Daring Do loves adventure. When she was just a filly, she did a bad thing. She left her home in Ponyville without telling her mother or father where she was going. Big mistake.
She brought no water. Big mistake.
She brought no food. Big mistake.
She trotted into an abandoned mine. Big mistake.
She saw a sign. It read, "Leave only hoofprints. Take only memories."
Daring Do saw a pile of gold.
She saw a pile of silver.
She saw piles of jewels.
"I will take only one. No pony will miss it." she said.
Ahuizotl hid behind a rock in the mine. He laughed. He said to himself, "I have a new friend forever. She is so cute. She is a thief. She takes what is not hers. I will teach her a lesson."
Spoiler: show
Daring Do put one little gold coin in her saddlebag. She took one step, but felt sleepy. Her eyes closed. She woke up a long time later, and was dizzy and sick. She tried to stand, but her head bumped the ceiling. Why did the mine get so little?
She looked down at her hooves. They had grown into big claws. Oh, no!
She flicked out her tongue, for she was thirsty. But, now her tongue was forked.
Her mane was gone. She had a lizard frill.
Down her belly, she had grown gold scales.
She waved her tail, but it was long like a snake, with a little tuft of fur on its end.
Ahuitzotl laughed. The demon said, "You are greedy like a dragon, Daring Do. So, now you are my dragon, forever...and fifteen more minutes to make it funny. I am great! I am powerful. I made a little greedy pony into my new pet dragon. I am so clever."
Daring Do Dragon cried, "The cave is too little! I can't even get my dragon head out the doorway. I want to go home. I do not want to stay a dragon. Make it stop! There is no water in here. There is no food. Why did you make me into a dragon?"
Ahuitzotl said, "You are greedy. You took my coin."
Daring Do thought fast. "I am sorry. I should ask. May I PLEASE put the coin back?"
Ahuitzotl scratched his head. "No one ever said please to me. Put the coin back, and let's see what happens."
Daring Do threw the coin into the pile.
She felt sleepy.
She woke, and she was happy she was now a pony again.
The mine entrance was gone. It looked just like a hillside, now.
But it was late. Her mom and dad galloped up, and Dad said, "Daring Do? Are you all right? Never leave without telling us. Always bring food, water, and a partner. We were worried sick."
Daring Do stood up. She saw a shiny disc at her hooves. It said, "Thank you for saying please. You know you want this."
Daring Do was tempted.
She picked up the coin in her teeth.
And, then she spit it as far away as she could.
Ahuizotl performed a facehoof.
"Why do I never win?" he cried.
