Chapter Text
A new day dawns in Moominvalley. The sun shines through the bedroom window where Moomin lies sleeping. Moominmamma is in the kitchen making breakfast, and Moominpappa is reworking his memoirs for the sixth time this week. Everything seems just as usual.
Eventually, the sunlight becomes too much for Moomin to sleep through, and he slowly opens his eyes. It looks like it’s going to be an ordinary day. As he gets out of bed, the cold floor creaks under his feet. Slowly but surely, he makes his way down the stairs.
“Moomin, my only son! Would you be so kind as to read my latest draft?” asks Moominpappa, as early-rising as always.
“I can’t, I’m off to see Snufkin today. He said he had something important to tell me,” Moomin replies.
Moominpappa is always looking for readers. Moomin rarely agrees to read his memoirs, so he isn’t particularly disheartened by the response. He nods quietly and follows Moomin downstairs.
In the living room, the smell of freshly baked pancakes fills the air. There’s a knock at the door, and Moomin runs to open it.
On the other side stands a mumrik in worn hunting clothes. He bows and says, “Hello, I heard this house was the closest thing to a hotel around here.”
Moominpappa steps forward and introduces himself. “I’m Moominpappa, and yes, here at Moominhouse, we are very hospitable.”
The man steps inside and settles down on the sofa. The orange wallpaper in the living room always makes one feel at home. Moominpappa gently closes the door behind him.
“I’m hunting a dragon, you see, and it’s flown up into the mountains next to your valley,” he explains seriously.
“It isn’t a big one, is it?” asks Moominpappa, somewhat alarmed.
The dragon hunter’s eyes widen immediately. “Oh, it’s big all right! As big as a horse-drawn carriage!”
Moominpappa puts a paw to his forehead. “Well, if that’s true, it certainly sounds ominous…”
Moominmamma serves breakfast to everyone. Moomin hurriedly eats and then runs straight to Snufkin’s tent. He races through the idyllic summer meadows at full speed. The sky has the perfect amount of cloudiness, and Moomin senses that an adventure is in the air.
When he arrives at Snufkin’s tent, Snufkin is busy packing it up. Moomin jumps with excitement. “Is it about the dragon? Maybe we should take a closer look at it?”
Snufkin avoids making eye contact with Moomin. “The truth is, there won’t be any adventure for us two today. I plan to travel to the Land of Frolic on my own.”
Moomin frowns. “You know, that joke wasn’t very funny…”
“It wasn’t meant to be a joke,” Snufkin replies indifferently.
Tears well up in Moomin’s eyes, and he runs away. Snufkin sighs and continues taking down his tent.
Back at Moominhouse, Moominmamma is in the middle of clearing the breakfast table.
Moomin bursts in through the front door. “Snufkin is planning to leave!” he says, heartbroken.
Moominmamma immediately notices Moomin’s sad expression. “Surely, he can’t leave in the middle of summer?”
Moominpappa emerges from the kitchen. “What on earth is going on?”
Moomin sobs. “Snufkin is leaving Moominvalley!”
“No, he certainly won’t,” declares Moominpappa, heading determinedly toward the front door.
Moominmamma gasps. “What are you going to do with him?”
“I’m going to have a talk with the lad. Once you’ve decided to spend the summer here, you can’t just change your mind in the middle of everything,” Moominpappa replies firmly.
Moominpappa heads off toward Snufkin’s tent. Moominmamma watches with a worried look. She knows that Moominpappa can be stern when he’s upset.
Snufkin has already finished packing up the tent when Moominpappa arrives. “Snufkin, what are you thinking? Moomin has been waiting for you all winter, and now you’re planning to leave.” He puts a paw to his forehead. “I understand you like solitude, but a promise is a promise,” he says sharply.
Snufkin sighs. He knows Moominpappa values responsibility, but he just can’t resist the urge to leave. It’s been so dull in Moominvalley lately.
“You don’t understand me at all. I’m looking for new adventures and connections. Besides, I promise to come back before the summer is over,” he explains calmly and sensibly.
“Well, you could have told that to Moomin,” Moominpappa points out.
“I was just about to, but he ran off. I was planning to knock on your door and explain,” Snufkin reveals.
“Can’t you stay for at least one more week?” urges Moominpappa desperately.
“I’ll think about it,” replies Snufkin as he crosses the bridge, heading toward Moominhouse with a fully packed backpack on his back.
When Snufkin and Moominpappa step through the front door, Moomin immediately jumps up from the sofa.
“Is there anything we can do to make you change your mind?” Moomin asks with desperation in his eyes.
