Folksburywoods

Good evening, kiddies, and welcome to another bedtime story from Uncle Vlad. Tonight’s story is about a little boy who wouldn’t listen to Granny and got into big trouble.

Once upon a time, a little boy named Jon lived with his Granny. He was an orphan because his mom and dad were eaten by a big giant monster that lived in the woods.

Each day, Granny sent him to gather sticks and mushrooms in the forest.

“Boy, you are going to the woods now, but remember not to take the left path, or you will be in big trouble,” his Granny would say.

Now, the boy wasn’t evil, just a little naughty, but you know how boys are. One day he went into the forest to gather wood and mushrooms.

“I don’t know why I must always listen to what Granny tells me to do. I’m nine and a half years old, and I am almost a man,” the boy remarked.

When the boy reached a fork in the road, he took the left fork to show how brave he was.

“I am sure there must be a huge mushroom down this path since everyone is too afraid to travel it,” the boy said.

Sure enough, as the boy walked the path, he spotted an enormous mushroom and plenty of wood to gather.

“See how smart I am. I will be home in no time with so much wood in one spot,” the boy said.

After filling his basket and gathering sticks, the boy turned around and began to leave.

“Where are you thinking of going with my food and fire?” came a voice from the trees.

Trying to be brave, the boy answered, “I’m going home, and I did not see any sign warning me that this belonged to someone. It’s free to all who are brave enough to claim it,” the boy said.

A large shadow appeared before the boy, and a dragon was attached to it.

“I don’t need to put up a sign because I’ve never been bothered before,” the beast said.

“Oh crumbs,” the boy whimpered.

I would have dropped the basket and wood and fled as fast as we could. The boy still believed he was a brave warrior, so he stood his ground.

“I’m not afraid of you. You’re nothing but a bag of hot air,” the boy said.

The dragon was shocked. In all his long years, no one had ever stood up to him before. Intrigued, he decided to play along.

“I see I have met my match. What is your name, great warrior?” asked the dragon.

Jon, son of William and Mary, grandson of Willow the wise woman,” said the boy.

“I see, so you’re Willow’s little whirlwind. I’ve heard so much about you,” the dragon said.

“You’ve heard of me?” the boy asked.

“Indeed, your grandmother is an old and dear friend of mine, and once a week we have tea. She talks about your misdeeds and asks my advice on what she should do about you,” the dragon answered.

“What do you tell her?” the boy asked.

“I tell her to bring him to me and let me eat him. But she never does. I see you have brought yourself instead. I was hoping for something a little more meaty, but you’ll do,” remarked the beast.

Don’t worry, kiddies. The dragon won’t eat the boy. Uncle Vlad didn’t want you to worry.

So, as I was telling you, the boy thought he was a goner.

“Please don’t eat me. Granny needs my help. If I promise never to come back, will you let me go?” pleaded the boy.

“Well, I suppose I could let you off the hook this once,” the dragon said.

The boy set down the wood, emptied the basket, then turned to leave.

“I didn’t say I would let you off the hook,” mumbled the dragon. The dragon puffed a flame, which hit the boy square in the bottom.

“EEEEEW,” cried the boy as he patted out his burning trousers.

The boy shot off like a rocket and didn’t stop running until he reached home.

“So you were naughty and did not listen to Granny. Yes?” said his grandmother.

After the wise woman dressed his burn, she sent him up to his loft without a bit to eat.

“You are very lucky. The dragon is an old friend and would have eaten you otherwise,” scolded his grandmother.

The following day, Jon and his grandmother filled a basket with eggs and wheat bread. Together they took it to the dragon to thank him for not eating the little boy.

So what did you think of Uncle Vlad’s bedtime story? Was it too scary? Yes?

Until next time. Be good children and listen to what Granny always tells you, or you might end up in a beast’s tummy yourself. Bye bye.