A Dragon Who Is Scared Of Fire

Chapter 1: Ember the Dragon and the Little Spark

In a rocky mountain land called Cinderpeak, there lived a young dragon named Ember. Ember had shimmering green scales, small crooked wings, and a name that made everyone expect great things.

Because in Cinderpeak, dragons breathed fire. Every dragon did. They lit the village lanterns at dusk, warmed the bakery ovens at dawn, and roasted chestnuts at the winter festival.

But Ember had a secret. She was terrified of fire.

Whenever she felt a warm tickle rising in her throat, she gulped it down. When her friends puffed bright orange flames at the sky, she hid behind a boulder. When the teacher said, "Ember, your turn to light the candle," she suddenly remembered she had a stomachache.

"What kind of dragon is afraid of fire?" she whispered to herself. "Everyone will laugh if they find out."

So she hid it. She told friends she had a sore throat. She told her mother she had hiccups. She carried a little bucket of water everywhere, just in case.

One chilly evening, the village held its Lantern Night. Every dragon child was to light one lantern and place it along the mountain path. Ember stood in line with her stomach in knots as the others stepped up, one by one, and puffed warm, golden flames into their lanterns.

Then it was her turn.

"Go on, Ember," said Mama Dragon gently.

Ember opened her mouth. A tiny spark flickered on her tongue. It glowed red and hot, and her whole body froze.