Eleanor and the Dragon

Eleanor was a farmer.
 
There are many types of farmers.  Eleanor's mother was a cow farmer.  Her father was an apple farmer.  Her baby brother was a worm farmer (although Eleanor suspected he just wanted an excuse to play in the mud).
 
Eleanor was a chicken and radish farmer. Her chickens were the fluffiest and her radishes were the crunchiest in the entire kingdom--at least, according to Eleanor.
 
—

Today, Eleanor was leaving her family's home, to build a farm of her own.
 
"Goodbye darling girl!"
"Good luck!"
"Watch out for hungry dragons!"
 
Dragons? Pish posh.  She wasn't worried about dragons. She was worried about finding the BEST spot to build her farm.
 
[walking past lots of signs warning of dragon lands]
 
Eleanor walked down the road, over the bridge, around the bend–

—

and there it was. The perfect field!
 
Eleanor built herself a quick little house out of sticks. She planted radish seeds and put up a coop for her hens.
 
—

Satisfied with her new farm, Eleanor started breakfast.
 
The scent of blueberry pancakes floated on the breeze.
 
The scent floated up the mountain.
 
—

The scent floated right into the nose of a big, bad dragon.  He sniffed a big sniiiiiiiff.  His mouth watered.
 
—

Just as Eleanor was pouring maple syrup, she heard knock knock knock.
 
"Little girl, little girl, let me come in!"
"Not by the dirt on my muddy work boots!"
"Then I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house in!"

—

So the dragon huffed and puffed–and burned down that little stick house.  Because, as you know, dragons blow fire.
 
Then away the dragon flew.
 
—

Eleanor checked on her chickens and patted her radishes.
 
"Don't use firestarter to build houses in dragon country.  Lesson learned."
 
Undeterred, Eleanor decided to rebuild her house with logs. "Fires at home always start with small twigs. A big log is much harder to light," she reasoned.
 
This house took much longer to build, but it was much sturdier.  Satisfied, she washed her hands and started making lunch.
 
The smell of sizzling butter drifted up the mountain.
 
—

The dragon unfurled his wings.
 
Just as Eleanor was picking up her toasted cheese sandwich, she heard knock knock knock.
 
"Little girl, little girl, let me come in!"
"Not by the roots of my radishy greens!"
"Then I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house in!"
 
—

The dragon huffed and puffed–and that strong, sturdy little log house turned into a strong, sturdy blaze and burned to a crisp.
 
Then away the dragon flew.
 
—

Eleanor gave her chickens and radishes some water while she thought.  
 
She was hungry and frustrated.  But more than anything, Eleanor was determined to build the most flame-resistant house that ever existed.
 
So, she rebuilt her house using bricks.  It took much, much longer to build.  It was the strongest house Eleanor had ever seen.
 
"I'd like to see that dragon try to burn down THIS house!"
 
Eleanor started making dinner.
 
The rich smell of sautéing onions danced up the mountain.

—
 
Just as Eleanor was taking the black bean chili off the stove, she heard knock knock knock.
 
"Little girl, little girl, let me come in!"
"Not by the fluff on my fluffy-butt chickens!"
"Then I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house in!"
 
The dragon huffed and puffed. He huffed and puffed and puffed and huffed–and the house still stood. Do you know why? Fire only makes bricks stronger.
 
—

The dragon threw himself down in the garden. He had a temper tantrum.  He kicked his feet. He flapped his wings.
 
"WHY WON'T YOU SHARE WITH ME? I’M HUUUUNGRY!"
 
Eleanor looked at the dragon with her hands on her hips.
 
"Well, have you tried asking politely?"
 
 "…may I have some dinner please?"
 
"Yes! But you need to clean up this mess first."
 
—

The dragon worked hard to tidy Eleanor's garden.  Eleanor baked a honey apple pie.
 
Just as they were setting the table, they heard knock knock knock!  Who could it possibly be now?
 
—

"Darling girl, may we please come in?" [it was Eleanor’s family!]
"Of course!"
 
And they all shared a delicious dinner together, on Eleanor's new farm.