You see dozens of tiny luxurious cages where the menagerie is kept.  Instead of metal bars, the cages have bars of clearest crystal, and within are every sort of animal that walks, crawls, flaps or slithers.
Pet chamber, Inside Castle
torturer
animal
I am an animal that lives under the bridge. I like to eat the scraps that the people leave. I enjoy scaring anyone that comes under the bridge.
How, oh how, can I escape this cage?! Who goes there? It was assuredly not I, a lone animal trying to get back home. I wonder if I can fit between the bars of this cage? How can you speak little one? I've had a spell cast upon me by an old, ugly hag.  I used to be a boy... Now, I am THIS... How did you get placed into the king's menagerie? I have lived under the bridge outside of the castle for many months now.  The King was crossing over the bridge one day and I jumped out and scared him.  He fell off and into the water.  I suppose he was humiliated and wanted me tortured for the crime... That would explain why he asked me here.  Have you tried explaining what you are to anyone else? Yes, it matters not that only a year ago I was a small boy.  I have disrespected the King and apparently now I must pay. I would have been put to death had I not been such a curiosity.  Seeing as how I can speak and all. I guess the King will show me off at parties and gawk at my misfortune. Is there any way that you think I could assist you without compromising my own placement with the king? If you want, I can scream in pain whenever the King is close to the door, he will think I've been punished.  I suppose living here in this cage is better than under that bridge.  If only I could reverse this spell one day though, I miss being a boy... Eventually the king, and if not him someone else, would become suspicious of our endeavors due to a lack of wounds on your body, no matter how violently or painfully you may scream.  A scream of one in pain is also different than a scream you can produce any other time, and I'm sure the king knows how to tell the difference after all these years.