Once upon a time, under the light of a twinkling evening star, a curious little mouse named Milo stood at the entrance of his cozy burrow. He was a joyful little creature, with bright eyes filled with wonder, always eager to explore the world around him. This evening, however, he was surrounded by his friends, and they were all abuzz with a tale that made his tiny heart thump uncertainly.
Deep in the heart of the woods, there towered a dark, twisting mountain that rose high, almost touching the clouds. Rumor had it that a dragon dwelled atop this mountain, snorting fire and shaking his long, spindly tail. Legend spoke of this dragon protecting a treasure, hidden away in a cave only he knew. Every evening, they said, he would spread his magnificent wings and soar high into the starry skies. Although Milo longed to see the dragon, he felt a tremor of fear inside him.
Milo hesitated for a moment, listening to his friends discuss the suspected visit of this dragon who would soon light up the skies with his fiery bursts. What if he were to come down from the mountain, fly over the burrow, and inhaled all the mice up in one big swoop? The thought was terrifying, yet a whisper of bravery inside him nudged.
“I shall go,” he declared finally, and with a little squeak, he set out on his adventure. With each step closer to the mountain, hesitation tugged at him, but at last, he began to climb. How dark and gloomy the mountain appeared! How black its jagged rocks! The wind whistled, and a ghostly fog began to roll in. Was he, Milo the little mouse, to brave the secrets of the mountain all by himself? Yet, the ascent continued.
The wind howled as it caught in his soft, golden fur, the fog swirled about him, but on the climber went straight up to the very top. As he reached out to touch a particularly ugly piece of rock, suddenly, before him, appeared the dragon!
Milo simply trembled. Alas! He had almost lost heart, but the dragon was so surprised to find a tiny mouse at his mountain peak, he did not know what to do. But when he noticed how badly Milo was shivering, his huge heart was melted, and he peered kindly over his great big nose and said, “Dear little creature, what do you want?”
“Oh, sir,” squeaked Milo, trembling still more, “do you really do the things they say you do?”
“Ah!” replied the dragon, “you have heard those silly tales they tell you, then? Well, I never swallow mice, I assure you, and I have a particular aversion to doing such things. My sole duty is to sweep the skies when there is a danger of the stars colliding together.”
“I did not know that,” said Milo, growing bolder, “but, if you please, would you fly over our woodland tomorrow evening when you give out the fireworks, that I may see them too?”
“Yes, indeed!” replied the dragon, “and besides, as you have climbed so high, come with me into my cave, and eat some supper, for I happen to have something very nice in my larder.”
And so he took the little mouse down into his cave, where he spread before him a most dainty supper. Never had such a meal been tasted! When they had finished, why, the two parted the best of friends; and many were the good times they had together after, for Milo always visited the dragon as often as he could.