The Copper Dragon of Nova Scotia

In the South Upland of Nova Scotia, some folk whisper tales of a copper dragon, while others insist such mendacity is grossly exaggerated.

Instead, they argue, such outlandish yarns are merely the work of an eccentric – but wizened – old hermit by the name of Aillig*, most noted for his unusually stubborn crop of copper-coloured hair. His appearance is matched only by his peculiar taste for lamb when surrounded by water.

Finding him? is a bit of a game they laugh, at anyone foolish to press for more. No two fishermen will agree on which cove he sets his traps, or just where the lamb he boasts of, was pastured in.

No matter the tale, all agree that Aillig – should you cross paths – loves to describe in vivid detail, of how sheep once used to be important on the peninsula**. If you listen long enough, you’d almost believe he brought them over himself…

When pressed for his opinion about finding a copper dragon in these parts, he will look you dead in the eye. “So they tell me,” he winks and refuses to say more. The light glints off his hair and for split second you think… No. It’s not possible. It was just a trick of the light, you admonish yourself, reluctantly drawing your attention back to his boastful collection of 52 lighthouse figurines made by entirely different artists.

You think it might be time to beg your leave…

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Footnotes:

*Ailig, origin:Scottish meaning: a person from a rocky location

** Sheep farming in Canada http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/sheep-farming/