Dracula

Jonathan Harker is a young man traveling far from home. He is going to a big castle in a faraway land. His trip takes many days by train and coach. Along the way, he sees beautiful mountains and green forests. He tries yummy new foods and thinks about his sweetheart Mina back home.

When Jonathan stops at a little hotel, the kind people there seem worried about him. An old woman gives him a special necklace to keep him safe. She asks him to please stay, but Jonathan has made a promise to visit the Count. He must keep going. On the bumpy coach ride through the mountains, the other passengers look nervous. They give Jonathan little gifts and wave goodbye. Then a strange tall man in a dark carriage comes to take Jonathan the rest of the way. The horses gallop through the night under the bright moon. At last, they arrive at a huge old castle high on a hill. Jonathan feels a little scared but also very curious about what he will find inside.

Jonathan fell asleep during the long carriage ride. When he woke up, he was standing in front of a huge, old castle. The courtyard was very big and dark. The driver who brought him there disappeared before Jonathan could even say thank you. Jonathan stood alone in the quiet night, feeling a little nervous. He thought about his sweetheart Mina back home and wished he could see her.

Then he heard footsteps behind the heavy door. Chains rattled and locks clicked open. A tall old man dressed all in black stood there holding a glowing lamp. This was Count Dracula. He smiled and welcomed Jonathan inside with a very strong handshake. The Count carried Jonathan's bags up winding stairs to a cozy room with a warm fire and yummy food waiting. The Count was very polite, but something about him made Jonathan feel a little uneasy. Outside, wolves howled in the mountains. The Count smiled and called them the children of the night. Over the next few days, they talked about a house the Count wanted to buy in England. Jonathan noticed some odd things about the castle and wondered what adventures awaited him there.