Dragon Little was two and a half years old when she told her first secret. 

It was in the middle of the fight with Aragon the Mighty, a pirate with a wooden leg named Smith. 

The battle to get to him was long and tough. Aragon the Mighty lay many traps for Dragon Father and his toddler, and kept sending more assassins to slay them. 

Finally, Dragon Father and Aragon the Mighty stood there, facing each other, on the deck of Aragon’s ship. 

“Prepare to meet your maker!” Aragon said, drawing his sword. 

“Prepare to meet yours!” Dragon Father said. 

“Dad! Dad!” Dragon Little jumped up and down behind her father. 

“Not now, sweetie, daddy’s busy.” 

“En garde!” said Aragon. 

“Dad! Dad!”

“Joy, you have to learn patience. This has to wait!” 

“Dad! Dad!” 

Dragon Father sighed and looked down. “Is it urgent?” 

“Yes!” 

“Excuse me a minute,” he motioned to Aragon. Aragon nodded and waited patiently. Through his teeth, Dragon Father said, “What is it, Joy!” 

“It’s a secret! Come here!” 

Dragon Father sighed again, and bent down. 

Dragon Little whispered something into his ears. To my sharp dragon ears, it sounded like, “Pssshhh pshhh, pashhoo pashhh.” 

Dragon Father said, “I didn’t get that. You have to speak louder.” 

“Psshhh pshhhh, pashhoo pashhoo,” she whispered so softly it was almost inaudible to me, kilometers above them, and therefore even less audible to her father next to her.

“Joy, Joy! I don't understand! Speak up!”  

Dragon Little took a step back. “But it’s a secret!” 

“But when you tell me the secret, I have to know--Oh. It’s a secret so you can’t tell it to me?” 

She nodded. 

Dragon Father sighed again, then forced a smile. “Well, thank you for telling me your secret.” He spun around drawing his sword again, “Ready?” 

“En garde!” 

And the fight ensued.

—Told by The Red Dragon