A Tale of Two Dragons

Separated by a hedge of thorns, two wealthy kingdoms stand back-to-back. Arbor has lush green woods, orchards and plenty of birds whereas Pomosa has rich farmland, crops and grazing cows. There’s a problem though, for the people of Arbor require wheat and rice for baking; those of Pomosa are unable to cook without firewood to heat their ovens. If only the two kingdoms would share their resources with one another all would be well.

Despite the hedge the children from both sides sneak through at night and help themselves to what their families need: only thus can the peoples of both realms be fed and warm.

The kings however are far from happy so in order to protect what they consider their property, they each hire a dragon from China to act as guard, thus leaving Arbor without bread and milk, Pomosa without firewood. The kings order the dragons to fight to the death declaring that the one with the winning dragon will rule over both lands, much to the distress of their citizens who love their respective dragons.

Can peace ever prevail?

With its dramatic watercolour illustrations, this fable has much to say about our 21st-century world and the way in which leaders operate. One hopes that what child readers will take from it is that co-operation results in a far better way of life than does warfare.