Puppet show brings dragon tale to life at The Dalles Public Library

Mar 25

By Joshuah Albert

The Dalles, Ore., March 25, 2025 — The Children’s Wing of The Dalles Public Library was packed Monday afternoon as families gathered to watch The Reluctant Dragon, a spring break puppet performance presented by Dragon Theater.

The show, which ran on March 24, was led by Jason Ropp, a Portland-based puppet master with more than 30 years of experience. Ropp regularly visits The Dalles to perform his handcrafted shows.

The story followed a gentle dragon who must prove his kindness to a frightened village, a knight eager to prove himself, and a shepherd boy who helps them find common ground. The trio stages a fake battle to convince the townsfolk that the dragon has been tamed.

Children in the audience were captivated by the highly detailed narrator puppet, a dragon with expressive features. Cheers erupted as new characters were introduced — the kind king, the brave knight, and the clever shepherd.

A surprise appearance by the Grim Reaper, who mocked the knight’s plan to fight the dragon, brought a mix of boos and laughter until children shouted the character off stage.

The dragon’s eventual appearance drew gasps and a few screams, especially when it turned its beady eyes toward the audience. The climactic duel between the dragon and the knight ended in a comedic stalemate and a heartwarming message: neither wanted to fight, and both were better off as friends.