Coralville Public Library's Teen Zine
Once There Was a Dragon by Corrie B.
Once there was a majestic dragon named Flame. She was a small dragon, not nearly as big as her brother, Sparks. He was a big, and I mean BIG dragon, twice as tall as any dragon or beast in the land of Arigonia. He was quite proud too, which often got him in trouble, but this story isn’t about Sparks, it’s about Flame.
She was a fine girl, she didn’t break the rules or belch too loud and squirt fire everywhere, and she didn’t eat knights or people. She was perfectly pleasant. She may have been a fine GIRL but she was a hopeless dragon!
One day Sparks stopped by the cave looking worried, “Flame! Are you sick sister? I stopped by your village and nothing was even singed!” Flame sighed, “No brother, I am not sick, I just dislike the idea of pillaging the town. I mean, think of the innocent people we burn each year!” By this time magma was dripping out of Sparks’ nostrils and smoke was emanating from his ears, “You dislike burning your village?! You were given one of the wealthier towns to terrorize and you wish to do something else! I, however, have an excellent burned village. By the way what do you do with your spare time?” he inquired. “I read.” She answered meekly. “Read? You read.” Flame nodded, “It is quite entertaining. You should try it.” Sparks looked intrigued, “I would but, alas! I know not how! That is why we pillage villages. We have nothing else to do.” So he flew off to burn his own town.