Nanny Agrafena was one of the oldest dragon ladies, and it was no coincidence her name began with A. She always wore a huge grey bonnet, old spectacles and absolutely detested 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, other times Filka would blow snow across half the room — and you'd have 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'd never find them all.
So poor Agrafena had to constantly shush the little dragons and tell them off for their hooligan antics. But really, she loved them, and before bedtime 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 tale. There was something in it about a mysterious creature called a baby mammoth and his adventures, but the most interesting bit was at the end, when he found his mum.
What's a mum?
Filka suddenly asked. He seemed to have 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.
Then where's our mum?
Fedka asked, sounding hurt.
You haven't got a mum. That's enough questions, time for bed.
Agrafena said sternly and turned away with a sigh. When she turned back round, she saw that nobody in the dragon nursery was planning to sleep — sad eyes were looking at her from everywhere.
All right, one green sweet each and then sleep.
She decided. Everyone immediately perked up, their sadness vanishing in an instant. Nanny patiently walked around the room handing out consolation. Only one dragon didn't take a sweet. Filka.
Take it, green is your favourite.
Agrafena said coaxingly.
I don't fancy it.
Filka said sadly.
Suit yourself.
Nanny said and turned off the light. Not five minutes had passed before everyone was snoring away in smoky harmony. But what was that? Suddenly it seemed to grow colder. A strange rhythmic tapping could be heard on the wooden floor.
Nanny immediately cottoned on to what was happening and went over to Filka's bed. He was crying icy tears, and already the entire floor around him was covered in snow from his own cold breath.
Sh-sh-sh-sh.
She shushed him when he began to wail loudly.
Now what's the matter?
I remembered my friend, Anya. She cried so much when her mum got lost. And I've never even seen my mum... Wa-a-a-ah...
Filka sobbed.
Now that's enough, you'll freeze everything in here. Come on, get up, let's go.
She beckoned.
Where?
Filka sniffled, showering Nanny with a blast 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 continued on foot. Nanny led Filka right up to the trunk itself.
It was on this very branch that we found you, in the most beautiful seed with a purple sheen.
Nanny smiled at the memory.
You were so tiny and wrinkled, but so sweet and ever so 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 disappointedly.
Why ordinary?
She touched the bark lovingly.
Come closer.
Filka 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. Filka 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 Filka smiled. Now he knew — Mum was close by!
