Mei-Ling and the Dragon -- A Fairy Tale from China (T))
This fairy tale is found in Tara McCarthy’s book,
Multicultural Fables and Fairy Tales.
Insistent that the fierce dragon, who lived at the top of the mountain, come to her birthday party, the kind-hearted Mei-Ling attempts three times to go to his home and invite him. Two times she is scared off by the dragon’s fire-breathing antics and harsh words. But the third time she stands her ground and repeats her invitation. The dragon is charmed by her courage and kindness and agrees to go. A gift of their friendship takes the form of a river formed by the dragon’s tears that provides water to the fields of the village, ending famine that has long plagued it. From then on, the dragon becomes a welcomed visitor and also a symbol of good luck, As for Mei-Ling, she is honored by her people and goes on to live happily.
As McCarthy suggests, this story lends itself well to a study of the homes and clothing of ancient China as well as of the dragon as an important symbol in the culture of China.
Constantes and the Dragon -- A Fairy Tale from Greece (T))
This fairy tale is taken from an anthology entitled
Favorite Fairy Tales Told Around the World
retold by Virginia Haviland. In this tale the youngest brother, Constantes, saves himself and his brothers from a horrible death through his resourcefulness and cunning. He tricks the dragon and his wife and facilitates their escape but not before stealing the dragoness’s ring. As often happens, the eldest brother later becomes jealous of Constantes because he has the ring. He persuades the king to demand that Constantes steal the dragon’s diamond coverlet for him. An old woman assists him in the successful accomplishment of his mission. The envious brother then persuades the greedy and not very bright king that he must have the dragon’s horse and bell and later the dragon himself. Constantes outwits the dragon and accomplishes his feats. It is the jealous brother in the end who gets what he deserves when he opens the dragon’s coffin.
The dragon is this tale is more like a warlord, owning land, fine clothes and other valuable possessions. He is more human-like than beast-like, more intelligent than the other two dragons we have encountered thus far in our readings.
This story is rich in events and action and would serve well as a model to summarize using Nancy Boyles’ answer frame.
Liam Donn -- A Fairy Tale from Ireland (R))
This fairy tale is taken from the anthology,
Celtic Tales,
and centers around a youngest son, Liam, who must go out in the world and find Una the White Handed, youngest daughter of the King of Greece. He must successfully accomplish this feat as the continuing good fortune of his father, the King of Ireland, depends on it. Unhesitatingly, he sets out, his mother’s magical loaves of bread in hand. Liam has to combat three uncles transformed by spells into hideous giants. With great strength, perseverance and a healthy dose of outrage prompting him, Liam wins each battle with the help of his mother’s bread. In a very dramatic scene, he finds Una chained to some rocks, put there by a vile three-headed dragon. A fierce and long battle ensues and Liam wins.
Reminiscent of Cinderella, Liam leaves a shoe behind as the cheering crowd whisks him away after his victory. It is the princess’s turn to seek him out. The king’s soldiers go door to door, having men of all walks life trying on the shoe. Finally, they come to Liam’s cottage. Once he is identified he is taken to the royal palace where he happily marries Una.
This colorful tale includes an excellent example of a main event and would be another good model for the students to pattern their writings after. The topic would be describing their adventure as they go on their quest to rescue a fair maiden or prince from a fierce dragon.
