‘Look Dragon. I don’t want you here.
I don’t need you prattling in my ear.
Take your fiery breath and your ridiculous name
And disappear back from where you came.’

‘I don’t want to hear your idle talk
When I go out for my daily walk.
I don’t need your help to cross the road
Or want your back to carry my load.’

‘I can manage quite happily all day
Without any problems when you’re away.
I walk to school without a care
And play by myself when you’re not there.’

‘When I’m at school, I know what to do
And nothing I have to do includes you.
I read my group’s book, I write up my news
Maths is a breeze and I do what I choose.’

‘Go back to your castle at the edge of the wood
Mind your own business and try to be good.
Stretch out on the lawn and read a few books
No breathing on pages in case they all cook.’

‘Blow clouds of ash to block out the sun.
Dark and spooky is always fun.
Build a fort with a fireproof floor
A wire mesh window and a steel door.’

‘Try flying lessons and learn some tricks
Practice hard to make them stick.
If you crash make sure it’s over the sea
We don’t want forest fires burning free.’

Go to the gym or take a cool swim
But keep your jaws shut so the fire stays in.
Find a buddy to enjoy a brisk walk
Take the chance for a really long talk.

‘Share a bone with your dog and give him a pat
Let him sleep inside, I know he’ll like that.
Go to the movies or stay out for tea
Your time’s our own when you don’t have me.

‘But stay away from my family’s home.
It is time for you to be on your own
Living a life of smoke, fire and ash
Doing dragon things with your dragon cash.’

‘Another thing while you’re there
Get rid of that overlarge bow in your hair.
I know it’s for arrows but even so
People don’t get that it’s just for show.’

The house went quiet and dragon stayed away.
No resting in corners waiting to play.
‘At last! said the boy, ‘the house to myself.’
He helped himself to toys from the shelf.

With a spring in his step, he went off to his room
A smile on his face and humming a tune.
Mum read a story and turned off the light
Blew a kiss from the door and said ‘Goodnight.’

The dark closed around as the room turned to night
The boy’s eyes grew big as he took in the light.
He thought happy thoughts and he sang happy songs
But something was missing, he’d known all along.

‘I’m lonely,’ he wailed, and then came a flash.
There was the dragon. He’d made a quick dash.
‘Don’t worry,’ he said ‘I can light up this space.
I won’t singe the curtains or blow smoke in your face.’

‘For now, I’ll sleep quietly on the floor
Curled up on the rug just inside your door.
For as long as you want, I’ll stay very near
When your need is gone, you’ll forget I was here.