Dragons are popular characters in fantasy and folklore. While these
mythical reptilian creatures are traditionally villains, many modern
stories cast them in a favorable light. One of the first stories in
which I encountered a sympathetic dragon was Sir Goofy and the Dragon, part of the Disney’s Wonderful World of Reading collection.
This
book, published in 1983, begins with a contemporary Goofy telling a
story to Mickey Mouse’s nephews Morty and Ferdy. These twins turned up
in several of the Disney books I read as a child, but I never seem to
see them anymore, so it was a nostalgia trip to encounter them here,
hanging on Goofy’s words as he explains to them where the sword over his
fireplace originated.
The bulk of the book concerns Sir
Goofylad, whom Goofy claims is his great-great grandfather. There aren’t
enough “greats” there to put Goofylad in medieval times, unless the
Goofy family is known for remarkable longevity, and as the story implies
that he remained a bachelor, the “grandfather” part doesn’t quite add
up either. Then again, Goofy tells the story with a wink and a nod, so
as likely as not, we’re supposed to think he just made the whole thing
up anyway.
Whether or not it’s true in the context of Goofy’s
world, it’s a charming story about a blacksmith who makes armor for all
of the knights in a kingdom presided over by King Mickey. When those
knights fail to eliminate the nuisance of a nearby dragon whose fiery
breaths are terrorizing the townsfolk, Mickey puts out a general call,
promising any citizen who can take care of the problem both a knighthood
and a fortune. Goofy decides to take on the task, and he soon discovers
that what this dragon needs is not vanquishing but a little compassion.
The story, then, becomes a lesson in the value of empathy.
As
with other books in this series, while Goofy, Mickey, Minnie (who we see
only from a distance) and Morty and Ferdy look much the same as their
cartoon counterparts, the other characters in the book are drawn in a
more realistic fashion. The dragon is the only other anthropomorphic
animal in the story, and he still looks very much like a stereotypical
dragon. All of the knights and townspeople, meanwhile, are ordinary
humans.
Aside from taking one major pratfall (that really isn’t
his fault), Goofy seems a little uncharacteristically suave here. Then
again, since the modern Goofy is telling the story, he’s probably trying
to make his medieval counterpart look good. No need to clutter up the
story of his greatest triumph with scenes of him tripping over his own
sword. His personality otherwise seems about right, particularly Goofy’s
great capacity for friendship.
A popular geeky bumper sticker
cautions, “Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons.” Here, however, the
dragon is glad Goofy did. A touching tale.
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