Gift of the Dragon
A story about Vermont, Local Stories, Folklore and the power of narrative on a community
This story is a part of a larger “Fifty Stories for Fifty States” collection where I explore a quiet narrative within each state that helps tell the larger American story. This was a lot of fun and you are welcome to include it in your classroom or home education.
Communities are made of stories, and this tale demonstrates how deep the stories can define, inspire and limit a community. When people want to change, they usually need to start with looking at the stories.
Henry S Robinson - or HS as he liked to be called in his hometown of Rome, NY - could not sleep.
For one thing, the passenger steamboat Ticonderoga was loud. He had never been on a steamboat before and he had heard that the Ticonderoga was very fancy and comfortable. He had the chance to travel the Green Mountain line north to Burlington but instead chose to pay the extra amount and try his first ride in a steamship. Perhaps it was because his birth was especially close to the engine room, or perhaps it was because he was unaccustomed to the constant chugging and hissing and thumping - but as he lay awake, he couldn’t believe anyone on the boat was sleeping.
His bed was also very uncomfortable. His friends at the William’s Cheese Factory told him they heard people slept in fully furnished bedrooms with feather beds and their own butler serving them whatever they wanted to eat.
“Governor Dix went” his friend Pete told him, “He told the papers he felt like a king - you really gonna go?”
“It’ll cost my whole savings but yeah” HS told them, “The price won’t mean anything, though, once I catch the serpent and claim my prize”
That was actually the real reason why HS wasn’t sleeping - he was excited.
He had heard about the prize earlier that year when his father read the news over breakfast,
“PT Barnum thinks there’s a sea dragon in Lake Champlain” his father said in between laughs.
“Who?” asked HS as he finished up his plate of eggs and ham.
“Barnum - you know, the fellow with the circus - strong man, bearded lady and all that - the ‘greatest show on earth’ - he wants the skin of a sea dragon someone spotted in Lake Champlain. Willing to pay $50,000. $50,000! Amazing what people will believe. Ridiculous”
Then his father started laughing and shaking his head. HS pretended to laugh as well, but what he heard sounded not only incredibly interesting - but like a call - a call for him to find the monster and claim the prize himself.
HS was a romantic. As a boy, he focused on adventure stories and books - narratives about brave pioneers saving their friends and families from harm, cavalier explorers and especially dashing knights in search of monsters to slay. He heard about huge ape-men in the north and winged eagle-men in the south. He heard there were real-life unicorns that lived in Africa - and terrifying dragons that lived in the eastern part of Europe. He was at once frightened and excited by these stories - and though he never fully admitted it to anyone, he wanted to be one of those dashing knights - those monster hunters that saved his friends and family from harm.
So when his father read what he read that morning, something seemed to suddenly engage within young HS - and he knew deep in his bones that he would do whatever he could to go to Vermont and find that dragon.
He had money. He had been working as a mechanic in the cheese factory for three years with the intent of saving enough money to travel west by train and see what strange creatures he could find in the Dakota territory or maybe further north in Canada. His plan was to go west and find other adventurers and make his money in the gold mines or discovering new lands and eventually be the kind of person written about in those monster hunting books he loved to read.
And then came his chance. When his father was finished with the newspaper, he found the article and learned that there had been three Lake Champlain sightings of the sea monster last year in 1873. One was from a group of railroad men that saw the monster swim toward them in the town of Port Kent, NY. The other was from a real Sheriff - a man named Nathan Mooney who saw a huge water snake with "round white spots inside its mouth" and that "the creature appeared to be about 25 to 30 feet in length".
This didn’t seem to be so frightening - said HS to himself - but then he read the final sighting which was from the passengers of a steamboat headed north to St. Albans Vermont. Apparently several of them actually saw a 100 foot long sea dragon come torpedoing toward the boat and then knock it so hard the boat swayed back and forth quite violently.
Monster - thought HS - that is almost certainly a monster.
So it was decided. He quit his job, told his parents that he was ready to start life on his own and that he wished to see the state of Vermont.
