A Bhutanese Fairy Tale

Once upon a time there lived a handsome king. The king was good and kind and gentle, and he was much loved by all his people. He lived in a mysterious, hidden land called Shangri-La. His name was Jigme Singye Wangchuck, and he was the Precious Ruler of the Dragon People.

The Dragon King was married to four very beautiful sisters, who lived together in the palace with their five handsome princes and their five graceful princesses.

Bhutan's Queens

Everyone was happy in the Himalayan utopia that was the land of Shangri-La.

One day the good king decided he didn't want to be king anymore. He wanted his people to stay happy in their land, and to do that he needed to make some changes to the laws of his land. They needed a new constitution, and it was time for a new king.

Luckily, the Precious Ruler of the Dragon People was a good father as well as a good king, and he had a handsome son who would make a fine new king. The prince's name was Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

"He will make a fine Dragon King for my people," thought the old King.

The fifth king of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck at his coronation ceremony.

Sounds of giant gongs and ethereal music echoed around the white-walled Golden Throne Room of the Dragon King's palace as the kind old Dragon King placed the beautiful Raven Crown on his young son's head.

" The Land of the Thunder Dragon is now yours, my son. Rule it well," the old man said as he anointed the new young king, "Rule it well."

(Photos from here.)

PS Why, you might ask, are you being given a geography narration? Because, I would reply, we'll be there in only a few more weeks, and I'm obsessed with Bhutan. That's why! I just can't help it if some of my enthusiasm bubbles through onto the pages of my blog now, can I?)