Nanny Agrafena was one of the oldest dragon ladies, and it was no accident her name started with A. She always wore a huge grey bonnet, old spectacles, and absolutely hated mischief!
And there was plenty of that in the room under the letter F. Sometimes Fedka would burn a hole in the duvet cover with his sparks, sometimes Filka would blow snow all over half the room — and you'd have to sweep up after him.
And when the dragonlings scattered from their nanny around the park, try finding them then — you could whistle all you liked, but you wouldn't get them back.
So poor Agrafena had to constantly shush the dragonlings and scold them for their hooligan antics. But really, she loved them, and before bed she always told them stories. Magical, extraordinary ones.
For those stories, you could endure all the scolding and shushing. One evening before bed, Nanny told a new story. There was something in it about a mysterious creature called a mammoth calf and his adventures, but the most interesting part was at the end, when he found his mum.
What's a mum?
Filka suddenly asked. He thought he'd heard that word somewhere before.
A mum is someone who has children.
Nanny said.
But we're children too, aren't we?
Faya asked thoughtfully.
Of course you are.
Then where's our mum?
Fedka said, sounding hurt.
You don't have a mum. That's enough questions, time for bed.
Agrafena 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 sweet each and then sleep.
She decided. Everyone perked up immediately, their sadness vanished. Nanny patiently walked around the room handing out comfort. Only one dragon didn't take a sweet. Filka.
Take it, green is your favourite.
Agrafena said coaxingly.
I don't feel like it.
Filka said sadly.
Suit yourself.
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 immediately understood what was happening and went over to Filka's bed. He was crying icy tears, and the whole floor around him was already covered in snow from his own cold breath.
Sh-sh-sh-sh.
She shushed when he started wailing 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... Wa-a-a-ah...
Filka wailed.
Now that's enough, you'll freeze everything in here. Come on, get up, let's go.
She beckoned.
Where?
Filka 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 Agrafena 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 Filka right up to the trunk.
On this very branch we found you, in the most beautiful seed with a purple sheen.
Nanny smiled at her memory.
You were so tiny and wrinkled, but so sweet and very hot! You smoked like a steam engine!
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?
Filka said, disappointed.
Why ordinary?
She lovingly touched the bark.
Come closer.
Filka timidly approached and also touched the tree. The bark was rough and coarse, but the dragon suddenly felt an unclear warmth in his dragon paw. Filka grew bolder 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 Filka smiled. Now he knew — Mum was right here!
