Beowulf was growing old and all the land was in peace. One day, however, he punished a slave for disobedience, and the slave fled into the mountains. Hiding in a cave, he found it full of wonderful treasures which were guarded by a terrible Fire Dragon. The Dragon was asleep, so the slave crept in very quietly and stole a gold cup and ran back to Beowulf.
“Here is a gold cup I found for thee, my lord, now will you pardon me?” Beowulf forgave him, for the cup was wondrously beautiful.
When the Fire Dragon awoke and missed the cup, his wrath was terrible. He crawled out of the cave, and over the mountains and through the forests looking for the thief. As he went the trees and grass were consumed around him. Then he flew to the cities breathing flames, and all the houses burst forth in fire. The crops in the field, the barns full of grain, the homes of the farmers all were devoured by his breath. The people fled and hid in the water ditches to save their lives.
Beowulf was very old, but he was still a great warrior. His heart boiled with rage when he saw what the fire dragon had brought to his people.
“Bring me my iron shield, my steel coat of armor and my great sword! and tell my warriors to follow me,” he ordered. Then the old king, whose arms were still the strongest in all his kingdom, went forth to fight the terrible dragon who was still raging in his wrath and burning everything he flew over.
Beowulf found the Fire Dragon in his cave, where a fiery breath came out like flames from a furnace door. The dragon came forth and Beowulf raised his shield to ward off the heat. It was a dreadful battle. Up went Beowulf’s great sword, but it melted as it touched the Dragon’s red hot-sides. The warriors all turned away, afraid of the consuming breath of the terrible monster.
One alone, Wiglaf, helped the old king in his combat. Wiglaf had a wooden shield but it caught fire and was burned from his arm. Together they fought as the Dragon’s breath enfolded them. But, at last, the dagger of Beowulf found a vital spot in the Dragon’s throat, and pierced it until the hot blood flowed out over the land. Slowly the flames died down and the monster ceased to move. After a while nothing was left but its dead body on the side of the mountain where it had been slain by the mighty king and his faithful follower.
THE DEATH OF BEOWULF
In which an old king sacrificed his life for the good of his people.