Wonderland

Once there was a Skydancer born to a most happy Dame and Sire.
The first days of his life were spent cuddled up in his parents' warm embrace, sheltered from the last of Winter's chill by cozy blankets, or capes wrapped around him if they ventured out of their lair.
When Springtime came, the little hatchling loved to be outdoors, surrounded by the lush green foliage

His Dame would bring along quilts as they enjoyed picnics near streams and under canopied forests. Wonder would fill her son's eyes at the magical land he found himself in filled with all manner of insects, birds and animals. He was especially fond of his Dame's flower garden, and could lay out in it for hours, fascinated by the sunlight shining on the beautiful yellow roses, or on the daisies bedecking her small grass clearing. Trails of ants scurried about providing for their Queen, and giant moths flittered around, sometimes softly landing on his upturned face. Often he would stay so long as to fall asleep where he lay, much to the amusement of his parents. Scanning for their little one, it was not uncommon to miss seeing him at first sight, until they learned that little Wonderland had a tendency to cuddle down underneath his quilt, reminiscent of his earlier days, snug and safe with his parents.

Their lair was built up in the trees, and Wonderland took great delight is flying with his Sire about the tree boughs, just the two of them, landing to eat a snack from an apple tree, or soaring above the dense forest where all that could be seen were the green treetops, and the blue sky wrapped around them.

It was a happy life, even though there were no other dragons nearby. They had each other, and the woodland creatures, and that was enough. The little Skydancer was good friends with one of the Swallowtail Jumpers. He was fascinated by the swirls on Moffsy's wings, and his stained glass leg scarfs, and together the two would disappear for the day into the bushes or treetops.
One day, a family of traveling dragons came by, and were welcomed by his parents. But when they went to find their cub so he could play with other hatchlings, Wonderland was nowhere to be seen. Later, they tried to explain about other dragons, and how they could become new friends. Yet when more and more families began coming to the forest, it was difficult to get Wonderland to stay and visit. Most of the time, he would disappear neath bushes in the garden, or into the larder crouched way in back wrapped in a quilt or blanket with Moffsy.

At first, his Dame thought maybe just the sight of different dragons made him neveous so she made him a stuffed three-headed dragon to get used to. They would play together having Tea with Terzetto, or go on hikes. It didn't make any difference, though. When other dragons were around, Wonderland, along with Moffsy and Terzetto were no where to be found.

The Dame began to worry so the Sire took his son on a moonlight flight. When they landed on top of a hilltop looking down upon their forest, he brought out a jug on his love's finest cocoa to enjoy. He had also brought along a quilt but rather than sit on it as they viewed the night sky, Wonderland wrapped it around him, Terzetto tucked warm inside, and Moffsy sitting on his wrist trying to sneak sips of the warm drink.
“Do you not like other dragons?” the Sire asked his son.
Turning big eyes to look upon the older dragon, Wonderland took a moment to ponder the question. “They're okay, I guess. I'm just happy as I am.”
“You could be happy as you are most of the time, but then have fun with other younglings.” Most dragons were social creatures; it seemed his duty to teach his child this.
Again, consideration.
“I don't think so. Maybe in the future, or with other dragons? But right now, they are too loud and full of energy. I would much rather be alone with Moffsy and Tez.”
“Don't you get lonely?”
“How could I get lonely?” laughed his child. “I have you and Mother. I have my friends, I have the creatures of the woods, and the flowers and the trees and the sunlight. I have myself and I am happy.”
The child spoke with such conviction and confidence that it made his Sire pause this time. Had he ever seen his son unhappy with his circumstances, his life? Only when he had to interact with other dragons.
“Father, I do not wish to be mean or seem rude. But others set me on edge. I get all jingle-jangly inside, and when they try to talk or play with me, it feels like a wild storm pulsing inside my head. But when I am alone, or with you and Mother, inside me feels like springtime, like warm hugs and soft breezes.”
His Farger had never known that. It was different than anything he had ever experienced. But did that make it wrong? As Wonderland said, maybe in the future he would venture out more and get to know other dragons. It seemed rather likely, in fact. But it would probably not ever be in ways that seemed natural to his parents. Of course, Wonderland was his own Dragon, and had a different personality than that of his parents. That was not a bad thing. His son was caring and creative. He revered nature and life. He was filled with Joy and laughter. It was enough.
Thanking his son for talking with him about it, they returned home. (Moffsy was napping in a cocoa coma.) After Wonderland's Dame tucked him in bed neath his cozy blanket with Terzetto cradled in his arms, and the moth snoozing beside him on his pillow, she and the Sire talked for many hours sitting outside their lair, looking at the shining stars above.
Several days later, they took Wonderland on a picnic to his favorite place. As they lay on the blanket relaxing after eating, the Sire pulled a piece of cloth from the picnic basket.
“We have a gift for you, son. We want you to know that we love you just as you are, and are very proud of the Dragon you are becoming. Maybe this will help sometimes to keep the wild storms from raging inside you.”
Wonderland look confused as he accepted the fabric. Shaking it out, he realized it was a cloak. “Oh Father! A new cloak! Thank you.”
“Not just any cloak,” laughed his father. “Let's try it on your Mother.”
Wonderland happily obliged by reaching over to drape the soft cloak around his Dame's shoulders. But when she pulled the hood over her head, he gasped.

HIS MOTHER HAD DISAPPEARED!!!
Laughter from his Dame joined that of his Sire, and then his Mother pulled the hood down.
He could see her again. She had not gone anywhere. How was this possible?
Smiling as she unwrapped the cloak and gave it back to her son, she said, “It's an Invisibility Cloak! Your Father thought it might help when you don't feel like interacting with other dragons.”
Wonderland looked between his parents several times, blinking. “It's okay that I prefer my own company to that of others? I do not disappoint you?”
“You do not disappoint us, son.”
“REALLY???”
“Yes. Really truly.”
A big grin lit Wonderland's small face as he let out a whoop of pure Joy as he launched himself at his parents to wrap them in big hugs as he thanked them.
“Don't you think you should try it out?”
A moment later, the little dragon disappeared as he flung the cloak and hood on. Laughter filled the air as he raced around the clearing in jubilation!
Yet even invisible, the cub was easy to track.
A huge green moth flittered near the laughter, and a flopsy 3-headed toy dragon seemed to float as if by magic nearby.

lore by DragonsMom!