Rumble stood before the ancient ferns. He spread his tiny arms wide and inhaled deeply. A thin squeak bounced off the stone.
He marched to the bubbling stream and puffed his chest until his scales rattled. He tried again, but only a trembling whistle drifted back.
Rumble’s ears drooped as he kicked a pebble into the current. He watched it sink, feeling very small against the vast jungle.
A flock of pterodactyls circled overhead. Rumble threw his head back for a mighty roar, but their wings scattered dust that made his nose twitch.
His eyes popped open wide and his nostrils flared. He pinched his snout, eyes watering, as the tickle built into a desperate squeeze.
Then his eyes popped open wide. His nostrils flared, and he inhaled one enormous, shuddering breath. His whole body locked, ready to erupt.
He erupted in a thunderous ROAR that shook the fern fronds. The sound sent the pterodactyls spiraling upward in surprise.
Rumble stood frozen, chest heaving, as the echo rolled through the valley. Silence returned, but it felt different now.