^u^; This is an illustration based on another of my childhood favorite moments of vorishness. XD Unfortunately, I can't for the life of me remember the title of the book, I just know from my age at the time that it must have been published pre-1995, and that it took place in more modern times. This dragon here--timid, friendly, and an eater of only tasty bean sprouts and other veggies typically grown underground--lives beneath New York City, but is under threat from frightened people who have spotted him raiding their hydroponic gardens and slipping through the underground subways. One of a secret order of knights enlists this boy's help in locating and helping this dragon with his PR problems--which eventually leads to this scene in front of an angry mob under Chinatown. To prove this dragon is a nice and harmless creature to humans... the boy straight up climbs into his open maw and stands there for several minutes, feeling the tongue's squishiness underfoot and feeling the hot dragon-y breath on his back. X3 After this (and a deal involving trading dragon-mined gems for bean sprouts) the dragon, the boy, and the big city live in peace. ^u^ What a nice children's tale!

<u<; If anyone can recall the name of a story like this, please do share! I would love to have this book more well-known (and it already had illustrations--including for this page! Which I of course remember fondly! XD), and not just to the nom-lovin' community. \ouo/