Dragon Parade Across the Park

Dragon Parade Across the Park

Juni stepped into the park carrying her fish bowl with both hands. Fish circled inside, flashing orange. "Hold steady, Fish," she said. "We are going to the best picnic in the whole wide world." Three dragon drawings were tucked in her elbow.

On the teal blanket, Juni set the bowl down in the middle like a crown. She smoothed out her drawings one by one. Dragon one breathed a little puff of orange. Dragon two wore a hat. Dragon three had the longest, curliest tail of all.

Then a gust swooped across the grass and snatched every dragon. Up they flew, flapping like real wings! "Come back!" cried Juni. Fish swam in a worried loop. The dragons sailed over the trees and away.

Juni scooped up the bowl, slow and careful, so Fish stayed safe. The picnic would wait. Dragons do not wait for anyone. Where the path split in two, one dragon fluttered left and two dragons zoomed right.

Juni stood with her feet planted and her heart thumping. Fish pressed close to the side of the bowl. She had to choose how to catch her dragons, and she had to choose right now.

How does Juni chase the runaway drawings?