Agni/Stories
Quotes
Dragon Story Episodes
Not of This World
Although the Firelord Agni was known
to be a violent dragon who disliked
the company of men, he also swore
to protect any who made offerings
to him.
When the Firelord began to scorch
the mountainsides with his flames,
a single woman went to stop the
mayhem, volunteering to bring an
offering that might satisfy his hunger.
Agni snorted at the pitiful suggestion.
"My flames shall spread and engulf
this world, which exists only for my
pleasure. What could you, a mere
human, possibly offer unto me?"
When the fearless woman claimed
she had something not of this world,
Agni bellowed laughter. "Not of this
world? Ha ha! You speak nonsense
in the face of death."
In response, the woman lifted a
platter piled high with the finest
recipes from all across the land.
The smell of it was intoxicating.
Agni was taken aback, for he knew
nothing of the culinary arts.
For the first time in his life, he felt
a lust for food instead of a simple
urge to eat, and devoured all of
the woman's offerings in a single,
massive bite.
Agni licked his claws, searching for a
last morsel of the woman's offering.
"I thought I had eaten all this world
had," he said finally, "but never have
I tasted the like of your dish."
The woman responded, "We humans
have the ability to create new things
from the old and familiar of the
world. This is our talent."
"And so long as I live, I will bring you
a new dish every year—each more
delicious than the last."
"In one hundred years, my children
will bring you a dish with flavors I
could never conceive of—and even
ten thousand years hence will you
still enjoy the fruits of this labor."
"How novel," chuckled Agni, "to
swear that your descendants will do
as much. And yet, I trust that your
skill will carry on, and dearly wish to
savor the results of it."
Agni laughed, satisfied with the deal.
And with that, the Firelord and
woman sealed an eternal truce,
and he never again caused trouble
for humans.
Tasty offerings are still made to the
dragon to this very day—and he
loves nothing more than to see what
human ingenuity can conjure up.