Secret Pet

 

            Joel rose silently from his bed and dressed quickly. The birds were already awake and singing their morning songs even though the sun hadn’t fully risen yet.

            The clock on the dresser said 6:34. Thinking of how hard it had been to get up early during the school year, Joel smiled. If this had been a normal summer’s day, he would still be asleep and wouldn’t stir until at least ten o’clock. But today was different. Unable to stop thinking about what had happened yesterday, he couldn’t wait another second for the day to get started. Tiptoeing downstairs, he slipped on his shoes and was out the door and into the backyard.

            Heart thumping with anticipation, he darted to his hiding place behind the shed. The sight of the makeshift box he had constructed yesterday filled him with relief. It was still here and completely closed. “Hey, I’m back,” he whispered as he gently took the lid off. Peering inside, he was happy to see that his new pet was awake, alert, and waiting for him.

            The fiery golden eyes looked intelligently up at him as he reached inside and brought out the small creature, whose head leaned affectionately into his hand. “I’ve been thinking about you all night. I didn’t tell anyone about you, because who would have believed that I had found a real dragon?”

            The small green dragon cocked its head as though it were listening and could understand what Joel was saying. He settled down on the grass and set the dragon on the ground.

            Feeling like he was talking to a friend, he continued. “Where did you come from anyway? I’m sure dragons don’t just appear in people’s backyards.” He watched as the little dragon stretched out his tiny wings and got comfortable in Joel’s lap.

He thought about the day before when he had come out to mow the lawn. This little guy had been sitting in front of the shed, almost like he was waiting for him. Joel had stopped in his tracks and watched as the small dragon walked toward him and sniffed his shoes. Slowly, not wanting to scare him, he reached down to touch it and was surprised when it hopped right into his outstretched hand. It immediately climbed onto his shoulder and stayed there. He stayed while Joel mowed the lawn, and Joel started to wonder what he was going to do with it.

It was getting late and he enjoyed having the little dragon with him. His parents weren’t pet people, and he wasn’t sure how they would feel about a dragon. So, he had hastily made a small box out of some wood scraps and set the dragon inside, explaining that he would return in the morning.

Looking at the dragon now, he still couldn’t believe it was real. Dragons were only found in fairy tales and old legends, right? The morning grew brighter as he sat with the little green dragon. The creature didn’t seem afraid of Joel at all as he continued to talk to it.

When he heard the sounds of his family stirring inside the house, Joel knew he would have to go back inside soon. Sighing, he picked up the dragon to put him back inside the box. As he did so, he was shocked when the creature spoke. “Well Joel, aren’t you going to give me a name?”

For a moment, all Joel could do was stare. When he found his voice, he said, “You can talk?”

The little head nodded. “Why not? I’m a dragon, aren’t I?” He stared into Joel’s eyes. “Of all the people I’ve ever seen, you are the only one who’s ever been able to see me.”

“No one else can see you?”

“I’ve been around a long time, and no one else has ever noticed me before. I’ve searched around the world for someone who could see magic.”

“Magic?!” Joel couldn’t believe this was happening.

“I’ve been waiting for you to give me a name, but I couldn’t keep quiet any longer. Once you name me, I’ll be able to show you so much more.”

Joel’s disbelief was changing and grew into excitement. A slow smile was spreading across his face. “Okay, I’ll give you a name.” It wasn’t hard to choose and he’d been thinking about it anyway. The dragon’s gleaming green scales made it easier. “How about Jadyn?”

As soon as he said the dragon’s name, the air shimmered around him and Jadyn grew until he was taller than the shed. Joel’s eyes widened as Jadyn shook himself and spread out his now massive wings. “Ah, that’s much better. Thank you, Joel.”

Joel nodded, feeling a little nervous. The dragon that used to fit inside his hand was now too big to go inside his house.

Seemingly unconcerned, Jadyn went on. “You and I are now connected. I will teach you everything, and together, we’ll be able to do great things.”

When Joel went inside later, he tried to act normal, but he couldn’t help looking outside the window every minute to see Jadyn sitting regally on the back lawn. He’d always wanted to do something exciting, and this went beyond his wildest dreams. He couldn’t wait to go back outside and continue the adventure of a lifetime.