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Overview

This dragon lives at the bottom of a well of pure poison near the griffin’s nesting tree. It repeatedly kills the young birds just as they become ready to fly, preventing the parent from seeing a brood leave safely. At midnight during Little Wild-Rose’s residence, two fiery heads rise towards the nest amid noise compared with shaking mountains and valleys.

An archangel descends on a golden cloud and cuts off the attacking heads with a sword. Successive pairs appear and are destroyed until all twelve are severed. Blood and poison flood the forest and valley; the detached heads still move against the nest tree. The angel then sprinkles the four quarters with consecrated water and basil. The blood collects, the heads lose their vitality, and the earth swallows the remains, clearing the forest. The story distinguishes severing the heads from the final loss of their activity. It does not narrate regrowth or give the dragon wings.

Twelve heads appearing in pairsFiery headsPoisonous wellKills fledgling broodsDetached heads remain active briefly
01

Origins & earliest records

Roumanian Fairy Tales, collected by Mite Kremnitz, adapted and arranged by J. M. Percival (New York: Henry Holt, 1885), Little Wild-Rose, pp. 91–104.

02

Records & interpretation

Complete selected English narrative from blessed apple to marriage. Preface assigns tale 9 to Miron Pompilin. Bird naming and later uncertainty are preserved.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

  1. 01

    Roumanian Fairy Tales: Little Wild-Rose, pp. 91–104

    Mite Kremnitz, collector; J. M. Percival, adapter and arranger · 1885

    Preface assigns tale 9 to Miron Pompilin in Convorbiri Literare. Complete selected English narrative; Romanian original not collated.

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

  1. Primary historical English adaptationKremnitz/Percival 1885: Little Wild-RoseResearch access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.

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