Sungur had made a habit of going down to the river at night.


    He didn’t like wandering among people in the daylight.


    Because he was ugly.


    They had taught him that well.


    And on one of those nights, Arzuva appeared before him.


    Everyone in the tribe knew of Arzuva, the spirit of the water.


    “What are you doing here, human?” she asked.


    She lay stretched across the rocks, her scaled body glistening.


    “I am unhappy,” Sungur replied.


    “I am alone.”


    “Come to me,” said Arzuva.


    “You wouldn’t want me,” Sungur said. “I am too ugly.”


    “Where others see earth, I see water.”


    “Where others see hunger, I see fish.”


    “Where others see ugliness, I find love.”


    She reached out her hand and pulled Sungur into the water.


    Moonlight shimmered on the river’s surface.


    The ripples faded after a while.