Dragons in the mist

Why precisely does this most improbable of creatures, a giant scaly flying fire-breathing beast, have such universal appeal?

In Bhutan, it is difficult not to think of dragons. They are everywhere — on the flag, on lapel pins, painted on walls and carved in wood. Just about every establishment is called Druk, from five-star hotels and airlines to the roadside barber. It is a somewhat fearsome totem for such a friendly country. Bhutan’s national animal is the Takin, a half-pig half-goat that moves with the ponderous solemnity of a cow and is quite entirely charming; but I feel, if they felt they could, the Bhutanese would declare the dragon their national animal and have done with it. Up