The Day We Stole A Dragon

The Day We Stole a Dragon

The trouble began when Oliver discovered a mysterious golden egg sitting in the middle of his grandmother's vegetable garden.

"Well," he announced, poking it with a stick, "either a chicken has been eating gold, or Grandma has finally started investing in unusual poultry."

His best friend, Max, examined the egg suspiciously.

"Don't touch it."

"Why?"

"Because mysterious golden eggs are never a sign of a peaceful afternoon."

Oliver grinned. "You worry too much."

Just then, the egg cracked.

A tiny green dragon popped out, sneezed a puff of purple smoke, and promptly set Oliver's shoelaces on fire.

"Wonderful!" Oliver shouted, hopping around on one foot. "We've adopted a flying barbecue!"

Max grabbed a watering can and extinguished the flames.

The dragon blinked, hiccupped, and swallowed Max's favorite baseball cap.

"I liked that hat," Max complained.

The dragon burped.

A perfectly roasted baseball cap landed on the grass.

"Well, at least it's waterproof now," Oliver observed.

Before either boy could decide what to do, a thunderous voice echoed from behind the garden shed.

"WHO HAS TAKEN MY BABY?"

A gigantic dragon emerged from the woods. Its wings stretched across the sky, its golden eyes blazed, and smoke curled from its nostrils.

Max slowly turned toward Oliver.

"Please tell me you have a plan."

"Of course."

"What is it?"

"Run!"

They grabbed the little dragon and sprinted toward the old forest path. Unfortunately, the baby dragon thought this was a game and began flying in circles above their heads, setting bushes on fire every time it sneezed.

They raced past an abandoned windmill, jumped over a stream, and tumbled into a patch of enormous mushrooms.

Max stood up, covered in leaves.

"I would like to formally complain about this adventure."

Oliver brushed dirt from his jacket. "Noted. Shall we continue?"

Suddenly, the baby dragon began glowing.

A tiny golden crown appeared on its head.

The enormous dragon landed nearby, shaking the ground.

"My apologies," it said, lowering its enormous head. "My son is the prince of the Dragon Kingdom. He escaped because he wanted to explore the human world."

Oliver raised an eyebrow.

"Well, he certainly made an entrance."

The mother dragon looked at the boys.

"You have protected my child. I shall reward you."

Max immediately straightened his shirt.

"Does the reward include money?"

Oliver elbowed him.

"What? I'm just asking the important questions!"

The dragon laughed, sending a warm gust of air through the trees.

"Your reward shall be one wish each."

Oliver thought carefully.

"I wish for the ability to fly!"

Max considered his options.

"I wish for a lifetime supply of pizza."

The dragon nodded.

A moment later, Oliver sprouted magnificent wings. Max received a magical golden pizza box that never emptied.

"Brilliant!" Max exclaimed. "I knew this adventure would eventually become worthwhile."

The boys waved goodbye as the dragons disappeared into the clouds.

But just as they reached home, Oliver noticed something strange.

The golden egg was still sitting in Grandma's garden.

And it was beginning to crack.

Max stared at it.

"Absolutely not."

Oliver smiled.

"Just one more adventure?"

Max sighed, opened his magical pizza box, and took a slice.

"Fine. But this time, we're charging admission."

The End.

Short Story Written By: Tonya R. Bennett