by W.R. Hillis

Once upon a time a little boy named James and his sister Raven went on holidays to their uncles farm in a far‑off land. Having met them at the train station Uncle Bob was driving them home. On the way up the lane , they passed a big flat rock on which there was a circle of small stones. Standing straight up on end was a big round boulder. " That's called the` Dragons Nest."

said Uncle Bob." And that stone in the middle is a real DRAGON’S EGG." The children were still staring at the rocks in round‑eyed amazement as the truck squealed to a stop in front of a small cottage‑style farm house.

While Uncle Bob picked the suitcases from the back of the truck, the front door burst open, and there stood the roundest, jolliest woman they 'd ever seen. Laughing and bustling she descended on the children like a small tornado declaring, "I'm your Aunt Jean. Come give me a kiss and hug then we'll get you something to eat." James wondered how his arms would ever go around this friendly lady, but little Raven marched right up and put her tiny arms around Aunt Jean's neck and kissed her on the cheek." I'm Raven and this is James. He doesn't like to be called Jamie either." she whispered. " I see". said Aunt Jean holding out her hand, which James shook very manly.

Uncle Bob led the way through the door setting the luggage to one side, the children were open‑mouthed at the sight of so much food. There piled high on a huge table were cakes, cookies, pies and pastries of every kind. Joking Uncle Bob said,"By the time they eat all this food these children will be as big as you!" Blushing furiously, while lifting Raven to a chair she replied,"Oh peshaw! This is just a snack 'till supper time, besides it's our job to spoil them while they're here." Uncle Bob just grinned and winked as he bit into a huge piece of chocolate cake.

With stomachs to the bursting point, Aunt Jean showed them to their room and suggested they have a nap. It didn't take long for the sandman to come. With all the traveling and full bellies, the children were soon fast asleep, dreaming of what tomorrow would bring. They never even woke up for supper.

Morning broke, and the children were anxious to explore their surroundings. Noisily thumping down the stairs they were greeted by Aunt Jean, "Good morning sleepy heads. I thought you'd never get up. Your Uncle Bob's been in the fields three hours past. Now come and eat."

Breakfast over, the children dashed outside. Visiting all the animals, they were mooed at by the cows, snorted at by a mother pig and bleated at by the many sheep kept in a coral next to the barn.

While trying to catch some baby chicks, they caught the eye of the bad‑tempered rooster. Although he didn't hurt them , it kept the children in a corner by mock attacks. Swatted at by a swinging broom, Aunt Jean rescued them. As the puffed‑out tyrant retreated to the roof of the chicken coop, crowing his victory to all who'd listen, they went for dinner.

Lunch under his belt , James announced his intentions of looking for dragon tracks at the `nest'. Accompanied by Raven, he struck out down the lane shouting back. "I'll look after Raven and defend the farm from any old dragon that might come by!" Aunt Jean just smiled and waved as she went about her housework.

Uncle Bob came by in the late afternoon with old ` Nell ' the work horse. Lifting the children up for a ride home , he listened as they recounted their many adventures. With exclamations of "Wow!" and "You don't say!" at the right times , he stopped `Nell' in front of the house. Letting them off and saying he'd be in as soon as chores were done, he chuckled all the way to the barn. Aunt Jean made them wash up for supper, after which they helped clear the table. Sitting in the living room around the fireplace, they listened to Uncle Bob's boy hood tales until bedtime.

During the night, a fierce thunderstorm came up. One particular lightning bolt hit so close, that Raven's yelp of surprise was drowned out, and the little farmhouse shook on its foundations. Uncle Bob opened their door and suggested they hop into bed with him and Aunt Jean. Listening to the retreating thunder, the children drifted off to sleep in the comfort of adults. In the morning they went with Uncle Bob to check for any damage done by last nights storm. After finding the animals and barns none the worse for wear, he looked down the lane.

"Holy Cow!' Uncle Bob exclaimed, "The Dragon's Egg has hatched!" Quick to see what had happened, the three of them headed down the lane, with James setting a breakneck pace.

First to reach the `nest' James stared in awe, for the lightning had split the egg right down the middle, leaving two hollow halves! While James poked a stick into the bottom of the halves, Uncle Bob remarked, "They'd make nice food bins or water basins for the cows but more'n likely end up flower pots for Aunt Jean's petunias."

