“Oh, my god, look how much you’ve grown!” Dragon Father had just woken Dragon Little up, and was shocked as soon as she came out of her cabin. “Did you have a spurt over one night?” he said. “Come here.” 

She was only five years old, and, half smiling, she came over to stand in front him. 

“Stand tall, head forward,” he said. 

She stood straight, but looked up. 

“Head forward,” he said, and straightened her head. 

“O my god, you’re up to my ribs.” He had measured her height next to him with his hand. “You seriously grew up a full two centimeters or something.” 

She laughed. “I’m tall!” she boasted. “Super tall!” 

“At this pace you’re going to be this high,” he put his hand high above his head, “in two or three years or something.” 

“I’m going to be as tall as you?” there was surprise in her voice. They hadn’t really talked about her growth at all in all the time I had known them. 

“Maybe even taller,” he answered seriously. “Who knows?” 

“I’m going to be as high as the sky?” there was still the same wonder in her voice.  

Dragon Father was about to answer, when he suddenly smiled. “You think I’m as high as the sky?” 

She nodded.

He seemed to be genuinely overcome. “Wow. Wow.” He leaned against the railing. “I know that’s what kids think about their… Come here!” 

She took a few steps towards him and he hugged, one of the strongest hugs he’d ever given her. “I love you, too!” 

She hugged him back. 

After a minute, they separated, he gave her her breakfast, and they began their adventure.

—Told by The Red Dragon