“Vermont?” asked his father with near disgust, “Unless you want to be a dirt poor shepherd, there’s nothing to do there. People are leaving Vermont in droves, son.”
“Well…” answered HS, “That’s more opportunity for me. I’m good with machines and between the railroads and steamboats I’m sure there is something for me, ”
“You know factory machines, son - not railroad engines” said his father still against the plan, “But it's your life and your choice - I hope you find what you are looking for…”
A few months later, when he had everything in order - HS took a train to Westport, New York and upon arrival, purchased a ticket to board the SS Ticonderoga Steamship. His plan was to study the lake during the ride north to St. Albans and once he arrived, rent a boat of his own, purchase a whaling harpoon and then set out on the lake to go hunting. He knew his plan included a lot of assumptions - that he could rent a boat and that he could purchase a harpoon - but he figured whatever challenges he faced, he would find a solution. If he was going to be a real adventurer, then solving problems was going to be a part of his normal experience.
HS was dazzled when the Ticonderoga pulled into port. It was enormous - it was beautiful - it was majestic and it was glorious. It reminded him of the romantic stories he had read of sea captains of England and their breathtaking ships. Even the polished wood entry plank of the Ticonderoga was beautifully built. He was greeted by porters dressed in bright white uniforms, one of which took his ticket and bags and asked him to follow. The porter then quickly went to a wide red carpeted set of stairs that led down to the floor below where HS saw several short thin wooden doors with golden numbers. Everything looked so clean and new and fancy that HS did, indeed, feel like royalty. He was brought to room 4 and when the porter opened the door, he could see that it was not a single room as he had hoped, but an open room with six bunkbeds.
“Here you are sir” said the porter who placed his bags on one of the beds, “Enjoy your trip”. Then the porter swiftly turned and headed back to help the next passenger.
HS had mixed feelings about his experience thus far. Yes, the ship was beautiful and fine but here he was, sharing a bedroom with five other travelers - not so royal. It didn’t take long for him to let that go, however, because he reminded himself that being treated like royalty was not why he was there. No, he was there to start his new life as a monster hunter.
It was late by the time the other passengers of room four all arrived, and while some of them said they were headed to the bar to enjoy the evening launch, most chose to go to bed and see the sights in the morning. HS considered going above deck to the restaurant and bar, but then felt the fatigue of a long day of travel - and chose to call it a night.
And that was when he realized sleep would not come easily. As soon as his head hit the stiff pillow, he could hear the deep booming chug chug chug hiss of the engine, the rattling, wheezing snore of one of his roommates - and shortly after that … he began to imagine what lay ahead.
Sea serpent, some called it. Sea dragon, others called it. Great worm, mighty snake - monster. He was going to see and perhaps kill … a monster. And then what would the people of Rome think of him then?
After what seemed like hours of lying awake in his uncomfortable bed imagining what the monster might look like and what it would take to kill it, he finally decided to get up. With all this racket, surely others will be awake - he thought - and maybe some of the crew could tell him what they knew about the monster. Maybe they had seen it - maybe they had ideas on how to find it.
So he pulled on his pants and tucked his shirt in and quietly headed out the short thin door into the hallway. Immediately he heard some piano music coming from the stairs and he noticed a man dressed in a nice shirt and tie coming down.
“Good evening” the man said with a smile.
“People still … up and about?” asked HS.
“Oh yes” said the man, “Sleep is not what this ship is known for”
HS smiled, that was certainly his experience thus far. He then headed up the stairs and followed the piano music to a large central room that opened to a back deck lined with chairs. He saw about a dozen men and women dressed in evening clothes standing along the edge of the deck or sitting in chairs sipping drinks or nibbling on food. He looked to the central room that was dimly lit with oil sconces shining on honey colored paneling with gold paint highlights and red curtains. He saw a long bar with a woman dressed in a long sleaved dark shirt and trousers - tending to a older man who sat on a tall stool. They were talking and HS cautiously approached.
“Seltzer please” he said to the woman when she raised her eyebrows to him. He had never had seltzer water before and hoped that she served it. She nodded and then slowly went to the cooler - put some ice into a glass and then poured fizzy water over the top. It looked very fancy and he was thrilled to feel the cold glass in his hand.
