The Mythical Xiongmao

Once upon a time, in a land far far away, there lived a mythical creature whose name was whispered throughout the kingdom. The name spoke of fiery breath and silvery scales, a creature so fearsome that no one would dare approach its lair. Until that is, a young wizard by the name of Harry (no not that one, that would be plagiarism - it's a coincidence) vowed to all his friends that he and he alone would be the first to tackle the mythical Xiongmao.

"You're crazy!" they cried "it is certain death!" but Harry ignored their cries and set forth on his journey, armed only with his magic wand and a backpack full of snacks

It was a long and tiresome trek, over mountains and across plains, through narrow gorges and above wild waterfalls but eventually, he reached the cave where the fearsome Xiongmao lived

"No one has ever gotten this close and lived to tell the tale," thought Harry proudly and although the sweat of fear was beginning to feel clammy against his skin he knew he was ready to face the beast.

He lifted his magic wand, waving an intricate circular pattern in the air as he called into the dark cave "I'm here, Harry the Wizard and I'm not afraid! Come out Xiongmao! Show yourself!"

He heard a deep rumbling sound and backed away from the entrance, steeling himself - he knew the tales of men being scorched to dust, frazzled by its fearsome fiery breath

Out from the cave plodded a cuddly round creature. It had black eyes and black ears on a white face and body, with black arms and legs. It looked like a giant teddy bear. It was chewing on some leaves as it gazed sleepily at Harry

"You're Xiongmao?" Harry asked, incredulously "where's the silver scales? and the fiery breath?"

The panda shrugged and continued chewing nonchalantly on its leaves

Harry sat down to think.

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There was a great fanfare at Harry's return to the village. He stumbled in with a wild look in his eyes and half his hair missing, scorched from his head. He had nasty lacerations across his legs and stomach and his clothes were ripped to mere shreds of cloth. "From when the great beast's sharp scales sliced at me" explained Harry to the crowd who had gathered around him in admiration

"So, did you kill it Harry?" asked one of the children and Harry shook his head sadly "Not this time," he said "it was too powerful, too fearsome! It was the most terrifying creature you could ever imagine!" and all the children and most of the adults shivered at the thought of this terrible beast

"I will train harder than ever before!" Harry pronounced, holding his wand high in the air "and I will defeat the mythical Xiongmao and rid this kingdom of her menace forever" and everyone cheered and declared that Harry was, without doubt, the bravest man they'd ever known

Many times in his life, Harry would venture forth to tackle the mighty Xiongmao. Often there were young would-be heroes who volunteered to travel with him but always Harry turned down their offers "It wouldn't be right" he explained to the elders of the village "I couldn't live with myself when they didn't make it back alive. It's far too dangerous. No, I will go by myself and face the fearsome beast alone" and everyone agreed that he was truly a noble and selfless hero

Sadly, he never managed to defeat the mythical Xiongmao, despite many attempts - but his legend lives on to this day