in the first paragraph, the dragon is depicted as feeling deeply troubled and despondent. several phrases convey the dragon's emotional state:

1. "pale and scruffy": the physical description suggests a lack of vibrancy and vitality, mirroring the dragon's emotional condition.
2. "looking for a disease": this action indicates a desire for an affliction, possibly as a means to end its life. it reflects a sense of hopelessness and a wish for an escape from its perceived burdens.
3. "ending his life": the dragon has a clear intention to end its life, underscoring a profound sense of despair and a belief that life has become unbearable.
4. "tedious, unsatisfactory, tax-troubled, and lacking in purpose": these adjectives detail the dragon's negative perceptions of its existence. the dragon sees its life as monotonous, dissatisfying, burdened by taxes, and devoid of purpose.
5. "enroll himself into a hospital": this decision suggests a desperate attempt to find a solution to its suffering, even if it means seeking help in an unconventional way.
6. "no hope ward": the choice of this ward's name further emphasizes the dragon's hopelessness and expectation of a bleak outcome.

the dragon's actions and thoughts in the first paragraph collectively paint a picture of a creature overwhelmed by despair, seeking a way out from the perceived hardships and emptiness of its life.