The Piasa Bird

When I was younger I used to go visit my Grandfather in Illinois. He had this wooden picture of a Piasa Bird that he used to decorate his porch. I always asked about it. He would always tell stories of legendary creatures, mostly of Trolls. He told me the story of the Piasa Bird.

Long ago there was a great beast that lived near some cliffs that overlooked the Mississippi river. From that cliff the creature could catch view of any unlucky Indian taveler. The Bird would fly down and grab them for a meal. Finially a brave warrior came and shot the beast dead. After that the Indians painted a large image of the bird on the cliff as a memory and a warning. Later white explorers saw the painting when they traveled down the Mississippi river.

There is some question on weather the Bird was a true Indian legend or if it was a white man's invention. All i know is that if you go to Illinois there is indeed a monster painted on that cliff.

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