Tradition: American Mythology
Alternative Names: None known
Category: Forest Dweller
The Myth
The Teakettler is a small, elusive woodland creature named after the peculiar sound it makes, which resembles the whistling hiss of a boiling teakettle. Clouds of steam pour from its nostrils as it moves through the forest, giving it an unusual appearance and making its presence known even when the animal itself remains hidden.
Unlike ordinary animals, the Teakettler prefers to walk backward rather than forward. It is rarely seen, and only a handful of woodsmen have ever claimed to encounter one. Its strange call, steaming nostrils, and backward gait make it one of the more unusual creatures said to inhabit the North American wilderness.
Sources
Schwartz, Alvin, and Glen Rounds. Kickle Snifters and Other Fearsome Critters. New York: Bantam Books, 1978. Originally published in 1976. https://archive.org/details/kicklesniftersot00schw