Max bounced on his bed, eyes wide with excitement as his parents wheeled in the biggest box he’d ever seen. The box shuddered and let out a tiny puff of smoke from one corner. With trembling hands, Max tore off the wrapping paper, revealing a scaly, green dragon with enormous yellow eyes and a goofy, toothy grin. Smokey the Dragon, Max’s new pet, wagged his tail and burped out a little flame. "Whoa! A real dragon? Best birthday ever!" "Rrraawrrr! Got any snacks?"

Max[/@ch_1] tries to focus, while Smokey circles the table, sniffing curiously. Sunbeams dance across the room, making the dragon’s scales shimmer.] Max picked up his pencil, but Smokey plopped his head onto the table and stared at the homework. In a flash, Smokey snatched a math sheet and swallowed it whole, smoke curling out of his nostrils. "Hey! That’s my homework!" "Tastes better than socks," the dragon mumbled, licking his lips.

Max[/@ch_1]’s backpack.] The teacher, Ms. Appleby, notices the smoke and rushes over, her glasses sliding down her nose. Smokey pokes his head out, hiccupping a tiny flame that singes the corner of a spelling list. "Max, is there something you’d like to explain?" "Uh… my pet dragon ate my homework?" The whole class erupts in laughter as Smokey gives a sheepish grin.

Principal Blaze[/@ch_4], a stern woman with fiery red hair, stands with arms crossed. Smoke wafts around the room.] Principal Blaze glares at Smokey, who tries to look innocent while hiding a charred notebook behind his back. Max squirms in his chair, clutching the straps of his backpack. "Max, dragons are not allowed in school—especially not ones who eat homework!" "But homework is my favorite snack!" "I promise, we’ll figure out a better way. Maybe Smokey can help me with homework instead of eating it?"

Max[/@ch_1] sits cross-legged with Smokey, who wears reading glasses perched on his snout.] Max reads aloud, while Smokey listens intently, occasionally tapping the pages with his claw. Whenever Max gets stuck, Smokey blows a gentle puff of smoke to reveal the answer. "See, it’s more fun to learn together," "And safer for the homework," the dragon giggles, making Max laugh.

Max[/@ch_1] and Smokey, who are building a castle out of homework sheets—none of which are being eaten. Laughter and warmth fill the air.] Max tosses a paper airplane, which Smokey playfully catches in midair. They collapse onto the grass, grinning at the moon above. "I’m glad you’re my dragon, even if you do have weird tastes," "Best friends always stick together… and maybe share a snack or two," The night echoes with their laughter, promising more adventures—and maybe just a little less homework munching.