KORENA AND THE OLD DRAGON

INTRODUCTION  This is a story about a family and an old dragon. Before I begin, let me introduce the characters. There is a girl named Korena; her family includes her parents and a younger brother. Her mother manages the household, while her father, David, works as a laborer—he cuts wood in the forest and sells it in the market. Her younger brother is four years old and stays at home, and Korena is fourteen. They live in a dilapidated house in a mountainous, snow-covered region, struggling to get by in deep poverty. Every day, Korena's father goes into the forest to gather wood, which he then sells in the market to sustain the family. Korena attends school, where she is a diligent student. Upon returning home, she tends to a small garden where she keeps several pets—a parrot, a pigeon, a dog, and a cat. She is very fond of animals and spends her time caring for them as soon as she gets home from school. Her younger brother often plays alongside her. This is how their life unfolds. FOREST PLAN One day, Korena asked her father, David, to take her into the forest, complaining that he never took her anywhere. David replied, "My child, there are very dangerous animals in the forest. I only go there to cut wood with great difficulty, and I always carry a gun to protect myself." Korena, however, managed to persuade her father, promising that she would stay right by his side and not wander off. David agreed, telling her to wake up early the next morning so he could take her along. That night, as she lay in bed, Korena became lost in her own imagination—wondering what the forest would be like, what she might see there, how her father worked, and how he would handle any wild animals that might appear. Absorbed in these thoughts, she eventually drifted off to sleep START THE FOREST JOURNEY When the day broke, her father woke her up, reminding her, "Didn't you make quite a fuss yesterday about wanting to come along? Your mother has prepared breakfast; let's go now, before your little sibling wakes up and starts crying because they want to come too." Korena quickly got ready, dressed herself well, put on a sweater and sturdy boots to protect against the cold, and set off with her father. The forest was quite a distance from their home, and the path to it led through a dark valley. As they were traveling, Korena asked her father, "Papa, how long have you been coming to this forest?" Her father replied, "I have been coming here for 18 years." Korena then asked, "You must have hunted a lot and seen many animals, haven't you?" Her father explained, "I have hunted many animals—specifically those that prey on humans—which is why I always carry weapons." He had all his hunting gear ready, including knives, a sword, and a rifle loaded with ammunition. Korena then asked, "Papa, is there any particular hunt you still remember vividly? And tell me something interesting about these animals." Her father replied, "My dear, some animals are actually very lovely and kind. If you help them, they don't harm you; in fact, they show affection and even protect you. Some of them get very happy when I arrive—I usually come here once or twice a week to gather firewood." Surprised, Korena asked, "Which animals are these that protect you and get so happy when you arrive?" Korena's father says, "My child, there are three animals—a wild panda 🐼, a deer, and an elephant—with whom I have shared a friendship for five years." Surprised, Korena asks, "You're even friends with an elephant?" Her father explains how it happened: ELEPHANT FRIENDSHIP "My friendship with the elephant didn't just happen by chance. Whenever I visited, the elephant calf would be playing outside the forest. One day, a jackal was lying in wait, preparing to attack the calf. I spotted it just as it was about to pounce. The calf, sensing danger, ran toward me. I quickly drew an arrow—we didn't have guns or rifles back then—and struck the jackal. The calf let out a cry, which brought its father—a massive elephant—to the scene. Seeing his calf near me, the elephant charged in a fit of rage, intent on attacking me. But the calf made a sound that caused the elephant to stop in his tracks. As he lunged toward me, I squeezed my eyes shut. After all, any parent—regardless of the species—will always protect their young." That is how I became friends with that elephant. He was just a tiny little thing back then, and now, before I knew it, he has grown into a full-grown adult. He is just like a son to me.Hearing this, Korena asked happily, "Papa, can I meet the elephant?" Korena's father smiled and replied, "Yes, my dear, you certainly can. He will even take you on a tour of the entire jungle." As the father and daughter continued their sweet conversation, they kept moving along on their journey. On the way, Korena said, "Papa, I'm feeling hungry." So, her father took out the food that had been packed that morning and handed it to her, saying, "Here you go, dear. We'll eat it together a little further ahead." They stopped at a beautiful spot, where they drank some cool water, had their meal, and rested for a while before resuming their journey. After traveling a bit further, a dense jungle appeared before them. David turned to his daughter and said, "My dear, you need to be careful now and look after yourself. The jungle begins here." David took out his tools and began cutting wood. Korena sat nearby, watching her father. After a while, unable to contain her curiosity, she asked, "Papa, when will the elephant come?" Smiling as he swung his axe, David replied, "He will come, dear—just have a little patience. Once he hears the sound of me cutting wood, he'll come here on his own. He remembers this sound very well." Korena wandered around for a bit. Suddenly, there was some movement ahead; a large elephant was approaching. But he wasn't coming in a friendly manner—he was furious. His eyes blazed with anger, and he was stomping his feet heavily. Terrified, Korena screamed and ran toward her father, who was cutting wood a short distance away. Hearing her cry, David immediately rushed over and stood in front of the elephant. The moment the elephant saw David, his anger vanished in an instant. His eyes lit up with joy. He raised his trunk, expressing his love and happiness. Overjoyed, he gently lifted David with his trunk and spun him around in the air. David then stroked the elephant's trunk affectionately. Understanding the gesture, the elephant carefully set David back down. Turning to Korena, David asked, "Well, dear—would you like to sit on him now?" Though she had been terribly frightened at first, Korena was now filled with delight, having seen how the elephant had lifted her father. Then, the elephant gently lifted Korena with its trunk and began to swing her around affectionately. Korena's fear was replaced by laughter. The elephant then carefully placed her onto its back. Korena could never forget this moment.