Once upon a time, in a faraway magical land, there lived a big family of little dragons. You might ask, why little dragons and not scary dragons? I call them that affectionately because they were kind and never hurt anyone.
This family had grandmas, grandpas, mums, dads, and six little dragon kids: five boys and one girl.
The girl was called Di. She grew up curious, cheerful, and sociable, a real little whirlwind.
One day the whole family flew off to visit relatives.
Di got caught up gazing at the clouds, daydreaming, and fell behind her family.
She looked down, and there below was a garden with berry bushes and pretty flowers. In the garden, a grown woman and a little boy were picking red berries and putting them into a big bucket.
Di felt like getting to know the boy and tasting these berries. She had never eaten anything like them before: red, growing in small little bunches on a stalk.
Di watched as the woman wandered off somewhere, while the fair-haired boy kept picking berries and dropping them into the bucket. Di swooped down a little lower and hovered in the air right above the boy.
Hello, young man, what's your name? she asked gently, drawing out her words.
Wow, a dragon! shouted the boy. Did you just fly out of a cartoon?
What's your name? Di repeated.
I'm Arthur, but everyone calls me Artie. What's your name?
I'm Di, a little dragon girl.
So where did you come from? Did you pop out of TikTok?
Artie, no, of course not. We dragons live in a magical land.
Ooooh... the boy said, looking puzzled.
What are these berries? I've never seen anything like them.
They're red currants. Nan and I pick them together.
Where did your nan go?
She went to make me a cup of cordial. You know how yummy her cordial is! I'll call her, and she'll bring some for you too, said Artie, and he yelled, Nan! Bring two cups of cordial. We've got visitors!
There are white and pink currants here too, and blackcurrants. Over there! The boy pointed to the side. Help yourself. Nan washed all the berries and gave them a good spray with the hose, so there are no nasty germs or dust on them. Just pick them and pop them in your mouth. Watch how I do it!
Artie deftly plucked a berry and popped it straight into his mouth.
Thanks! Di perched on the edge of the bucket of berries.
And those red berries at the top are raspberries. Be careful, though, because their canes are prickly. But they're sweet, sweet, the five-year-old boy kept chatting enthusiastically.
Then came the sound of Nan's footsteps.
Artie, what were you shouting about?
Nan, we need two cups of cordial.
Why two?
Because a little dragon has come to visit us!
Oh my goodness, have you been watching TikTok again? When did you find the time?
No, honestly! I was picking berries off the bush, and then there was little dragon girl Di! I shared my berries with her and wanted to give her some of your cordial... Di, where are you? Show yourself!
What an imagination! Nan came over and handed Artie a glass of cordial.
Just then Di peeked out from behind the white currant bush.
Hi there! she said cheerfully.
Well, I never! You wouldn't dream up something like this! Nan exclaimed. A little dear of a dragon. How did you end up here with us?
I'm Di. My family and I were flying off to visit relatives, but I fell behind. Then I saw Artie's little blond head and came down to meet him. And you too, of course.
Nan, we're friends now, the boy said seriously.
Yes, we're friends now, Di repeated.
Help yourself to our berries, Di, Nan offered.
Suddenly, an unusual noise came from the sky. All three of them looked up.
That's my family flying in, they've lost track of me. I have to go. It's a shame I couldn't stay longer. Your garden is so interesting!
Take some berries to share with your relatives, Nan suggested.
Here's my little bucket, Nan. Let's put some red currants in it and give them to the dragons. They've never tasted berries like these!
Quickly, put the berries in the bucket, Artie. Here you go, little girl, a treat for the journey. Off you go to your family, they'll be worried!
Di hooked the little plastic bucket in her claws and rose into the sky.
Thank you! Goodbye! they heard their new friend's voice fading into the distance.
Come back and visit us! Artie called out loudly.
Nan and her grandson waved at the dragon for a long time, until it turned into a tiny dot in the sky.
Artie, don't go telling everyone at home about your new friend, Nan winked at the boy. Your mum and dad won't believe us. They'll say we've been out in the sun too long.
