Reflections on a Simple Past | 14. Through the Dragon's Eye
The Veetacore, the shining lifeblood of the people of Pelamar has exploded. Neglect and complacency has put their entire life and world into jeopardy. Sound familiar?
Welcome to Rediscover · Reconnect · Re-Emerge. If you find the fleeting changes of modern life wearisome, maybe even overwhelming, join me on a journey, a path well-trodden, as I share heartfelt and often nostalgic reflections on living slowly, simply, and in tune with the seasons.
In this series, I look back at some of the people, places and things which have so richly influenced and inspired my love of all things simple.
The Veetacore, the shining lifeblood of the people of Pelamar has exploded. Neglect and complacency has put their entire life and world into jeopardy. That which gave them life and sustained their existence, now lies in useless pieces, Veetons scattered across the land. Evil is rising, the world is fading, and the race is on to repair it before it’s too late, so that once more, it can shine with its life-giving rays.
Sound familiar?
If you grew up in the 1980s or 1990s, or even if you had children growing up in these decades of the 20th Century, you can’t fail to have escaped the educational intrigue of the BBC and Channel 4 Schools television programmes. Look and Read is perhaps the one most-remembered, Through the Dragon’s Eye, a 1989-story which has endured through the generations.
Three children painting a mural in their school playground, suddenly find themselves walking into the imaginary land of Pelamar. Danger and adventure awaits, and before long, they are persuaded to help find the missing pieces of the Veetacore, the Veetons, in a race to defeat the evil powers of the terrifying Charn. They are assisted in their quest by an aging-dragon, Gorwen, a rodent, Rodey, and a decidedly foolish orange-faced man with floppy hair called Boris, who proudly wears a cricket jumper and wields a cricket bat.
Does he sound familiar?
The children and their companions have to solve riddles, climb mountains, and avoid being outwitted by the mischievous Widgets at every turn. The Keepers of the Veetacore, Boris, Maurice and Doris, have neglected to care for the one thing which gives life to the people of Pelamar, and whilst they have the Book of the Veetacore which tells them how to repair it, they have, in their complacency, forgotten how to read. The children find the book on its wooden stand upside down.
Many of us remember fondly those educational tales which shaped our childhood: Geordie Racer, Skyhunter and Badger Girl to name a few. They were simple, imaginative stories with a strong message. They inspired us in our reading, our writing, and our imaginative creativity. They taught us that through brave adventure, we could strive for a better world.
North or South, East or West,
the quest
to save the life of Pelamar
goes far.
Look bravely through the Dragon's Eye
and fly…
Being part of Rediscover · Reconnect · Re-Emerge is free, but if you’d like to support me in fostering the community we value, and help me to sustain my writing and work here, you can become a Patron Member for £4 a month, or £35 a year. Patron Members also receive a special, personal “thank you” in gratitude for their support. You can upgrade your subscription here.
Just as the children found themselves walking through the wardrobe in the C.S. Lewis classic, Jenny, Scott and Amanda find themselves in a magical world beyond the confines of the school playground. There, they find a world in ruins, hanging by a thread, where evil threatens to change and destroy everything.
In many respects, it was a classic tale of good triumphing over evil. As the 25th Veeton is put carefully into its place, the Keepers chant:
‘Power of good spread near and far.
Power of good give life to Pelamar.
Banish evil thoughts, banish evil ways.
Make a world full of good from the Veetacore’s rays.’
As the words echoed in the distance, the Veetcore began to glow with a dazzling golden light. The world outside was no longer grey, but green, as a flood of colour washed over the landscape.
In true British, or should I say, Pelamot fashion, they celebrated with a glass of special Pelamade, and in a flash, the children found themselves back in the playground from whence they’d come.
The story, in its simple way, reminds us that in life, we will face many challenges:
North or South, East or West,
the test
is can you finish what you start
Life will test us, and there will be times when it feels like evil is winning. But a brighter world is always possible if we are willing to stay the course, to spread our wings, to join the quest, and to fly. In a dark world, colour can wash over us once more. The missing pieces are out there, and we share in a universal quest to put them back together, so that once more, the world can be cradled in a dazzling golden light.
‘As one, the Pelamots raised their glasses and drank a toast. All was well again in the land of Pelamar.’
All will be well again.
If you’re not already doing so, I’d love you to follow me over on Instagram. You can also visit the A Life More Creative website, where you can find out more about My Story, and read articles from my online Journal. Subscribe on Substack to receive new posts and to support my work:
“Life will test us, and there will be times when it feels like evil is winning. But a brighter world is always possible if we are willing to stay the course, to spread our wings, to join the quest, and to fly”. Ah, I love this so much 🩵
Love this, David. I was unfamiliar with this series, but the theme of good over evil, the quest being chosen and lived out through the efforts and perseverance of children, is one of my favorites. <3