INTRODUCTION
In my blog post, Taming the Dragon Within Us, I proposed that the dragon is us. Yet, there are only two stories that I know of where humans actually transform into dragons: C.S. Lewis's "Voyage of the Dawn Treader" (the story of Eustace Clarence Scrubb) and the Armenian tale "The Sun-Girl & Dragon-Prince." Most dragon stories portray the dragon as a creature that is not human: an "other" - a being unlike us, or a terrifying monster we must not become. This may explain why many Western dragon myths involve a knight slaying a dragon. However, if we expand the definition of a dragon to include characters consumed by primal impulses (hunger, anger, pleasure, dominance, survival), then such fictional/mythological characters are more common. Examples include Mr. Hyde (Jekyll and Hyde), Gollum (Lord of the Rings), Te Kā (Moana), and Darth Vader (Star Wars). These characters were once good but succumbed to their primal urges. They are not beyond redemption; someone simply needs to guide them back to the light.
In my blog post, Taming the Dragon Within Us, I proposed that the dragon is us. Yet, there are only two stories that I know of where humans actually transform into dragons: C.S. Lewis's "Voyage of the Dawn Treader" (the story of Eustace Clarence Scrubb) and the Armenian tale "The Sun-Girl & Dragon-Prince." Most dragon stories portray the dragon as a creature that is not human: an "other" - a being unlike us, or a terrifying monster we must not become. This may explain why many Western dragon myths involve a knight slaying a dragon. However, if we expand the definition of a dragon to include characters consumed by primal impulses (hunger, anger, pleasure, dominance, survival), then such fictional/mythological characters are more common. Examples include Mr. Hyde (Jekyll and Hyde), Gollum (Lord of the Rings), Te Kā (Moana), and Darth Vader (Star Wars). These characters were once good but succumbed to their primal urges. They are not beyond redemption; someone simply needs to guide them back to the light.
The Dragon & the Healer (by Chaplain Donnel)
In a small village, there was once a person whose inner song was to help others become who they truly are. He helped others, and did really well. After a series of painful and traumatic life struggles, he was lured by the treasure of power and control. The person’s obsession with power and control eventually led him into the dark caves where the treasure was located.
In the dark cave, he was able to have all of the gold he wanted, but little did he know that the cave had a dark spell in it. As soon as a person entered the cave of power and control, that person ended up becoming trapped, and he grew scales in his body and became a dragon.
In a small village, there was once a person whose inner song was to help others become who they truly are. He helped others, and did really well. After a series of painful and traumatic life struggles, he was lured by the treasure of power and control. The person’s obsession with power and control eventually led him into the dark caves where the treasure was located.
In the dark cave, he was able to have all of the gold he wanted, but little did he know that the cave had a dark spell in it. As soon as a person entered the cave of power and control, that person ended up becoming trapped, and he grew scales in his body and became a dragon.
This person who turned into a dragon became intoxicated with fear, anger and despair - an energy, which when released, came out as red fire. The fire of fear, anger and despair ignited when the dragon suspected that someone else was going to steal the gold from him. Fully obsessed with its golden treasure, this dragon, who used to be a person, has now forgotten who he used to be. He has forgotten his sacred song - the song of helping others become who they truly are.
Years passed, and in that very same village, there was a medicine woman who made medicine by growing medicinal plants. This woman was said to also have powers just like the dragon; but her power comes from a different source: from the warmth of the light of the sun - which creates peace, joy, hope and new life.
Years passed, and in that very same village, there was a medicine woman who made medicine by growing medicinal plants. This woman was said to also have powers just like the dragon; but her power comes from a different source: from the warmth of the light of the sun - which creates peace, joy, hope and new life.
The medicine woman of the village took it upon herself to find the lost person who had disappeared into the dark caves. She entered the dark cave, and saw the dragon guarding its treasure. Unsurprisingly, as she approached the dragon guarding its gold, the dragon started to breathe out fire - the fire of fear, anger and despair.
However, she stayed calm, and said: “I see your pain, your inner conflict. And I know who you truly are. I see the good in you. You are a beloved child of the creation. Your true song is to help people become who they truly are.”
However, she stayed calm, and said: “I see your pain, your inner conflict. And I know who you truly are. I see the good in you. You are a beloved child of the creation. Your true song is to help people become who they truly are.”
After saying these words, the medicine woman gave the dragon a kind embrace, and sang his sacred song to the dragon’s ear. And when the sacred song struck the ears of the dragon, tears started rolling from the dragon’s eyes. Then something miraculous happened: the tears melted away the dragon’s scales and he became a person once more.
With the dragon scales melted away by the tears, he started embracing his inner sacred song once more. Together with the medicine woman, they went back to their community to help others heal, and guide people to become who they truly are & remember their sacred song.
With the dragon scales melted away by the tears, he started embracing his inner sacred song once more. Together with the medicine woman, they went back to their community to help others heal, and guide people to become who they truly are & remember their sacred song.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- What did you find to be the most important part of the story? What resonated with you?
- What experiences have you had that is close to this story?
- Where do you find yourself in this story? Which part of the story is about you?
- What dark caves have you ventured into?
- What is your sacred song?
Guide for Facilitators of Spiritual Care Groups
Practice Spirit Play storytelling:
- STORY MATERIALS
- VIDEO
- SCRIPT
