during lent in 1995, the tres lagoas neighborhood of the zona oeste was the site of wilson dourado de paula's closest encounter - on his way home from a party downtown, the former professional soccer player was ambushed by a lobisomem, escaping only with the assistance of the street dogs, who distracted his attacker long enough for him to gain his freedom.

perhaps, however, dourado de paula was not attacked by a werewolf, but had simply run afoul of another brazilian legend.

the trickster saci is one of the most famous mythical creatures of brazil, and is descended - much like the people of the country - from a mixture of tupi, african and portuguese fables.