Introduction
St George was a real person, a Roman soldier martyred in 303, but the story of the Dragon is a myth. The dragon symbolises the devil, a serpent with honey on his forked tongue, whose angels (St Paul tells us) are the real rulers behind the darkness of this world. George is the Christian, who puts on the whole armour of God and stands up to them armed with unceasing prayer.
GEORGE, a tribune, was born in Cappadocia,* and came to Libya, to the town called Silene, near which was a pond infested by a monster, which had many times driven back an armed host that had come to destroy him.* He even approached the walls of the city, and with his exhalations poisoned all who were near.
To avoid such visits, he was furnished each day with two sheep, to satisfy his voracity. When the sheep at the disposal of the citizens were exhausted, their sons and daughters were cast to the dragon. The lot fell one day on the princess. The king covered his child with royal robes and sent her forth to meet the dragon.
St George was riding by, and seeing the maiden in tears, and the monster rising from the marsh to devour her, advanced, spear in hand, to meet the monster, commending himself to God.
* Our information about St George comes from a contemporary, the historian and bishop Eusebius of Caesarea (263-339). None of this famous legend is even hinted at. See St George the Triumphant Martyr.
* For an English variant, see The Lambton Worm.
Précis
According to the mediaeval fable, a dragon once terrorised a city called Silene. To keep him away, the people gave him two sheep daily, and when they were all gone they sacrificed their own children. One day, the daughter of the king was chosen. Just as she was being duly offered up, St George rode by. (56 / 60 words)
According to the mediaeval fable, a dragon once terrorised a city called Silene. To keep him away, the people gave him two sheep daily, and when they were all gone they sacrificed their own children. One day, the daughter of the king was chosen. Just as she was being duly offered up, St George rode by.
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Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 60 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 50 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: about, because, despite, just, must, otherwise, ought, whether.
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Why did the people of Silene feed the dragon?
Suggestion
To keep him from attacking their city. (7 words)
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
A dragon lived near Silene. The people gave him two sheep daily. They hoped he would stay away.