Haseena looked out of the window. Somebody was crying. “Boo-hoo-hoo!”
It was Dino the dragon. Tears rolled down his face. There were pools at his feet.
“What is the matter, Dino?” Haseena had never seen a dragon cry.
“Mingaling has locked my nose with his magic. I cannot snort smoke and sparks,” sniffed Dino, “All the dragons are laughing at me. Boo-hoo-hoo!”
“Don’t cry, Dino.” Haseena climbed out of the window. She wiped his tears.
She called all the friends.” We have to help Dino,” she said. Everyone sat on the grass and thought hard.
Venkat sat up, “Shall I get hot coals from Mom’s oven?”
“Coals will burn your hands.” Tariq shook his head .
They thought and thought and thought.
Then Vish jumped up. “Of course! Grandfather’s pipes! Light them. Put them in Dino’s nose.”
“You are clever, Vish!” Abha laughed. “And I will get the lighter from Mom’s kitchen.”
The friends put two lighted pipes into Dino’s nose.
Dino tried snorting.
Sparks flew!
Smoke puffed out!
Dino grinned.“Come on. Everyone take a ride on me.”
Everyone scrambled up Dino’s back.
Just then they heard a roar! “Who dares to help Dino?”
Haseena looked down. An ugly wicked Mingaling stomped his feet! Dino tried to hide his smoking nose with his long tail.
Haseena had an idea. She whispered it to Vish. He whispered it to in Tariq. Each friend whispered it to the other. They nodded at Haseena.
“Jump!” ordered Haseena. Everyone jumped on Mingaling.
“Tickle!” shouted Abha. Everyone tickled Mingaling.
“Ha-ha-ho-ho!” screamed Mingaling, “Leave me! Let me go! Get off me!”
“Only when you take your magic away and unlock Dino’s nose.”
“Alright! Rooky-pooky-poo! Unlock! Unlock! There! It’s done. LET ME GO!”
The children got off Mingaling. And he ran! As fast as his legs could carry him.
Dino snorted.
Sparks flew!
Puffs of smoke sailed.
Dino danced. “I am a dragon again!”
“When friends get together, we can do everything,” said Haseena.
copyright@Sutapa Basu. All rights reserved.
