Dragon I, full and content, flew home. He slipped quietly into his room, where his mother, the dragon, was already waiting for him.
And where have you been, you little rascal? We've been searching everywhere for you!
Dragon I sat silently on his bed. He didn't know what to say to his mother. He didn't want to lie, but he was afraid to tell the truth. He became so flustered that his skin changed from purple to bright pink.
I see. If you don't answer me, you'll be punished, said Mom sternly. I'll take away your computer for a week!
I, I, I, I stammered, I heard my little sister's story about the berries, and I wanted to make sure she wasn't lying to us. I flew to visit people, to a kind grandma and a little boy.
What a punishment this is! Mom was outraged. You must never fly from the land of fairy tales to visit people. What if they had hurt you? What if they had locked you in a cage or chained you up? What if they had kept you like a pet? Then you would never have come back to us!
I won't do it again, cried Dragon I, tears rolling down his cheeks, and his skin turned from pink to bright green.
Just then Di flew in through the window.
There you are! Just wait, I'll give you what for! she shouted.
Stop! Mom the dragon held her back. He already realizes what he has done, and he understands that behaving this way toward the family is not acceptable. Isn't that right, I?
Yes, yes, yes, the little dragon sobbed.
So where was he? asked his little sister.
Where, where? I snapped. I flew to the people, to your acquaintance, the kind grandma, and to the boy. She treated me to berries. Only the boy with her was a different one.
A different one? Di was surprised. Do they change their skin color too?
No, grandma called him Oliver. The other boy, Ethan, will come in three days, she said.
Oh... Di drew out the word.
That's enough! I forbid you to fly to people! Remember, long ago, Grandma told me about the time people attacked the dragons, and our relatives were killed.
That was two hundred years ago. Dragons were very, very big back then and not kind either. Why did our uncle dragon kidnap a woman from the human tribe? Did he want to eat her? Di wondered aloud.
After that incident, Mom continued, a wizard turned the enormous dragons into tiny ones. Now we can live in the land of fairy tales and not fly to the cruel people.
But why did he turn us into little dragons? I asked naively.
Why, what do you mean? The magical land is small. If we were as huge as we were a thousand years ago, we simply wouldn't fit here.
The family gathered for dinner. The dragon mother told them about little I's adventures. After thinking it over, the parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents decided to fly to the people after all, so they could see with their own eyes what their children had described.
Early on Sunday morning, Grandma and Grandpa went out to the vegetable garden. It was August, the currants on the bushes were ripe, and they needed to be picked for sale.
You pick the red currants, and I'll start on the white ones, there are many more of them, said Grandpa.
We have to hurry, or the buyers will arrive by ten in the morning, and they say it's going to be a hot day, Grandma agreed.
They sat down on little stools beside the bushes laden with berries and got to work. Suddenly, a strange buzzing sound could be heard.
Do you hear that hum? Or is it just ringing in my head? Grandpa asked.
No, Grandma replied, I don't hear anything.
It must be my blood pressure, the man said, looking embarrassed.
The barometer is normal today. Why would your blood pressure suddenly go up? Grandma was surprised. Go inside, check it, and take your pill.
Grandpa got up with a groan and shuffled toward the house. Grandma kept picking currants. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a crowd of tiny dragons appeared right in front of her eyes. A whole swarm!
The woman was stunned. If she hadn't known about the tiny dragons, she might have fainted from the surprise.
Well, what do we have here! she exclaimed.
We've flown over to visit you! I and Di shouted in unison. Where are your boys?
Well, it's Sunday today, they're at home, Grandma answered quietly. She didn't know how to behave with these unexpected guests.
We flew here to see how you live, said the adult dragons.
We live pretty well. We're just picking berries, Grandma said, flustered.
We really wanted to chat with the boys, the children said, disappointed.
They're not here, Grandma sighed. So what can I offer you? Help me pick the berries. And eat some yourselves. I rinsed the bush with water. There are so many of you...
The dragon family swarmed around the red currant bush and began eating the berries.
The children say that people are kind and hospitable. Is that true? asked Mom the dragon.
Some are, some aren't. I suppose you dragons are different too...
We've had our fill, someone in the family shouted.
Since you're full, help me strip all the berries and put them in the bucket, ordered Dad dragon.
Before Grandma's eyes, a swarm of what looked like little dragonflies began to flutter and buzz.
I suggest you take the bucket of berries home with you. It will be my gift, Grandma smiled.
Thank you, but we won't take the berries. We all flew here and have already eaten, Mom the dragon replied. We'll help you and then fly back.
Footsteps could be heard.
My husband is coming back!
The dragons hid among the currant bushes.
I checked my blood pressure. It's normal. I can't figure it out, was there ringing in my ears?
Go back in and bring me some water, Grandma said with a sly look.
Grandpa turned around and shuffled back into the house, muttering to himself.
My husband will be back soon. I don't want him to see you, the hostess said timidly.
Is he a mean person? Could he hurt us? the dragons asked, one question after another.
No, no, not at all! I'm just afraid he'll faint if he sees you. He has no imagination, he's very serious. He doesn't read fairy tales and doesn't believe in miracles.
All right. We've stripped all the berries from the bush and helped you. Thank you for your hospitality and for the treats! the dragons shouted, and instantly soared up into the sky.
Grandma lifted her head, looked up at the sky, and waved to them!
What did you see up there? the man asked, coming closer. You're waving your arms about.
Just some gnats, Grandma said with a smile.
Wow! You finished the bush so quickly! You picked a full bucket of berries.
It's you who took so long walking back and forth.
But you sent me yourself: first check my blood pressure, then bring her water...
Stop grumbling. Carry the full bucket to the gate and bring back the empty one.
The dragons returned to their magical land and continue living there just as they always have. They often remember their journey to the people, recall the taste of the currant berries, and smack their little tongues contentedly.
In time, they will want to see the people again and will fly over to visit them.
