Dragon Little was five years old when she freed a goblin.

As Dragon Father had told her in the beginning of their adventure, bad things have been happening in the Land of the Goblins. Evil tyrants have taken over. They killed male and female goblins that they felt threatened their rule, and put the goblin children in prison. 

Dragon Father and Dragon Little took it upon themselves to free the land, to dethrone and imprison the new goblin kings. 

It was a glorious adventure full of sword fighting, rooftop chases and crazy risks. 

Dragon Father and Dragon Little defeated the evil goblin king and queen, and, after imprisoning them, went to the jail and released the goblin children. 

Dragon Father and Dragon Little watched as the goblin children ran into the village, feeling the suns’ light on their faces, the soft wind, and the joy of being freed. 

“Look at that,” Dragon Father said, as he and Dragon Little watched them run. “They’re free now!” 

Dragon Little shook her head and said simply, “They’re not free.” 

I caught my breath, as that little girl touched my soul to its core. 

Dragon Father looked down at her. “What do you mean, why not?” 

“They were in prison. They’ll never be free.” 

I cried at this. I stifled my crying so that I would not be heard across Dragon Father’s dream, but I cried. 

How does this little girl who has known nothing but fun and adventure her entire short life - how did she know? How did she know that a prisoner like me, who was freed, like me, will never know true freedom? How could she know that the feeling of having your life and freedom taken from you will always be there? 

How could she know? 

—Told by The Red Dragon