The One-Legged Dragon

Dear Boo and Bubble,

The holidays have me in a happy mood.  I think it’s because they provide a time when families get together for laughing, for sharing and for focusing on the important rituals passed down from generation to generation.  Of the many threads in a family cloth, probably the strongest and most vibrant is that of tradition.  In the Robinson/Bryant/Kendrick clan (that’s my lineage) this is certainly true.  Every time two or more members with this common blood get together, you’re likely to hear voices rise in a song entitled “Turnip Greens,” or with just a few more cousins at the table a lively game of “Up Jinks” will ensue.    

Now that we’re upon the precipice of a New Year, one of my favorite traditions of all time comes to mind – “The One-legged Dragon.”

Every New Year’s Eve, rather than go out to parties themselves, your great grandparents Schaefer and Mary invited the children of their closest friends, Kitty and Steve Stephenson, to come to 3 Lakecrest Drive and spend the night.  For almost fifteen years, we rang in every New Year with Jane, Sam and Nan Stephenson. 

The night’s events always included ball tosses into bowls filled with varying amounts of money; ferocious games of Up Jinks between the boys and girls; running around the house with sparklers at midnight, seeing who could go all the way without the sparkler dying; and eating hotdogs with chili and hot chocolate before going to bed.  All of these activities were great fun, but the highlight of the evening always was the annual telling of a great tale about the One-legged Dragon.

I’m not sure on which New Year’s Eve Dragon was born, but I do remember the very first story.  A few months earlier, Mamaw Mary read an ad for Cash and Carry grocery in the Greenville News.  In bold headlines, the store broadcast canned goods on sale for one cent each.  It was an amazing price even for those days and she decided she just couldn’t pass it up. With her list in hand, Mamaw drove to Cash and Carry and pushed the cart down every aisle until she found the display of canned goods.  Yes….they were one cent each.  That was the good news.  The only problem…..there were no labels. 

Not to be deterred, Mamaw grabbed up a couple dozen cans.  She brought them home and stacked them neatly in the cabinets.  For several weeks in a row, when great granddaddy Schaefer came home from work, he’d walk into the kitchen asking “What’s for dinner?”  Mamaw replied “Your guess is as good as mine.  We’ll see when I open the can.”

That next New Year’s Eve, after we had finished bouncing the money balls and completed our game of Up Jinks, Great Granddaddy Schaefer announced that he had something special for us.  He took a handkerchief out of his pocket and wrapped it around his hand in such a way that it looked like a poorly constructed diaper.  His index finger extended out.  We had no clue what he was up to.

“I want to introduce you to The One-legged Dragon,” he said.  We snickered all around. 

“Now, the One-legged Dragon lost all but one leg in the many battles he fought.  He had to drag himself all the way home to where Mrs. Dragon waited for him.”  And great granddaddy Schaefer took that one finger and dragged his hand around the table.  We giggled louder.

“One night, the One-legged Dragon came in from a hard day out walking around on his one good leg.  He was starving.” 

“Good evening, Mrs. Dragon.  How are you tonight?  I hope you have a really good dinner prepared for me.  Hmmmmm…..this sure smells good.  What is it?”  Great granddaddy Schaefer lowered his voice to a deep bass as he spoke for the One-legged Dragon.

“It’s Mystery Soup, Mr. One-legged Dragon.”  Schaefer pitched his voice to a high squeak as he shifted into Mrs. Dragon.  We laughed out loud at this ridiculous tale, but were charmed nonetheless. 

From that night forward the One-legged Dragon became a part of our New Year’s Eve tradition.  Ever current with what had transpired during the year, the stories of the One-legged Dragon always reflected something of importance that had occurred at 3 Lakecrest Drive. 

Yes, traditions are essential in understanding family and I truly want to convey to you both all that I can remember.  To be honest, I’m trying very hard to learn how to wrap a handkerchief around my fingers just like great Granddaddy Schaefer used to do so that on New Year’s Eve from now until forever, we can share stories about the One-Legged Dragon!