Dragon or Toad?

Dragon or Toad?                
          A long time ago there was a great and mighty dragon, who was feared in all the lands. He had ravaged many kingdoms and had acquired a great amount of treasure. It remained this way for many, many years. Until one day the dragon was defeated and injured, but not killed and much of his treasure was taken. When word got around that he had been defeated more and more knights came to fight against this once great dragon. And though he won a few against a few of the knights, he lost most against most, and his treasure was slowly depleted to almost nothing. As this happened the other dragons teased and tormented him for his failures, calling him un-dragon like and even stealing some of his treasure for themselves.

           Slowly the dragon began to believe the words of his tormentors and over time he started to shrink. His wings disappeared and his scales fell off around him, until he had turned into a small, toad-like creature; with no fire or fangs to be proud of. At that point the only treasure he had left was a small mirror which he would look at and lament over what he had lost.

           And that’s how his friend, the white dragon found him, looking into the mirror and cursing what he had become. The white dragon came over to him and asked why he was this way.

           “I am no longer a dragon.” The toad replied “I've been defeated by knight after knight and I have lost all my treasure and everything that defined what I once was. How can I be a dragon if everyone tells me I’m not.”

           “My friend,” Said the white dragon. “when the clouds hide the moon, is the moon gone?”

           The toad was silent.

           “If I shed my scales am I no longer a white dragon?”

           Again he didn’t answer.

           “I am a white dragon because I decided to be one. So come, fly with me and remember who you are.” The white dragon stood and began to walk toward the mouth of the cave.

           The toad looked down at his reflection in the mirror. He was used to seeing it by now, this wretched green-skinned creature covered in cold slime, he had been seeing it for months. He had been sitting here in the back of his cave, sitting on the chilly stones, protecting the one treasure he had left. The only remaining piece of his once beautiful hoard.

           He looked up at his friend and at the blue sky beyond. He missed flying in the sky, the sun warming his back and his scales rattling in the wind. He missed the great fire in his belly, his long jet of flame, and the smell of smoke in the air. He missed his fierce claws, his sharp teeth, and lashing tail. But most of all, he missed being a dragon.

           But he had been a dragon and he still was one now, he had just forgotten that for a while. He put one webbed foot forward, then the other; he resisted the urge to hop and followed his friend.

           “Wait!” He croaked. “I’m coming!”

           The air became warm as he got closer to the entrance of the cave, he felt his skin begin to dry, it was uncomfortable and his legs hurt from walking instead of hopping, he almost turned back, but he forced himself forward. Then something shifted, walking became easier, his skin become thicker and more rough, there was a tugging sensation as wings sprouted from his back. His sharp teeth and claws returned and a fire sparked in his belly. When he joined his friend at the entrance, he was a great dragon once more. Together the two dragons opened up their wings and flew toward the sky.