These creatures look like giant lizards or snakes, possess three to four heads, have four short legs and have wings like a bat. An Aždaja is formed when a big snake eats other snakes and grows wings and legs one hundred years later.
Vila is another important character in Serbian mythology. Vilas are beautiful forest nymphs who can shapeshift into wolves, birds, horses, swans or any other animal. These creatures live in rivers, lakes, mountains and clouds, and they look like humans. Like zmaj, the vila are usually kind to people, especially poor or lost travelers. They are usually seen as good omens, and they will use their healing and prophetic powers to help. Vilas can charm people with their singing voices and cause someone to stop eating, drinking or sleeping for days. These women are fierce warriors, and the Earth is said to shake when the vilas are in battle. Unlike any other creatures in Serbian fairytales, vilas control when they die and are reborn.
That's all for now, but to finish, I'll share a traditional Serbian fairytale called "The Golden Apple Tree and the Nine Pheasants":
Once upon a time, a king lived in a large palace with his three sons. On their land grew a golden apple tree, which dropped precious fruit every night. However, someone kept sneaking in and stealing the apples from the king! He tasked his sons with guarding the tree to find out who was taking these golden apples. His oldest son promised to watch the tree but fell asleep, and the apples were stolen. Then, the middle son tried to stay up, but he fell asleep, too.
