Summon Monster (and like spells)

[RigaMortus]

When you summon a creature via Summon Monster (or Nature's Ally), is the only think they are allowed to do attack for you? If my Halfling Druid wanted to summon a dire lion and ride it into combat, could I do that? Or would it just run off and attack the first "enemy" it sees (or I tell it to attack)? If I summon a Celestial Unicorn, can I command it (or ask it politely) to use it's healing spells on me? Can I summon an imp out of combat to go fly to the top of the tower and fetch something for me?

These are all things I think you should be able to do with summoned creatures, but the PHB description implies all they can do for you is attack you enemies. Is this the "official" way you are supposed to play summon spells? Does anyone else take advantage of summoned creatures other than having them fight for you?

 

[Hypersmurf]

You can make them do anything you like... if you have some way of communicating with them.

Unicorns speak Common. No problem.

Dire Lion - if you have Speak with Animals running, you can tell it to do something... otherwise it just attacks the first enemy it sees.

-Hyp.