Elmer and the Dragon

“Elmer slid down and took off his knapsack. ‘You’re beautiful!’ he said, admiring the dragon’s blue and yellow stripes, his red horn and eyes, his great long tail, and especially his gold colored wings shining in the faint moonlight.”

The author’s descriptive imagery helps the reader envision the colorful baby dragon. The dragon is depicted as non-threatening, with Elmer’s enthusiasm for the dragon’s beauty reinforcing the idea that the dragon is a new friend, not a threat. Elmer’s kind compliment adds to the two characters’ already positive relationship.

“‘I’m kind of worried,’ said the dragon. ‘Suppose we never find it?’ ‘We’ll find it alright,’ said Elmer, who was a tiny bit worried himself. The dragon ran along the beach warming up his wings while Elmer packed sixty-nine tangerines, as many as his knapsack could hold.”

This passage adds to the author’s theme on The Nature of Resilience and Adventure, as Elmer tries to stay positive while heading out into the unknown. By showing how Elmer and the dragon prepare for their journey, the author shows that both characters do their best to have a successful trip.

“The wind blew harder and the rain was colder. Elmer looked at his compass and cried through the rumbling storm, ‘We’re going in the wrong direction!’ ‘I can’t help it! The wind’s too strong! I can’t fight against it,’ screamed the dragon.”

On their first day of travel from Tangerina Island, Elmer and the dragon encounter a massive storm, which becomes a symbol of the challenges they must overcome in their journey. This scene creates tension in the story as the two young characters are helpless against the winds and rain, which push them off-course and onto a new journey altogether.

“It was a very big storm, and you stood in a lot of cold water for a very long time, and besides, you’re only a baby dragon and you’re not used to flying long distances.”

Elmer reassures the baby dragon after he is humbled by the scary storm. Elmer’s kind words show his generous nature and his desire to help the dragon feel better. By comforting his new friend, Elmer adds to the author’s theme on The Importance of Teamwork, solidifying their bond and mutual support.

“‘I’m afraid I’ll have to rest a while longer,’ said the dragon. ‘My wings are still wet and heavy, and I’m awfully hungry. Tangerine peels don’t really fill me up, and I’m terribly thirsty, and maybe I’m going to faint.’”

The dragon feels weak after his tough night in the storm. By focusing on the baby dragon’s complaints, the author presents him as young and vulnerable, inviting sympathy for his character. The dragon’s insistence that tangerine peels are not enough to “fill [him] up” speaks to the motif of the dragon’s food, as his special dietary needs are directly connected to his ability to fly long distances. This quotation also adds suspense to the story, as the characters must find a way to survive on the mysterious island where they crash-landed.

“Just as he thought he could go no farther, he found an old log ladder going straight up to the top of the cliff. ‘Somebody must live here,’ he thought as he climbed up the last rung and sat down.”

Elmer’s adventurous spirit comes through as he begins to explore the island by himself. By taking in the clues around him and trying to understand where he is, Elmer shows his curiosity and intelligence. This passage adds to The Nature of Resilience and Adventure as Elmer embraces the unexpected chance to discover a whole new island.

“‘Skunk cabbages and ostrich ferns all over the place!’ yelled Elmer, who was worried about the hungry, thirsty baby dragon. He quickly pulled up six skunk cabbages and ran back through the bushes to the pool. He dipped the bucket half full, threw in the cabbages and hurried through the meadow to the pines and the dragon.”

Elmer is delighted to find the dragon’s favorite foods—ostrich ferns and skunk cabbages—on the island, once more invoking the motif of the dragon’s food. By explaining Elmer’s concern for the dragon and showing how he provides for him, the author shows that Elmer is a caring and loyal friend, adding to her theme on The Importance of Teamwork.

“‘I’m not the dragon I used to be,’ he panted, ‘but I’ll get you home yet, Elmer. Don’t you worry about that.’ ‘Oh, I know you will,’ said Elmer, although he had secretly hoped to find people on the island, and a boat going home, and all sorts of good things to eat.”

