“Squaww-w-w-k!” the swan said and unfolded its wings to an impressive width, obviously irritated at being awakened. “Sorry,” I said, backing away. “I thought you were a cat.” “Hiss-s-s-s!” it said, and started for me at a run. Nothing in all those “O swan” poems had ever mentioned that they hissed. Or resented being mistaken for felines. Or bit.
