The wind rushed past her and danced along the feathers on her back. It was so freeing to play among the clouds that Tabitha never wanted to land. She could spend the rest of her life in the sky and use the clouds as her bed. Closing her wings, Tabitha dived down to the ocean below. Her wings opened and skimmed along the surface before she hit the water. The tip of wings barely touching before Tabitha shot back into the sky. This was such fun that Tabitha decided to do it repeatedly until one time; she came back up in the middle of a flock of Geese. They honked their displeasure and told her off for being reckless. Tabitha apologized and quickly flew away. Hiding behind a cloud, Tabitha waited for the flock to leave before resuming her play. No more diving; instead, Tabitha jumped and twirled, moving to the music she could only hear. Clouds swirled around Tabitha forming shapes that joined her. It was a performance with every dancer in sync. They all spun around and around, causing funnels of air down to the ocean. When they jumped, water would be funneled up and spray everywhere. Tabitha danced on and on, unaware of the effect she was having on the environment.

Below the ocean became violent and unstable. The creatures that lived under the water fled to escape the chaos. Some were not fast enough and found themselves pulled up with the water. Most birds avoided flying were the winds were choppy. A few brave ones tempted fate to partake in the feast before their eyes.

The dance did not seem like it was going to end, and its effect spread further. Creatures of both sea and sky cried out in despair at the destruction around them. Their cries echoed to the bottom of the ocean, where a great dragon slept. Hearing the echoes of terror reverberate around his lair woke the dragon. He uncurled his body, left his shelter, and swam to the surface. Seeing all the destruction around him, the dragon called out.

“Who is the cause of this turmoil above my home?”

“Oh great dragon, it is the one that dances in the clouds,” replied a goose.

“Is that so.” The dragon swam over to one of the air funnels and used it to climb into the sky. Breeching the clouds, he spotted Tabitha dancing. Riding the clouds as he would the waves below, the dragon closed in on Tabitha and grabbed her with his talons.

“It is you that is causing destruction,” the dragon stated.

“I am sorry, I do not know what you mean.”

“Look below, you foolish child.” Tabitha’s eyes followed where the dragon was pointing, and she gasped. She saw the once tranquil scene destroyed.

“How did this happen.”

“You caused all of this.”

“No,” denied Tabitha.

“Yes, your focus on only your enjoyment has caused all you see.” Tabitha covered her face with her hands.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. I did not think something like this would happen.”

“You young ones never do.” The dragon looked down to the ocean below. “Maybe after a long slumber, you will be more considerate.”

Tabitha had no time to contemplate the dragon’s words before he dived. They both fell and crashed into the water below. She was dragged down to the bottom by the dragon, and once they were in his lair, he curled around Tabitha. The dragon’s breath slowed, and he drifted off to sleep, with Tabitha enclosed in his talons. Peace returned to the sea, except on the occasions the dragon’s grip loosened.