Another year of freedom from my centuries of slavery had passed. I was free and watching over those who had freed me, silently, secretly, guarding the amazing human girl Joy Shelley, whom I lovingly call Dragon Little. With every day that passed my love for her grew, and how I did wish that I could have children and to have a child like her. 

Another year had passed, and once again I was the only one who noticed that Dragon Little’s birthday had come once more. Dragon Father never mentioned her birthday and therefore Dragon Little never talked about it. Perhaps she did not know she had one. 

But I knew when she was born. So many out there, outside Dragon Father’s dreams, knew when she was born, were looking for this special child. 

She was four now. On this very day, four years ago, Dragon Little was born. 

Dragon Father had arrived at the deck of Bonny’s Revenge with a terrible headache. The air all around them became full of mist that’s almost impossible to see through. 

Sluggishly, he woke Dragon Little up from her bed. 

She leapt up excitedly, hugged him, peed, and, sluggishly again, he helped her brush her teeth and made her breakfast appear.

He leaned on the railing of the deck and moaned. 

“I… can’t… think…” he whispered hoarsely when she asked him what was the matter.

Once she was ready for adventure, he said, “I think we’re just going to stay home today. My head hurts so much.” 

“Why does your head hurt?” 

“Aaaaaaah…” he moaned. “Oh, you know what? I think I shouldn’t have drunk so much wine… and mixed it… Aaaaaaah.” 

Dragon Little clearly did not understand any of that. “Why does your head hurt?” 

“Oh, you know what? I drank so much because she l… Oh, man…” Dragon Father sank down to the deck and curled into a ball. “I think I’m just going to stay here today. I can’t go on adventure today, Joy. We’re staying here.” 

Dragon Little looked at him and made a face. 

She sat by him and caressed his forehead for a couple of minutes. 

“Thank you,” he said hoarsely. 

After two minutes, she said, excitedly, “Feeling better? Can we go?” 

“Nooooo…” he groaned. “Not going on adventure today.” 

“Okay, then!” She leapt to her feet. “Then today, I’m Justin the Pirate! I will lead the adventure!” 

She ran to the helm and pulled back on the wheel. 

Bonny’s Revenge rose slowly out of the water.

“Good luck,” he whispered. “You’ll be a great Justin the Pirate. Aaaaahhhh…” 

And off she went on adventure as Justin the Pirate. Tomorrow I will tell you more of her adventure on her fourth birthday. For now I must rest.

—Told by The Red Dragon