Nanny Agatha was one of the oldest dragon ladies, and not for nothing did her name begin with A. She always wore a huge grey bonnet, old spectacles, and absolutely couldn't stand any mischief!
And there was plenty of that in the room under the letter P. Sometimes Freddy would burn a hole in the doona cover with his sparks, other times Philly would blow snow halfway across the room — and someone had to sweep up after him.
And when the little dragons scattered from their nanny across the park, you could search high and low for them, but you wouldn't find them.
So poor Agatha had to constantly shush the dragonlings and tell them off for their larrikin antics. But truth be told, she loved them, and before bed she always told them stories. Magical, extraordinary ones.
Those stories made all the scolding and shushing worthwhile. One evening before bed, Nanny told a new story. It was about a mysterious creature called a mammoth calf and his adventures, but the most interesting bit was at the end, when he found his mum.
What's a mum?
Philly suddenly asked. He reckoned he'd heard that word somewhere before.
A mum is someone who has children.
Nanny said.
But we're children too, aren't we?
Faye asked thoughtfully.
Of course you are.
So where's our mum then?
Freddy asked, sounding hurt.
You don't have a mum. That's enough questions, time for bed.
Agatha said sternly and turned away with a sigh. When she turned back around, she saw that nobody in the dragon nursery was planning to sleep — sad eyes were looking at her from everywhere.
Alright, one green lolly each and then sleep.
She decided. Everyone perked up immediately, the sadness vanished in an instant. Nanny patiently walked around the room handing out comfort. Only one dragon didn't take a lolly. Philly.
Go on, take it — green's your favourite.
Agatha said coaxingly.
I don't really feel like it.
Philly said sadly.
Suit yourself then.
Nanny said and turned off the light. Not even five minutes passed before everyone was snoring away smokily. But what's this? Suddenly it seemed to get colder. A strange rhythmic tapping sound came from the wooden floor.
Nanny cottoned on straight away to what was happening and went over to Philly's bed. He was crying icy tears, and already the whole floor around him was covered in snow from his own cold breath.
Sh-sh-sh-sh.
She shushed him when he started bawling out loud.
What's wrong now?
I remembered my friend Annie. She cried so much when her mum got lost. And I've never even seen my mum... Waaah...
Philly wailed.
Right, that's enough, you'll freeze everything in here. Come on, up you get, let's go.
She beckoned.
Where?
Philly sniffled, blasting Nanny with a dose of wet snow.
You'll see.
Nanny opened the bedroom door.
Follow me!
And the dragon obediently fluttered after old Agatha into the night sky. They flew almost to the very top of the dragon tree. They landed on one branch and walked on foot. Nanny led Philly right up to the trunk.
On this very branch we found you, in the most beautiful seed with a purple shimmer.
Nanny smiled at the memory.
You were so tiny and wrinkled, but so sweet and very hot! You smoked like a steam train!
So I was born on a tree?
Yes, just like all of us. We're the fruit of the dragon tree.
So our mum is just an ordinary tree?
Philly said disappointedly.
Why ordinary?
She lovingly touched the bark.
Come here.
Philly timidly approached and also touched the tree. The bark was rough and coarse, but the dragon suddenly felt a vague warmth in his dragon paw. Philly plucked up courage and hugged the tree, spreading his arms as wide as he possibly could.
The tree rustled its leaves in response and warmed his face, cold from tears.
And Philly smiled. Now he knew — Mum was right there!
