Copyright © 2023 by Elizabeth Melott. All rights reserved.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  Published in the United States of America

  Brilliant Books Literary

  137 Forest Park Lane Thomasville

  North Carolina 27360 USA

  ISBN:

  Paperback: 979-8-88945-344-4

  Ebook: 979-8-88945-345-1

  Pacific Book Review

  Learning to fly is not an easy task, whether you are an airplane pilot, a bird, an insect – or even a dragon! Author Elizabeth Melott takes readers into a fanciful world of fire-breathing dragons, living in their dragon-society of going to school, socializing, and of course, learning to fly, in her creative book titled Taking Flight.

  Here, readers are introduced to a group of dragons with very clever names: there is the protagonist, Icy - a shy, quiet dragon; her best friend Poinsettia; their teacher Ms. Current; and others Flame, Torch, and Nero. Icy didn’t know how to fly, and was very apprehensive to take that leap off of the cliff – but with encouragement from others telling her “She is not going to fail,” – off she goes, only to lose altitude, flutter and fall. Torch even bullying her gave her a blast of fiery-breath, scorching her feathers as Icy landed on the ground, broken hearted. Scared, hurt and lost, she curled up to a big tree thinking how is she ever going to fly – especially now since she is injured.

  A boy dragon, Dusk, along with his friends told Icy she has the power to fly, and provided confidence and advice. Dusk said to Icy, “I’ve told you before and I will tell you again, you are who you are. You don’t need to change or be afraid of anyone.” With that bit of encouragement and a dose of goodwill, yes, Icy flew into the sky, being the happiest she ever was and having this tale end in high spirits.

  The moral is timeless and simple – if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. This applies to not only dragons, but to all of the children reading this imaginative story. Having children see the fact that everyone needs to keep trying to do what they need to do, even if you are a fire-breathing dragon – obstacles needed to be overcome will be beaten.

  Elizabeth Melott has created a book which has many good themes and messages including friendship, confidence, tenacity and accomplishment. All of these traits are embedded into Taking Flight, which will lift the spirits of youngsters off the ground when reading this artfully illustrated story.

  Icy was a shy, quiet, young dragon who always tried to do what she was told. She sat next to her best friend, Poinsettia, in class. Their teacher, Ms. Current, landed on the mountain ledge that served as the classroom.

  “All right, class, settle down.” Ms. Current said loud enough to be heard over her wild students. “I have an assignment for you.” she continued as they quieted down. “all if you have to come up with a fight routine for Friday.” The students began to whisper excitedly to one another. Icy glanced over a Poinsettia.

  “Icy, what’s wrong?” Poinsettia asked.

  Icy shifted uncomfortably.

  “I can’t fly.” she whispered to her friend.

  This made both of them less enthusiastic about the assignment. For the rest of the class, Ms. Current explained what they had to do. A high-pitched screech signaled the end of school. The two friends walked side by side through the halls.

  “Hey, Icy!” a deep voice called from behind them. Both dragons turned to see Flame, Torch, and Nero coming up behind them. Flame spoke. “Hey, Icy, I heard you couldn’t fly. I guess that means you’re going to fail flight school.” The three older dragons surrounded them. Icy shrank away from Flame as the others laughed at her. ‘He’s right’ she thought. ‘I can’t fly, and I’m going to fail.’ Icy wanted to disappear into thin air at the very moment.

  Poinsettia stood taller and stepped closer to her friend, draping her wing around Icy’s shoulders. “Stop that! You’re just a big bully. Leave Icy alone or else….” Poinsettia said loudly, baring her fangs. With an angry sneer, the three of them buried away from the two friends.

  “Thanks,” Icy mumbled as she pushed away from her friend and headed down the tunnel alone. “But he’s right,” she added.

  Poinsettia made no move to follow her and was heartbroken that her best friend would believe such a thing.

  Icy trudged miserably through the forest, her useless wings dragging sadly on the ground. Finally, she arrived at her home cave. She walked in and lied down on her bed. Icy sighed sadly ‘I’m a freak, I’m stupid…’ and other horrible thoughts swirled around in her head as she started to cry. There was a flash of light as Dusk, her spirit guardian, appeared before her.

  “What is the matter, my young one?” Dusk asked, sitting down beside her.

  Icy’s sobbing slowed a little, and she explained what had happened at school that day. When she finished, she looked up at Dusk, who sighed heavily.

  “I see. So you believe what this boy, Flame, says?” he asked, leaning closer to the young dragon.

