’s scales as she ate. “This is your home now,” Lila whispered and Meo’s flame burned brighter than it had in years.