The Chimera's Three Wishes

The Chimera's Three Wishes Yavuz DEMİRKIRAN

Once upon a time, in a cozy valley, lived a chimera named Chimmy. Chimmy had one round, chubby body and three long necks. Each neck wore a soft red neckerchief. The lion head had a fluffy orange mane and a tiny brass bell. The goat head had small curved horns and a daisy crown. The dragon head had teal scales and a shiny gold coin pendant. They were a cheerful bunch, but oh, how they loved to talk over one another! 1

The lion head loved adventure. "Let's climb the tallest mountain!" he roared. The goat head loved peace. "Let's plant a quiet garden," she bleated softly. The dragon head loved treasure. "Let's find shiny gold!" he puffed, a tiny smoke ring curling from his nose. Chimmy's three heads could never agree on anything. They argued from morning till night, and their poor round body never knew which way to go. 2

One sunny morning, the three heads were bickering again. "Adventure!" roared the lion. "Garden!" bleated the goat. "Treasure!" puffed the dragon. Chimmy's tufted tail drooped. Just then, a little blue bird landed on the dragon's horn. "Why so glum?" chirped the bird. "There's a magical wishing fountain beyond the hill. It grants one wish to those who ask together." The three heads gasped. A wish! But whose wish would it be? 3

The three heads set off at once, each pulling a different way. The lion charged ahead, the goat wanted to stop and smell flowers, and the dragon chased a shiny beetle. Chimmy stumbled and tripped. "Ow!" cried all three heads. The little blue bird flew above them. "You'll never reach the fountain if you keep pulling apart," she chirped. "Try walking together." The heads grumbled, but they tried. Slowly, step by step, they found a rhythm. Left, right, left, right! 4

At last, they reached the magical wishing fountain. It sparkled in a ring of smooth stones, and the water shimmered like liquid silver. "Ooh!" breathed the dragon head. "Shiny!" The lion head puffed out his chest. "I'll make the wish!" he roared. "No, I will!" bleated the goat. "Me! Me!" puffed the dragon, a puff of smoke swirling. They all shouted their wishes at once, louder and louder, until the fountain began to tremble. 5

Suddenly, the fountain sputtered and coughed. The sparkling water turned dull and grey. The wishing fountain had stopped working! "Now look what you've done!" roared the lion. "Me? You started it!" bleated the goat. "You're both too loud!" puffed the dragon. The three heads argued and argued. The little blue bird landed on the fountain's rim. "The fountain only works when wishes are shared," she said. "You must listen to one another." 6

The goat head spoke first. "I'm sorry I shouted," she said softly. "I just want a peaceful garden with daisies and butterflies." The lion head sighed. "I'm sorry too. I want adventure—to climb and explore and see new things." The dragon head nodded. "And I want treasure. Shiny, sparkly treasure to keep." They looked at each other. "But how can we all be happy?" asked the lion. The goat smiled. "Maybe we can find a way." 7

The little blue bird chirped. "When you listen, you can share ideas. When you share ideas, you can work as a team." The three heads thought hard. The dragon's violet eyes gleamed. "What if we make one wish that gives everyone a little of what they want?" The lion tilted his mane. "One wish for all three?" The goat nodded slowly. "That might work. But we must agree on the words." 8

The goat head suggested they each say their wish, and then blend them together. "Adventure for the lion," she said. "A quiet garden for me. And treasure for the dragon." The lion head added, "But we must stay together as one chimera." The dragon head puffed thoughtfully. "And maybe the adventure can lead to the treasure, and the treasure can be in the garden." The three heads grinned. They had a plan! 9

They stood before the fountain and spoke their wish together, slowly and clearly. "We wish for a home where adventure, a quiet garden, and shiny treasure all live happily together." The fountain began to glow. The water sparkled brighter than before. A warm breeze swirled around them. The three heads held their breath. Would their wish come true? 10

The fountain bubbled and sang. The water turned gold and silver and green. A soft light wrapped around Chimmy. When it faded, the three heads looked around. They were standing at the edge of a lovely garden. A winding path led to a tall, rocky hill. And nestled in the garden was a chest full of shiny coins and jewels. "Our wish!" cheered the lion. "It worked!" bleated the goat. "Treasure!" puffed the dragon happily. 11

But the best part was yet to come. From behind a bush, a small creature peeked out. It was a little griffin with soft feathers and a curious beak. "Hello," said the griffin shyly. "I've been lonely. Will you play with me?" The three heads looked at each other. "Of course!" they said together. And just like that, Chimmy made a new friend. 12

The lion head and the griffin explored the rocky hill, climbing and pretending to be brave explorers. The goat head showed the griffin how to plant daisies and water them gently. The dragon head shared his shiny treasure, letting the griffin wear a sparkly necklace. They all laughed and played until the sun began to set. Chimmy had never felt so happy.