This book appears to be one of a set of books found in a classroom. It uses three stories to illustrate heroes and villains and how each can be the other.

The three stories are: “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” by Rudyard Kipling, “The Reluctant Dragon” by Kenneth Grahame and “The Tale of Custard the Dragon” by Ogden Nash. Each story has discussion questions about the story.

I was aware of these stories and authors, but had never read them!

“Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” is a young mongoose who is rescued from a flood by a human family. He and the boy, Teddy, develop a close bond. Rikki-Tikki-Tavi discovers there is a pair of cobras living the garden, but the human family isn’t aware of them. When the cobras threaten the humans, Rikki-Tikki-Tavi steps in to protect them.

In the “Reluctant Dragon” the son of a shepherd and his wife spend his free time reading borrowed books. One day the shepherd comes home from the fields upset and ranting about strange noises heard from a cave and finding a huge creature covered in scales living in it.

The boy comments that the creature is a dragon and no one should worry, as it seems peaceable. The boy makes friends with the dragon and discovers the dragon prefers poetry to rampaging.

When the villagers find out about the dragon, wild stories spread and it is determined St. George is to come and fight the dragon.

Through the boy and St. George a solution is worked out between the dragon, so that all get what they want.

“The Tale of Custard the Dragon” is written in verse. Custard has all the trappings of a dragon. He lives with Belinda, but all he years for is a “nice safe cage.” Custard is a coward and everyone laughs at him.

One day, Custard is confronted with a situation and steps up to save the day.

Having discussion questions, I read them before I read the stories and that gave me another way of looking at the stories.

A flashback to my school years? ( )