"Roger Zelazny - Dragons" - читать интересную книгу автора (Zelazny Roger)

something better comes along."

"That might not be wise," said the lizard. "Supposing I am
a baby dragon, and my parents come looking for me?"

"Then I suppose I will have to try to take them back,
too," William sighed.

"What?" said the lizard. "You do not look like a young
knight out to make a name for himself. What do you want with a
dragon?"

"I don't want a dragon," said William. "My king does. I am
only following orders."

"What does he want with a dragon?"

"He wants it to provide a fireworks display for his
daughter's birthday party," William explained.

"That is ridiculous," said the lizard.

"That is what I said, and what I still say," said William.
"But mine is not to reason why. I just do what I am told, if I
want to keep my otherwise easy job."

"Well, I am glad that someone has good sense," said the
lizard. "My name is Bell. Maybe I can help you."

"How might you do that?"

"Stop squeezing my delicate sides so tightly and put me
down on that rock. Then perhaps I'll tell you."

"How do I know that you won't run away?"

"You don't. You take my word for it. Otherwise, I don't
talk, no matter how hard you squeeze me."

"All right," said William. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

"That's better," said Bell, after William had set him
down. "What's your name?"

"William."

"Great. Okay, now here is what you do. . ."

"You just turned gray!" said William. "Like the stone!"