Ari and the Golden Magic Fire-Breathing Dragon
By Cate F.
Once upon a time (all good stories start with “Once upon a time…”) there was a little village nestled in a beautiful valley. There was a pretty lake nearby, and a forest of magnificent trees next to the lake. All the villagers should have been happy to live there, but alas, they were terribly afraid of the golden magic fire-breathing dragon who lived in a cave in the nearby mountains.
However, there was one person who was not afraid of the golden magic fire-breathing dragon. Ari was a very brave and clever little boy, and he was not afraid. He watched the dragon as it flew over the village, setting fire to the trees and crops.
The villagers were desperate to get rid of the dragon. They decided that they should try to kill the dragon. But Ari bravely stepped forward, telling the townspeople, “I have watched this dragon closely. I think I have the solution to our problems. Do not kill the golden magic fire-breathing dragon. I have a plan.” And with that, he went to his laboratory and set to work on his plan to save his village.
For two weeks Ari worked day and night on his secret plan. No one was allowed to disturb him, and no one knew what he was doing. The villagers noticed strange smells coming from Ari’s lab, and sometimes they even noticed sparks coming out of the chimney. But still, no one was allowed to disturb Ari while he worked.
Finally, Ari emerged from his laboratory holding a vial filled with a strange potion. He held it out for all the villagers to see. “I have created this potion to give to the golden magic fire-breathing dragon. I am leaving immediately for the dragon’s lair. I will return once the dragon has drunk the potion.”
The villagers were worried. Everyone knew that Ari was the bravest and cleverest of them all, but could he really survive meeting the dragon all by himself? How could a boy, even a brave, clever boy like Ari, fight such a powerful and ferocious beast?
The villagers begged him not to go. But Ari insisted that everything would be fine and that he would not be hurt. Eventually, the villagers realized they could not convince him that this expedition was far too dangerous, and they came to see him off on his adventure.
Ari took the vial containing his secret potion and started toward the mountains. Soon he came to the opening of the cave where the golden magic fire-breathing dragon lived. Bravely, he stepped inside the dark cave.
A voice bellowed out from the deep, dark depths of the cave, “What are you doing here? Get out of my cave before I set you on fire!”
Anyone else would have been terrified and run away. But not Ari. He was as brave as he was clever, and he was determined to save his village.
He took a step farther into the cave. “I have come to help you,” he said. “I have watched you flying over my village and through the countryside. I have seen you set fire to the trees and flowers and to our gardens. We cannot survive if you continue to burn all our food. However, I think I have the solution.”
The dragon was curious, and also nervous. He had never before been this close to a human who did not want to hurt him.
Ari continued, “I have noticed that you sneeze each time you set something on fire. I believe you have allergies. I have made this for you. If you drink it, you will no longer be allergic to the plants and trees and flowers. You will not sneeze and set our gardens on fire. Will you try the potion?”
The golden magic fire-breathing dragon thought for a moment. Then he replied, “I will try your potion on one condition. I have been very lonely living in this cave. Everyone is too afraid of me to be my friend. I have never had a friend before. I will try your potion if you will promise to be my friend and come visit me.”
Ari quickly agreed. A clever boy like himself knew how important it is to be a good friend.
The dragon drank the potion. He waited. Nothing happened.
“Nothing happened,” the dragon said sadly.
“Well, of course not,” Ari replied. “It is the plants that cause your allergies. There are no plants in this cave. We must go outside to see if the potion has worked.”
The dragon had an idea. “Climb on my back. I will fly over your village and give you a ride. It is a wonderful feeling to be able to fly and I would like to share that experience with my new friend.” He crouched down, and Ari climbed on his back.
Ari and the golden magic fire-breathing dragon flew out of the cave and into the bright blue sky. The dragon flew over the trees of the forest. He did not sneeze. He did not set anything on fire.
Ari and the dragon shouted with joy. The potion had worked! The villagers came out of their homes and looked to the sky. They saw the golden magic fire-breathing dragon flying over their village, and they saw Ari riding on his back. At first, they were afraid. But soon they realized that the dragon was not setting anything on fire.
Ari smiled and waved down to them. “It worked!” he called. “You don’t have to be afraid anymore! The dragon won’t set our crops and gardens on fire. He is my friend!” The villagers cheered. The brave and clever Ari had solved the problem and saved the village.
That night they had a huge celebration, and honored Ari for being brave enough to face the dragon, clever enough to realize why the dragon was setting things on fire, and kind enough to become the dragon’s friend.
Ari was happy because he had saved the village. And the dragon was happy because he finally had a friend.
Ari and the golden magic fire-breathing dragon remained the best of friends for the rest of their lives. They had many adventures together.
But that is another story…
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