Elmer and the Dragon (7 page)

"I had an important job to do," said Elmer, staring at the living-room sofa. "Why, there's my friend the old alley cat!"

"Yes," said Mrs. Elevator. "As much as I've always hated cats, I just didn't have the heart to turn her out. She came to the door the day after you left, and I kept thinking, 'Elmer loved this cat. I really ought to take good care of her.' And do you know, I've grown awfully fond of her in just two weeks."

Elmer rushed over to the cat and whispered, "I rescued the dragon and he just flew me home. He was right where you told me he'd be."

"You did what?" asked Mr. Elevator. "Oh, nothing," said Elmer. "By the way, here's your birthday present." Elmer gave his father the three bags of gold and played "Happy Birthday" on the sterling silver harmonica. "And here's a beautiful gold watch
and chain for you, Mother."

"But where did you ever get these things?" gasped Mr. and Mrs. Elevator.

"That's a secret I can never tell," said Elmer, rummaging in the icebox for something to eat.

THE END

About the Author and the Illustrator

RUTH STILES GANNETT
wrote
My Father's Dragon
just a few years after her graduation from Vassar College in 1944. It was an immediate success, becoming a Newbery Honor Book, and was soon followed by two sequels,
Elmer and the Dragon
and
The Dragons of Blueland.
All three dragon stories have been continuously in print in the more than 40 years since their publication. The author's other books include
Katie and the Sad Noise
and
The Wonderful House-Boat-Train.
She is married to the artist and calligrapher Peter Kahn. They have seven daughters and seven grandchildren.

RUTH CHRISMAN GANNETT
was already a well- established illustrator when she began collaboration with her stepdaughter on
My Fathers Dragon
and its sequels. Her pictures for these books are perhaps her most enduring work. Her illustrations may also be seen in the first edition of John Steinbeck's
Tortilla Flat
and in
Miss Hickory
by Carolyn S. Bailey. Mrs. Gannett was married to the late Lewis Gannett, daily book critic for the
New York Herald Tribune.
She died in 1979.

ELMER AND THE DRAGON

The author has produced a sequel to
My Fathers Dragon
that is the equal of that first gem in every respect. Flying back home from Wild Island, Elmer and the dragon are forced down in another land where dwell all the escaped canaries of the world.

Rich, humorous, and thoroughly satisfying fare. . .Highlyrecommended."
—Library Journal
(starred review)

"A fresh and original plot, delightfully logical nonsense, appealing characters and irrepressible humor."
—The New York Times

Read all three tales of My Father's Dragon,

available from Random House

MY FATHER'S DRAGON

ELMER AND THE DRAGON

THE DRAGONS OF BLUELAND