Gabryele and the Joking Dragon

In a small house, standing close to a dell,

Lived a little girl they called Gabryele.

Friends stood at her window, waiting to play.

"I can't come out right now," she would always say.

"Perhaps I will later in the day."

She liked reading the books that lined the shelves.

Tales of monsters, dragons and elves,

Heroes and heroines filled with might.

These were all hers in dreams of night.


She sat in the corner with a book in her hand.

Suddenly she traveled to a magical land.

Riding her horse Goo, leaving prints in the sand.

"Time to save the kingdom!" she spoke with a smile.

"Taking care of a dragon could take awhile."

Off she galloped towards the dragon’s den.

Not knowing what she'd find waiting within.


She came to a small town where everyone was sad.

The dragon had come, taken all they had.

The mayor spoke up as she stopped in the square.

She listened and looked at frowns everywhere.

"That dragon is mean to both girls and boys.

He took all our food! He stole all our toys!"

Gabryele held her head high. "Please do not fear.

I will meet with this dragon, bring your things here."

This, of course, was met with great cheer.


"Tell me of this dragon," she said kind of quiet.

"Oh," said the mayor. "He thinks he's a riot!

He came and told jokes as old as the sky.

When we didn’t laugh, he wondered why?

He was roaring in laughter, but that quickly turned

Into roars of anger; things were taken and

People were burned!”

Gabryele sat and pondered all she'd been told.

Then she thought of a plan that was quite bold.

"I will tame this dragon with jokes of old!"

She would leave tomorrow; watch her plan unfold.


That night was spent with parade and song.

Gabryele got directions, it wouldn’t take long.

After a rest, she was ready for the trail

She rode out of town saying, "I will not fail!"

She rode Goo as he trotted they played.

Then they came to the cave where the dragon stayed.

"I should try to sneak in, not make a sound.

That way I can have a good look around."



She jumped off Goo, and in the cave, she darted.

But came to a place where the cave was parted.

"Which way to go?" she spoke very light.

She heard a noise; that came from the right.

So she went that way following the sound.

Deeper and deeper she went underground.

She soon found a room - no, a great hall.

There was the dragon, standing quite tall.


Gabryele didn’t run, or feel any fear.

Nor did the dragon notice her near.

"Excuse me, Mr. Dragon," Gabryele said.

But the dragon kept muttering, shaking his head.

"EXCUSE ME, MR. DRAGON!" she said once more.

The dragon then turned. "Who's at my door?"

His voice was loud, but showed no anger.

His face was gentle so she felt no danger.


"Why did the dragon cross the road?" asked Gabryele.

(He didn’t know this one, anyone could tell.)

"Why did the dragon cross the road?" he now pried.

"So he could eat the chicken on the other side!"

Gabryele yelled, her face was quite proud.

The dragon was quiet, and then he was loud.

Well, the dragon snorted and then he giggled.

Smoke puffed out his nose, and his belly wiggled.

He went on and on, rolling across the floor.

He laughed until he cried and couldn’t take any more.


When at last his laughter stopped,

Gabryele bowed low, then up she popped.

"My name is Gabryele; it's a pleasure to meet."

"Why my name is Hugo, come in, have a seat."

Gabryele explained about the village she'd found.

Hugo sat listening, not making a sound.

When she finished speaking, he held his head down.

When he looked up his face was sad.

He softly spoke. “I don’t mean to get mad.


I was just trying to make a friend,

But somehow it all went wrong in the end.

I thought I’d tell some jokes, be a nice guy.

They all just stared at me, I don’t know why.

First, they ignored me, and then they glared.

I don’t know what happened, I guess I got scared!

I took all their things and brought them with me.

Now none of us are very happy.”


“Perhaps there’s a way to make amends,” Gabryele said.

Hugo looked excited and perked up his head.

“First you should return all their stuff,

And second, try not to be so rough!

It’ll be better if you just be you,

Offer an apology; they’ll know it is true.”

Hugo now spoke. “Yes, you are right!

Will you go with me in the morning?

Will you spend the night?”

“Of course!” said Gabryele with a smile.

They sat and talked more, just a little while.

Then off to bed, Hugo tucked her in.

He laid his head down, wanting morning to begin.


The sun had risen the dawn was here.

Gabryele and Hugo’s path was clear.

Hugo was putting things in a big backpack.

Gabryele helped him put it on his back.

“What if they’re still mad?” Hugo pouted.

“After all, I burned and shouted!”

“Don’t you worry!” said Gabryele, firm and strong.

“I know they will listen, let’s move along.”


They started to town laughing and talking.

Though dragons can fly Hugo was walking

So he could stay close to his friend Gabryele.

It kept him calm, feeling quite well.

It seemed like no time when they topped a hill.

There was the town the people looked up,

Then they stood still.


Gabryele kept riding, and as she drew near,

The mayor spoke up, “What’s he doing here?”

Gabryele spoke, announcing to the town,

There was a reason she had brought Hugo around.

“He has returned with your things, realized his mistake.

And now my friend Hugo has an apology to make.”

Hugo stepped up, laid the pack on the ground.

He said, “I’m sorry.” He told his story to the town.

When he was finished, no one made a sound.


Hugo turned to walk away,

Having said what he wanted to say.

Then the mayor spoke, “Mr. Dragon, please stay...

Tonight we will feast, celebrate with song!

Our new found friendship will last long!”

Hugo turned with a big dragon grin,

A smile that sparkled from deep within!

Gabryele was happy and also sad.

She had made new friends, for that she was glad.


She hugged Hugo’s neck, and gave a big kiss,

Then she said clearly, “All of you, I will miss.

But my job is done, it’s time I part.

I will always keep you all in my heart.

Be yourself- it’s a good lesson learned.

And be kind to dragons, so no one gets burned!”

She rode away hearing sounds of laughter.

The villagers and Hugo lived happily ever after.


Gabryele closed her book, placed it on the shelf.

“I think I’ll go outside, have some fun myself.”

She went and joined all her friends at play.

They wanted to know, “How can you do nothing all day?”

Gabryele thought of Hugo and that big, shiny grin.

Then of Goo and the townsfolk, “Where do I begin?”

She sat back and smiled. “Come gather round.

I’ll show you a place where dragons are found.”