Spanos and the forty dragons
by Nicoletta NEOPHITOU, GYMNASIUM CONSTANTINOUPOLEOS, CYPRUS
Title : « Spanos and the forty dragons »
Hero : Spanos was a man who had no beard or moustache. That’s why they called him Spanos (the Beardless) The hero Spanos boasted that he was the bravest man in the world.
Stimulus-Motivation : The forty dragons cut off the water-supply to the village. One of the greatest problems in Greece and Cyprus is always the lack of water, rain water, river water or spring water.
Appearance of the Hero : One day when Spanos who was boasting of his bravery, his fellow villagers suggested to him to fight against the dragons who cut off the water supply to the village. If Spanos manages to defeat the dragons then the villagers will believe that he is as brave as he says.
Element of humour : Spanos is always putting on airs about his bravery.
Acceptance : The hero accepted the challenge of his fellow villagers and decided to act.
Departure : The hero left his place of residence and set off for the castle where the dragons lived taking with him some ashes and a piece of fresh soft white cheese. On his way he met the leader of the dragons who said to him : « I’ll devour you, no matter where you go ». Then Spanos made a deal with the leader of the dragons.
Putting to the test : The hero was given a test.
Element of humour : Spanos put ashes into his breeches (vraka)
Action : The action goes on Spanos with his cleverness overcame all the difficulties and obstacles.
Removal to the place of action : Spanos and the leader of the dragons went to the castle where the forty dragons lived.
Intensive action : The action became more intense in the castle of the forty dragons.
Victory of the hero : Spanos defeated the forty dragons
Dragons : The all-powerful, crude and evil dragons
Restoration : The original damage and the lack of water is restored. The hero went to the river and destroyed the dam which the dragons had built to divert the water to their orchards and so now the water ran free to the village. By the time Spanos reached the village, the water had already returned to the dry river.
Happy End
Reward to the Hero : The villagers called out to him « well done ! (bravo). Now we believe that you are a brave man ! » Spanos and the villagers lived happily ever after.