“Let me tell you something you never knew about Red,” Dragon Father told his daughter with a big smile on his face. 

He was still helming Bonny’s Revenge as they headed for the ‘dragon home planet’. 

Dragon Little pinned her stare to Dragon Father. I listened quite intently, as well. I wondered what he would invent and whether it would hurt me or amuse me. 

“Did you know…” Dragon Father’s tone became conspiratorial. “That Red wanted to be a pirate when she was young?” 

“Nooooo!” Dragon Little’s eyes lit up. I smiled at the idea!

“Oh, yes! Her parents, when they were young, protected a hollow mountain full of gold!” 

“Nooooo!” 

“And one day they were found by a bunch of pirates. Good pirates, like us. They found them and became friends. They shared the treasure and introduced Red’s parents to all the other pirates. So naturally, Red, after she was born, she wanted to be a pirate, too! She knew so many good pirates!” 

“I never knew that!” 

Far above, in my hiding place, I shook my head. The silliness of it. How far this was from my life!

“Oh, yes. And Red had so many adventures! Like we do!” 

“I knew it! She’s so much like me!” 

“Yes! Except… she’s giant. And… not human.” 

“Except that! We’re exactly the same!” Dragon Little was as serious as I have ever seen her. It touched me that she connected with me so deeply. I loved her so much!

 “Now, there was one time when an even bigger dragon caught her. Want to hear about that?” 

“Tell me, tell me!” Dragon Little could not wait. 

But I grow tired. Dragon Father never finished this tale, because in two minutes they would reach their destination. I must gather my strength to tell you what happened there.

—Told by The Red Dragon