A short GIF animation I created for the 2025 Spring Fling Kidlit Contest, for which I was also selected as one of the winners. Created with Krita.

Dragon's Spring

CLASH! CLASH! RUMBLE! The sound of thunder and impending battle.

The creature moves its snake-like body, scales sparkling fiercely against the dark sky.

Eyes wide, mouth snarling, hair flaming.

Doom coming.

FIZZ! HISS! WHIZZ! Sparks fly from its nostrils. Breath smokes inches from my face.

I brace myself.

Eyes wide, fists clenched, heart pounding.

Dragon coming.

Jaws open wide, as if ready to swallow–

And below the dragon's mouth I see a smiling fellow.

Sweat streams down his face, soaks his uniform, glistens under the light of dragon's fire. And then–

The dragon leaps!

FWOOSH! BOOM! CRACKLE! Fireworks light up the sky and shower us with gold.

I whoop and cheer with the crowd. Cymbals clash and drums rumble.

The sky is set ablaze as the dragon sways–

Dancing into a new spring.