One day Filka got into a real pickle—or rather, into a large cup of ice cream. This happened right after he had swallowed some stars and had a sore throat for a whole week! Because of this, the little dragon slept poorly at night and wandered about listless and distracted during the day.
So he tumbled right into this ice cream. And got stuck in it up to his neck. He couldn't get out of the sticky, cold cup no matter how hard he tried. So he sat there for half a day in the ice cream. All he could do was wait for help and eat. And cold is a terrible thing for fire-breathing dragons, even little ones!
Well, how was Filka supposed to know he shouldn't eat ice cream? He only ate a bit—half a cup, but the consequences were serious!
No, he didn't catch a cold or get a sore throat, nothing like that. But now he could never become a real fire-breathing dragon! Actually, young dragons can't breathe fire yet, like the grown-ups.
But if you try hard, you can blow smoke and even cheerful red sparks. After the ice cream, Filka completely lost these abilities.
He was terribly upset about his favourite pastime—he couldn't make smoke or sparks anymore. His friend Fedka sympathized with him, Foma felt sorry for Filka too, but there were those who openly made fun of him. Felix never missed an opportunity to tease Filka.
Faya was always lecturing him and trying to send him to the medical centre, and the grown-ups paid no attention at all. There was nothing to do but accept it, but from time to time he still felt very sad.
So one day he was sitting on a branch feeling quietly sad. And he saw something! The park was deserted, with only one person on a distant bench. "Looks like a young one," thought Filka. "Is she crying?"
Indeed, a little girl was crying on the bench. She was sobbing so hard that Filka felt sorry for her. But he didn't dare fly closer.
Wow. A girl, no doubt about it. Listen to her wail.
Said Fedka, who had appeared out of nowhere.
Never seen one so loud. Though there are loads of them around here under the tree.
I've heard louder.
Said Felix, who had flown up after Fedka.
Filka, what are you doing here? Still dreaming about blowing smoke? Or have you just found someone to cry with?
Filka puffed up completely, he was so fed up with this Felix.
How strange they are, humans.
Faya spoke up. She had also settled on their branch.
What huge monsters!
Yeah, definitely huge.
Fedka agreed.
Wish they were small like us. Then maybe I'd even help... well, that one who's crying.
Filka listened and listened and couldn't stand it anymore. He flew straight to the girl. He perched beside this enormous crybaby on the edge of the bench and immediately felt lost. What should he say? How could he comfort her?
So he just stared attentively at the girl. She suddenly fell silent and looked at Filka in fright.
Who... hic... are y-you?
No wonder—cry that hard and you're bound to get the hiccups.
I'm Filya. And you?
I'm Annie. Where did you come from?
The girl replied.
Me? From the dragon tree, that one over there.
And Filka waved towards the house.
Wow! I didn't know anyone lived there. I live in a house, but you can't see it from here, it's far away.
Then why are you sitting here without a babysitter, if your house is far away?
I don't have a babysitter. I was walking in the park with my mum, and she got lost.
Filka saw that things were bad, she was about to start crying again.
Would you like me to give you something?
With these words the dragon grabbed a leaf with a caterpillar from the ground and dragged it to his new friend. She jumped off the bench with a shriek and waved her hands at him.
Okay, okay, no presents needed, I'm not crying anymore!
She sat back down and even smiled a little.
Why don't you show me how you breathe fire instead! Dragons are all fire-breathing, aren't they?
Now it was Filka's turn to look gloomy.
I can't.
He muttered.
Well, never mind then, you might burn the bench.
She reasoned. Suddenly the other young dragons started flying in from all directions. Faya landed with a thump right on Annie's head.
Oh.
The girl was startled. And Felix flew right up to her nose and started demonstratively sniffing her.
What a giant. Though not nearly as scary as she seemed from a distance!
Fedka drawled.
And what long fur she has on her head.
Foma tugged at her light strand of hair.
Ow!
The girl's lips pouted with hurt and her eyes began to glisten again.
Why are you bothering her?
Filka protested. But none of his mates thought of stopping, they loudly discussed the girl, touched her hair, her nose and peered into her ears. She shrank back and started crying again. That's when Filka couldn't stand it for the second time. He got angry and let out a blast!
But not fire—from his throat suddenly burst a real snow flurry. A whole volley of snow hit Felix in the nose, and Fedka and Faya's ears were covered with frost.
Wow, that's amazing!
Fedka rejoiced. All the little dragons flew closer to the surprised Filka and began asking him to repeat the trick.
He happily blew on them again, creating a light stream of snowflakes and cooling everyone's faces.
So that's why you couldn't breathe fire, you're snow-breathing!
Annie figured it out.
Oh, I found my mum. Mum! Bye, Filka!
And the girl ran to her mum. And the happy snow-breathing dragon waved after her.
