The Dragon Who Traded Stories
John: (holding up a wooden shield) Stop right there, dragon! I am here to find your shiny pile of gold!
Ember: (sighing gently) Hello, traveler. I do not have any gold.
John: You do not? But all dragons keep big hills of gold coins in their caves!
Ember: Not me! Gold is cold and hard. It makes a very lumpy bed.
John: (lowering the shield) That is true. It would hurt to sleep on metal coins. What is in your cave then?
Ember: Look around! My cave is full of books and scrolls. I collect magic stories instead!
John: Can a dragon really keep stories? How do they fit in a cave?
Ember: They float in the air when you speak them aloud! Listen closely. Once, a tiny purple fish flew right over the moon!
John: (gasps with a smile) Wow! I see purple sparks dancing in the air!
Ember: Yes! Magic stories make gentle sparks. Do you have a story to trade with me, John?
John: I do! I know a tale about a brave pony who climbed a tall mountain to see the night sky.
Ember: (claps claws together happily) Oh, please tell it! I want to hear every word!
John: The little pony leaped over rocks and sang a cheerful song to the bright stars.
- traveler:
- A person who is visiting or going to new places.
- scrolls:
- Rolls of paper used long ago for writing stories or messages.
- sparks:
- Tiny, glowing bits of light that dance or float.
- trade:
- To give something to someone and get something else in return.
- cheerful:
- Full of joy and happiness.
One passage, many ways to practice
Reading-skill questions, word work and writing prompts — all built from this text.
Main Idea
Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
Context Clues
Use clues in the passage to work out what words mean. A separate printable Vocabulary worksheet is also available.
Summarize
Select, organize, and restate the most important information without adding opinion.
Purpose
Analyze what the author aims to do and how choices serve audience and purpose.
Structure
Analyze how sections and organizational choices build the text's ideas or effects.
Writing Prompts
Use the passage as a springboard for short written responses, from personal reflection to evidence-based arguments.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What is John holding at the beginning of the play?
- 2Why does Ember the dragon not keep gold coins in the cave?
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About this reader's theater passage for Lower Elementary
“The Dragon Who Traded Stories” is a reader's theater reading passage about Sharing Stories, written for Lower Elementary. It takes about 2 minutes to read (267 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.