Today is Teresa's 10th birthday! Teresa's mother, Consuelo*, invited all of her daughter's friends, bought her a big cake and presents to follow. Teresa was excited to see all her friends.

"Mama, I can't wait to open my presents!" exclaimed Teresa.

"Now Teresa, what did I say about the presents?" asked Consuelo.

"I know, I know, birthday parties are not about the presents but about spending time with family and friends," replied Teresa.

"That's my girl, now go get dressed darling," said Consuelo with a smirk

"Okay, mama," replied Teresa

* Consuelo - pronounced (Cone-Sway-Low)

"I can't wait to see all of my friends," thought Teresa.

~ Later that day~

It was time for the party; guests were arriving, the food was ready, and the piñata was set. The timing was perfect.

"Alright kids, gather around the living room" called Consuelo

"Let's begin to open Teresa's presents and then we'll eat some cake!" announced Consuelo

As Teresa opened up her first gift she became excited and anxious. The presents were all nice since they were all Pinky Princess merchandise, the most popular tv character. Teresa was given a Pinky Princess doll and the box said, "Pretty! Lovely! One of a kind!" Something about that line made her a little sad. She then read the back of the box it said, "With the prettiest blue eyes, porcelain skin, and soft blonde locks, Pinky Princess is EVERY girl's dream princess!" Teresa then threw the box and left the room and started to cry. She didn't know why she felt sad, but she didn't like reading that.

Consuelo came into the kitchen where Teresa was hiding and asked her why she was crying but Teresa refused to answer. Consuelo had the box that was thrown in her hand and she read both front and back of it.

"Honey, are you ready to hear the story of the bravest queen ever? If you are then come back to the party, okay? Consuelo said calmly.

After her mother left, Teresa stood behind the door and tried to listen on from the kitchen to the living room. Consuelo gathered everyone to the center of the room and sat in the middle to soon begin her story.

~Consuelo's story~

Once upon a time, there was a queen named Anabelle. The queen was loved by everyone in her kingdom, she was a loving, beautiful, smart and a very kind queen. One day the queen's little sister fell sick and called all the doctors to help cure him but nobody knew a cure. A kitchen servant came up to the queen later on and told her about a witch who lived far away from the kingdom but traveling to see this witch was extremely dangerous. The queen decided to travel to the witch herself because she didn't want any of her soldiers hurt.

The whole kingdom came to send their queen off onto her quest.

Queen Anabelle was getting tired of riding her horse all morning, and she knew her poor horse was very tired as well. She decided to take a break from traveling and laid onto a nearby tree and took a nap while her horse ate grass nearby

When the queen woke up, it was noon. She had to hurry up for her sister's sake. After eating some grapes she packed for her trip, she rode off into the forest. Creatures were very scary at night so she needed to leave now.

As her surroundings were getting darker she knew she was close to her destination. All the green trees and pretty flowers were rotten and the air was becoming foggy. Hearing a loud roar, and she unsheathed her sword and peered from a bush.

It was a dragon!

Although she was a little scared, she had to get pass through the dragon., to get to the witch. As soon as the dragon was distracted, she swung her sword but then she heard the thoughts of the dragon and lowered her sword.

"Ugh, I'm so hungry! I'm so weak, I haven't eaten in two days!"

The queen felt sorry for the dragon and stepped out from behind her hiding place. The dragon looked very weak that it didn't attack the queen.

"I heard you were hungry, and I happen to have some grapes with me so I want you to have them," said Queen Anabelle courageously.

"You must be a queen; only royalty can hear us dragons," thought the dragon

After the dragon ate the grapes it spread its wings showing how much better it felt.

"To show my thanks, I am willing to offer a request from your majesty," thought the dragon

"I need help finding the

witch's house because my sister is ill,"

said the queen.

"I know how to help you," replied the dragon.

The dragon gave the queen a ride to the witch's house all the way onto the island. From above the skies, she saw other dragons soaring freely and could occasionally hear their thoughts too.