Atondido Stories
"If Vitazko goes near him," Sharkan said, "the dragon will
tear him to pieces for he knows that it was Vitazko who killed all
his brother dragons."
So the mother again feigned sickness and, when Vitazko
rushed in to her and offered her what he supposed was Pelikan,
she moaned and groaned and pushed the bird aside.
"Too late! Too late! I'm dying!"
"Don't say that!" poor Vitazko begged. "Will nothing save
you?"
"Yes, the Golden Apples that grow in the garden of Mightiest
Dragon could still save me. If you really loved me you'd get
them for me."
"I do love you, mother," Vitazko cried, "and I'll get you the
Golden Apples wherever they are!"
So without a moment's rest he hurried back to St. Nedyelka.
"Well, son, what is it now?" the old woman asked.
Vitazko wept.
"It's my poor mother. She's still sick. Pelikan hasn't cured her.
She says now that only the Golden Apples from the garden of
Mightiest Dragon can cure her. Dear, kind Nedyelka, tell me,
what shall I do?"
"The Golden Apples from the garden of Mightiest Dragon!
Ah, my son, that will be a task for you! For this you will need
every ounce of your strength and more! But never fear! I will
again befriend you. Here is a ring. Put it on a finger of your right
hand and when you are sore pressed twist the ring around your
finger and think of me. Instantly you will have the strength of a
hundred fighting men. Now take this sword, mount the faithful
Tatosh, and good luck go with you."
Vitazko thanked the dear old woman, mounted Tatosh, and
was soon carried far away to the garden of the dragon. A high
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