The Dragon's Birthday Party

he's ten years old today.

"Come and do your special trick,"

I heard his mother say.

We crowded round the table,

we pushed and shoved to see

as someone brought the cake mix in

and the dragon laughed with glee.

It was just a bowl with flour in

and eggs and milk and that

with ten blue candles round the top

in the shape of Postman Pat.

The dragon took a big deep breath

stood up to his full size

and blew a blast of smoke and flame

that made us shut our eyes.

We felt the air grow hotter

we knew the taste of fear.

I felt a spark fly through the air

and land on my left ear.

But when we looked

make no mistake:

the candles were lit

and the cake was baked.

By

Ian McMillan