World's Oldest Living Dragon by Kate McMullan Read Free Book Online Page B

“When the knights flee from the cave? I just love that.”
    Mordred dared to speak again. “Dragon,” he said, “there will be no more talk of wanting my gold, will there?”
    Grizzlegore shook his old head. “No, saying the rhyme is payment enough,” he said. “Although it does leave me a bit short of cash.”
    Before he thought about it, Wiglaf spoke up. “You have the gold from the other dragon schools,” he said. “Isn’t that enough?”
    â€œEnough?” huffed Grizzlegore, puffing smoke from his nose. “You think I have enough?”
    Wiglaf trembled as he nodded.
    â€œThen you know nothing of what surgeons are charging these days,” the dragon said. “Why, those greedy sawbones won’t fix a simple ingrown claw for under six thousand ducats.”
    â€œThat’s what you want the gold for?” cried Sir Roger. “An operation?”
    Grizzlegore nodded. “When you’ve lived as long as I have, things get broken,” he said. “The old ticker is still going strong. I have a few centuries ahead of me yet. But I can hardly see the horn at the end of my snout anymore. My bones haven’t held up. Both my hips are shot. My knees wobble like jelly custard. My ankles are as weak as newborn kittens. And oh, my aching back!”
    â€œWe feel your pain,” said Sir Poodleduff.
    The dragon stared at him. Everyone was very still.
    Grizzlegore glared at Sir Poodleduff. “You don’t know what it’s like to be old!”
    â€œNo, of course we don’t,” said Sir Poodleduff quickly. “I only meant that we lads and lasses will feel your pain one day, when we are old—like you.”
    Grizzlegore nodded, seeming to accept this explanation. “My wings are the only things still working,” he went on. “But who knows how long they’ll last?”
    Now Don Donn stepped forward. He bowed before the dragon.
    â€œ Hola, Señor Grizzlegore,” he said. “Perhaps I can help you. Por favor —please, may I take a look at your ankles? I am a trainer. Perhaps I can show you a few exercises to get them back in shape.”
    â€œWhat have I got to lose?” said Grizzlegore. He slithered down from the tree and eased himself into a sitting position. He held out his left back paw.
    â€œUno,” said Don Donn. Taking the dragon’s paw in his hands, he circled it sundial-wise a few times, then counter-sundial-wise. He had the dragon try it.

    â€œDos,” said Don Donn. He had the dragon push his paw against his hand.
    â€œTres,” said Don Donn. “Close your eyes and picture yourself running like a young dragon again.”
    Grizzlegore did as Don Donn said. A smile appeared on his ancient face.
    â€œBueno!” said Don Donn. “Let me see you put some weight on this paw.”
    Grizzlegore pushed himself up to a stand. He took a step on the left paw. “Astonishing!” he cried. “Why, it feels fine.”
    He sat down again quickly, and held out his right rear paw. As Don Donn began to circle it, Grizzlegore said, “Maybe I don’t need an operation after all. Maybe I need exercise.”
    â€œSí,” agreed Don Donn. “We will work on your knees next.”
    While Don Donn took Grizzlegore through his exercises, Mordred, Lobelia, the aged knights, and all the students went back into the DSA castle. The students took the shutters off the slits in the castle walls. After that, Frypot served an extra-lumpy lumpen pudding for lunch. Then everyone went outside to check on Don Donn and Grizzlegore.
    Wiglaf gasped when he saw the dragon. Grizzlegore’s horn sat upright on his nose. He was walking tall and proud.
    â€œZounds!” cried Mordred. “Is there magic afoot?”
    â€œWouldn’t know I was the world’s oldest living dragon now, would you?” asked Grizzlegore, turning around so they could see him from