The Dragon Under my Bed

A dragon's wisdom

~~What's the wisest thing somebody has ever said to you? Zagem told me that a dragon's wisdom is the most valuable thing one could obtain, and while I learned the ways of a dragon for about 2 weeks, Zagem told me that even decades of conversation with him couldn't compare to an elder's wisdom. Perhaps one day I will try to obtain it...~~

I remember one night I decided to ask Zagem something rather stupid. mostly as a joke, but I didn't expect him to give me an answer.

"When we first met, didn't you say you'd offer me wisdom in exchange for me letting you stay here?" I had asked.

Zagem looked up from the book he was reading (He had been 'borrowing' books from my bookshelf,)

"You never asked for any." He said simply, going back to his book. "Mother always said that one cannot receive wisdom unless one asks for it."

I took my blanket off, despite how cold it was, it was very hot with me wearing my blankets. "What do you want me to say? 'Oh Zagem, can I have some wisdom?'" I said sarcastically.

"Pretty much," Zagem said. "By any chance do you have a candle or something?"

"I leaned down and snatched the book Zagem was reading. "I want some wisdom," I said, setting the book down.

Zagem chuckled. "I don't think you understand the concept of wisdom, young one. Wisdom can not be given to someone, nor received."

"But didn't your mother say that somebody cannot receive wisdom unless they ask for it? I'm asking for it right now! You know, half of the time what you say makes no sense."

Zagem tapped his claws against the bed frame. "Exactly, you haven't asked for it. You've only asked for wisdom, just plain wisdom. You're being too blunt, child."

"How many times can you say 'wisdom' before you sound more confusing than my social studies teacher?"

"Let me explain Garret. You have simply asked for wisdom, and while I do have some to give you, you're being too blunt. You cannot just ask for wisdom and expect immediate answers, like reading a book. You must be more specific, and let who you're talking to know what kind of wisdom you would like. For example, say there are some humans with a reputation of being dragon killers near your territory. If I was an elder, you would come to me and say: 'Great Zagem, I ask of you to give me your best wisdom on the local dragon hunters approaching my home.' Or something along those words. Then I would give you whatever wisdom I see fit for the situation."

"Question, What is an elder?" I asked, "I have a feeling I know the answer, but I just want to be sure we're on the same page."

"An elder is a dragon that is over 1000 years old, and usually the smartest dragons cause they've seen the most out of the world," Zagem explained. "Did you know that in their entire lifetime, an elder might have flown around the entire world at least 5 times?"

"Can't say I did," I admitted. "But anyway, I figured that's what elders were. Go on.

"Anyways, Elders usually offer the most wisdom because they're usually older than the world itself, and because of that, they've seen the most. In fact, most dragons that have been born since the destruction of them are still alive to this day."

"The destruction of them?" I echoed. "What's that?"

"Aw Pish, Garret. Can you stop asking questions?" Zagem said, annoyed. I stopped talking.

"Anyways, Since elders have lived for so long, they have lots and I mean lots of time to learn and discover. If one puts their mind to it, one can become smarter than the gods themselves. many tend to seek these smarts when they're desire disappears, or they feel like they want to divert their full life to something like that, which usually happens very far into their lives. So you see, because of this, elders have the most wisdom."

"Wow... I can't possibly imagine trying to become smarter than a god." I said, amazed.

"It's just a metaphor, child." Zagem chuckled. "No one can ever become smarter than a god, even if someone tried."

"Yeah, I would probably die of boredom," I said. "So do you have any wisdom for me, Oh great Zagem?" I said.

Zagem laughed. "Yes, don't try to seek smarts like an elder. Especially at your age. It is not good for your wellbeing."

"I guess that's good enough."

"Remember that a dragon's wisdom is the most valuable thing you can receive!" Zagem said, sliding back under the bed. "Always keep it with you, it might help you someday!"

"I sure hope it does, Zagem."

~~It in fact did help me one day. One day in college, I was just filled with the urge to get ahead in everything, I sacrificed entire nights to get ahead, but one day I remembered the dragon's advice, and knew that what I was doing was not good for my wellbeing. I had never expected the dragon's wisdom would be useful, just another way Zagem surprised me...~~