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As soon as I read the opening to Paul and Karin Johnsgard's book, Dragons and Unicorns: A Natural History, I knew I wanted to excerpt it. From the 398.24 section (mythical creatures in Dewey's system), this is exactly the kind of book I devoured as a kid. I loved the discussion of supernatural creatures in their natural habitats, and while I tended to appreciate the older (and therefore more genuine, to my young mind) tomes more, the newer, tongue-in-cheek takes on magical beasts (and where to find them *g*) were often just as fun.
Without further ado, the preface.
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As most people now know, our dragon and unicorn populations have declined precipitously in recent years. Not only have dragons been excluded from all "nice" neighborhoods and drive out of most states, but they are hated almost everywhere, in spite of the fact that they are no protected by federal law. Unicorns too are on the verge of extinction, though for different reasons. Unicorns have suffered primarily from our unwillingness to leave enough wilderness and opportunities for personal freedom as are necessary for such an innocent and solitary animal to survive. Nor have we adequately prevented exploitation of unicorns by those who capture them for exhibition in carnivals and circuses or cut off their magical horns for personal profit.
Because most people are woefully ignorant of the importance of both dragons and unicorns in maintaining stable worldwide ecosystems, and of the values inherent in protecting the faunal diversity represented by dragons and unicorns, we are offering this summary of the natural histories of these great beasts. In the news media, an increasing public intolerance of dragons is in evidence, and the capture of unicorns has once again become an irresistible temptation for many. It is hoped that after reading this book the reader will join in a grass-roots movement to ensure the basic rights of dragons and allow them, no matter how different their appearance and culture from ours, to live out their lives in peace. We hope as well that people will learn to respect the privacy of unicorns and willingly offer them the open spaces and clean environment they need for survival, without expecting anything more in return than the simple pleasure of knowing that they are content in their chosen solitude. Finally, although unicorns have little reason to believe in us, the least we can do is believe in them.
Without further ado, the preface.
--
As most people now know, our dragon and unicorn populations have declined precipitously in recent years. Not only have dragons been excluded from all "nice" neighborhoods and drive out of most states, but they are hated almost everywhere, in spite of the fact that they are no protected by federal law. Unicorns too are on the verge of extinction, though for different reasons. Unicorns have suffered primarily from our unwillingness to leave enough wilderness and opportunities for personal freedom as are necessary for such an innocent and solitary animal to survive. Nor have we adequately prevented exploitation of unicorns by those who capture them for exhibition in carnivals and circuses or cut off their magical horns for personal profit.
Because most people are woefully ignorant of the importance of both dragons and unicorns in maintaining stable worldwide ecosystems, and of the values inherent in protecting the faunal diversity represented by dragons and unicorns, we are offering this summary of the natural histories of these great beasts. In the news media, an increasing public intolerance of dragons is in evidence, and the capture of unicorns has once again become an irresistible temptation for many. It is hoped that after reading this book the reader will join in a grass-roots movement to ensure the basic rights of dragons and allow them, no matter how different their appearance and culture from ours, to live out their lives in peace. We hope as well that people will learn to respect the privacy of unicorns and willingly offer them the open spaces and clean environment they need for survival, without expecting anything more in return than the simple pleasure of knowing that they are content in their chosen solitude. Finally, although unicorns have little reason to believe in us, the least we can do is believe in them.
