Prince Michael and The Dragon
John Orndorff
PRINCE MICHAEL AND THE DRAGON
(A True Story)
by
Michael’s Dad
John Christian Orndorff
Illustrations by Michael’s Mom
Debora Morris Orndorff
Pensive Books, Springfield, TN
Prince Michael and the Dragon
A True Story
By Michael’s Dad, John Christian Orndorff
Copyright 1998, by John Christian Orndorff
Original paperback:
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 99-65997
ISBN 1-893213-00-5
PRINCE MICHAEL AND THE DRAGON
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Poem for Lionel
Author’s Note
Chapter 1-Prince Michael
Chapter 2-A Frightening Report
Chapter 3-The Adventure Begins
Chapter 4-Zachary
Chapter 5-The Village of Shocho
Chapter 6-Stolen in the Night
Chapter 7-Escape From Diabolos’ Castle
Chapter 8-The Dragon Quest Begins
Chapter 9-El Prepares for the Storm
Chapter 10-Nearing the Dragon
Chapter 11-A Loss at Nekrosis
Chapter 12-The Rescue
Chapter 13-The Regrouping
Chapter 14-Slaying the Dragon
Chapter 15-Diabolos’ End
Chapter 16-The Return
About the author
A Poem for Lionel
Do you remember how I played with you,
and held you over my head:
How I loved you, and cared for you,
and you had no fear or dread?
Oh how I loved to see you play,
and look into your bright blue eyes;
To be near you, little one,
brightened my skies.
Do you remember how your mother loved you,
and dressed you like a doll?
Oh how she lived to see your grin,
and wait for you to crawl.
You were to her an angel sent,
directly from God above;
Oh little one did you know
the greatness of her love?
Do you remember how much,
your brothers loved to hold you;
And how they included you in
the plans of all they would do?
How much they loved to be with you,
their precious little brother.
If only you had tarried longer,
you’d love them like no other.
How hard it is to think you’ve left us,
an emptiness beyond all measure;
But did you know, my little son,
you’re now our heavenly treasure?
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Several years ago my wife and I lost a young son, Lionel, to meningitis. Dealing with a loss, as many know, is one of the most difficult experiences life has to offer, particularly when you’re constantly reminded of the permanence of the loss. You can easily replace things, but you can never replace a loved one. It seemed to me, everything reminded me that I would never see my son grow up, developing interests, building his own unique personality, and surprising us as parents.
The need to talk about the experience was, for me, overwhelming. Friends and acquaintances were uncomfortable bringing up the subject, and my wife and I were hesitant to mention it because we didn’t want to burden others with our hurt. However, for me, I found a most unique way of dealing with the loss.
When my son Michael asked me to tell him a bedtime story one evening, the idea came to me to tell him a story with Lionel in it so we all could, in a way, spend time with Lionel. Thus, Prince Michael and the Dragon is the product of this series of bedtime stories I began writing for Michael. He specifically told me he wanted his friends, Aaron and Zachary included in his adventure, and I included his mother, brothers and sister. The other characters, especially Diabolos, were the products of my imagination.
As I had hoped, Prince Lionel's part in the story was a chance for me to spend time with a young man, for whom I'll have to wait until I can see him in the Great King's court. Once I began preparing his story I was surprised it turned out a little longer than I expected.
Since it turned out as it did, I thought it might make a nice book and perhaps offer others a different way of dealing with a loss. This was my way of coping, and I think it helped.
I’m indebted to Michael’s Mom, my wife, Debbie, for the illustrations. Debbie and I are both indebted to Marian Bibb for proofing the text. I learned much from her painstaking work to make it better.
j.c.o., Michael's Dad
The Land of El
