Chosen Passage

A path exists around this mountainside

But you’ll have to find a willing guide; 

Beyond the crest there lies a dragon’s lair,

His poison sickens birds that venture there. 

The noxious vapors reach the moon, there’s no

Safe route by which your warriors could go. 

His massive maw breathes fire, and he could snare

An elephant with his two locks of hair; 

Our city doesn’t have the strength to fight. 

We have to take up five cows, every night,

For him to feed on; and how fearfully

We place them on the rocks for him to see, 

Afraid that if he finds us he’ll come down 

And, piece by piece, destroy us and our town.”

Sekandar said, “Tomorrow, see that no one takes him any food.” When the time for his meal had passed, the dragon stood on the mountain slope breathing fire, and Sekandar ordered his troops to shoot a storm of arrows against him. The foul dragon exhaled fire and caught a few men in the blast. Sekandar had the war drums beaten, and the dragon drew back in fear from the echoing drums. 

The sun rose in Taurus, and the meadows resounded with the sound of larks. When it was again time for the dragon to be fed, the king chose a number of men from his army and gave them money to buy five cows. He killed the cows and skinned them, leaving the hide attached to their heads. The hides were then filled with poison and oil and inflated; prayers were said and the cows were passed from hand to hand up the mountainside.