Oh, what a lovely owl!" Cried the Wart. But when he went up to it and held out his hand, the owl grew half as tall again, stood up as stiff as a poker, closed its eyes so that there was only the smallest slit to peep through - as you are in the habit of doing when told to shut your eyes at hide-and-seek - and said in a doubtful voice"There is no owl." Then it shut its eyes entirely and looked the other way." It is only a boy," said Merlin." There is no boy," said the owl hopefully, without turning round.

The Once and Future King