Photo by Jared Rice on Unsplash
Once upon a time, Princess Lola watched as her father drew the lottery name for the annual sacrifice. The name was hers.
Her family cried, but Lola had a plan.
Late at night, she made her way to the Dragon’s Den.
Smoke billowed from the cave.
“You’re early,” the dragon’s voice echoed through the cave.
“I have a deal for you. It’s just between us,” Lola said.
“I have a deal with your father,” the dragon countered.
“Your deal is for girls. Wouldn’t you like a juicy boy?”
“You are scrawny.” The smoke heaved and billowed as the dragon chuckled.
“I’ll bring a boy if you’ll spare my life.”
“Are boys tasty?”
Lola promised the dragon a boy and several hours later she returned.
“Where are we going?” the chubby boy asked as he clung to Lola’s hand.
“It’s not much further,” Lola said pulling him along behind her.
“Is this the Dragon’s Den?” the boy asked as they reached the end of the trail.
“Dragon,” Lola called.
The dragon’s claw grabbed the boy, and he was gone.
“Remember our deal, Dragon,” Lola called over her shoulder. Not waiting for the dragon’s answer, she hurried home.
The next day the festival led Lola along the same path to the Dragon’s Den.
Like the previous night, the dragon’s claw reached from its den, this time the dragon grabbed Lola.
“Hey, we had a deal,” Lola screamed.
“Deal? What deal?” the dragon asked.
“Remember, I brought you a boy and you promised you’d spare my life.”
The dragon laughed.
“Promise? I made no promise. Besides, girls are made from sugar and spice and everything nice. Boys are not as tasty.”
And Lola was gone.
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Keep on writing.
Jo Hawk The Writer
