Changling

A changeling is a mythological concept from European folklore, depicting a fairy or supernatural being swapped with a human child. According to the stories, fairies would secretly exchange a human baby for one of their own, often to use the human child for their own purposes. The changeling typically appeared sickly or unusual, and this belief led to fears and superstitions about certain children or infants. Historically, some people attributed unexplained illnesses or behaviors to changelings, though these ideas are now understood as part of cultural myth rather than reality.