Did dragons really exist? My theory is, yes they did. They appear in the mythology and legends of ancient civilizations which were separated, not only by thousands of years, but thousands of miles as well, and had no contact with one another . To me it seems too vast a generalization to state that they simply 'invented' fabled creatures which were so much alike.

How could something that big fly?With ease, apparently. Fossils of pterodactyls, pteranodons and other winged dinosaurs prove that huge winged reptiles were a reality millions of years ago. Recent discoveries indicate that some of them may have had a portion of their brain devoted solely to navigation and flight.

Did they breathe fire? Many reptiles spit or spray venom that is caustic enough to blister skin. An ancient hunter's encounter with a dragon, re-told over generations, may have given rise to the "fire-breathing' legend - for, what is it that burns? Fire!!

Why did they guard gold and treasure? Dragons are historically denizens of cooler climates, and what better place to spend an icy winter but up in a nice warm secluded cave. At the same time, 11th and 12th-century folk had no really secure place in which to stash away gold, silver or any other valuable items. I picture them taking their riches in chests or sacks, up to the comparative safety of a dry, unoccupied (or so they thought) cave. Later, it may not have been easy retrieving property from a cold, grumpy dragon, and over time - just as with the fire-breathing story - the legend of dragons 'guarding' treasure began.