Once upon a time there lived a dragon whose name was Komodo .

He could breathe fire, and all the people who lived nearby were afraid of him. When they heard him or saw him, they ran away and hid. 

One day he met a little girl who wasn’t afraid of him. 

Why are you so fierce?

Why do you breathe fire when you see anybody?

«Well,» said Komodo, «I never really thought about it. Shall I stop it?»

«Yes, please,» said the little girl whose name was Susie .

«All right,» said Komodo, «I’ll try.»

They said good-bye to each other, and Susie went home.

It was beginning to get dark. Susie was surprised because all the lamps in the town were not lit.