Once upon a time, a young girl named Galit lay in her bed, tossing and turning, trying to fall asleep. The house was dark and dim, with only the moonlight illuminating Galit’s room. Across her bed, she could see her stuffed animals looking at her with pity. They were sleepy, and they wanted to sleep with Galit. But before they could do that, Galit needed to sleep too. Galit took one of her stuffed animals, tucking it underneath her arm and cuddling up with it.

    As Galit drifted off to sleep, she felt herself being transported into her dreams. The first place she found herself in her dream was a red Chinese temple. The temple was huge with decorations adorning the front and back.

    The decorations were beautiful, with stories painted on the front of epic battles in Chinese history. The tops of the Chinese temple seemed to reach the skies, and the clouds wisped past the temple's peaks. Inside the temple, there was a rumbling sound, almost a snoring. The snoring was so loud that it seemed to shake the ground.

ZzZzZzZzZzZ

    With childlike curiosity, she stepped inside to investigate where the sound was coming from. She went inside and found an enormous dragon sleeping in the temple. The dragon was green with stripes down its back and massive tendrils coming out of its head. His scales glistened, and it seemed like this being was a deity, protecting the earth. Galit entered the temple, slowly at first, because she did not want to wake the sleeping dragon.

    Upon entering the temple, however, the dragon rose and looked at Galit. The dragon had enormous green eyes that seemed to look right into Galit’s soul. With a rumble and a shake, the dragon opened its mouth to speak. 

    The dragon approached Galit, speaking in a soft and caring tone. “Nǐ hǎo, child. You are a long way from home. My name is Loong. What brings you to my domain?” The dragon says, looking at Galit with sincere and concerned eyes.

Galit squeezed her stuffed animal tight, a bit afraid of the dragon. Who wouldn’t be? It was huge! Galit finally spoke, her voice as quiet as a mouse. “My name is Galit…I think I’m in a dream. Your home is beautiful…I’m a little afraid, you’re so big.”

    The dragon stepped closer to Galit, curling himself around her for protection and comfort. “Do not be afraid of me, child. I am large, yes, but I am a symbol of wealth, or cáifù in Chinese, prosperity, and protection. In Chinese mythology, I am a good sign.  When people celebrate the Chinese New Year, they feature lots of different dragons to bring in good luck, zhù nǐ hǎo yùn, for the new year.  There is no reason to be afraid of me, Galit. ”