Grandpa turned a page. The room got warmer.
A Very Warm Welcome
Grandpa Arthur opened the book across his knees. Oliver leaned against one shoulder; Poppy settled against the other.
“Once,” Grandpa began in a deep voice, “there was a dragon who lived beside a castle.”
He made the dragon’s greeting so grand that Oliver’s eyes widened. Poppy looked at the picture of smoke curling from its nose.
“Does he need a handkerchief?” she asked.
“A very large one,” Grandpa said. “With a pocket for emergencies.”
He turned the page. The dragon had flown down to the castle gate, where a small cook stood holding a kettle. Grandpa gave the cook a squeaky voice and the castle an even smaller one.
“Welcome,” whispered the castle.
“Can castles talk?” Oliver asked.
“This one can,” Grandpa said. “But only when nobody is looking at the bricks.”
Before the Page Turns
In the story, the cook wanted to make tea for the castle’s visitors. The kitchen fire had gone out, and the dragon offered to help.
Grandpa lowered his voice. “The dragon took a deep breath. The kettle began to shake.”
“Turn it!” Oliver said, reaching for the page. “I want to know what happens.”
Poppy held the other corner. “Will the cook be all right?”
Grandpa looked at her. “Would you like to see the picture first?”
She nodded. He turned the page slowly enough for both children to look. The cook stood beside the kettle, quite safe, while steam rose in a crooked line from its spout.
“The dragon warmed it,” Oliver said.
“But did he burn the tea?” Poppy asked.
“I haven’t read this book before,” Grandpa admitted. “Shall we find out what the author wrote?”
Both children agreed.
The Ending in the Book
Grandpa read the last pages. The dragon had heated the kettle so quickly that the cook had to wait before pouring. While the tea cooled, the visitors thanked the dragon and invited him to stay for a cup of his own.
“That’s the end,” Grandpa said.
Poppy studied the final picture. “He has a very small cup.”
“Perhaps it’s a very large cup,” Oliver said, “and he’s an even larger dragon.”
Grandpa closed the book around one finger. “Would you like to make up another part? We can give the dragon a new problem.”
“Will it be in the book?” Oliver asked.
“No. This part will belong to us.”
Oliver thought for a moment. “He wants a second cup, but the kettle is empty.”
“And he doesn’t want everyone to wait again,” Poppy added.
Grandpa considered. “A serious matter for a dragon with guests.”
One More Voice
Oliver suggested a second kettle. Poppy wanted the dragon to ask the cook how warm the water should be before he breathed on it.
“He can try a tiny puff,” she said.
Grandpa made a tiny puff. The children could barely hear it.
“Was that the dragon?” Oliver asked.
“Or the castle?” Poppy said.
Grandpa tried a louder puff. Poppy held up her hand. “That’s enough. We don’t want the kettle dancing again.”
Together they decided that the cook would pour, the visitors would pass the cups, and the dragon would wait until everyone was ready before warming more water.
Grandpa opened the book again. “One more dragon voice?”
“The castle voice,” the children said.
He leaned close and whispered, “I’ve been upstaged by a building.”
Oliver turned back to the first page. Beside him, Poppy found the dragon’s nose and placed one finger beneath it, ready in case he needed that handkerchief.
Livora Gracely ♥
Leave a Reply