The baby dragon shows his positive mindset as he assures Elmer that he will recover and fly again. Elmer’s response shows that even though he was hoping for an easier journey, he is willing to trust the dragon and hope for the best. This exchange adds to The Nature of Resilience and Adventure, as both characters must be strong in the face of their challenges.

“‘I know it sounds silly, but the whole island is sick with curiosity, and old King Can is actually dying of it. ‘Who’s King Can?’ asked the dragon, becoming somewhat interested. ‘He’s the king of the canaries. He’s really King Can XI. His ancestors, King and Queen Can I, were the first to live on the island.”

Flute the canary explains the islanders’ ongoing problem. This passage creates suspense and narrative momentum by presenting Elmer and the dragon with a mystery to solve, testing their ability to work together and adding to the story’s theme on The Importance of Teamwork.

“‘I tell you, it’s an awful thing,’ continued Flute. ‘I suppose so,’ said Elmer. ‘I wonder what they could have been so curious about.’ ‘See, there you go, getting curious! What a great day it will be when this island gets over the plague of curiosity!’”

Flute’s funny explanations add humor to the story while helping the reader understand why the canaries are so upset. By connecting Elmer’s curiosity to Flute and the rest of the birds’ problems, the author adds to her theme on Bonding Through Shared Experiences.

“‘Maybe I could help King Can XI,’ suggested Elmer. ‘If he weren’t curious anymore, then nobody else would be curious to know why he’s curious, and everybody would get well.’ ‘That’s right,’ said Flute. ‘Let’s go see the King. He lives in the biggest tree in the forest.’”

Elmer’s mission to meet the King shows how he loves to problem-solve and help others. By showing Elmer’s desire to help the birds of Feather Island, this scene deepens Elmer’s characterization as a generous and kind boy. His decision to meet King Can XI also tests his sense of adventure, as he is no longer focused on going home, but instead is trying to help the island’s birds.

“Suddenly, the King flew out of the branches and landed at Elmer’s feet. Elmer was disappointed. The King looked just like a canary, only bigger and fluffier than the others. ‘This is my dear friend, Elmer Elevator,’ said Flute.”

In Elmer’s first meeting with the King, he realizes that the island’s royalty is simply a regular canary bird like all the other island residents. This description helps the reader envision the mysterious King Can XI and raises the question of whether Elmer will take the time to help a canary bird.

“‘That’s what I was afraid of! Why, this has been a family secret ever since my great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather was a young canary! No, I couldn’t possibly tell you!’ snorted King Can XI. ‘Then I can’t help you after all,’ said Elmer, getting up. ‘I’m sorry I bothered Your Majesty about it. Good-bye.’”

This scene shows Elmer’s practical approach to dealing with the difficult King Can XI, who is protective of his family secret. By revealing the long history of the king’s issue with curiosity, this passage points to The Importance of Teamwork in resolving problems, as King Can XI will never be able to solve his problems all by himself.

“‘Yes, but now I’m really curious. I’m to go back at sundown and then he’s going to tell me the secret. It’s a very old family secret.’ ‘I just can’t stand it! I can’t stand it!’ said Flute. ‘Oh, I’ll be so glad to be rid of the curiosity plague.’”

Elmer and Flute bond over their shared curiosity about the King’s strange secret. This funny passage adds to the story’s theme on Bonding Through Shared Experiences as the two old friends cannot wait to discover more about King Can XI’s mysterious problem.

“Flute, the dragon, and Elmer waited quietly while the King looked at the ground, then up at the tree, and then down at the ground. ‘Treasure!’ he whispered so suddenly that they all jumped into the air. ‘At least, I think it’s treasure, but I can’t find out without your help.’”

When King Can XI finally reveals his family’s strange secret, he also admits that it has remained hidden for so long because he cannot resolve it on his own. The King’s humble admission adds to the story’s theme on The Importance of Teamwork, as he finally asks Elmer and the dragon for their help.

“Elmer went to get the shovel while the King danced around on the pine needles chirping, ‘I’m feeling better already.’ The Queen kept tittering and muttering to herself, ‘I never thought I’d live to see this day.’ ‘Now, where should I begin digging?’ asked Elmer.”