“I won’t be gone for long. I’ll be back before the summer is over.”
“Where are you going?” asks Moominmamma with interest.
“I’m heading to the Land of Frolic,” Snufkin reveals.
“The Land of Frolic, you say? I might not be particularly well-informed on the subject, but I’ve gotten the impression that it’s a dictatorship,” Moominpappa says seriously.
Moomin gasps. “A dictatorship?”
“Just because they don’t have the same democracy as we do here doesn’t mean the locals aren’t friendly.”
Moominpappa steps up to Snufkin. “Listen, Snufkin, if you’re going to leave, we should at least throw a farewell party first. How about we have it at the end of the week?”
“Well, I suppose I can manage to stay one more week.”
“Hooray!” Moomin cheers.
The dragon hunter, who has been tasked by Moominpappa with proofreading his memoirs, descends the stairs audibly. “I’ve read through your memoirs, and I must say you’ve had the most interesting youth I’ve ever read about.”
Moominpappa chuckles. “Oh, thank you!”
The next day, Moominpappa leaves Moominhouse to read up more on the Land of Frolic. The library in Moominvalley has two floors and is relatively small and compact. On the second floor, Moominpappa finds a whole heap of books on the subject.
“Ah! I see you’re interested in geography,” the librarian remarks.
“Yes, we’re planning a farewell party for our friend. Come along, you know. The more, the merrier,” Moominpappa replies.
The librarian nods. “I might drop by for a bit.”
Moominpappa lugs the books home and stays up reading all evening, with the night lamp as his only light source.
“What are you doing, Dad?” Moomin asks.
“Farewells always feel much less painful when the last thing you remember about someone is something positive.” He holds out his paws. “We’re going to throw a party like no other! And who knows? He might even decide to stay.”
Moomin tilts his head. “Do you really think so?”
“Anything is possible. Moomin, I think you should spend the rest of the week showing Snufkin that Moominvalley is much more exciting than the Land of Frolic.”
Moomin thinks for a moment. “I think I have an idea!”
“Well, get to it then!” Moominpappa spins back in his swivel chair to his desk, where he continues reading.
As soon as the next day dawns, Moomin rushes to Snufkin. “Snufkin!” he calls.
Snufkin turns around; his tent is set up behind him again. “What’s going on?”
Moomin runs up to him, panting. “Remember the dragon I told you about earlier? I think we should go check it out! So you can have one last adventure here in the valley before you leave!” he says breathlessly.
“All right, then,” Snufkin replies hesitantly.
Moomin and Snufkin head to Moominhouse. Inside, Little My and Sniff are busy crafting Land of Frolic-themed decorations.
“That doesn’t look like the Land of Frolic at all! It looks like something you just spat out!” Little My teases.
“Sorry, I got distracted by the smell…” Sniff explains.
Moominmamma comes out of the kitchen.
“Apparently, they eat Flying Leopards in the Land of Frolic.” Moominmamma smiles. “You have Moominpappa to thank; he managed to contact a sailor from the continent.”
On the veranda, Moominpappa sits with Snork.
“I’m planning a fireworks show! I’ll be the first ever to project text onto the sky!” Snork announces.
“Well, this party is turning out to be much bigger than I expected it to be…” sighs Moominpappa.
Snorkmaiden comes running.
“Hello, Snorkmaiden! Could you help Little My and Sniff with the decorations?” Moominpappa asks.
Snorkmaiden shakes her head; that wasn’t what she wanted to contribute.
In the hallway upstairs, Snufkin and Moomin are questioning the dragon hunter about the dragon.
“It’s as big as a horse-drawn carriage. I think you should leave dragon hunting to the professionals,” the dragon hunter states firmly.
“We just wanted to take a closer look at it. There must be some cave or something where it sleeps,” Snufkin explains.
“It loves to be on the move. It’s taken the lives of many people. That’s why I’m hunting it. Without dragon pepper, you don’t stand a chance.”
“Yeah, yeah…” Moomin says, disappointed.
Snorkmaiden hurries up the stairs. “Moomin, you’re not really going after the dragon, are you?”
“No, I don’t think that’ll happen, unfortunately…” Moomin says sadly. Snorkmaiden breathes a sigh of relief.
Snufkin waves to Moomin to follow him.
“We’re going there anyway,” he whispers. “I’m experienced with this kind of thing. As long as we don’t disturb it, we should be fine.”
Moomin grins widely, and the two of them set off.
“I don’t trust those two…” thinks Snorkmaiden, who can’t resist following them.
