By 5th Grade Students at Cadwallader Elementary
Nov 2012
The dragon guarded her cave. The cat, Crowpaw, watched the cave. Crowpaw was curious about what the dragon guarded in the cave. Crowpaw had seen the dragon around, but he didn’t know much about her.
The dragon was dark purple. Crowpaw had to really crane his neck to see the dragon. She was really big and very round. She had scales all over and down the ridge of her back was a series of spikes about the length of Crowpaw’s tail. They looked as if they could easily be as sharp as Crowpaw’s claws. The scales were all rough and bumpy.
Crowpaw sniffed the air. He thought the dragon smelled nice, sort of like an overgrown lizard, maybe a crocodile–kind of like slimy water.
The dragon was grunting a lot. Crowpaw thought his presence was disturbing the dragon. Not only was she grunting, but she also was thumping her tail around. Crowpaw would do the same thing if he were disturbed.
Crowpaw charged toward the cave. He hoped to squeeze past the dragon before she could catch him. However, the dragon, quick as a wink, flapped her wings over the spot where Crowpaw headed, blocking his way. Crowpaw sat up on his haunches and scratched at the wings. They were as rough and tough as leather. This could take a long time.
He started to caterwall, his highest screeching meow. The dragon flicked her tail and sent him flying through the air. Usually he was good at landing on his paws, but he flew so fast that he fell on his back. He decided it would be wise to play dead for awhile.
All of the sudden he smelled something new. It was a lot like the dragon’s scent only lighter. He could tell it came from the same direction as the dragon, but it was unique.
The dragon was still grunting and thumping her tail. She was still upset.
After a very long time, Crowpaw decided to try to slink away and around to the other side of the cave. His curiosity was definitely getting the best of him. He started to snurkle toward the cave. As he snurkled, he heard the dragon slowly stomping toward him. He snurkled faster. He heard the dragon’s tail whoosh past him and he felt it like the wind, but this time the dragon missed.
Then the dragon tried again and once more, Crowpaw was sailing through the air. He landed in the bushes, but at least this time on his feet. He noticed that there was a line of bushes that followed a path to the backside of the cave. Staying hidden in the bushes, he slinked to the other side.
He found a tiny opening into the cave. He crawled through the opening, barely squeezing himself through. The cave was pitch dark, but Crowpaw’s eyes quickly adjusted.
He heard a teeny tiny roar. He cocked one ear. As he slinked further into the cave, the roar grew louder. The second scent, the one that was lighter, now grew stronger.
Crowpaw looked around. The cave had many openings and walls, making it look like a maze. There were so many paths that he could take.
Suddenly, the dragon exploded into the cave from the ceiling.
Keeping low to the ground, Crowpaw dashed away from the dragon, but clearly she saw him because he felt hot licks of flame singe his back. He ran as fast as he could. Suddenly, flames came at him from the other direction.
Another dragon!
He was stuck in a pickle of flame. He ran one way then another but everywhere was fire. He smelled burning fur and knew it was his.
He made the biggest leap of his life and landed on top of the large dragon’s head. He climbed with all four sets of claws. The dragon shook and shook her head, but Crowpaw hung on. The dragon rammed herself into the wall many times, but Crowpaw hung on.
The force of the dragon’s lunges against the cave caused it to begin to crumble and fall. Big chunks flew, landing everywhere. The dragon seemed intent on escape. She opened her wings, grabbed the little dragon with her talons, and flew out of the cave just as it collapsed. The cat tried to hold on but his claws came ripping out of his paws. He fell.
Suddenly, he was flying. He looked over his shoulder and saw wings! Wow! That was so cool and it didn’t even hurt.
Crowpaw never saw the dragons again. He never found out their story, but he didn’t care because he was now the coolest cat ever due to his wings. Everyone loved him and wanted to be his friend.
The End.
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