Finders Keepers (178 Words)
When Farmer Tye saw the dragon guarding a little brambly nest tucked under a bush, he knew what it meant. Baby dragons.
“You leave that nest alone, Farmer Tye,” said his neighbor and friend Jimmy Quinn. Jimmy was a carpenter and very conscious of his crucial role in the village’s upkeep, just as he was very conscious of Tye’s practical usefulness as well. To him, the stonemason was “Stonemason Tim,” the weaver was “Weaver Molly,” and the farmer was “Farmer Tye.”
“But—dragons,” said Farmer Tye. “That’d settle my retirement.”
“And burn your house down,” said Jimmy Quinn.
“Come on,” said Farmer Tye, going for his ladder. “Unless you’re too chicken to try.”
Carpenter Quinn knew he wasn’t a chicken. So when the dragon was safely out of sight, he and Farmer Tye crept to the nest. Carpenter Quinn was alarmed to see the broken shells inside, but Farmer Tye burst out laughing when he saw movement under the bush’s brambles.
“I’ve seen a lot of things,” he said, “but I’ve never seen a dragon that laid chicks.”
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Written in response to Flash Fiction for the Purposeful Practitioner‘s photo prompt. Check it out!
WALLIE'S WENTLETRAP 