The elders always told stories of angelic creatures, with feathered wings and pearlescent hair, I always pictured a beautiful creature, pure and innocent, something that would be so enchanting that you couldn’t look away. I was right in my imaginings of these great creatures, but for the completely wrong reasons.

One day I was walking through the forest, I was sent out to pick berries and mushrooms for my mother. I was happily picking berries when I heard a strange noise from somewhere nearby, it sounded like a cross between angelic bells, and a ghostly whisper. I stood up and looked around to find the source of the sound, but I saw nothing. I assumed it was just the wind blowing through the foliage so I went back to picking berries. But then I heard it again. This time I knew it wasn’t the wind, it was closer this time, the bells rang sweetly, but the ghostly whispers were also much closer, the sounds sang together, closer and closer. I looked around, desperate to find the source, that’s when I saw it, just a quick glance, but nevertheless, I saw the giant, pure white, feathered wing, it was quickly hidden behind the trees and foliage.

As the wing disappeared I slowly walked closer to where I had seen it, hoping to catch a glimpse at one of the majestic creatures the elders describe in their stories. I slowly walked closer and closer, cautious to not scare it away. As soon as I was close enough, I peeked around the tree and saw it, the beautiful, pure white creature, its hair shimmering in the sunlight, its feathered wings trailing with it. I was in awe of its beauty, it was more majestic and amazing than I had ever imagined. I was captivated by it, I couldn’t look away. The creature turned and stared at me, its glittering eyes curious, but then its expression changed, it was glaring, its fangs bared angrily. Wait… fangs?! The elders never mentioned fangs in their stories!