“What brings you to the Ticonderoga, sir?” the bartender asked politely.
“Oh…” he said, not sure what to say. He looked at her smiling open face and suddenly felt very out of place in such a fancy bar and wondered if she could tell he was cheese factory worker from New York and not a fancy socialite from … well, wherever the others were from. He felt small and insignifant - the romantic adventurer had now returned to being a small town mechanic. He looked down at the bar - afraid to see her smile now and said “I just … was curious. Never been to the lake - lake champlain and … well - just curious”
“Looking for Champ?” asked the older man sitting on the stool.
“Wendell…” said the bartender with a warning tone.
“I know the look” said the old man, “You are here to hunt Champ aren’t you - for the circus bounty? Don’t worry you aren’t alone”
HS felt many things in that moment. He was surprised that the old man had been able to quickly pick him out like that - but he was also discouraged because - of course others were there for the bounty. Why hadn’t he thought this would be the case - there were probably hundreds of people arriving all the time to get that award. $50,000 was a king's ransom and would likely attract some of the world’s most celebrated monster hunters.
HS took a deep breath and asked the man, “Is that why you are here?”
This made the old man laugh, “No, no no - not me” said the man as he continued to giggle, “Sorry to be the one to tell you this, son - but there is no Champ. No sea monster - no dragon of Vermont. It's all nonsense”
Then the man turned to the bartender and pointed his finger, “And don’t you go on about your grandfather because it just makes kids like this fellow risk their lives for hope of something that will not happen.”
HS looked at the old man and then at the bartender. She started to organize the bottle behind her so that the labels all faced out. HS took another sip of his water and considered what his next question might be. He didn’t really want to know more from the old man because he did not want his words to be true. Not real? Nonsense? He had just bet his life savings on the sea dragon so he needed it to be real.
“Who was your grandfather?” asked HS to the bartender. He saw her pause, finish adjusting a bottle and then turn around to him. She looked him in the eyes and HS felt a wash of … something else - not embarrassment but … recognition? It was strange and he felt a little light headed.
“Are you here to find Champ?” she asked directly, “The sea creature of Lake Champlain?”
HS felt nervous to answer. The truth was that yes, that was why he was there. But in that moment he was suddenly not sure. Adventure, yes - but was it really about the monster? And why was she asking this, he wondered? Would his answer make her angry or curious? would she think it was a good idea or bad idea to find Champ? He studied her soft but attentive eyes and suddenly wanted to be the brave knight he had dreamed himself to be.
“Yes” he said finally, “I want to find him”
“Her” said the woman who briefly smiled … and then sighed, “I would be happy to tell you what I know … but first, I’m wondering … why do you want to find her? Money? Fame?”
HS didn’t like the way she asked this question. She seemed disappointed in him and he didn’t like that. He considered the question and the truth was … he was there for money and fame. That and adventure. So, hesitantly, he nodded his head.
“Mmmm” she said as she looked over at the old man.
“And that is my cue to call it a night. You’ll excuse me for knowing this story all too well. Goodnight”
Then the old man pushed himself off the chair and headed slowly out of the room.
HS watched him go and then looked at the bartender who said, “He took a job as deckhand 8 years ago so he could spend the day in the Lake. He wanted the chance to look for Champ full time and thought this job would afford him that. He’s a monster hunter too - just a discouraged one at this point.”
“Oh” said HS, “I thought he said it wasn’t real”
“Like most of the folks looking for Champ” said the bartender, “He wants to be the one to catch her. My names Lucy. Lucy Crum.”
Then she held out her hand and smiled. He took her hand and smiled back.
“Nice to meet you” he said, “I’m HS Marvel. And.. your grandfather also looked for .. Champ?”
“No” said Lucy, “But he found her. It was almost 60 years ago - He was in Bulwagga Bay north of here. He was the first on deck of his fishing scow when he saw her. He described her as a black monster, about 200 feet long and with a head resembling a sea horse, and it reared more than 15 feet out of the water. He claimed she had three teeth, eyes the color of "a peeled onion," a white star on her forehead and "a belt of red around the neck." A lot of detail, right?”
