Albert and the Cheshire Dragon’s Enchanted Adventure

Albert was not like the other boys in his village. While others spent warm afternoons tossing balls, trading bugs, and laughing beneath the sun, Albert found true adventure within the pages of his books. Knights, dragons, and worlds hidden in mist were far more thrilling than any game of marbles.

One golden afternoon, Albert found his usual spot under the giant oak, a fortress of leaves that kept the world at bay. His eyes devoured the words about a knight rescuing his dragon-napped love, each sentence another treasure to store in his young mind. He barely noticed as the sun dipped, painting the sky in deep violets and gold.

A soft thud startled him. A rabbit, wearing a tiny waistcoat, dashed across his lap, knocking the book from Albert’s hands.

“I’m late! I’m late!” the rabbit squeaked, fumbling with a small pocket watch.

Albert blinked. A talking, clothed rabbit? His heart leapt. “Wait! Where are you going? Can I come with you?” he called as he chased it through the trees.

The rabbit darted down a burrow, its white tail vanishing into darkness. Albert knelt by the hole, calling again, “Please, let me join your adventure!”

A soft laugh echoed behind him. Albert turned, searching the darkening woods.

“Who’s there?” he asked.

A tuft of white fluff floated before him, unattached to any body. It danced in the air, brushing against his cheek, and Albert reached out to touch it.

A chuckle, low and smooth, drifted through the branches. “Albert, is it?” the voice hissed, unseen.

Albert straightened, trying to sound brave. “Yes, I am Albert. And who are you?”

A massive shape melted out of the shadows—a dragon, with dark scales outlined in red, its human-like teeth twisted into a mischievous grin. Adorning its ears, claws, and tail were puffs of white fluff, making it look more like a decorated jester than a terrifying beast.

“They call me the Cheshire Dragon,” it purred, blinking in and out of visibility. “You are not afraid?”

Albert’s eyes sparkled. “You are the most marvelous dragon I have ever seen!”

The dragon’s grin widened. “Will you help me, brave Albert?”

Albert glanced back at the rabbit hole. “I was about to follow the rabbit…”

The dragon chuckled. “The rabbit is late for tea, and nothing more. But I, Albert, can offer you a true adventure.”

Albert’s curiosity won over his hesitation. “What do you need?”

Instead of answering, the dragon vanished, leaving only its grin floating in the air before the world began to twist and spin around Albert. Colors bled together, and he felt himself falling through a whirlpool of light.

When Albert opened his eyes, he found himself in a dark room, food scattered around him, the remains of a table he had crashed into. A small door with a glowing keyhole was the only source of light.

As Albert tried to clean the mess, the Cheshire Dragon’s voice startled him. “I wouldn’t touch that tea…”

Albert ignored the warning, picking up a small pot, and instantly a tingling surged through him. Before he could cry out, he grew, his body pressing painfully against the walls until he was wedged in place, a giant in a tiny room.

The Cheshire Dragon’s laughter echoed as it rolled on the floor, invisible one moment, visible the next. “I warned you!”

“Please,” Albert gasped, panic rising, “help me!”

With a sigh, the dragon floated to Albert’s eye level, its tail’s puff brushing Albert’s nose, causing him to sneeze so hard the dragon tumbled to the ground, sputtering.

“Two bites of bread from the table will return you to size,” it huffed, wiping dragon snot from its scales.

With effort, Albert grabbed the bread, took two bites, and shrank—too far. Now, the room towered above him, and he was no bigger than a mouse.

Tears stung Albert’s eyes. “Please, why did you trick me?”

The dragon, looming above, sighed. “Because I need your help, and only someone your size can enter that door. My crystal is inside, and it’s the only way to remove these ridiculous puffs from my body.”

Albert sniffed but nodded. “All right. I will help.”

The door opened easily, and Albert stepped into a glowing room with a chasm surrounding a pillar where a spade-shaped crystal floated. His eyes widened as he searched for a way across.

Remembering his deck of cards in his pocket, Albert discovered that the spade cards glowed in his hands. Piece by piece, he used them to create a magical bridge, each card forming a step toward the crystal.

When a missing card left a gap, Albert braced himself and leapt, each jump a test of faith, each step forward a promise to himself that he could be brave.

At last, with a final jump, Albert grasped the glowing crystal. The room pulsed with light, and the bridge began to crumble beneath him. Clutching the crystal, Albert raced back across the cards, diving through the door just as the bridge vanished.

Breathless, Albert handed the crystal to the Cheshire Dragon, who squealed with joy. Light enveloped them, and the next moment, Albert found himself under his oak tree, the forest quiet, his book in his lap.

Was it a dream?

Albert reached into his pocket, finding his deck of cards—and saw the spades were missing.

With a small smile, Albert stood, the whisper of adventure still on the breeze.

“Just in case,” he said, dusting himself off, “I’d better get a new deck.”

And as the wind rustled the leaves above, somewhere far away, the Cheshire Dragon laughed, waiting for Albert’s next adventure.

Moral of the Story

Curiosity can lead to the grandest adventures, but true bravery lies in helping others even when you are afraid.