In a giant rock cave behind the ancient forest, lived a baby dragon called Dash. He came from a long line of brave dragons, who had lived in the cave for many, many years.
Dragons are known to be ferocious creatures with thick scaly skin and pointy teeth and long pointy tails. But apart from their fearsome appearance, the thing that makes everybody really scared of dragons is their ability to breathe fire. They say that a full grown dragon can burn an entire row of trees with just one breath!
As a baby dragon, one of the most important lessons you learn is how to breathe fire. Today is Dash’s turn to try out his fire-breathing skills. His father took him out to the forest and started teaching him how to breathe fire. Dash was very excited about his first lesson.
Dada Dragon: Now Dash, you must listen carefully and follow everything I say. Breathing fire is a very important skill. It is what makes a dragon...a dragon! But it can also be very dangerous so you have to pay attention.
Dash the Dragon (bouncing a small ball of hay from his head to tail and following his dad)
Dada Dragon: (turns around and sees dash playing the fool) Dash! Are you even listening?
Dash (shoving the ball away with his tail) Yes, Dad. I’m listening, I’m listening!
Dada: (facing dash) Ok now focus! No more monkey business!
Dash: (facing his dad and staring into his eyes)
Dada: Come here, stand beside me and watch carefully.
Dash: (playfully skips to his dad’s side)
Dad: First take a deep breath. Fill your belly with air and hold it in for as long as you can like this. (fills his belly with air)
Dash: (pokes his dad’s tummy with a stick and starts giggling)
Dad: (Coughs and splutters) Dash! DASH! DASH! Stop that! Stop that!
(chases Dash around tickles his belly)
Dash (giggling and struggling) Dad! dad! Stop!
Dad: Behave yourself Dash! You have lots to learn today. You want to be able to breathe fire, don’t you?
Dash: Yes, yes,dad I really do!
Dad: Ok then! No more fooling around! ok?
Dash: ok dad (mockingly)
Dad: So as I was saying,it’s quite simple. First take a deep breath and let it out like this. (demonstrates)
Dash: Whao! Again! Again! That was awesome!
Dad: It’s your turn to try! Com’on you can do it! (pats dash on the back)
Dash(follows his dad’s instructions): Ok ok, First take a deep breath (puffs up his tummy) like this! and then let it out like this! (Blows through his nose and a little snort comes out)
Dad: (starts laughing, sees Dash disappointed and stops) Oh Dash! Not like that! You have to let it out through your mouth like this (demonstrates again)
Dash: I’ll never be able to do that!
Dad: You will! You will! Com’on try again! Let’s practice first. Deep breath through the nose and out through the mouth. (dash follows his dad’s instructions and let’s out air through his mouth. A small puff of smoke comes out.) Yes, yes, that’s good. Now try holding your breath for longer. The more you hold it in, the more fire will come out!
Dash: (tries again and lets out a small spark) woohoo! did you see that? DId you see that?
Dad: that’s great, dash! you’re almost there! keep practising ….
Dash: Again! Again! I want to try again!
Dad: Yes, let’s try together.
Dad and Dash: (breathe in, hold it in for 4 secs and then breathe out fire)
Dash starts cheering and running around in circles all excited.
Dad: Bravo! Dash! That’s enough for today. It’s time for lunch!
Dash: Yeah! I’m hungry!
Dad: (walking back towards the cave with Dash) We’ll practise again tomorrow and the day after and the day after that and the day after that and everyday until you get really good…
and maybe one day …
Dash: I’ll be one of the greatest fire-breathers on the mountain!
Dad: I don’t see why not!
Dash and Dad disappear into the cave. End Scene.
