You are a dragon. A very small dragon, admittedly, but a dragon nonetheless.
You have scales. You have horns. You have wings. You even breathe fire, although your flames are better suited to lighting birthday candles than burning down castles.
So when the enchanted gate to the Woodland Gathering refuses to let you through, you are understandably confused.
DRAGONS ONLY, reads the sign.
Well, obviously.
You approach the gate. It remains firmly shut.
A smaller sign below flashes.
PROOF OF DRAGONHOOD REQUIRED.
You blink and shake your head. Then you spread your wings as wide as they’ll go. You flutter uninspired.
INSUFFICIENT PROOF.
You point to your horns.
GOATS HAVE HORNS.
You swish your tail.
LIZARDS HAVE TAILS.
This is getting ridiculous.
You take a deep breath, puff out your chest, and unleash your most magnificent burst of dragonfire.
Pffft!
A tiny orange flame dances above your snout.
The gate remains unimpressed.
CANDLE FLAME DETECTED.
You stamp your little feet in outrage and a new message appears.
PLEASE PRESENT YOUR OFFICIAL DRAGON CERTIFICATE.
Of course! Your certificate!
Unfortunately, it expired yesterday, but you produce the crumpled parchment anyway.
EXPIRED. PLEASE ALLOW TWO TO FOUR WEEKS FOR RENEWAL.
Two to four WEEKS?!
Your wings droop.
Beyond the gate, you can hear laughter, music, and the cheerful clinking of teacups. You were really looking forward to the accompanying biscuits. With a disappointed sigh, you settle beneath a nearby tree.
Soon something wonderful happens.
A butterfly lands on your nose.
A squirrel offers you an acorn.
And a friendly little robin begins singing from a branch overhead.
Eventually, several dragons notice you and your companions sitting outside. One brings a biscuit. Another brings a blanket. A third arrives carrying an entire teapot.
Before long, there’s a lovely little gathering beneath the tree.
The gate remains closed.
You take a bite of your biscuit, curl your tail around your friends, and smile.
You’re still a dragon. You know it. Everyone else knows it.
And the tea tastes just as wonderful on this side of the gate.
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