Ginger Catdragon

Once upon a time there was a young little fairy named Ginger.  She had bright green cat eyes that went so well with her tiger fur.  She had a cat nose with long whiskers and two sparkly golden horns that curled over her kitten ears.

She woke up early this morning and stretched out her wings as she yawned.  Her yawn turned into a giggle as she got out of her bed that hung from the ceiling.  With a magic swish of her tail, she changed from her pajamas to clothes for the day. 

She put on her very sparkly black skirt and green blouse.  She wanted to look her best for the test today.  She had been attending Fairy Guardian School and today was the final test.  She fixed a quick breakfast of honeysuckle drops and half a blackberry. 

Then out the door she went and fell.  Her little home was built up in the side of a rock cliff.  That fall always excited her.  She kept her wings in until she was almost down and then spreading her wings she swooped over the clovers letting her hands drag the top of them.

Suddenly she halted in mid air.  She heard something and stopped to hear better.   She heard it again.  Someone was calling for help.  She didn’t waste time.  She flapped her wings and headed that way.  It didn’t take long to find.  She smiled when she saw it was only her neighbors son.  It was his first year in magic school.  He wanted to be a Wizard.  But his spell had backfired this morning and the little squirrel was all tangled up in spider webbing.  He was so embarrassed when she flew down beside him.  It didn’t take her long to use her claws to cut him loose and before he could thank her, she gave him a gentle knock on the arm in teasing.

“I can’t stay.  I’m taking my test today.  So you be careful,” she said before flying away.

“Good luck.  I know you will do well,” he smiled as she flew away.

She threw him a kiss before she was out of sight.

As she flew past the pond, she heard another call.  It was old Tor the bull frog.  He was a wise old frog.   So down she went to see him. 

“Ginger come quick.  There is a turtle on the other side of the pond that a kid has turned over.   Please help him before the fox finds out.”  Ginger was over there quick.  The turtle was trying it’s best to turn over, but with no luck. 

“Hi there, I’m Bintle.  Could you help me please?”

“Nice to meet you Bintle.”  Then with a swish of her magic tail, Bintle gently turned over.

“What your name?” the grateful turtle asked.

“Nice to meet you Bintle, I’m Ginger.  I would stay and get to know you better, but I am on my way to school to take a test.”

“Are you to be a Fairy Guardian?”

“Yes, I am.”

With a bow, “I believe that you will pass with ease.”

“Thank you,” Ginger said as she flew away.

Ginger was now starting to feel she might be late.  She could not let that happen.  She flapped her wings as fast as she could.  She was almost there when her dragon ears heard a weak old call.  She could have gone on to the test, but that was not what the school taught.  To be a guardian was to always answer a call.

Turning a flip, she headed back and found an old poor rat with greying hair.  He was shivering.  He watched her come down and smiled gently to her.

“My fire has gone out and my hands are to old and weak to rub the sticks enough to start it again.  I believe a young dragon like you can give me a little spark to start it up again.”

She looked at his wood and there was not much there, “I’ll be right back.”  Off she went.  She gathered a big bundle of dried twigs and brought them back for him.  He watched her quietly as she placed them there for a good fire.

Then she stood back and took a deep breath and spit just like her mother taught her.  She only expected a little spark.  She was only part dragon and no one expected her to breath out fire like a full blood dragon. 

WOOOOOMP!  The old rat fell backwards.  That was no spark.  It was a wallop of flame.  She almost burned up all the twigs.  This had never happened before.  She stood there with eyes wide in utter disbelief staring at the fire.

The rat sat up and Laughed!  He gave her a big hug that woke her from this surprise.

“I’m Ather, just moved to this valley and I never, never beheld such a sight.  I’ve heard tell that if you ever meet a Catdragon that could breath real fire, then they were of a powerful family.  Who are you my dear?”

“I’m Ginger.”

“Well Ginger, I bet your father is quite proud of you.”

“Sorry, never met him.  I only have  my mother.”  Then she remember school, “I must hurry.  I’ve got my test today.”

The rat leaned near and smile, “My dear, I don’t see how you could fail.  Now off with ye before your late.”  Off she flew as he waved goodbye.

Now she knew she was late.  She rushed as fast as she could and when she arrived at the school, there stood her teacher.  He had a look of concern on his grumpy bat face.  She swore she never had seen him ever smile.

“Your Late!” he scowled as she landed before him.  “Follow me.”  He turned and went to the gate which opened at the swish of his wand.  They walked into the courtyard where she saw the others that had come for their tests today.  Usually this courtyard was lively with chatter.  But today it was rather quiet.  Ginger didn’t see anyone smiling.  They even got quieter as they watched her follow her teacher. 

She followed him inside to the meeting hall.  She followed up onto the stage, “Stand here.”  Her teacher was not much for words.  He left her there.

There were only three school board members sitting in the chairs.  Miss Adley Badger took up most of the room.  She was listening intently to Sir Bathel Raccoon whispering in her ear.  It was the Captain of the guard Cruckus Cricket that actually looked up at her.  He looked her over then made a clicking sound that got Miss Adley’s attention.

“Why were you late?” Miss Adley asked.

Ginger knew better than to give an excuse, “I first stopped to help . . .”

“Your neighbor get unstuck from spider webs,”  Cruckus finished her sentence.

“Then turned Bintle back over,” Sir Bathel said.

Gingers eyes went wide.  How could they know all about that?

Miss Adley smiled at her, “You were the only one to take the test this morning.  All the other hurried here and missed it.  I’m sorry to say that you will be the only one granted the rank of Fairy Guardian this year.  You did the right thing, my dear.”

Then her smiling teacher Michael Bat began clapping as he walked up to her.  He gave her a wonderful hug as tears rolled down his cheeks.

And thus began the adventures of Ginger Catdragon Fairy Guardian.

More of my work:

*  Dragon and the Tree Sprite
*  Gold Fairy Chest
*  Wizard Dragon Siridias
*  Such a Wonder