Once upon a time, Filka got into a right pickle—or rather, into a large tub of ice cream. This happened just after he'd 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 straight into this ice cream. And got stuck in it up to his neck. He couldn't get out of the sticky, cold tub at all. So he sat there for half the day in the ice cream. All he could do was wait for help and eat. And cold is a dreadful thing for fire-breathing dragons, even little ones!
Well, how was Filka to know that he shouldn't eat ice cream? He'd only eaten a tiny bit—half a tub, but the consequences were severe!
No, he didn't catch a cold or get tonsillitis, nothing like that. But now he could never become a proper fire-breathing dragon! Actually, young dragons can't breathe fire yet, like the grown-ups.
But if you try hard, you can puff out 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 manage any smoke or sparks at all. His friend Fedka sympathised with him, Foma felt sorry for Filka too, but there were those who openly mocked him. Felix never missed an opportunity to tease Filka.
Faya was forever lecturing him and trying to send him to the medical room, whilst the grown-ups paid no attention at all. There was nothing to do but accept it, though from time to time he still felt very sad.
So one day he was sitting on a branch quietly feeling glum. And he spotted something! The park was deserted, with only one person on a distant bench. "Looks like a young one," thought Filka. "Crying, perhaps?"
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.
Blimey. A girl, no doubt about it. Listen to her wailing.
Said Fedka, appearing out of nowhere.
Never seen one so loud. Though there are loads of them like that under the tree.
I've heard louder.
Said Felix, who'd flown up after Fedka.
Filka, what are you doing here? Still dreaming of breathing smoke? Or have you just found someone to cry with?
Filka puffed up indignantly—he was so fed up with this Felix.
How strange they are, humans.
Faya spoke up. She'd also perched on their branch.
What enormous monsters!
Yes, absolutely massive.
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 bear it any longer. 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 simply stared attentively at the girl. She suddenly fell silent and looked at Filka in fright.
Who... hic... who are y-you?
Understandable really—cry that much 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.
Cor! 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 your nanny, if your house is far away?
I haven't got a nanny. I was walking in the park with my mum, and she got lost.
Filka saw that things were bad—she'd start crying again any moment.
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 acquaintance. She jumped off the bench with a shriek and waved her hands at him.
Alright, alright, no presents needed, I'm not crying anymore!
She sat back down and even smiled a little.
Show me how you breathe fire instead! Dragons are all fire-breathing, aren't they?
Now it was Filka's turn to look glum.
I can't.
He muttered.
Well, never mind then, you might set fire to the bench.
She reasoned. Suddenly the other young dragons began flying towards them 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 began ostentatiously 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 fair 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 bear 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 on the nose, whilst Fedka and Faya's ears became covered in frost.
Wow, that's brilliant!
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 flurry of snowflakes and cooling everyone's faces.
So that's why you couldn't breathe fire—you're snow-breathing!
Annie realised.
Oh, I've found my mum. Mum! Bye, Filka!
And the girl ran to her mum. And the pleased snow-breathing dragon waved after her.