  Icy nodded, and he continued, “Icy, you are not going to fail. I may not be able to teach you how to fly, but you are who you are, and you should be proud of that. Have Poinsettia teach you. She’s a good flyer, right?” He paused, and Icy nodded. “Good. Now get some rest.” he said softly. Icy watched as he was swept away by the wind.

  “Good night,” she whispered sadly. Icy fell fast asleep, worrying about tomorrow as she often did.

  The next day, Icy met Poinsettia before school. Her friend agreed to teach her in a heartbeat. Poinsettia had explained to her what she had to do, and now she was standing on the edge of a small cliff, near the base of Forest School Mountain. Icy was beginning to doubt herself.

  “Come on, Icy, you can do it.” Poinsettia said, hovering in front of her friend on the ledge. Icy took a hesitant step forward, spreading her wings, and leap. She forced her eyes open, expecting to hit the ground with a painful thump. But she didn’t. Slowly, Icy beat her wings and looked at her best friend, a huge smile spreading across her face. Icy was flying, really flying! Poinsettia cheered and taught Icy some more advanced flying styles. Icy dove, twisted, and swooped beautifully.

  Flame crept out of hiding, a stone-cold, angry expression on his face. He told Torch and Nero about what he had seen.

  “She can’t make it to school Friday.” Torch said evilly.

  Flame nodded.

  The three older dragons followed Poinsettia and Icy. When poinsettia broke away to head for her rain forest home, the boys advanced on Icy.

  “Do it.” Torch said.

  Flame flew ahead of the others and took a big breath and let out a burst of flame.

  Icy fell down from the sky as the fire burned her feathers.

  “Freak!” she heard them call as she tumbled through the trees. Icy lay there for a while, before slowly getting to her feet and tenderly spread her wings. They hurt. She had no idea how she would fly now that her wings were burned. She was scared, hurt, and lost, so she curled up in the roots of a big tree. Icy shivered from the cold and cried as the night grew darker and darker.

  “Icy.” A gentle voice whispered from beside her. Icy didn’t have to open her eyes and see his soft glow to know it was Dusk who had called her. Even though he was a ghost, Icy could still feel his comforting warmth as he lied down beside her. “Oh, your wings!” he exclaimed.

  Icy snuggled against him and told him what had happened, and what the boys had said. She looked up at him, tears shining in her eyes. “I’ve told you before and I will tell you again, you are who you are. You don’t need to change or be afraid of anyone.” He laid his head across her neck, and they sat in silence for a while. “Come on. I’ll lead you home, and tomorrow. I’ll be watching, okay?” he asked. Icy nodded but was already drifting to sleep. Dusk curled up around Icy, using his powers to heal her as she slept.

  The next morning, he led her to school. By the time they had arrived, it was late in the school day. Icy gasped and hurried away, not really noticing if Dusk followed or not. She flew as fast as she could up to the ledge. Ms. Current had just called her name.

  “I’m here, Ms. Current. I’m here!” Icy said as she landed, skidding across the stone. Ms. Current turned around to face Icy. She was smiling. Instead of looking angry. Flame looked shocked, while Torch and Nero sneered.

  “Well then, Icy, go ahead.” Ms. Current said with a swoop of her wings. Icy smiled as she turned to take off and caught a glimmer of light that told her Dusk was there. She spread her wings and took to the air.

  She soared and twisted and dived. Icy was at her happiest, and it was all her. Suddenly, the words Dusk had been telling her since she was little made sense. She was herself, and she was happy with that.

  When she reluctantly landed again, the whole class cheered and applauded. Poinsettia rushed up and hugged her.

  “You did it, Icy! You really did it! she exclaimed.

  School ended, and the friends started for home. Icy had agreed to come over to Poinsettia’s house to celebrate. As they began to walk down the halls to the base of the mountain, Icy caught a glimpse of Ms. Current talking sternly to Flame.

  They were about to take off when a voice called out behind them.

  “Icy! Icy, wait.” Flame stop ped in front of her, out of breath. Poinsettia stepped up slightly, just in case. Flame saw this and hurried on. “I’m sorry, Icy, for everything. I was just trying to fit in with those other two.” He looked down at his talons. “I understand if you won’t forgive me but ---”

  “I forgive you,” Icy cut in, not letting him finished. She smiled at him. “Just remember, you are who you are. Be proud of that.” she said.

  They looked at each other for a moment.

  “Hey, Flame, since you were a good dragon when it counted, why don’t you join us?” Poinsettia offered with a smile. Flame nodded eagerly, and the three of them took off, flying away toward the setting sun and the future.

 

 

  Elizabeth Melott, Taking Flight

  Thanks for reading the books on GrayCity.Net