 |
 |
 |
|
Genuine Oaxacan Alebrije
Artisan: Aldohoz Melchor
Hometown: San Martin Tilcajete, Oaxaca, Mexico
Craftsmanship: Original Oaxacan Folk Art; Hand Carved from One Piece of Copal Tree Wood; Meticulously Hand Painted; Signed on Bottom by Artisan; Exclusive & Unique; Dino the Dragon is the Only One in the World
Fun Backstory: Senor Dino the Dragon: El Respiradero del Fuego
He eyed those around him, looking as menacing as he could. This wasn't his first rodeo, so to speak, but anytime he was called to a meeting of what was simply referred to as the “Odd & Strange of Oaxaca” he got excited with what can only be described as anticipatory expectation. This meeting was a little different, however. For today, for the first time, he was the only item on the group’s agenda.
He looked around and saw many familiar, and friendly, faces. Relatives, neighbors and even competitors, eyed him with a concern that didn’t border on anger but rather confusion. Taking a deep breath, he slowly let it out and waited for the proceedings to begin.
“We are here,” Umberto Unicornio, began, “to investigate a situation that your mother, Damita, has made us aware of and that has her very concerned.”
Dino looked as his mother, softening his menacing look. She nodded in a most petite way, and smiled encouragingly at him.
“And what, exactly,” Dino responded to Umberto with his most masculine and stern voice, “is that situation?”
“It seems,” Umberto replied, “that you have yet to experience one of the most important rites of passage that a dragon can experience. According to your mother,” Umberto said, pausing for effect, “you have not yet breathed any fire!”
A gasp arose from those gathered, followed by a nervous titter running throughout the group. Dino was well beyond fire-breathing age, and it apparently startled everyone present that he had not yet performed this very special act.
“What we want to know,” Umberto continued, “is do you know why you have not yet accomplished this feat? After all, you certainly appear to be a very normal looking dragon.”
He may have looked normal, but he certainly wasn't normal looking. His coloring was unlike anything that any in Oaxaca had ever seen!
His head was purple, with black eyes set in red and tan circles amidst a teardrop shaped area of rust. He sported conical shaped horns with rust and red bands. The red bands were adorned with tan “dot” markings, while the rust band sported curlicues.
His shoulders were green, and his arms purple with green “swirl” markings. His hands, too, were purple with black fingers. He wore yellow gauntlets with green tortoise shell markings that extended from his knuckles over his hands and up to his shoulders.
One of his more unique features was the “scalloped spine” that made up his neck. His stomach, too, was unusual, as it consisted of a backdrop of purple marked with a tan serpent that had its head near his throat and its tail at the bottom of his stomach. This tan serpent had a variety of rust colored markings ranging from swirls to diamonds to squares.
His wings were huge, towering over his neck and head. Like the rest of his body, they were unlike those of any other dragon in Oaxaca. Yes, he may have been normal looking, but he certainly didn't look normal!
“Senor,” Umberto said softly, interrupting his thoughts. “Tell us, do you know why you have not yet experienced this rite of passage?”
Dino looked at all present, torn by the decision he knew he would have to make. He could either lie and say “no”, he didn’t know why. Or, he could tell them the truth. Which, he wondered would be worse - - to deceive everyone present, including his own mother!, or tell the truth and admit that he was afraid of fire!
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
