Breeze in the Bronze Scales
A quiet afternoon began with a secret. Juni stood in her hallway, holding her breath. She had tucked three drawings under her arm, each showing a friendly creature with shimmering bronze scales and bright amber eyes.
With great care, Juni lifted the Glass Bowl from the table. Inside, Fish blew a tiny bubble. She wanted to show him the park, and she wanted to show him her drawings of the bronze dragon.
She stepped outside onto The Front Porch, balancing her treasures. The air smelled of sweet cut grass. She felt very grown-up, carrying her small world out into the big neighborhood all by herself.
Down The Sidewalk she marched, her boots making a steady rhythm. Fish watched the passing trees from his safe glass home. The three drawings fluttered against her side like real, impatient wings.
When she reached The Sunny Park, Juni found the perfect spot under the great oak tree. She spread out her favorite Teal Picnic Blanket. It looked like a patch of bright summer sky on the grass.
She set the Glass Bowl right in the middle of the blanket. Fish swam in a quick, excited loop. Juni began to lay out her Bronze Dragon Drawings, proud to show them to her little swimming companion.
Whoosh. A sudden, mischievous wind swept down from the oak branches. It snatched the papers right from the blanket. Juni gasped as her beautiful bronze dragons soared up into the blue sky.
One drawing sailed over the bushes. Another tumbled toward the path. Juni ran after them, her heart beating fast. She could not let her special dragon pictures fly away forever.
She caught the first drawing near a flowerbed. But the second paper had drifted all the way back toward the houses. It landed softly on a porch, right next to a very sleepy Dog.
Dog let out a long, heavy sigh. He began to turn around, preparing to plop his heavy, furry self right down on top of the paper for a long afternoon nap.
"Wait, please don't step on my dragon!" Juni called out, running up to the porch steps. Dog stopped mid-stretch. He blinked his sleepy eyes and looked down at the bright bronze scales on the paper.
Dog gently picked up the paper with his teeth, holding it by the very edge so he wouldn't tear it. He trotted down the steps, wagging his tail. He wanted to help his friend.
Together, they walked back to the picnic. Juni held her two drawings, and Dog carried the third. The wind had grown quiet, leaving the park peaceful and warm in the late afternoon light.
They reached the Teal Picnic Blanket where Fish was waiting. Juni carefully arranged the three drawings around the Glass Bowl. The bronze scales seemed to glow next to the cool water.
Juni sat down and hugged her knees, feeling a deep, quiet happiness spread through her. She looked at her drawings, then at Fish, and finally at her helpful furry friend.
She patted Dog's soft head and whispered, "Thank you for saving my dragon."
