Walter and Bernie were twin dragons.They were alike in every way except one: for whilst Bernie could breathe fire, Walter could not.

“We’re dragons,” said Bernie. “And dragons breathe fire.”

Walter thought his sister was the best thing since burnt toast and wanted to please her but, try as he might, Walter could not breathe fire.

–

“Just do what I do,” said Bernie.

With a deep breath and a mighty roar, Bernie set fire to wagon loaded with hay.

“Don’t the farmers mind us doing this?” said Walter.

The farmers shook their fists in the air.

“We’re dragons,” said Bernie. “And dragons breathe FIRE. Besides, they’re waving. Now it’s your turn.”

–

Walter opened his mouth to take a deep breath.

Then he paused.

The farmers lay on the ground and covered their heads.

“Are you sure they don’t mind,” said Walter.

“We’re dragons,” said Bernie. “And dragons breathe FIRE.”

“Ok,” said Walter. “I’m a dragon. And I can breathe…”

–

“…WATER?” he splooshed.

Out of Walter’s mouth shot a fierce jet of water and pffft – it put out Bernie’s fire.

“Useless,” he spluttered.

“Thank you!” shouted the farmers as they wrung out their clothes.

“This,” said Bernie. “Is a problem.”

–

The next day, the twin dragons practised some more.

“TREE!” Bernie shouted, and set it alight.

“WINDMILL!” Bernie cheered as it burst into flame.

“BOAT! CASTLE! GRASS!” Bernie roared for each glorious blaze.

The woodcutter, the miller, the boat maker, the soldiers and the shepherd shook their fists at the dragons.

–

“Now you try,” said Bernie.

“TREE! WINDMILL! BOAT! CASTLE! GRASS!” roared Walter.

But each time he opened his mouth the poor dragon put out every fire Bernie had lit.

“Rubbish,” said Walter.

“Thank you,” said the woodcutter, the miller, the boat maker, the soldiers and the shepherd.

–

“I need some time to myself,” said Walter. And off he went to practise by himself.

But all Walter managed to do was water the village green, refill a lake, and top up some drinks at a children’s birthday party.

“It’s no good. I’m nothing but a wet dragon,” said Walter when he returned.

“Nonsense,” said Bernie. “Maybe I just need to get you started.”

–

The two dragons flew to a village.

The villagers saw the two dragons coming and ran away.

“Are you sure nobody minds us doing this?” asked Walter.

“We’re dragons,” said Bernie. “And dragons breathe FIRE. Now watch.”

Walter’s big sister breathed a jet of flame so hot it melted the stones and the village began to burn.

But it burned too well.

–

“The village! The village!” shouted the angry villagers. “WHY HAVE YOU BURNED OUR VILLAGE?”

“We’re dragons,” said Bernie. “And dragons breathe F… OW!”

The fire was burning so fiercely now that Bernadette’s tail had set alight.

“My tail! My tail!”

Walter watched as everyone ran about trying to stop the fire.

He knew exactly what to do.

–

“I’m a dragon,” said Walter. “And I breathe… WATER!”

Taking a deep breath, Walter sent out a jet of water which covered Bernie from tail to toe.

“Fizzle,” said Bernie.

But Walter didn’t stop there.

–

With an even deeper breath, Walter sent a torrent of water gushing out.

It washed over the houses, paths and trees.

Each and every fire hissed and went out.

“Thank you,” said the villagers.

“Thank you,” said Bernie. “You are a dragon… A FIRE DRAGON!”

All the villagers agreed…

–

And they even gave him a fireman’s hat!

—

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Thank you to Jools Wilson who provided the INCREDIBLE illustration! See her work at Bears Get Crafty.