//------------------------------//
// The Dragon and the Mouse 
// Story: Zecora's Big Book of Zebra Legends 
// by swicked 
//------------------------------//

Once there was a dragon. What was his name? Nobody knows.
That name is lost, forgotten! At least that's how the story goes.
As dragons grow as their hoards swell he was quite a large beast
What's more he was a greedy thing... his thieving never ceased!
A mighty, crafty dragon, who stole a wondrous prize
A gem from Celestia's very crown, just above her eyes!
Dragon put it top his golden hoard to show his clever arts
...then wished to gloat a bit and that's where this story starts.

Kitava was a tiny mouse, no bigger than a hoof
A clever little thief, herself, though there was rarely any proof
The dragon bade her visit his cave, inviting her inside
And when her eyes landed on the gem they grew very, very wide
"Amazing! So incredible! How did you accomplish this feat?
No, don't say, I am unworthy. Such cleverness could not be beat!"
The dragon smiled at those words, though wary of his guest
He knew her for a thief just as he knew he was the best
"Please, oh mighty dragon, let me bring tribute for your hoard...
I need to show everyone how much you should be adored!"
With a smile and a nod the dragon readily agreed
And so the mouse went off while he reveled in his greed

The first day Kitava brought sparkling bits of glass and tin and steel
Brought up from her very nest, her children at her heel
Some were carried in by crows and a few magpies
For everyone knows such sparkling things they truly, deeply prize
He watched carefully as each approached to see if they would steal
So each cowered before his mighty gaze, unwilling to be a meal
The dragon basked as his hoard grew, many praises sent his way
Both he and his pile had doubled in size by the end of day.

The next day brought him treasure still, this time from the shore
Now frogs and snakes and lizards were the ones to bring him more
Shimmering, smooth stones, scales, even bones carved elaborately
Tribute mounted in piles as the dragon grinned triumphantly
Still, the dragon was every wary, watching each visitor in turn
For he knew, for his real treasures, such as they were apt to yearn
And Kitava brought many beings more to visit by day's end
So it should come as no surprise dragon and hoard doubled again

The third day brought many treats like honey, pastry and bread
They came in such a quantity they still mounted as he fed
Kitava brought all from before to bring the tasty hoard
All the while insisting it was all the least they could afford
The final tribute of the day was a mirror of giant size
The dragon gazed upon it and even he was surprised
He'd grown to be as gigantic as the hoard on which he stood
And as he took in his visage he decided it was good

Without turning to his minion mouse he asked what she'd bring next
She, in turn had said "First there's something I need to confess."
"The tribute, today, was given to console you for your loss..."
"What?! I am such a mighty dragon, who would dare to see me cross?!"
The dragon sneered at the idea and asked if the mouse was thick
That he could lose something he prized? It had to be a trick
The mouse smiled wryly and donned a great gem as a hat
Then she bowed low before the dragon, saying "And a good one at that."
Bellows and flames burst from the cave as Kitava made away
The dragon screaming after her that she was going to pay
Getting stuck in his cave's very mouth he cursed her thieving ways
And how his gold was stolen while his visage held his gaze

There are many lessons in the tale, though one triumphs all by far
Pride will be the downfall of one's strength, no matter who you are.