The Dragon's Escape
Neglected Dragons
The zookeeper's eyes widen as he hears your request to see the dragon. He doesn't say a word and a weird silence sweeps over him. He stands still, staring at you with his mouth slightly ajar. You're unsure if anyone has ever asked him about the dragon before. Maybe they all just come to see the elephants or the giraffes. But you're on a mission - a dragon needs saving!
Underneath his scruffy beard, you notice the wrinkles etched deep, telling a tale of his fatigue and uncertainty. Yet, he slowly takes a quick glance over his shoulder and then nodded. Without another word, he takes you towards the back of the zoo, leaving the sounds of giggling children and joyous cries of excitement behind. You now walk down a twisting path with less color, fewer people, and more quietness. Clouding your excitement is a veneer of thick apprehension, but knowing you're closer to your mission does ignite the flame of courage within you.
Suddenly, the rumbling sound of the crowd grows faint and an isolated sight appears. Hidden behind a wall of gigantic artificial rocks, the zookeeper points to a narrow passageway. The man stands stiff without uttering any further instructions. You almost don't peg him for a zookeeper anymore: he looks like a museum tour guide who’s come to the end of his daily shift, exhausted and filled with uncertainty. But is he uncertain because he doesn't like where he is leading you? Are you perhaps banging on a door that can bring out a heavy storm?