This content was published in The Unicorn Dispatch on March 19, 2025.
When we think about hospitality, we often picture warm welcomes, cozy accommodations, and the kind of effortless grace that makes a guest feel comfortable. But what happens when that hospitality is more about spectacle than sincerity? As I was writing a scene for Simply Dag, my next nonfiction offering, this thought came to mind. In Decoding the Unicorn, I discussed Dag’s strange experiences at Nikita Khrushchev’s villa in Sochi. For Simply Dag, I really wanted to cover more of the story, especially from Dag’s perspective, i.e., what was it like for him to be lured to Sochi to function as the butt of Khrushchev’s jokes?
Ostensibly, it was meant to be a diplomatic meeting where Nikita wanted to discuss West Berlin, yet what unfolded was less about genuine engagement and more about power plays and intimidation tactics. In describing one of the vignettes to a friend (where Dag attempts to take a bath and it goes awry), he said something like, “This is odd comedic gold.” That started the wheels turning in my mind and the next thing I knew, I’d written the first draft of How to Host a Unicorn, which is a quirky kids’ book on having good manners when bringing a guest into your home. Dag the Unicorn is, well, obviously based on Dag – a polite unicorn with good etiquette. Nick the Bear is based on Khrushchev and he allows his loudness and boisterousness to get the better of him. As a kids’ book, the tale has a happy ending and no Soviet-style intimidation techniques and I hope it will make for a fun experience for all the readers.
More updates to come.
Stay magical!
-Sara
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I am the author of Decoding the Unicorn: A New Look at Dag Hammarskjöld. It’s available for purchase on Amazon by clicking here. I am also the author of Dag’s Magical Castle, a children’s book designed for introvert & HSP kids. You can find it on Amazon here: https://a.co/d/dfdUkSL.
Check out Decoding the Unicorn: The Podcast here.
For more on my leadership & development program for introverts, HSPs, and creatives, please visit QuietBraveBold.com.
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