Aubergine -- The Vegetarian Dragon

Aubergine -- The Vegetarian Dragon


The mighty dragon stands up tall
And roars aloud his dragon call.

His voice, like thunder, echoes out,
A mighty cry, without a doubt.

He flexes claws and stretches wings,
While thinking thoughts of tasty things.

His iridescent wings stretch wide,
Those shining scales display his pride.

His eyes, like gems of amethyst,
Can lure in ways you can’t resist.

His mouth, it widens to a smile
With teeth just like a crocodile.

But have no fear; he won’t eat you.
He’s vegetarian; it's true!

This dragon’s name is Aubergine
And he prefers a raw cuisine.

All fruits and veggies are his food,
Plus peanuts, when he’s in the mood.

He likes papaya, mixed with lime,
Then seasoned with a pinch of thyme.

He’s very fond of turnip greens,
As well as pears and lima beans.

But his most favored food of all,
The one thing that holds him in thrall?

It’s eggplant - sliced upon a dish!
Unending heaps, would be his wish.

He doesn’t buy it at a store.
He grows his own eggplants … and more!

At gardening, he is quite skilled,
A pastime which keeps him fulfilled.

His claws can till the soil quite well
He loves that musty, earthy smell.

Within his garden, at his home,
His veggies thrive in dark, rich loam.

His home? A small uncharted isle
Where he has dwelt for quite awhile.

It’s somewhere in the southern seas,
With climate swayed by tropic breeze.

With sunny days and balmy nights,
His home is full of true delights.

A nice dark cave, when temps are hot,
A perfect dragon resting spot.

With sands as hot as lava pools
Where he can lie, as evening cools.

But dragons can get lonely, too.
Without a friend, he would be blue.

That’s why he chose himself a pet,
A friend that he would not regret.

He chose one that was very small
Who would not eat too much at all.

Because he did not want to share
A single bean or peach or pear.

What was his pet? A small grey mouse
Who lived with him inside his house.

And it would nibble daintily
On seeds and peels and such debris.

So, thus they lived, this mouse and beast
And daily shared a veggie feast.

And all was well, until one day,
While dining on a fruit buffet …

Poor Aubergine, took one huge bite …
Then had a moment of great fright!

His mousie friend had disappeared!
He hoped it was not what he feared!

Had he consumed his little friend?
Had he brought Mousie to his end?

Such woe! Such sadness! Such distress!
But wait … a wiggle? … is it? -- YES!

There, squirming out between his teeth
Were tiny paws, with tail beneath.

The dragon gave a hearty cough
And from his teeth, the mouse jumped off.

Such joy! Such bliss! Such victory!
The dragon hugged the mouse with glee!

He danced, he sang, he whirled about.
“I am so glad I coughed you out!

My little friend, I thought you’d died!
I was so scared!” the dragon cried.

“Not only did I fear for you,
But I had fears for myself, too!

A friend is not someone to eat …
Plus … I have allergies to meat!

If I had somehow swallowed you,
Soon I would turn from green to blue!

My throat would swell; I’d start to choke.
I probably would have a stroke!

I’d get bad breath; my wings would shake.
My claws would split; my eyes would ache.

This weakness? It’s my enemy!
That’s why I’ve lived alone, you see.

It started when I was a pup.
I ate some meat, but then threw up.

The other dragons called me names.
They laughed and burned me with their flames.

I could not eat the way they did.
Instead, I ran away and hid.

But it was not a horrid fate,
I’ve learned that veggies can taste great!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, this is it; the tale is told
Of mousie small and dragon bold.

Their island home, the tropic breeze
The dragon’s garden expertise.

With fruits and veggies, tasty stuff
A dragon who can’t get enough.

The strength and weakness of the beast
The small grey mouse who’s not deceased.

A tragedy that turned to cheer
Without the need to shed a tear.

The moral, at the story’s end?
It is poor taste to eat a friend.


rhyming couplets
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