Breeze and the Green Dragon
Juni held the glass bowl with both hands, walking with slow, careful steps. Inside, Fish swam in neat circles. Under her arm, she carried three special drawings of a green dragon with wings. Today was the perfect day for an outdoor feast.
The Sunny Park was bright and smelled of sweet clover. Juni laid her checkered blanket beneath the great oak tree. She set Fish right in the center so he could see the sky. 'We have a guest coming,' she whispered to him.
She lined up her three drawings on the grass. The green dragon in the pictures had a very long tail and friendly eyes. 'He is a flying dragon,' Juni explained, pointing to the paper. Fish watched from his bowl, blowing a tiny bubble.
Whoosh! A sudden, playful wind swept through the park. It snatched the first drawing, lifting it high like a kite. Juni reached out, but the paper danced away, spinning over the bushes. 'Oh no!' she cried, watching it go.
The wind was not finished. It grabbed the second drawing and whisked it toward the street. Juni held her last picture tight against her tummy. She looked at Fish. 'Stay right here,' she said. 'I have to save the dragon.'
Juni ran down the sidewalk, her shoes pattering against the concrete. She saw the first drawing land near a cozy house. It drifted onto the wooden steps of The Front Porch, right where a large, fluffy dog was sleeping.
Dog was having a wonderful morning nap. He turned over, his heavy paws stretching out. The flying paper slid right under his soft belly. Juni stopped at the bottom of the steps, holding her breath so she would not wake him.
Juni crept up the steps. She reached out a hand, her fingers almost touching the edge of the paper. But Dog opened one sleepy eye. He looked at Juni, then he looked down at the green dragon drawing beneath him.
Dog stood up and shook his fur. He gave a soft, friendly woof. He picked up the drawing gently with his teeth, making sure not to tear the paper. He wagged his tail, offering the picture back to Juni.
Juni smiled and took the paper. 'Thank you, Dog,' she said softly. But then she remembered the other drawing. She looked up at the sky. The second picture was caught in the branches of a nearby hedge, fluttering in the wind.
Dog trotted over to the hedge. He was tall and strong. He reached up, his nose nudging the leaves until the paper wiggled free. It fell right into Juni's waiting hands. Now she had all three drawings safe and sound.
Juni hugged the papers. 'You are a very good helper,' she told Dog. Dog gave her hand a gentle lick. Together, they walked back to the park, side by side, making sure the papers did not fly away again.
They returned to the checkered blanket. Fish was waiting, swimming happily in his bowl. Juni sat down and spread the drawings out again. This time, she placed a smooth, heavy stone on top of each paper to keep them still.
Dog curled up on the edge of the blanket, letting out a soft sigh. Juni shared her picnic snacks, feeling warm and happy. The green dragon in the drawings looked like he was smiling at his three real-world friends.
As the sun began to warm the grass, Juni looked at the sky and wondered. If her drawn dragon really had wings, where would he fly on a windy day like this?
