The Dragon’s Gift

Lila was a young girl who lived in a small village near the mountains. She loved to explore the woods and the hills, looking for flowers and berries. She was curious and adventurous, always eager to see new things.

One day, she decided to climb the highest peak of the mountain, where no one had ever gone before. She packed a basket with some food and water, and set off early in the morning. She followed a narrow path that wound up the slope, enjoying the fresh air and the scenic views.

She reached the top of the mountain after several hours of walking. She was amazed by what she saw. There was a large cave at the summit, with a dark opening that looked like a mouth. She wondered what was inside.

She approached the cave cautiously, feeling a mix of fear and excitement. She peered into the darkness, hoping to catch a glimpse of something.

She saw nothing.

She decided to enter the cave, thinking it might be a good place to rest and eat. She took out a torch from her basket and lit it with a flint. She held it in front of her and stepped into the cave.

She walked deeper into the cave, marveling at the stalactites and stalagmites that hung from the ceiling and rose from the floor. She saw some bats flying around, squeaking and flapping their wings. She saw some crystals sparkling on the walls, reflecting the light of her torch.

She felt a sudden gust of wind that blew out her torch.

She gasped and dropped the torch on the ground. She was plunged into darkness.

She heard a loud roar that echoed through the cave.

She screamed and ran back to the entrance.

She tripped over something and fell on her face.

She looked up and saw what she had tripped over.

It was a dragon.

A huge dragon with scales of red and gold, horns of black and silver, eyes of green and blue. A dragon with wings of fire and smoke, claws of steel and iron, teeth of bone and stone. A dragon that filled the cave with its presence and power.

The dragon looked down at her and snorted.

Lila was terrified. She thought she was going to die.

She closed her eyes and waited for the end.

But it didn’t come.

Instead, she felt something warm and soft touch her cheek.

She opened her eyes and saw the dragon’s nose nuzzling her gently.

She blinked in disbelief.

The dragon smiled at her and said, “Hello, little one. Don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you.”

Lila was speechless. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

The dragon said, “You’re the first human I’ve ever seen. You’re very brave to come here.”

Lila said, “You… you can talk?”

The dragon said, “Of course I can talk. All dragons can talk. But we don’t usually talk to humans. They’re too noisy and rude.”

Lila said, “But you’re talking to me.”

The dragon said, “Yes, because you’re different. You’re curious and adventurous, like me. You’re not noisy or rude, like them.”

Lila said, “Who are they?”

The dragon said, “The other humans who live in your village. They’re always hunting us and trying to kill us. They think we’re evil and dangerous.”

Lila said, “But you’re not evil or dangerous.”

The dragon said, “No, we’re not. We’re just misunderstood. We don’t want to harm anyone. We just want to live in peace.”

Lila said, “Then why do you live in this cave?”

The dragon said, “Because it’s safe here. No one can find us here. No one except you.”

Lila said, “I’m sorry I disturbed you.”

The dragon said, “Don’t be sorry. I’m glad you came. You’re my friend now.”

Lila smiled and said, “You’re my friend too.”

The dragon said, “What’s your name?”

Lila said, “My name is Lila.”

The dragon said, “My name is Rax.”

They looked at each other and laughed.

They became friends.

They spent the rest of the day talking and playing in the cave. Rax told Lila stories about his kind and their history. Lila told Rax stories about her village and her family. They shared their food and water from their baskets.

They had fun.

They decided to meet again the next day.

And the day after that.

And every day after that.

They met every morning at the top of the mountain, where no one could see them or hear them. They explored the cave and its secrets together. They flew over the woods and the hills together. They watched the sunrise and sunset together.

They were happy.

But not for long.

One day, a group of hunters from the village came to the mountain. They had heard rumors of a dragon living in the cave, and they wanted to kill it. They brought their bows and arrows, their swords and spears, their nets and traps.

They followed the same path that Lila had taken, hoping to find the dragon.

They reached the top of the mountain and saw the cave.

They saw Lila and Rax coming out of the cave.

They saw Lila riding on Rax’s back, laughing and waving.

They were shocked.

They were angry.

They shouted and charged at them.

Lila and Rax heard them and turned around.

They saw the hunters and their weapons.

They were scared.

They tried to escape.

But it was too late.

The hunters shot their arrows and threw their spears at them.

Some of them missed, but some of them hit.

Lila felt a sharp pain in her chest.

She looked down and saw an arrow sticking out of her heart.

She gasped and fell off Rax’s back.

She hit the ground and stopped moving.

Rax felt a sharp pain in his wing.

He looked back and saw a spear piercing through his flesh.

He roared and flapped his wings, trying to fly away.

But he couldn’t.

He was too heavy and too hurt.

He landed on the ground and stopped moving.

The hunters surrounded them and cheered.

They had killed the dragon and the girl who betrayed them.

They had won.

But they had lost.

They had lost their humanity and their compassion. They had lost their chance to learn and grow. They had lost their opportunity to make peace and friendship. They had lost their sense of wonder and joy. They had lost everything that mattered.

They had nothing left.