SCHOOL term was over and the six friends had already made plans about how they would spend their holidays. On a Friday morning, they were to gather at the edge of the forest near their homes for a weekend trip. The group, comprising three boys and three girls and a pet dog, were excited.

At the appointed time Muneeza, Amber, Vania, Arsalan, Osman and Sami and his dog Leo, collected under the big fir tree. They were to camp for two nights near a lake up in the forest clearing. After meeting at their appointed place, the boys were chatting and wasting time.

“When are we going in?” Amber asked impatiently.

“As soon as the clock’s hand shows 6:00 pm,” joked Shayan. As he was the youngest among them, he was treated like a child.

“Grow up,” Arsalan scolded.

“Don’t be rude fathead!” Osman came to the support of Shayan as they were best friends.”

“Oh! The eldest is friends with the baby!” teased Vania. As Vania and Arsalan were twins, they behaved the same way.

“Will you guys shut up for once!” shouted Amber at the top of her strong voice. Everyone looked at her with a bit of annoyance as she was bossy.

“No we won’t!” they said jokingly in unison. Realising they had to walk a lot to get to the lake, they all started walking to their destination in the forest where they would have water to bathe and drink from, and space to put up their tents.

Muneeza who loved nature and plants was the last in line and would stop to admire a flower or a bush now and then, not realising that she was straggling behind her friends. After some time Osman, the leader of the group, took out 10 minutes to rest which the group accepted happily as it was not easy going up with the packs on their backs.

“Where is Muneeza,” Amber asked Vania. “I don’t know, she must be behind us as she was the last in line.” Everyone waited awhile but there was no Muneeza. “Muneeza!” they started calling loudly, but there was no response. Panicking a bit, they began looking around, but staying close to each other. Soon they realised that Muneeza was lost.

“What should we do now,” asked Sami loudly. If we go back home to inform our parents Muneeza will be left alone here. So we have to find her ourselves.”

“What will happen now?” cried Vania.

“No worries,” Shayan announced jokingly, “nothing is there except wild beasts.”

“Don’t be silly!” said Arsalan, “This is no time to joke.” They picked up their bags and stood together.

“She is in the forest all alone!” the girls cried. They began to call her again, “Muneeza! Muneeza! Where are you? Please answer, you’re scaring us to death!” said Amber who was Shayan’s elder sister.

Meanwhile what was Muneeza doing? Tired by the bickering of the others she was enjoying the quiet walk, not realising that she was alone with Leo, the German Shepherd who was very fond of her. Soon she was lost hopelessly and while looking for the others, she heard a mourning sound. Curious, she followed the sound and finally tracked it down. Before her was flat ground surrounded by dense trees well hidden from trekkers. Leo growled, but soon his tail went up and began to wag. Muneeza stepped forward bravely and saw a dragon! She opened her mouth to scream but nothing came out.

The dragon saw her and bowed his head as if to say he was not going to hurt her. He was young and friendly, but very sad and lonely too. He didn’t have any scales on his body and was covered with fur.

“What sort of mythical creature are you?” Muneeza asked looking at him incredulously.

“I am a dragon,” he replied.

“But I thought dragons were just a myth,” said Muneeza.

“Well you have discovered our secret. I was banished from my type because I didn’t look like them due to my fur. They thought there was something wrong with me. I flew here and at night I roam the forest and rule the skies,” told the dragon.

“Oh!” was the only response from the dumbfounded girl. “Now, don’t be scared. What is your name?” asked the dragon.

“Muneeza,” she replied “and this is Leo,” she added, patting him on his head.

“My name is Shadow,” informed the dragon.

“Nice to meet you,” said Muneeza holding her hand in front of Shadow to shake hands. He put out his paw, laughing.

“Grab hold of your dog and sit on my back. I will take you for a ride,” instructed Shadow.

Muneeza, though somewhat scared, did as she was told. Next thing she knew, she was flying in the sky with Leo! The gentle breeze on her face was exhilarating. She was having the time of her life!

Meanwhile, the others were going through a trying time. Worried about their friend, they were all tired and exhausted after searching for her. Osman’s face was covered in mud, Shayan’s clothes were dirty while Arsalan’s leg was bruised. Blood was oozing from Vania’s hand and Amber was covered in bandages because of a fall. Walking for hours they had arrived in the open and flat area where the dragon lived.

A shout from Shayan made them all look up towards the sky, their mouths opening in utter surprise. A dragon was coming down and about to land, and was that really Muneeza on its back with Leo? They all crowded around Muneeza, and everyone leapt and hugged her after she got down. After admonishing her for disappearing they asked her about her adventure with Leo. Soon, at the invitation of Shadow, with their rucksacks on their backs, the gang was soaring on their new friend’s back.

How excited they were after landing and became instant friends with the dragon who was glad of their company. They spent the weekend with him, enjoying themselves thoroughly, bathing in the lake and putting their tents near it. All promised to keep their discovery of Shadow a secret and decided they would visit again in a fortnight.