Baby Dragon’s First Choice

My Father's Dragon

This flow focuses on the change from externally controlled movement to Baby Dragon’s first freely chosen flight with Elmer.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Wing Injured A Wing Injured from "My Father's Dragon". A Flight Interrupted The fall Baby Dragon lands beside the river after falling from a cloud, with one wing badly bruised and too little strength to fly back.

A Wing Injured from "My Father's Dragon". A Flight Interrupted The fall Baby Dragon lands beside the river after falling from a cloud, with one wing badly bruised and too little strength to fly back.

A Flight Interrupted The fall Baby Dragon lands beside the river after falling from a cloud, with one wing badly bruised and too little strength to fly back. Vulnerability The injury temporarily removes his independence. The animals’ response to this weakness will determine the captivity that follows.

A Body Put to Work A Body Put to Work from "My Father's Dragon". Ability Claimed by Others The animals’ plan The animals tie Baby Dragon to a stake and imagine using his flight to solve their crossing problem.

A Body Put to Work from "My Father's Dragon". Ability Claimed by Others The animals’ plan The animals tie Baby Dragon to a stake and imagine using his flight to solve their crossing problem.

Ability Claimed by Others The animals’ plan The animals tie Baby Dragon to a stake and imagine using his flight to solve their crossing problem. A lost choice His usefulness is decided by others before he can choose whether to help. The dragon’s natural gift becomes a means of control.

Forced Flight Training Forced Flight Training from "My Father's Dragon". Training Without Consent Labor imposed The animals train Baby Dragon to carry people and loads, keeping him tethered to the river route.

Forced Flight Training from "My Father's Dragon". Training Without Consent Labor imposed The animals train Baby Dragon to carry people and loads, keeping him tethered to the river route.

Training Without Consent Labor imposed The animals train Baby Dragon to carry people and loads, keeping him tethered to the river route. Complaints bring violence. The distortion Flight, which should express freedom, is turned into repetitive forced labor. The dragon’s capacity remains his, but its use is controlled by others.

The Rope Falls The Rope Falls from "My Father's Dragon". A Constraint Removed Elmer’s work Elmer saws at The dragon’s rope while Baby Dragon tries to hold still and the animals close in.

The Rope Falls from "My Father's Dragon". A Constraint Removed Elmer’s work Elmer saws at The dragon’s rope while Baby Dragon tries to hold still and the animals close in.

A Constraint Removed Elmer’s work Elmer saws at The dragon’s rope while Baby Dragon tries to hold still and the animals close in. The decisive change Once the rope is severed, the dragon no longer needs permission or a tether to move. Physical freedom arrives at the moment pursuit is most intense.

Choosing the Shore Choosing the Shore from "My Father's Dragon". Flight on His Own Terms The invitation Baby Dragon asks Elmer where they should go and carries him toward Island of Tangerina.

Choosing the Shore from "My Father's Dragon". Flight on His Own Terms The invitation Baby Dragon asks Elmer where they should go and carries him toward Island of Tangerina.

Flight on His Own Terms The invitation Baby Dragon asks Elmer where they should go and carries him toward Island of Tangerina. The flight is no longer a ferry service imposed by the animals. A changed future The dragon’s first freely directed journey is shared with a friend. Choice, rather than mere movement, completes his escape.

when Baby Dragon falls from the low cloud

after the animals discover his flying potential

as Baby Dragon’s wing heals

at the rescue climax on the river’s far bank

the final scene above Wild Island