Dragon flower

For months, Mae and her parents have been traveling the country in search of a magic flower. Mae’s mom is very ill, and this flower is the only way to cure her. One evening, exhausted, they stop off at a small village at the foot of a mountain to spend the night.
“Mom, tell me more about this magic flower,” Mae asks.
“It’s a rare flower,” her mom explains. “It’s red like blood, with four golden stamens. Its healing power is extraordinary. They say it grows in a secret place, guarded by monsters.”
“One day, I’ll find that flower and save Mom,” Mae thinks as she drifts off to sleep

In the middle of the night, Mae is awakened by a strange glow. The glow attracts her irresistibly and leads her into a deep forest. All around her, the wind whistles and cracks the branches of the trees.
Mae arrives in front of some large rocks. They seem to be watching her. They nod in welcome and move aside to show her a hidden door. Mae takes a deep breath and steps through the door.

Immediately, a violent whirlwind sucks her in. Mae closes her eyes and lets herself be carried away.
The storm has stopped. Mae opens her eyes. In front of her, large flowers as red as blood.
“It’s the magic flower!” she whispers.
Mae is amazed. The scent of the flowers is intoxicating. She doesn’t know how many it takes to heal her mother, so she picks as many as she can.

As she prepares to leave, she feels the ground tremble beneath her feet.
A huge dragon emerges. Its eyes are full of rage.
“What are you doing in my house?” he shouts. “How dare you steal my flowers!”
“Please,” Mae cries, “let me take this flower! My mother is sick and will die if I don’t bring it back to her!”
The dragon lowers his head and says sadly, “You see this blood? It’s my son’s. He fell into that chasm and is trapped. He’ll die if no one helps him, but I’m too big to go down.”

At last, they reach the top. Hearing his father’s voice, the little dragon suddenly flies up into his arms.
“My son! You’re alive!” cries the great dragon.
“Thank you for saving my child’s life,” he tells Mae. “Here are the flowers for your mother — they’re my gift to you. We’ll take you home.”
Back in the village, Mae’s mother quickly recovers. Before leaving, the little dragon says, “Will you come back?”
“Don’t forget us,” adds his father. “You’re our friend forever.”
Mae keeps her adventure a secret but often thinks of her friends beyond the mountain, knowing they’ll always be there for her.