but , as he spoke , something cold touched him , and quickly he glanced down at his feet . then with a shudder he saw that they were feet no longer , but bird 's claws . he looked at the girl he was clasping , and beheld a great black bird standing at his side ; he turned to his friends , but a flock of great awkward flapping creatures stood in their place he put up his hands to cover his face , but they were no more hands , only the ends of wings ; and when he tried to speak , a noise such as he had never heard before seemed to come from his throat , which had suddenly become narrow and slender . already the water had risen to his waist , and he found himself sitting easily upon it , while its surface reflected back the image of a black swan , one of many .
a swan .
what has the youth become ?
what has the youth become ?