Baby Dragon by Arisa
My favorite story that my parents told me when I was young was about the Legendary King Dragon. He protected the treasure in the tall tower in the Emerald Kingdom, far from the knights. In a battle with the knights, he used his fire to attack and won victory. With his persuasion, the knights agreed to keep peace... I don't know the rest of the story, but I bet they lived happily ever after...
I may be the dragon prince here, but...
My parent dragons died when I was small. My uncle dragon has helped me since, but I can't help back. Though I am a prince, I can't fly or breathe fire to protect the treasure in the tall tower. Other dragons make fun of me, calling me useless.
I am always lonely, unlike the Legendary King Dragon; oh, I wish I could be like him.
My eyes slowly open because of the light that is pouring out from the little hole in the wall. I rub my eyes and take a look around. "Just as I thought, I'm still at my uncle's place." I think. "And I'm going to stay here the whole day... again." I don't want to go outside. I know what I would have to encounter if I go out: the other dragons will laugh at me for my big, long, and useless tail, waiting for me to roar back (though they know I can't breathe fire due to my dry throat.)
Instead of being picked on, I'd rather stay here. "Though I am the prince here, I cannot fulfill my duty to protect the treasure," I think. I looked up from the high window to where the tall tower is; this is where the treasure is, and where I'm supposed to be instead of those tough-looking dragons up there. Well, who cares? They don't need me, and have enough dragons to replace my spot.
I walked back to my comfty pile of straw and lie down. "This is the place for me." I mumble, and before I know it, I fall into a deep sleep. Suddenly, I wake up to the rusty smell. When I open my eyes to take a look, I found out what it is: The whole town is wrapped in fire; fire roar out from the windows, and I see everything run outside to the tower, shouting: "The knights have come!"
Quickly I jump from the straw pile and burst out of the door before the fire can reach me. I hear the noises of the horses galloping this way. "I don't want to fight; I'd be no match for them alone..." I think. Instead, I run to where everyone else is heading. When I get under the tower, I quickly hide in the bushes. There, I see many dragons lying on the ground, but some still fighting from up in the sky. "They're protecting the treasure..." I say to myself. "Everyone's oging to the main top of the tower. I must go too. Besides, what can I do alone?" So I run through the long stairs leading up to the top and think, "It's weird that they have stairs for a dragon's tower... at least they're helpful."
By the time I reached the top, I see no one that remain standing. Everyone lies flat on the surface of the rocky floortop. I felt big shock. The only thing I hear in the dead silence is the only blow of the wind. With worry for the treasure, I run to where the treasure box is. There, I see one man in silver amor holding a big sword. The lights of the fire around light his face; though he is alone, he looks very tall and mighty, like the Legendary Dragon.
Breaking the dead silence, the man says to me: "You, with those green eyes... You must be the Emerald Dragon guarding the treasure." I paused for a moment. "Guarding? Well, I'm not a useful prince at all," I think in my heart. But I cannot say that... I cannot give up, for the dragons who fought, for myself, for my kingdom. "Yes, as you said, I am the guardian of this treasure. I am not strong, but still little. I cannot breathe fire, fly, or do anything a mighty dragon does. But I shall defend it, man, and I will do what I can for my kingdom."
The man's face suddenly lit up, looking directly into my eyes. "You, the little one, are mighty in heart. I cannot give upon this treasure." he slowly holds up the small box in his hand and turns it to the outside of the tower. "But, I will give you a chance. I will drop this box out of this window. If you catch it, it shall be yours." This was a challenge for me, who cannot fly. But stlil, I answer, "then I shall catch it."
The man's hand lets the treasure loose, and the box starts to fall. I dash to the end of the tower... My tail swings in midair as my wings open wide, the fire that remains blows out from the swing. There, on the edge of the wall, I grip my tail around the box.
This is how I saved the treasure. I no longer feel lonely, but have courage in my heart.
Legend says that heros are big, mighty, and strong. However, this is not what is most important to heros, but courage strong enough to run out with broken wings, to protect one's kingdom. My heart is no long lonely, for I have courage and pride with me now. Peace has come back in the dragon hero who was once without flame or flight.