It was the second time in three years that Dragon Father had the idea of making Dragon Little, his little Joy, put on a dress. The first time, when she had been two years old, did not go well. I have told you of this earlier.

A dress appeared in Dragon Father’s hand while Dragon Little ate her breakfast.

“That does not look comfortable,” she said.

“It’s very comfortable,” he assured her.

“For running? And fighting? And jumping from roof to roof?”

She shook her head and continued to eat her pizza and carrots.

Dragon Father tried to talk her into it for more than five minutes. It must be said that Dragon Little did not even try to put force behind her objections. It was simply clear that she would not put on a dress.

Finally, slightly exasperated, Dragon Father said, “Joy. How do you know it’s uncomfortable if you don’t try? You have to try out new clothes.”

“You have to try out new clothes!”

Dragon Father looked down at his own pirate garb. “Maybe I do. I have been wearing the same thing for a few years now. Just like you. Let’s both switch. You put on a dress, and I’ll put on some fancy pants and--”

“No!” Dragon Little pointed her finger at him. “I’ll wear a dress if you wear a dress.”

Dragon Father appeared taken aback. He was silent for a few seconds, as many thoughts no doubt ran through his mind. Then, he opened his mouth and said, “Great idea! Let’s do it!”

Dragon Little made a face, but she had dared her father to do it. And now that he was doing it, she would not back out.

They both put on pink dresses (Dragon Father made his appear just as easily) and then they began their adventure.

They jumped off rooftops in their pink dresses. They battled villainous pirate magicians in dresses. Dragon Father was kidnapped only to be rescued by his daughter. They caught the villains and led their leader to the Infinite Prison at the bottom of Bonny’s Revenge.

Dragon Father and Dragon Little stood on the deck of Bonny’s Revenge and looked at the sunset on Saturn, Dragon Father said, “See? Being in a dress isn’t so bad. It suits you.”

Dragon Little immediately said in a calm voice, “It suits you much more than me. You wear a dress from now on.”

Dragon Father hung his head in resignation and sighed. Dragon Little looked at him and smiled.

Dragon Father vanished.

Dragon Little took off her dress and threw it overboard.

—Told by The Red Dragon