Seymour the Dragon By Molly Lyle

Seymour the Dragon woke and stretched. He’d been asleep for such a long time it was now winter. “It’s really cold outside. I’ll have to start a fire so I can get warm,” he said to himself.

Seymour opened his mouth, sucked in A huge gulp of air, and then breathed out. Uh-oh…No fire came out of his mouth. Seymour shook his head. “Hmmm,” he said, scratching his head with his tail. “This has never happened to me before.”

Seymour opened his mouth to try again…but still no fire came out. He tried and tried, but no fire. “I don’t believe it! I just don’t believe it! I can’t breath fire anymore!” he said over and over again. “What kind of dragon am I if I can’t breathe fire! Oh, no. What am I going to do?” Suddenly, Seymour heard a small voice. “I know what you can do,” someone said

“What? Who are you? How can you help me?” Seymour growled in disgust at the young boy standing in front of him. “I’m Daniel. My father and I live near here. We’ve hunted in the forest many times. There’s a place not far from here where a fire burns all the time,” the boy Said proudly. “It’s called the giant fire.”

“Where is it? How do I get there?” Seymour asked. “It’s through the forest and up a huge mountain,” Daniel answered. “But no one has ever reached the giant fire.” The journey is very long and hard. “Oh? Is that so! Well, I can make it!” Seymour bragged. “I need my fire back! Either I get my fire back or I’m not Seymour the Dragon. I’ll find that fire even if it takes me years to get there!

Seymour trudged slowly through the forest for many days. If it takes much longer he may have to give up. Weeks Later,Seymour reached the end of the forest. “Now, I’ll climb the mountain and soon be at the giant fire! I’ll have my fire back in no time. Suddenly, Seymour heard a voice. “Wait a minute!” it said. Seymour looked up from the path and saw a troll blocking his way. “Where do you think you are going?” the troll demanded. “You are on our land. No one sets foot on our land!”

“Well, I do!” Seymour boomed, his voice nearly deafening the troll. “I’m going to the giant fire on the mountain.” “No one can go there but us,” the troll answered. “But I need to get to the giant fire,” Seymour said sadly. “I’ve lost my fiery breath.” “Why should we help you? We’ve seen what you do with your fiery breath. You’re a very mean dragon.” “I’m sorry. I was only having fun. Sometimes it’s lonely being a dragon. Please help me get my fire back,” Seymour begged.

“All right I’ll help you get your fire back if you make a promise. You can only use your fire for good things. And if another dragon loses his fire he must make the same promise,” the troll leader said. Seymour agreed. The trolls led Seymour all the way to the giant fire. When they got there, the troll leader said, “You are on your own now. Remember your promise.” The trolls watched as Seymour lit his breath with a log from the giant fire. The trolls went back down the mountain.

Weeks later, Seymour walked out of the forest. He saw Daniel sitting under a tree. “Hello! Do you have your fire back?” Daniel asked. “Yes, I do. Just like I said I would.” Seymour took a deep breath and puffed out his chest. He couldn’t wait to scare Daniel with his mighty fire. Suddenly, Seymour let out his breath With a loud whoosh, but no fire came out of Seymour’s mouth.

“What happened to your fire? I thought you had it back?” “I do, but I just remembered something. I made a promise to the trolls who helped me find the giant fire. I told them I would use my fire only for good things. Here, I’ll light this stack of logs to warm us.”

“But you’re a dragon,” Daniel said. “Aren’t you supposed to scare people like me?” “No. I made a promise and I almost broke it,” Seymour explained. “Keeping my word is more important than breathing fire any day!” And Seymour lay down for a long- needed rest.

The End!

Blooming Questions: Knowledge: What time of year was it when the story What time of year was it when the storystarted? What was the dragon’s name? What was the dragon’s name? Where did Seymour live? Where did Seymour live?Comprehension Describe Seymour? Describe Seymour? Explain what happened to Seymour Explain what happened to Seymour when he tried to warm the cold air. In your own words, tell about the giant In your own words, tell about the giantFire. What promise did Seymour make to the troll What promise did Seymour make to the trollLeader?Application: Name some other ways fire is used besides for Name some other ways fire is used besides forwarmth. What else could the trolls have done to help What else could the trolls have done to help Seymour find the fire? Analysis: How did Seymour feel about losing his fire? How did Seymour feel about losing his fire? Why did the trolls make Seymour promise to use his fire only Why did the trolls make Seymour promise to use his fire only for good things. for good things.Synthesis: What would happen if you broke a promise to a friend? What would happen if you broke a promise to a friend?