HS blinked a few times and then nodded his head. He was imagining the creature and wondered how large those three teeth might be.
“He never saw her again - but he was also never the same again. You see, right before he saw her, he realized that he was no longer enjoying the life of a fisherman - he loved the sea - loved the mountains but wished for a different life - one where he could celebrate the beauty of the lake rather than fish it out of the water. And once he saw Champ - in all her unique beauty - he made a decision. Soon after he sold his ship and moved south to the Hudson River and became a painter. And he thrived. He painted beautiful landscapes of the Hudson River but he always managed to hide a dragon somewhere in the image. In honor of the creature that changed his life.”
HS slowly nodded his head in amazement. This was not the story he was expecting. He thought it would have much more adventure and danger but this was … almost … inspirational.
“Champ is a creature of power” she said looking him in the eye, “The Iroquois and Abenaki people knew this - that is why they were always careful around the shores of the lake. They knew that whatever they brought to the lake would be reflected back at them. That Tatoskok - the name they gave the creature of the lake - would shower them with whatever anger, curiosity, greed and kindness they brought with them. And this has always been the case. Samuel Champlain - the french explorer that gave the lake its name - saw Champ - and as he brought pride, ambition and violence with him - this is what Champ gave him back. Huge tracts of land - and many battles to go with it. So I tell you this HS because I want you to know. Whatever you bring to Champ will be reflected back to you. You can bring your greed as Samuel Champlain did - or you can bring your love of beauty as my grandfather did. It is your life and your choice.”
Then the bartender poured him another glass of seltzer and smiled at him,
“Enjoy your trip HS - I hope you find what you are looking for”
HS was dazzled. As she walked to another part of the bar, he blinked several times making sense of what she had just said. The story itself was incredible - and her final words - ‘it is your life and your choice’ were exactly what his father had told him before he left.
In that moment he felt the weight of this decision like never before. What did he want - he asked himself. Adventure? Money”? Fame? Was that really what he hoped for himself? Strangely what he wanted most of all, in that moment, was to talk to Lucy Crum some more - hear more of her stories. He felt like if he listened to her enough, he would know what to do.
Suddenly the full day of travel caught up with him and his head felt heavy. He yawned and looked around and saw that very few people were still there. Taking another sip of his seltzer he then looked over to Lucy. It was hard to see her in that light but as she polished more glasses at the far end of the bar, he thought maybe … she was smiling.
“Goodnight” he said softly and then stood still wondering if she heard him.
“Goodnight” she said with a sparkling, curious look in her eye. What was that expression, he wondered. Then he yawned again. It was time to go to bed. He would know what to do in the morning.
This proved to be true for HS - for the following morning, he woke early - dressed in a clean shirt and pants and as soon as he reached the main deck and smelled the lake air, he knew something incredible was about to happen.
“Good morning” said a woman dressed in a blue official looking dress. ‘You seem like you might like a cup of coffee. We are serving in the back of the ship - but many are gathering in the bow to watch the sunrise over the Green Mountains. I recommend you take a moment to see - it is beautiful”
Then the woman smiled and HS realized it was the bartender.
“Oh” he said smiling back. He was thrilled and confused to see her, “You’re - from down below.”
“On the Ticonderoga, the staff wears many hats” she said happily, “I love tending bar but I also love the sunrise so I also like to serve the early risers.’
“Uh - thank you” he said smiling back - still dazzled and wanting to make conversation. In the early morning light and the bright blue dress he realized that the bartender was not only a fascinating storyteller but … she was beautiful.
“Your name is … Lucy?” he asked remembering thier conversation.
‘That’s right - good memory” she said, her smile softening to a genuine sweetness.
“Well, good memory for things that are important to me” he said before getting embarrassed. Why did he say that - he asked himself - that was too casual, she was a member of the staff - so he stood up a little taller and looked off to the side of the boat, “Which … mountains were you saying?”
