Kassim clutched his worn satchel tightly, the words of his mother echoing in his mind. "Beware of the greedy dragon!" she had warned, her eyes wide with caution. The forest loomed around him, each step echoing in the silent morning. Despite the cold, Kassim felt a thrill of adventure tingling in his fingertips.
Curiosity piqued, Kassim hesitated at the cave's mouth. He peered inside, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and excitement. The first time, he saw dark shadows shivering like ghostly figures. The second time, he heard the unsettling shuffle of footsteps echoing in the distance. It was the third time, however, that truly captured his imagination—a glimmering pile of jewels, glowing like embers in the darkness.
Kassim’s eyes widened in disbelief. He crept forward, his small hands reaching eagerly for the largest diamonds in sight. "Just three," he whispered to himself, as if promising not to take more than his share. Each diamond was a colossal gem, burning with the light of fire captured from the moonlit sky. But as he turned to leave, a low growl rumbled through the cave, freezing him in place.
The dragon, with teeth like daggers and claws as sharp as knives, slowly advanced. Kassim's heart raced as he realized the danger he was in. "I should have listened," he thought, panic rising in his chest. The dragon snorted, its breath igniting small flames that licked at the cave walls, illuminating its fearsome visage.
Kassim ran as fast as his legs could carry him, the forest a blur of shadows and light. He could feel the heat of the dragon's breath singeing his coat-tails, urging him to push harder. "I have to make it home," he thought desperately, his mind focused on the safety that lay beyond the forest's edge.
His mother rushed to his side, relief washing over her face. Kassim, still catching his breath, held out the precious stones. "I saw the dragon, but I made it back," he said, a mix of fear and triumph in his voice. The jewels sparkled in his hand, a testament to his daring escape and the greedy dragon he had outwitted.
