Nonny wished to fight against dragons. So, he went to the King’s court, bowed before him and said, “Sir, please make me a knight, so that I may fight against dragons.”
“It is a fine idea,” said the King, “Rise, Sir Nonny!”.
Nonny was given a horse, a real sword and an armour that covered him from head to foot.
One day, the King announced, “Good news, knights! A new dragon has arrived in our kingdom. I have chosen Sir Pompas to fight against it.”
The next day, Sir Pompas rode off to the mountain where the dragon had been spotted. With him rode the other knights, the King and all his courtiers. Nonny went too.
Everyone cheered as Sir Pompas rode his horse up the mountain path into the dragon’s cave. They heard the terrible roar of the dragon. Then, nothing more!
“That’s too bad,” said the King, “Who wishes to go next?” “I’ll go, Sir!” said Nonny.
Nonny rode up the mountain path and into the dragon’s cave. There before him loomed the dragon, ten times taller than Nonny. With thick scales, green glowing eyes and flaming mouth, the dragon angrily snarled, “I’m ready to fight.”
Nonny spurred his horse and attacked the dragon. But his sword bounced off the dragon’s scaly body. Suddenly, the dragon swung its arm at Nonny and knocked him off his horse. Nonny closed his eyes and waited to be killed. But it didn’t happen. Nonny opened his eyes. His sword has gone, so was his armour.
The dragon was relaxing on the cave floor. Nonny walked over to it. “Why didn’t you kill me?” he asked.
“Oh, I wouldn’t do that,” said the dragon, smiling, “I just like to play a little.”
“But you killed Sir Pompas!” said Nonny.
“No, I didn’t.” said the dragon, “He slipped out the back way. I guess he was ashamed about losing his armour.”
Nonny laughed. “I’m not ashamed,” he said, “I did my best. Anyway, I never really liked that armour.”
“Good for you!” said the dragon. “See that treasure I’ve been guarding. It might be useful to you.” The dragon swung its head toward a dark corner of the cave. There rested a huge leather-bound book in a jewelled case. Nonny took the book, thanked the dragon and left the cave. The book taught him many other ways to deal with dragons. In time, Nonny became known as the greatest dragon-fighter of all.