Once, when the world was new, dragons roamed the skies. They were wondrous creatures, and love of the skies ruled their fierce hearts.
Their leader, a great warrior, was mocking a small bird one day.
"I am the greatest in the skies," said he. "None can match my agility or strength. What are you, so small a thing, compared to me?"
The bird chuckled. "Strong and agile you may be. But I am more beautiful than any of the dragons."
The dragon king snapped at the bird with his sharp teeth. "How is this so?" he hissed. "I have more grace than ten of you. My dances make the very trees bow in wonder."
"True," chirped the bird. "But I am still more lovely."
"Tell me how you are better than me," the dragon sneered, smoke billowing from his jaws.
The bird fluffed his red feathers proudly. "I am a beautiful red, and you are nothing but a drab grey. This is why I am more lovely."
The dragon king flew off to the mountains, determined to prove the little bird wrong. But as he looked, he saw that all the creatures of the sky and land wore wonderful colors, while all the dragons were grey. No dragon looked different from the other, for they all had the same form and color.
Jealous, he went to find the Sky Father. He traveled to the sun, where the Sky Father lived.
"Father," he cried. "I have come for my colors, for it is only right. I am the greatest of your creatures, your fiercest warrior. I deserve the most wondrous colors of all the skyfolk."
The Sky Father came out of the sun, and looked upon the dragon king. "I understand your plight. Sadly, I cannot do this for you."
"Why not?" he pleaded. "I have come such a long way. Can you give me a reason?"
"Of course," the Sky Father replied. "While all things that fly are Mine, color comes from the Earth Mother. In order to get color, I had to trade a bit of My domain, for nothing is free. I gave her My most favored creatures, that the lesser ones might be things of beauty."
The dragon king groaned. "Then all dragons are doomed to be without color, Father?"
"No, child. You may petition her yourself, for I traded the dragons."
So, the hopeful king flew to find the Earth Mother. He looked for many months, and finally found her sitting by a stream.
"Earth Mother!" he cried, landing in front of her. "I have come for my colors, as is my right."
She smiled. "It is My right to refuse."
Stricken, the proud dragon began to cry. "I just want dragons to be the most wondrous creatures of the skies. How can this be, if even the smallest moth is more of a joy to look at?"
She laughed. "Are you not the strongest, the most graceful, of all in the sky?"
"But we are not the best!" he howled.
The Earth Mother took his great head in her hands. "None can be the best at everything," she explained. "And you are too proud."
He looked into her face. "Please, Mother. I would not have the dragons mocked."
She kissed his snout. "Now you speak for love of your people, as a leader should. None would mock you, for you are indeed the most formidable of the heavens, save the Sky Father. Such a temper he has! But I have My moods as well."
They walked along the stream for a time, not speaking. Then the Earth Mother turned to her proud child.
"Nothing is free, as I am sure the Sky Father has told you. The colors for your people will come at a price."
He flapped his wings wildly. "Anythng, Mother! For such a gift, we would do anything!"
"Any dragon may pick any two colors they wish. If they agree to act as My watchers, guarding that which might endanger the rest of My creation." She looked at him solemnly. "It will not be a light task. You will be made hermits, seen only by those bold enough to seek you."
The dragon king thought on this, then spoke. "As the most formidable, save the Sky Father, it would make sense for us to guard what is dangerous to the rest. Upon my soul, the dragons will do as you wish."
The Earth Mother laughed. "None can claim your soul, for that is truly your own. But all Life is Mine, and you have pledged yours to Me. So choose your two colors, and tell your people of their new duty.
So the dragon king chose to be green and gold, and flew back to his mountain home. All the other dragons wondered at his new colors, and asked how it came to be.
After he related the tale of his journey to them, they all went in turn to the Earth Mother and chose the colors they would bear.
Some chose bronze and copper, others red and black. Soon, all the dragons in creation were a living rainbow, no two the same. They then went to their duty of guarding that which is most secret and dangerous.
The Sky Father was proud of his headstrong children, that they had found something constructive to do.
The Earth Mother smiled, pleased that her children were happy.
And this is how the dragons got their colors, and why they left the skies.