- Origin
- Appalachian? (No sources are given.)
- Source
- Jack and the Fire Dragon
- by Gail E. Haley
- Crown Publishers: New York, 1988
- The Story
- Jack, the "tow-headed scamp.. who always comes young again" is out
seeking adventure again in this Appalachian (?) tale. Jack is sent down
to the deep dark cavern by his two brothers to find out what the Fire
Dragaman is up to. Rescuing three young maidens, Jack falls in love with
the youngest and is given three magical objects -- the balm that cures
dragon fire wounds, the sword, Dragonteaser, and a ring that grants
wishes. The Fire Dragaman, who changes back to his true self
as the fireball-spitting dragon, is beaten in the fight. With the help of
the wishing ring, Jack comes back up to the ground even though his
jealous brothers cuts loose the rope that they lower him down with. It
all ends well with the brothers forgiven and each of them marries one of
the three sisters. And all that is left of the Fire Dragon is the
fire-ball that travels through the night sky.
- Comments
- Old Fire Dragaman/The Fire Dragon is a shapeshifter that can be both a
giant and the slinky, scaly, fire-breathing dragon that dwells in a cave
underground. Greed and evil are its predominant traits. It is
associated with the natural elements of Fire and Water (being under a
well.) It guards treasure and kidnaps yound maidens.
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Introduction/Index