Nanny Agrafena was one of the oldest dragon ladies, and it was no coincidence her name started with A. She always wore a huge gray bonnet, old spectacles, and absolutely despised mischief!
And there was plenty of that in the room under the letter F. Sometimes Freddy would burn a hole in his pillowcase with sparks, sometimes Filya would blow snow halfway across the room — and you'd have to sweep up after him.
And when the little dragons scattered from their nanny throughout the park, try finding them then — you could whistle all you wanted, but you wouldn't whistle them back.
So poor Agrafena had to constantly shush the dragonlings and scold them for their hooligan antics. But actually she loved them, and before bed she always told them stories. Magical, unusual 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 part was at the end, when he found his mother.
What's a mother?
Filya suddenly asked. It seemed he'd heard that word somewhere before.
A mother is someone who has children.
Said the nanny.
But we're children too, aren't we?
Faye asked thoughtfully.
Of course.
Then where's our mother?
Freddy asked, sounding hurt.
You don't have a mother. That's enough questions, time for bed.
Agrafena said sternly and turned away with a sigh. When she turned back around, she saw that no one in the dragon nursery was planning to sleep — sad eyes were looking at her from everywhere.
Alright, one green candy each and then sleep.
She decided. Everyone immediately perked up, the sadness vanished. The nanny patiently walked around the room handing out consolation. Only one dragon didn't take a candy. Filya.
Take it, green is your favorite.
Agrafena said coaxingly.
I don't feel like it.
Filya said sadly.
Suit yourself.
Said the nanny and turned off the light. Not even five minutes passed before everyone was snoring away in smoky harmony. But what's this? Suddenly it seemed to get colder. A strange rhythmic tapping sound came from the wooden floor.
The nanny immediately understood what was happening and approached Filya's bed. He was crying icy tears, and already the entire floor around him was covered with snow from his own cold breath.
Sh-h-h-h.
She shushed when he began to wail out loud.
What's wrong now?
I remembered my friend, Annie. She cried so much when her mother got lost. And I've never even seen my mother... Wa-a-a-ah...
Filya wailed.
That's enough, you'll freeze everything here. Come on, get up, let's go.
She beckoned.
Where?
Filya sniffled, spraying the nanny with a portion of wet snow.
You'll see.
The 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. The nanny led Filya almost to the trunk itself.
On this very branch we found you, in the most beautiful seed with a purple sheen.
The nanny smiled at her memory.
You were so small 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 are the fruits of the dragon tree.
So our mother is just an ordinary tree?
Filya said disappointedly.
Why ordinary?
She lovingly touched the bark.
Come closer.
Filya timidly approached and also touched the tree. The bark was rough and coarse, but the dragon suddenly felt an unclear warmth in his dragon palm. Filya grew bolder and hugged the tree, spreading his paws as wide as he possibly could.
The tree rustled its leaves in response and warmed his face, cold from tears.
And Filya smiled. Now he knew — mother was near!