No one noticed little Raven following some squiggly lines in the mud over the edge of the big flat rock. And there curled up under a wild rose bush, was a cute little baby dragon! As she bent to touch it, the baby mewed like a newborn kitten. She patted its head, spoke to it tenderly and pretty soon it stood beside her, rubbing its head on her like a cat at feeding time. Then it began to purr, softly at first, than louder, like the rumble of a big truck. Hearing the noise, Uncle Bob and James turned around at the same time and were greeted with an earsplitting "Yoowwll!" " Shush!" quieted Raven ,than to her uncle she asked, "I found it. Can I keep it?" "I guess so." came the astonished reply.

So hand in paw the little girl led the baby dragon up the lane to show Aunt Jean her new found friend. With James cussing his luck for not finding it first, and Uncle Bob wondering if Aunt Jean would ever speak to him again for letting Raven keep it

Upon entering the yard Raven shouted "Quick! Come see what I found!" Aunt Jean came running out the front door wiping her hands on her apron. "Ohmigosh!" popped out her wide open mouth, and then she sat down heavily on the top step. Every time she looked at the dragon and then at Uncle Bob, all that came out was "Ohmigosh!" Finally Raven spoke, "This is my new friend `Goldy'. And Uncle Bob said I could keep it." "Stammering I didn't know what else to do. Besides, you said it our job to spoil them." defended Uncle Bob.

Staring at the dragon standing beside her niece, Aunt Jean began to take stock. It was as tall as Raven, a comical cat face that was covered with golden fur to the shoulders , monkey-type hands and feet. Gold scales covered its body and legs. As if on cue, it turned to display a set of blue-gold feathery wings, and a magnificent tail that ended in a harpoon shaped tip. It was the most amazing creature she'd ever set eyes on. Pinching her thigh in disbelief and yelping after, she demanded "What'll we feed it?" "I know a certain rooster that might do the trick." volunteered James. And at that they all burst into laughter.

The following days were filled with fun and frolic as only young children and a rapidly growing dragon can know. But all good things must come to an end. The afternoon before the children were to leave for home, they took Goldy for one last picnic up on the cliff that overlooked the whole farm. Sadly sitting around munching on Goldy's favorite food, apples, the beautiful scenery did nothing to lift their spirits.

Suddenly, they heard a noise, like big truck coming. It was, and it stopped on the other side of some trees. Raven, James and Goldy hid under some bushes and watched, as two men dressed in black, with masks over their faces, unloaded a large net from the back of the truck. One man said,"We'll sell this dragon to a circus or a zoo and then we're going to be rich!" The other man laughed, then said,"Shhh! You don't want to warn them that we're coming." The children knew they had to get away, but the men had split up and they were trapped on the edge of the cliff.

As the bad men closed in certain of capture , Goldy did the most amazing thing. Standing as tall and looking as fierce as a friendly dragon could , it tried to blow fire. But being a youngster, nothing came out, except thick black smoke. However this blinded the would be dragon‑nappers and allowed Raven and James to climb on Goldy's neck. With a couple wing flaps, Goldy stepped off the cliff. James covered his eyes, but Raven just shouted." I knew it! I just knew you could fly!" Goldy aimed for the tiny farmhouse below.

Hearing the whooshing noise of wings, Uncle Bob and Aunt Jean rushed out just in time to see them land. After telling them what happened, Uncle Bob said sadly, "You know there will always be bad people around who would try to steal Goldy. I think Goldy has to go to be with other dragons. Don't you agree?" The children nodded their heads yes, and a tearful Raven hugged her best friend's neck. Kissing it on the cheek she whispered, " Go Goldy. Go to be safe with your own kind." Goldy stared at everyone with yellow cat‑like eyes, than nodded understandingly. With a flapping of wings ,up and up, then circling the house three times it flew off into the moon.

About a month later when the children were back home and life was returning to normal ,James said to his sister." We never knew if Goldy was a boy or girl dragon." " A girl dragon." answered Raven. "Come with me and I'll prove it."

James followed Raven up the hill behind their house to a high spot surrounded by large trees. Looking down his sister's pointing finger he saw a small circle of stones with a big round rock in the middle. But that's another story.

THE END

by W.R. HILLIS for grandaughter Raven.