The Reluctant Dragon


 To mark Midsummer I decided to record a reading of Kenneth Grahame's children's story "The Reluctant Dragon". the first few attempts succumbed to technical problems (or possibly the ghost of the author trying to save his tale from being subjected to such ham butchery), but on the third attempt the recording worked. 

Grahame was the author of one of my favourite books - Wind in the Willows - and this gentle tale sits within that same world with its love of the British countryside. The story doesn't actually mention midsummer, but it does have a feel about it that goes well with this season of the year.

The villagers obsessed with imaginary grievances which they dream up to satiate their desire for a punch-up strikes me as strangely prophetic of the modern world of social media.

The wonderful actor Anton Lesser has recorded a far superior version of this story which is well worth tracking down, should you get the chance.



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