"Once upon a time," Jack began, with a twinkle in his eyes, "in a land far, far away, there lived a brave soldier named Luke."

"Luke lived in a grand castle nestled amidst the mountains, standing tall and majestic. But Luke didn't care much for the grandeur. He was a soldier at heart."

"One day, a scroll arrived with a challenge from a wicked troll named Gruzzle, who lived in a dark and gloomy cave."

"The troll had been causing havoc in the nearby villages, stealing food, and scaring the villagers. Luke decided it was time to put an end to this mayhem."

"Armed with his trusty sword and shield, Luke set out on his horse, facing the chilly wind and harsh mountain trails."

"After three days of travel, he reached the dreadful lair of Gruzzle. The stench of the place was unbearable, but Luke didn't flinch."

"As he entered the cave, Gruzzle's loud and grumpy voice echoed through the darkness. 'Who dare enters my cave?' he growled."

"Luke stood tall and announced, 'It is I, Luke, the soldier from the castle! I am here to end your tyranny!'"

"Gruzzle, surprised by this audacity, swung his spiked club at Luke. But Luke, agile and swift, dived out of the beast's way."

"The battle was fierce, the cave echoing with the sounds of clashing steel and Gruzzle's furious roars."

"Luke, however, was not just strong but also smart. He quickly observed Gruzzle's movement and found his weak point."

"With a swift move, Luke struck Gruzzle's clumsy foot. The troll roared in pain, dropping his club, and Luke made his move."

"Luke struck a blow to Gruzzle's knees, bringing the troll down. The cave grew silent as Gruzzle lay defeated."

"Luke demanded, 'Promise me you'll stop tormenting the villages.' Gruzzle, defeated and ashamed, agreed."

"Just as Luke was about to leave, a loud whimper echoed through the cave. And there, in the corner, he noticed a baby dragon, chained and frightened."

"Luke, with his kind heart, couldn't leave the baby dragon there. He unlocked its chains and gently carried it out of the cave."

"The baby dragon, grateful and happy, followed Luke back to his castle. It seemed as if it had found a new friend."

"Back in the castle, the dragon was given a warm bath and plenty of food. It squealed in delight, running around the castle courtyard."

"Word spread about the brave deed of Luke. The villagers, grateful and relieved, thanked Luke for his bravery."

"Luke became a hero, not just for his bravery, but also for his kindness. He taught everyone that strength does not only come from fighting, but also from showing kindness."

"And so, the baby dragon grew, staying by Luke's side, always ready to offer a helping hand (or claw) whenever needed."

"Luke and the dragon became inseparable, and together they took on many adventures, always serving their kingdom, protecting the innocent."

"And that, dear Mary, is the story of brave Luke, the soldier, and his dragon companion," Jack concluded, looking at Mary's sleepy eyes.

"Always remember," Jack added, "true bravery comes not just from fighting battles but also from showing kindness and compassion. And that's what makes a true hero."

With that, Mary's eyes fell heavy and she drifted off to sleep, dreaming about brave soldiers, friendly dragons and adventures that awaited her in her dreams.