In the misty hills beyond the Hollowpine Forest, there lived a dragon named Varnak, whose hoard of gold was the stuff of legend. Coins from ancient kingdoms, jeweled goblets, and crowns from forgotten empires lay piled in his cavern, glittering like stars in the dark. The forest animals had always kept their distance, not out of fear, but out of respect. Varnak didn’t bother anyone, and no one dared bother him.

But one year, a terrible drought struck Hollowpine. The river dried up, crops withered, and the animals found themselves desperate. They needed gold to trade with the mountain folk for food and water. So a small group—a clever hare named Thistle, a gruff old bear named Marn, and a chatty magpie called Tilly—decided to approach the dragon.

They found Varnak lounging atop his treasure, polishing a ruby the size of a pumpkin.

“We need help,” Thistle said, stepping forward. “Just a little gold. Enough to save our families.”

Varnak didn’t even look up. “No.”

Marn growled under his breath, but Thistle held him back. “Then tell us what you want,” she said. “Maybe we can trade.”

The dragon paused, then turned his great head toward them. “There is one thing I desire. A pearl. Not just any pearl—the Moonstone Pearl of the Deepmere Lagoon. It glows with the light of the moon and hums with ancient magic. Bring it to me, and I’ll give you what you need.”

The journey to Deepmere was long and treacherous. The trio crossed thorny fields, climbed jagged cliffs, and outwitted a band of mischievous bog spirits. At the lagoon, they found the pearl guarded by a water serpent who challenged them to a riddle contest. Tilly, with her love of shiny things and riddles, won the serpent’s favor, and they returned with the pearl wrapped in moss and silk.

Varnak’s eyes widened when he saw it. He reached out with one claw, cradled the pearl like a newborn, and let out a low, satisfied rumble.

“A deal is a deal,” he said, nudging a chest of gold toward them.

The animals returned to Hollowpine as heroes. The forest flourished again, and though Varnak never became friendly, he was no longer feared. Every now and then, Tilly would visit him, bringing riddles and stories, and the dragon would listen in silence, the pearl glowing softly beside him.