The archeologist stood at the top of the mountain and consulted her map. The ancient document described the volcanic peak as a dragon’s skull, still breathing fire even in death.
She found beauty, if not scientific clarity, in the description. The map was steeped in mystery and magic, but as a scientist, she was interested in fact.
She laid out her tools and got to work taking soil samples. As she brushed away the top layer of ash, she Uncovered a strange layer of petrified bone tapering to a snout.
Perhaps the ancients wrote about more than poetry after all.

“Mount Hibok-Hibok (Catarman Volcano), Camiguin Island, Philippines” by . Ray in Manila is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Everyday Drabbles © 2019-2026 Hugh J. O’Donnell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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