In the first person, Hiccup reflects on his childhood. He recalls the diversity of dragons—from small brown dragons to gargantuan Sea Dragons—and explains that dragon populations are now declining. In fact, dragons are headed toward extinction. To preserve the memory of them, Hiccup wishes to tell readers about his childhood adventures, including the difficulties he had training a dragon and becoming a hero.

Gobber the Belch, who leads the Dragon Initiation Program, briefs Hiccup and the nine other Hairy Hooligan boys about their initiation mission. Completion of initiation will let the Novices become Viking warriors and official members of the tribe. Gobber begins by placing Hiccup in charge, which the other children protest because they feel he’s “useless.” However, Gobber maintains that only Hiccup, as the son of Chief Stoick the Vast, can lead the task of dragon catching.

Their mission requires them to bring back a young dragon from the caves where the dragons are hibernating for just a few more weeks. Hiccup, a self-proclaimed dragon nerd, knows how dangerous this mission is but wonders why no one else around him appears to be scared. Gobber emphasizes the importance of the dragon selection process and advises the boys to carefully choose the “biggest,” most “impressive” dragon as their own.