Green Scales Fell Like Rain

Puff the Magic Dragon came out of his cave briefly to bow his head once more. Those who got a glimpse of him were considered by many to be either delusional or told that they "never grew up." Skeptics included those who could not find Narnia nor could they catch a glimpse of Aslan or hear his "fearless roar."

Puff had not "roared" in years ever since he took to his cave at the loss of the innocence of "little Jackie Paper." Puff is a very sensitive dragon and of late there has not been much reason for him to risk coming out from his place of refuge. Puff never liked the grown-up world. There is much not to like.

The past few days his head "was bent in sorrow" for word came to him about the death of his friend and "keeper" Mary Travers. Along with her friends Peter and Paul, Mary would occasionally bring Puff to life, at least for a while. When they sang his song and children of all ages started singing along Puff could hear it. The words somehow seeped into the darkness of his cave. Many times he almost thought of coming out of his hiding and making another go of it, but each time the sounds of larger voices screaming of terror, fear, and insecurity made him slip deeper into his cave.

But because of his deep love for the sweet voice of "his" Mary there was a Puff sighting and to honor his friend he came forth from his shelter and bowed. A few green scales, those left from other days, fell like sacred rain. And then somehow, from down deep in his old soul, there came forth a roar. It was a roar that seemed reminiscent of days of Camelot. It was a roar that remembered how some of the children who used to love Puff also brought his friend Tinkerbell back to life one day. It was a roar that said innocence still lives.

As he roared he looked out to "the sea" and for a brief moment he saw his friend Mary again. This time she was on of those Pirate ships that used to pass by so often. She was no longer weak and drawn from the disease that captured her one day. She was young again and she was singing as she passed by. She waved at Puff. Puff noticed that the flags of the ship were again at full mast and they were "blowing in the wind." Ah, blowing in the wind. Next to his song, Puff liked that one best for Mary and her friends not only sang it they seemed to believe that the answer "was" blowing in the wind. For so many years they proclaimed not only Puff's message of love but a message of steady protest against principalities and powers that seemed so often to win.

Soon Mary passed by and the ship dipped below a horizon that was held in balance by a glorious sunset. Puff bowed again and turned to slip back into his cave....

If you are still reading this stop now and sing his song....sing his song...Let's bring him out of his cave. Stay with us Puff. If Mary has to leave, stay with us....

Puff the Magic dragon "lives" by the sea...

Bless you,
jody jseymour@davidsonumc.org