Elmer brings his can-do attitude to his new challenge of locating the hidden treasure chest and digging it up. This passage portrays the King and Queen as funny, high-strung characters, while presenting Elmer as helpful and proactive.

“By now it was dark in the pine forest, but enough moonlight filtered through the branches of the tall trees so they could just see what they were doing. They dug for six hours without ever hitting a root or a rock or anything like an iron chest. ‘Are you certain this is the right place?’ asked Elmer, tired and discouraged.”

Elmer’s hard work takes a long time to pay off as he digs and digs for the long-lost treasure chest. This quotation adds to the author’s theme on The Nature of Resilience and Adventure as Elmer must overcome his exhaustion to finish the job.

“Everybody peered into the big hole and gasped, ‘A real treasure chest, with a ring in the top! But how will we ever get it out?’ The King looked at Elmer, and Elmer looked at the dragon. ‘Dragon, do you think you could put your tail through the ring and pull up the chest?’ ‘I’ll try,’ said the dragon, puffing up with importance as the swarms of canaries moved aside for him.”

Elmer’s exciting discovery is dampened by how deep the heavy chest is buried. By describing how the dragon agrees to help, the author adds to her theme on The Importance of Teamwork, suggesting that no one character could have retrieved the treasure on their own, and that only by working together can they get the riches.

“Elmer unpacked everything, and at last came to the sterling silver harmonica. He blew on it gently, and the sound was so sweet that all the canaries stopped chattering and listened. The King listened, too, with tears in his eyes.”

This quotation shows how grateful the King is to Elmer for having resolved his curiosity and finally found the treasure chest. By describing the canaries’ reactions to Elmer, the author shows the birds’ respect for their new friend.

“Elmer, on behalf of the queen and myself, and all the other Feather Islanders, I want to thank you and your dragon friend for digging up this treasure and hereby ridding us of the plague of curiosity. I now present you with that silver harmonica, which you play so beautifully, and three of the six bags of gold. And to this brave dragon I present the gold watch and chain. Elmer, fasten it around his neck.”

In this momentous scene the King rewards Elmer and the dragon for their hard work finding the island’s treasure chest. By showing how the friends earned the respect and treasures of the canary birds, the author adds depth to her theme on The Importance of Teamwork.

“Elmer sat beside the dragon and ate nine tangerines all by himself. Then he played ‘Turkey in the Straw’ on the sterling silver harmonica, while the King did a jig on a pewter plate. Soon, everybody joined in the dancing, and they danced themselves to sleep, all over the pine needles under the great tall tree.”

The unlikely group of friends celebrates into the night after their exciting treasure discovery. By showing how well everyone gets along and enjoys each other’s company, the author adds to her theme on Bonding Through Shared Experiences.

“He looked once more in his knapsack and found that he still had three sticks of chewing gum and half a package of rubber bands. ‘I don’t suppose you’d like to have these?’ he asked. ‘I’d love them,’ said Flute. ‘I’ll keep them with my gold piece, and I’ll be even richer than the King because I’ll keep my treasure where I can see it every day.’”

As Elmer says goodbye to Flute, he offers the canary some more small treasures from his bag. Elmer’s generous offer shows his kind-heartedness and his ability to form strong friendships with all kinds of creatures. Even though Flute was once Elmer’s pet canary, finding the treasure together on Feather Island has clearly brought them even closer together, adding to the author’s theme on Bonding Through Shared Experiences.

“Elmer slid off and whispered, ‘Gosh, it was fun knowing you. I’m going to miss you and flying and everything, and thanks so much for bringing me home.’ ‘It was fun, wasn’t it,’ sniffled the dragon, ‘and I’ll never forget how you came all the way to Wild Island just to rescue me.’”

Elmer and the dragon have a tearful goodbye on the wharf at Popsicornia. Elmer and the dragon’s mutual gratitude and kindness reveal that their incredible adventure has made them close friends. By describing the two friends’ goodbye, this passage concludes the story’s theme on Bonding Through Shared Experiences.