“Oh the Green Mountains” said Lucy, “The mountains of Vermont. Many people think that the name Vermont is french for Green Mountains but it actually means ‘Toward the Mountains - ver - mont’. I like that translation better because … well, that is what it always feels like on the Ticonderoga. Like I am headed toward something … big and beautiful. Go watch the sun and then I’ll make sure you get that cup of coffee”
She smiled again and HS actually felt his heart grow. Between her beautiful smile and the scent of her floral perfume, he couldn’t help but feel like this was something of a dream.
Then he turned around and his jaw dropped - for the sun was indeed beginning to crest over a series of blue-green mountains and shoot shimmering rays of gold onto the lake’s surface. He had been to lakes before - Even Oneida Lake which was one of the finger lakes of New York. But this lake seemed very different. Between the sparkling sunrise, the majesty of the mountains and the lingering scent of the woman’s perfume - he felt in that moment that he had entered heaven.
A few minutes later, after watching the sun climb a little higher over the Green Mountain peeks, he turned to go to the stern of the boat where the coffee, and Lucy Crum - the bartender and woman with the amazing stories, would be. He thought about her smile again and thought that he smelled her perfume. What other jobs did she have on the boat, he wondered, was she some kind of waitress - or more like a guide - she did seem to have a lot of authority. When he spotted her chatting with another passenger - an older woman with a wide brimmed hat - he was so mesmerized by her smile and poise and well, beauty - that he didn’t hear someone call from the bow, “Look! I think that’s Champ - look!”
And as some of the people in the back of the boat began to move past him toward the front, he found himself standing alone with the woman Lucy Crum, holding a cup of coffee in his hands and looking into her eyes.
“So will you start your search for Champ in St Albans?” she asked looking into his eyes, “What is your plan?”
“Oh … I had a plan but … “ he started, still mesmerized, “I’m not thinking it is as important as I once did.”
“Oh” she said with a mixture of confusion and what appeared to be delight. “What are you going to do then?”
“I’m … not sure” he said with a slight shrug, “What sort of work is there in Vermont?”
Lucy studied him for a moment and then cocked her head a little and smiled, “I can say that the SS Ticonderoga is looking for another engineer”
“Really?” he said as more people walked past them toward the front. He vaguely heard more chatter about seeing Champ, the lake monster of Vermont, but remarkably, he was no longer very interested.
No, he was interested in something much more important in that moment - much more adventurous, daring and perhaps even dangerous - no, HS felt in that moment that he was looking into the face of his future.
And years later, when he and Lucy held their wedding on the front deck of the SS Ticonderoga, someone else happened to spot something suspicious poking out of the water of Lake Champlain. HS didn’t notice who it was or what they said, but he did remember thinking to himself that he was grateful to the Lake and its Monster. For it helped him realize what he was really looking for - and what he wanted to be reflected back to him. He was looking for Love.
Here are ways in which you can use this story in your home or classroom education:
HISTORY
History of Lake Champlain
History of Steamboats
Vermont history in relation to New York and New Hampshire
GEOGRAPHY
Map of Lake Champlain and route of SS Ticonderoga
Map of sightings of Champ over the years
STUDY TOPICS
Monsters of the World
Dragon symbolism in United States
Impact of Champ on culture of Vermont and New York
I’m grateful you are here and engaging in the stories. There are many more stories, tips and reflections for you, organized according to the day of the week. Some are free to all and some are for paid subscribers.
On Mondays, I will post reflections on storytelling, attention, community development and education.
Tuesdays are for something new. Once a week I will post a fresh story that is in development, and I will look forward to hearing your thoughts and responses.
On Wednesdays, we will explore the globe and all its in-between spaces through stories of community, connection and revelation.
On Thursday, I will post stories of transformation. As always, reading them will be a transformative act in itself.
On Friday, we will have some fun and have stories of rest, relaxation and silliness.
On Saturday, I will post the next story in a serial fiction collection. These tend to be for adults and older children.
And on Sunday, I’ll offer spiritual stories that explore All That Is.