ANASKELADES

A monstrous donkey occurring in the folklore of Crete. Originally, this creature was represented as a normal-sized donkey found wandering the countryside. Anyone foolish enough to attempt to ride Anaskelades found themselves in great trouble, as at once it grew to the size of a mountain and flung them off. In more recent times, it is said to present itself as a bobbin or cotton reel lying in the road. If this is picked up, it then assumes the form of a giant donkey.