Which Dragon Is the Real Dragon?

Once upon a time, a very long time ago, there was a tall mountain. It was so tall you couldn’t see the very top of it, because it disappeared into thick clouds. And at the very tip of the mountain, there was a large, green pine tree. No one knew about the Sacred Pine. No one, that is, except for dragons.

One fateful day, a popping sound could be heard under the tree on the eastern side. A long and slender blue dragon appeared. It shook its mane to get its bearings, and then lowered a clawed paw, which was holding its wand.

“Well, that was faster than I thought!” said Ling-Long to herself. She heard the whoosh of large flapping wings that echoed down the mountainside. Suddenly, another dragon landed on the western side of the tree.

“Who are you!?” they asked each other at the same time with surprise.

“I’m Ling-Long, the greatest dragon in the world,” she said.

“You can’t be,” replied the other dragon, whose scales were shimmering green, “because I, Clementine, am the greatest dragon in the world.”

They looked each other up and down, dismayed. They both snorted.

Ling-Long was quiet for a moment, and then said: “You don’t look like a dragon. Dragons are supposed to look... different. Like me. See? I am such a wonderful mixture!”

She began pointing as she explained. “I have antlers on my lovely camel’s head, an elegant neck like a snake and the claws of an eagle! Where are your cow ears?”

Sputtering, Clementine replied: “Me, not look like a dragon? It’s you who looks funny. Not at all like me! See?” and here she proudly opened her bat-like wings.

“A dragon needs wings to fly! You have…