From the funds he got at the Wise Owl’s house, the Golden Dragon acquired new peony seedlings and eagerly planted them when he got home. While the peonies grew well, their young age resulted in only a very small number of high-quality flowers suitable for oil extraction. Unfortunately, the yield was insufficient to fill even a single vial of oil. This outcome left the dragon feeling disheartened and questioning the chosen path. 

He contemplated alternative options. “Should I grow carrots?” asked Dragon himself. “This may not be as personally enjoyable but offer consistent annual growth and a reliable return on effort.” Then another idea came to his mind: “Alternatively, growing apples could be a good option. Yes, they require time to mature but offer easier harvesting.” 

He was thinking and thinking sorting through different ideas, but in the end, he realized that growing carrots is for bunnies and he is a dragon. So, he decided just to patiently wait and diligently work until the peonies show their full strength and beauty.