The Greedy Dragon

The Greedy Dragon

Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there lived a very greedy dragon. This dragon was unusual in the extent of his appetite. He did not just eat ordinary food; he had a strange and voracious taste. He devoured cheese, tomatoes, chocolate, taffy, jelly, peaches, cream, bananas, and custard. Not only that, but he also had a penchant for eating people: he would eat naughty boys and even well-behaved girls if they crossed his path. His greed was boundless, and his hunger seemed insatiable.

One day, a small but clever boy named Saif came near the dragon. The dragon and Saif looked at each other, each sizing up the other. Saif, though small, was brave and quick-witted. As soon as the dragon opened his mouth, he unleashed a flame toward Saif, attempting to scorch him instantly. But Saif, showing no fear, stuck out his tongue and made a teasing gesture at the dragon.

The dragon bellowed in fury, “I will eat you!”

Saif, however, laughed boldly and said, “Go ahead, if you try to eat me, once I reach your stomach, I will give you pain that you will never forget!”

The dragon, enraged by Saif’s audacity, lunged forward, sticking his long tongue out, and in a moment of greedy impulse, swallowed Saif whole. Surprisingly, instead of screaming or panicking inside the dragon, Saif started laughing loudly.

The dragon, confused and astonished, wondered why the boy was laughing so cheerfully inside such a dangerous and terrifying place. Soon, the dragon discovered the reason. Saif’s pocket contained two small flint stones and some firecrackers. He always carried such items with him, a habit born out of his cleverness and foresight. Saif rubbed the stones together, producing tiny sparks that began to ignite small flames inside the dragon’s belly. The flames were tiny, but the dragon screamed in agony.

“My stomach! O, my stomach!” the dragon wailed, clawing at his belly with his massive claws.

Meanwhile, using the tiny flames to see clearly, Saif began to light the firecrackers inside the dragon’s stomach. He had memorized an incantation that he recited over the fireworks to increase their power. As the firecrackers ignited, a loud and explosive detonation shook the dragon violently. The dragon roared in pain and terror, shouting, “Help! Help! Fire! Water! Police!”

The force of the explosions caused Saif to be ejected from the dragon’s gaping mouth. He bounced to the ground and immediately ran to a safe distance, unharmed. However, the magical firecrackers were not finished with their work yet. Their smoke swirled around the dragon’s head in spiraling circles. When the seventh circle of smoke completed, the magic of the incantation took full effect.

The once fearsome dragon, now a tiny, harmless insect, buzzed into the sky, leaving behind the world of humans it had terrorized for so long.

As for Saif, he walked home, laughing uncontrollably at the adventure he had survived. His courage, ingenuity, and quick thinking had not only saved his own life but also neutralized one of the most dangerous creatures of that land. Saif’s ability to use the firecrackers and the magical stones demonstrated a cleverness far beyond his years. His laughter was not just out of relief but also from the satisfaction of having outsmarted a creature whose greed had been its downfall.

This story, while fantastical, carries several important lessons. First, it teaches that intelligence and bravery can overcome even the greatest physical threats. Saif, a small boy, faced a creature far stronger than himself and, through wit and courage, turned the situation to his advantage. In the end, the dragon’s fate shows that even the mightiest can be humbled when they are blinded by their desires, while the brave and clever can triumph through wisdom and courage. Saif returned home safely, carrying not only the memory of a dangerous encounter but also the satisfaction of having turned a threat into an opportunity. The greedy dragon, transformed into a harmless insect, would never again terrorize humans, and the tale of Saif’s bravery would live on as a story of courage, intelligence, and the triumph of the clever over the greedy.

Thus, the greedy dragon became a cautionary tale, while Saif’s daring adventure became a story of admiration and laughter, reminding all who hear it that brains can triumph over brawn, and courage can overcome even the most terrifying of foes.