THE
LONELY DRAGON By Amanda J Rees
High
in the sky on a far away cloud was the kingdom of Tashra, the winters
were cold and the summers were hot and all because of a dragon called
Pyro. It was his job to see that the sun was lit at the right time
of the year and that when he hibernated for the winter the sun was
put out. It was a very important job, because if he did not light
the sun with his flaming breath, the farmers in the kingdom could
not grow crops and the people would go hungry and just as important
if he did not let the sun go out in winter time, which allowed the
snow to fall, then Father Christmas could not drive his sleigh to
deliver the children's presents.
Over
the years Pyro did his job well. The people of the Kingdom were very
happy. Pyro would help the children cook their toast for breakfast
and he would warm their bath water at night. But sadly Pyro was not
happy, he felt lonely and longed for a chance to meet another dragon.
Someone he could talk to and play with on the long summer days. When
it came close to winter and time to hibernate, Pyro spoke to his best
friend Tarrin. "WhatÕs wrong Pyro?" Tarrin asked. "IÕm lonely Tarrin"
Pyro sadly told his little friend. "I need another dragon to play
with and to talk to", Tarrin thought long and hard, "I know!" Tarrin
said excitedly. "While you are sleeping, I will find you a dragon",
"would you do that for me?" Pyro asked. "Of course, I would do anything
for you Pyro" Tarrin replied, "when I find a dragon I will wake you
in springtime". Pyro settled himself in his cave and prepared for
his long winter sleep. He found it hard to settle, as the excitement
of having a new friend to play with in the summer was almost too much.
During
the winter months Tarrin searched and searched, but dragons are very
hard to find. The month of May had arrived and Tarrin still had not
found a dragon, so Pyro stayed asleep. The summer months were nearly
over, Tarrin knew he had to wake Pyro. The farmers were worried as
the crops in the field were dying. Tarrin worriedly approached the
cave, knowing that he had to wake his friend without news of finding
another dragon for Pyro to play with. Tarrin gently touched his big
friendÕs ears, trying to wake him slowly. "Hello Tarrin" Pyro said
sleepily with his eyes half open. "Is it springtime?" "No", said Tarrin
"itÕs almost autumn and I have some bad news. I have searched for
almost a year and I could not find another dragon, I am so sorry Pyro,
I did try". Pyro got to his feet and said "my dearest friend, I have
realised that I donÕt need another friend to make me happy, as I have
you and all the other people of this great Kingdom". Tarrin and Pyro
walked out of the cave. Pyro quickly lit the sun and the farmers worked
harder than ever bringing in the crops ready for winter. The Kingdom
had a very hot autumn that year and winter came a little late. Pyro
played with Tarrin and the other children; he realised that the best
friend he had in Tarrin was all he ever needed.
| all illustrations by Max Buckland |
