The dragon in the cave

Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there lived a magnificent dragon. It was a rare breed, with bright golden scales that shone in the sun and long, sharp claws that could tear through solid rock. It lived deep in a cave in the mountains, hidden away from the world.

One day, some people came across the dragon's cave, and they were amazed by its beauty. They wanted to capture the dragon and study it, to learn more about its incredible abilities. They set traps and snares, hoping to catch the dragon, but it was too clever for them.

The people grew frustrated and angry, and they decided to storm the cave and capture the dragon by force. They cornered the dragon, and it was unable to escape. They tied it up and began to examine it, cutting into its flesh and taking samples of its blood and scales.

The dragon was in agony, and it cried out in pain. It begged for mercy, but the people ignored its cries. As the days passed, the dragon grew weaker and weaker, and it knew that it would soon die.

But then, something magical happened. A young girl appeared at the cave entrance. She was dressed in a simple peasant's tunic, with a shawl around her head. She had heard the dragon's cries and had come to see if she could help.

The dragon begged the girl to free it from its captors, and she agreed. She snuck into the cave at night, and with her quick wit and cunning, she managed to free the dragon from its bonds.

The dragon was grateful to the girl, and it promised to grant her a wish. The girl wished for the dragon to be free forever, to roam the skies and live without fear of being captured.

The dragon was overjoyed, and it spread its wings and took to the air. It soared over the mountains, breathing fire and basking in the sunlight. The people who had captured it were amazed, and they realized that they had been foolish to try to control such a powerful creature.

From that day forward, the dragon lived freely in the mountains, and it became a symbol of hope and courage for the people of the land. And the young girl who had freed it from captivity was hailed as a hero, her name forever remembered in the annals of history.