Origin

England

Source

The Loathsome Dragon

Retold by David Wiesner and Kim Kahng

with illustrations by David Wiesner

The Story

In Bamborough Castle, a widowed King and his two children, the son Childe Wynd and the daughter Margaret, live. When Childe Wynd is off at the sea, the King meets an enchantress and marries her. Margaret's beauty stirs the jealousy of the evil stepmother. She turns Margaret into a loathsome dragon who devours all in its path. The only way to break the spell is for Childe Wynd to kiss the dragon three times, which is accomplished and Margaret steps out from the heart of the dragon. The evil enchantress is turned back into her true self -- a Loathsome Toad.

Comments

The appearance of the Loathsome Dragon is not described in the text. The illustrations reveal a huge lizard with mosaic like green scales, horns, and cat-like ears. Throughout the book, the dragon looks more tender than fierce or loathsome. The main conflict here is not men against the dragon beast, but against the envil enchantress.

Comparative Note: See Dove Isabeau