the dragon and the butterfly collided in midair,
the dragon was going to england. the other was also going there.
if they were to go together, introductions were to be made.
so the dragon to the butterfly, a good morning he cheerfully bade.

"i am the dragon!" the reptile said, "and nothing stands in my way.
i breathe fire, have claws, and good strong jaws, countries in fear before me lay."
the butterfly listened politely, as the dragon droned on and on.
"--nobody tells me what to do because i do weigh a ton!

but how 'bout you, dear butterfly? you're weak and sweet and small.
you must get hurt a lot, i think, get trampled by them all."
the butterfly paused and thought, then said with twinkling eye,
"i may look weak, oh yes, i am. but somehow i get by.

i don't have claws and good strong jaws and i don't weigh a ton.
but who should stop and harm me, why i do think there is none!"
the dragon sighed and shook his head. "such innocence," said he.
"how could you think that ruthless man could ever let you be?"

but the butterfly would take no heed, "come on, let us fly!
we've far to go and not much time to let it all pass by."
so fearsome dragon and mild butterfly flew on through the skies.
the butterfly and dragon flew toward where the sun did rise.

and near a valley with a village, they paused and looked around.
the dragon chose the mountain there, the butterfly a meadow found.
and so the two lived apart, the butterfly in peace.
the dragon also happy, though he had to deal with fleas.

but the villagers were frightened to have such a beast so close.
one day they met and talked and tasks upon brave men were imposed.
the dragon had to go, they thought, for they had much to fear.
goodness, what would become of them if the dragon would come near?

so off the brave men trotted on gallant and proud beasts.
the dragon in the mountains now did not frighten them in the least.
they came upon his tremendous cave and crept upon him softly
but the dragon had suddenly come awake and drew himself up smartly.

he breathed fire and stamped a lot, he swiped them with his claws,
he beat his wings and roared aloud and showed them his strong jaws.
but the five men were undaunted and they drove the dragon back.
together and as one they came, these brave men now attacked.

their blows were strong and the dragon cried, for he was nearly dead.
the young men fought on triumphantly, "aha!" they all said.
"dragon you have fallen now, let all your kind beware.
none of them should cross us now, none of them should dare."

and off they went back to their town, whistling merry tunes.
they had slain the dragon and danced around, laughing at the moon.
the butterfly heard of this and flew to his friend's cave.
but it was much too late, the dragon was just too badly hurt to save.

"dear friend, you see now what i meant about ruthless man.
i already weighed a ton but against me they raised their hands."
the butterfly just shook his head and mourned for his friend's loss.
"but don't you see what caused all this were your size, your fire, and your great claws?

they feared you and did not know you and now you lie here dying.
while i, who's weak and small, is still up, about and flying.
maybe now you will understand, but i fear it is far too late.
your wounds, my friend, are just too much, they are simply far too great.

just close your eyes, my dearest friend. sleep, and i wish you peace."
"Ah, thank you little butterfly but still...I'm glad I'm rid of these blasted fleas!"

An Epic of Hilarious Proportions