I am the Spirit of the Mountain. This is MY mountain. I leave the villagers in peace so long as they supply me with my annual meal of one young maiden.

This year, they have fastened her to a large cask that stands in a forest temple. I have been eagerly awaiting this evening. I come bounding into the temple uttering yowls of pleasure and I pounce on my dinner.

I sink my teeth into her neck and then, to my shock, the teeth of a DOG sink into me.

Cat Spirit of the Mountain in Schippeitaro, Violet Fairy Book. Picture by Hiroto Norikane.