Moomin and Snufkin climb the mountains. There are almost no plants or trees in sight. Suddenly, Snorkmaiden catches up with them.
“What are you doing out here?” she asks worriedly.
“Oh, we’re going dragon hunting, remember? It’s sure to be very dangerous, but we have the courage needed,” Moomin says, straightening up.
“No, you have the foolishness required. If you’re going to hunt the dragon, I’m coming along to make sure you don’t do anything stupid,” Snorkmaiden declares firmly.
“No, stay home instead. The dragon is far too dangerous for you,” Moomin warns.
“It’s just as dangerous for me as it is for you.” Moomin and Snufkin stare at Snorkmaiden in confusion. “What?” she finally asks.
“Well, of course, you can come,” Snufkin declares.
“Darn it,” mutters Snorkmaiden, reluctantly joining them.
After some time, they arrive at a large cave. “Shh! I think I see something black in there…” whispers Snufkin.
Further inside the cave, a black figure can be seen, seemingly matching the dragon hunter’s description exactly.
Snorkmaiden tugs at Moomin. “We shouldn’t be here, it’s dangerous!” she whispers desperately. Moomin doesn’t seem to care at all and continues to silently observe the terrifying beast.
Finally, Snorkmaiden gives up and sneaks away, sighing. Meanwhile, the dragon doesn’t move an inch.
“Why is it just sitting there?” Moomin asks.
“I don’t know. Dragons can be very unpredictable at times.” Snufkin squints and then looks at Moomin. “It’s probably best if we turn back now, before it notices us.”
Moomin nods and quietly follows Snufkin away from the cave.
At Moominhouse, the dragon hunter notices all the party decorations. “What are you up to?” he asks.
“Oh, sorry! We’re preparing a party for our friend who’s leaving for the Land of Frolic,” Moominpappa explains.
The dragon hunter scratches his chin. “Is this some kind of joke or what?” Moominpappa blinks in confusion. “I’m from the Land of Frolic, and we definitely don’t hang wooden antelopes on the walls there,” the dragon hunter says, upset.
Moominpappa tilts his head. “You don’t?”
The dragon hunter shakes his head and makes an X with his hands. “I suggest you take down those stereotypical things immediately.”
“I don’t understand; we did exactly what the book said…” Moominpappa thinks until he finally realizes that the books must have been untrue.
Snorkmaiden comes in through the front door. “Moomin and Snufkin are hunting the dragon!”
“What are you saying? Don’t you know it’s illegal to go near dragons without permission!? If you disturb them, they can cause enormous damage!” The dragon hunter glares at Moominpappa. “As for you, I suggest you burn those misleading books.”
Moominpappa nods; contributing to the spread of stereotypes was the last thing he wanted. The dragon hunter grabs his camouflage hat from the coat rack and opens the door.
“Where are you going?” Moominpappa asks, confused.
“Where do you think? I’m going to do what I came here for; to slay the dragon,” says the dragon hunter and leaves Moominhouse. When he encounters Snufkin and Moomin on the way, he shouts, “You darn kids! You should think twice about your actions!” and continues up the mountain.
Meanwhile, Moominpappa paces back and forth. “What are we going to do now? All our hard work was for nothing!”
“You should probably burn the book,” Moominmamma reminds him.
“Yes… Why does everything I do have to go wrong!?” Moominpappa complains.
“Don’t say that…” Moominmamma urges.
“I know, I know… It’s just so frustrating! And let’s not forget the kids who worked on the decorations all day…” Moominpappa sighs. “I’ll go get some firewood,” he says and goes out.
The dragon hunter arrives at the dragon’s cave. “Now I’ve got you… This time, you won’t escape…”
The dragon hunter sneaks up on the dragon. As he gets closer, its appearance becomes much clearer. Its neck is long and covered with white hair, and the rest of its body seems thin. The dragon hunter takes the dragon pepper from his pocket and sprinkles it on the dragon.
“Now you…”
The dragon immediately turns around and stares into his eyes, its face almost human-like, and its breath smells foul. Suddenly, it activates its magical eyes, displaying colors the dragon hunter has never seen before. He becomes paralyzed, unable to move a muscle. His eyeballs roll inward, and from them, his purple-colored soul emerges, which is sucked into the dragon’s jaws.
Moomin and Snufkin hear the dragon’s roar.
“Do you think the dragon hunter is doing okay over there?” Moomin asks.
“I don’t know… Something felt off about that dragon… It didn’t seem quite normal in some way…” Snufkin says worriedly.