Дни грёз
The Reluctant Dragon
“Sitdownandgetyourbreath,andtryandrememberthatthenoungovernstheverb,andthenperhapsyou’llbegoodenoughtotellmeWHO’Scoming?”
“That’sright,takeitcoolly,”saidtheBoy.“Hopeyou’llbehalfascoolwhenI’vegotthroughwithmynews.It’sonlySt.Georgewho’scoming,that’sall;herodeintothevillagehalf-an-hourago.Ofcourseyoucanlickhim—agreatbigfellowlikeyou!ButIthoughtI’dwarnyou,’coshe’ssuretoberoundearly,andhe’sgotthelongest,wickedest-lookingspearyoueverdidsee!”AndtheBoygotupandbegantojumproundinsheerdelightattheprospectofthebattle.
“Odeary,dearyme,”moanedthedragon;“thisistooawful.Iwon’tseehim,andthat’sflat.Idon’twanttoknowthefellowatall.I’msurehe’snotnice.Youmusttellhimtogoawayatonce,please.Sayhecanwriteifhelikes,butIcan’tgivehimaninterview.I’mnotseeinganybodyatpresent.”
“Nowdragon,dragon,”saidtheBoyimploringly,“don’tbeperverseandwrongheaded.You’veGOTtofighthimsometimeorother,youknow,’coshe’sSt.Georgeandyou’rethedragon.Bettergetitover,andthenwecangoonwiththesonnets.Andyououghttoconsiderotherpeoplealittle,too.Ifit’sbeendulluphereforyou,thinkhowdullit’sbeenforme!”
“Mydearlittleman,”saidthedragonsolemnly,“justunderstand,onceforall,thatIcan’tfightandIwon’tfight.I’veneverfoughtinmylife,andI’mnotgoingtobeginnow,justtogiveyouaRomanholiday.
