Herbert the Hero : A Tale of Noble Quests and Fearsome Monsters
Once, long ago in a far away land, lived a man named Herbert. Above all else he yearned to be a hero, doing great deeds and having a name known far and wide across the land.
One day, Herbert packed supplies for a long journey, mounted his trusty pony and set off. He searched everywhere for a great deed needing to be done, a damsel to rescue, a monster to slay or a tyrant to overthrow, but he could find no great deeds that needed doing. He finally began the long trek home.
On his way, he came to a large village overlooked by a castle fortress. Herbert noticed something was wrong as soon as he entered. Windows were shuttered and the few people to be seen were going about their business quickly, not speaking.
Quickening his step, he caught up to a raggedy old man to ask him what was the matter.
"A dragon," the man muttered, "was seen a few days back. The Lord has offered the title as Hero of the Realm to any who would slay it. No one’s been foolish enough to try."
Herbert saw opportunity immediately, his chance to be a hero had finally arrived.
In the space of one hour Herbert managed to loose his trusty pony, fall in a river, twist his ankle and become completely lost. Lady Luck had seemed to have taken away her brief blessing and replaced it with a curse.
Alone, hungry and cold with night approaching, Herbert began to get desperate, but then he saw something through the trees. He limped towards it, but just before he reached the circle of light, he tripped on a stone and hit his head.
He awoke to find himself in a warm bed with a friendly voice saying, "So, finally awake. It’s about time, you’ve been sleeping for two days. I brought you some stew." There was a clatter of dishes and then the sound of a door closing. Herbert forced his eyes open and ate the delicious stew. Herbert went back to sleep.
It was about midnight when he opened his eyes again. Standing up to stretch, he noticed that the door was partially open. Creeping closer as silently as he could, he looked through the crack. There, sprawled outside, was a peacefully sleeping dragon. He gulped loudly, and the dragon stirred.
"Who’s there?" asked the same voice that he had heard a few hours before.
As the dragon returned to sleep, Herbert noticed the sword propped up against the wall. Here was his chance. Herbert tried to step forward, to claim his dream, but he couldn’t. This dragon had probably saved his life.
Years later, when he told his grandchildren of his encounter with the beast he always said that a title wasn’t worth it and, even though he spent his life in obscurity, he never regretted his decision. After all, peace of mind was worth more than all the titles in the world.The End
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