PREFACE
TAKING A JOURNEY WITH THE PARABLES
Suggestions for your sojourn with the parables.
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THE DRAGON
Self-Defeating Behavior
A prince struggles to break free from secret flights on a destructive dragon.
LADY IN WAITING
Codependency
A royal lady fails to free the prince she loves from the dragon. Instead, she finds true freedom for herself.
DRAGON FLIGHT
Relapse Recovery
After relapsing into dragon flights, the prince makes a tragic discovery that saves his life.
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CASTLE SAFE I
Inner Child
Banishing everyone from her castle, a princess lives inside with the gates locked. Her life changes when she finds a child imprisoned in the dungeon.
CASTLE SAFE II
Boundaries
Can the child who trusts anyone and the princess who locks out everyone learn to live together?
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MIRROR, MIRROR
Self-Concept
An evilly enchanted mirror leads a beautiful princess to believe she is grotesque until she discovers her true identity.
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THE PAINTING
Depression and Despair
The dragon permanently mars a painter’s masterpiece, but the despairing artist finds an unusual remedy that galls the dragon to his core.
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OGRE
Facing Fears
A fearful traveler is swallowed alive by a terrifying ogre, but finds the outcome is not what he expected.
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TROLL HOUSE I
Dysfunctional Families
Children survive in a family with an abusive father and timid mother.
The villagers suspect the father is half troll, and the oldest son must learn to deal with his own troll nature.
TROLL HOUSE II
Breaking Free of Dysfunctional Family Roles
The oldest son returns home to face his father as an adult.
WISE ONES
Religious or Psychotherapy Cult Victimization
As a young man, the second son travels to the “wise ones” to gain an understanding about life and learns more than they intended.
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DANCE IN THE DARK
Loss of Childhood
The uncle of a child princess beguiles her into wearing her magic gown as he dances with her in the still of the night. In shame she hides away the torn and soiled dress, never dreaming that it could be restored.
HOPE IN THE WILDERNESS
Running from Ourselves
Grown to adulthood, the princess flees from her arranged marriage and encounters the wise woman of the fairies in the wilderness.
TEARS IN THE LIGHT
Recovery from Childhood Abuse
The princess embarks on a difficult quest to break the spells cast by her uncle long ago on her betrothal gown.
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SEA TIDE
Panic Attacks
Entangled by a net, a mermaid finds the secret to survival.
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FESTIVAL OF THE FOREST ELVES
Family Systems
The forest festival is disrupted by arguments among the elves over the proper way to dance.
THE LONG JOURNEY
Apologies
Traveling companions must sometimes part ways.
BATTLE BOG
Loss and Grief
Elfin warriors struggle to survive in a bogland of marauding trolls.
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THE CURSE
Dealing With Our Dark Side
As the long siege of the sorcerer’s castle drags on, the Great King’s troops doubt the wisdom of his leadership.
THE JOURNEY CONTINUES
Weaving your Own Story
There is a magical tale in your life.
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APPENDIX 1
Support Group Exploration with the Parables
APPENDIX 2
The Twelve Steps of Recovery
The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS