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Dragons deserve a category all
their own because they are beasts found all over the world. But there are two
distinct types of dragon: the dragon of the Western world and the dragon of the
Eastern world.
Western Dragons
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Native Americans believed in snake
dragons, supernatural wisdom. |
These enormous, fire-breathing
serpents have scaly green bodies and huge red wings. Greedy creatures, they
hoard gold treasure in dens under the earth. Fierce and always hungry, a
Western dragon will eat anything but especially likes weak, young, human flesh.
Dragons live in caves, mountains, or lakes. They were particularly active in
the Middle Ages, when brave knights challenged them to battle.
Eastern Dragons
Compared to Western dragons,
these beasts are quite small. Their bodies are long, and they have two horns
for ears. They have no wings, and their soft breath is said to form clouds.
They do not roar; instead they make the sounds of beating gongs and jingling
bells. Chinese dragons dine on sparrows. They live wherever there is water.
They are kind and wise friends of human beings.
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