Long ago, there was a terrifying monster from the North that destroyed entire regions, devouring both people and animals. This monster was so destructive that it was feared nothing would survive unless help arrived. It had a body like an ox, legs like a frog, with two short front legs and two long ones behind, and a serpent-like tail ten fathoms long. When it moved, it jumped like a frog, covering half a mile with each leap.

Luckily, it stayed in one place for several years before moving on to devour the whole area. It couldn't be hunted because its body was covered with scales harder than stone or metal. Its two large eyes shone like bright lamps, and anyone unlucky enough to look into them became bewitched and rushed into the monster's jaws.

In this way, the Dragon could feed on people and animals without moving. All the nearby kings offered rich rewards to anyone who could destroy the monster, either by force or magic, but many tried and failed. Once, a forest where the Dragon lay was set on fire, but the flames did not harm the creature. However, there was a legend that the Dragon could be defeated by someone who possessed King Solomon's signet ring, which had a secret inscription. This inscription would reveal how to destroy the Dragon, but no one knew where the ring was hidden, nor could anyone interpret the inscription.

Eventually, a brave young man set out to find the ring. He traveled east, knowing that ancient wisdom came from there. After some years, he met a famous Eastern magician and asked for advice. The magician said, "Humans have little wisdom, but the birds of the air could guide you if you understood their language. I can help you learn it if you stay with me for a few days."