A Gentle Spark

The script

• Leo: A 10-year-old boy with messy brown hair, wide curious hazel eyes, light tan skin, and freckles. He wears a bright yellow cone party hat, an orange striped t-shirt, and blue denim shorts. His oversized party hat is slightly lopsided.
• Barnaby: A chubby, dog-sized dragon with bright emerald green scales, tiny bat wings, and huge golden eyes. He has two stubby yellow horns, a rounded snout, and a pale cream underbelly. Small wisps of smoke constantly leak from his nostrils.
• The Birthday Cake: A round, two-tiered vanilla cake with thick white frosting, colorful sprinkles, and five unlit red birthday candles stuck neatly on top, sitting on a simple wooden dining table.

1. Panel 1

   In a bright kitchen decorated with streamers, Leo stands beside The Birthday Cake on the table, pointing to the unlit candles while looking down at Barnaby.

   Leo: Okay Barnaby, just five little candles. Give me the tiniest puff you got.

2. Panel 2

   Barnaby puffs out his cheeks to comical proportions, eyes squinted in deep concentration as glowing orange embers begin to swirl in his open mouth.

   Leo: Gentle, boy... think small birthday spark!

3. Panel 3

   A roaring blast of bright orange and red fire erupts from Barnaby's mouth, completely engulfing the table and The Birthday Cake in a blinding flash of flame. Leo flails backward in terror.

   Leo (shouts): WHOA, WAIT!

4. Panel 4

   The smoke clears. Leo's face and shirt are covered in black soot. The Birthday Cake is reduced to a smoking heap of charcoal on the charred table, but the five red candles sit upright on the ashes, flames burning perfectly. Barnaby beams proudly with a wagging tail.

   Leo: Well... technically, they are lit.