Zabith the Child Stealer

Let me tell you about the Zabith, children, so you may know why you must obey your elders.
The Zabith is a tall, thin creature, walking on two legs like a man but having the face of a fox and claws of a bear. It hungers for human flesh, preferring the tender mean of children of the tougher meat of adults. It also is drawn to darkness, to evil, and to naughtiness. So if one is nearby, and hungry, it will enter the village in the darkest night. It will use its keen sense of smell to seek out the tastiest morsels, the naughty children. When it finds one it will sneak into the house, making not a sound, and into the room of the naughty child. Then, to get the most delectable tastes from you, it will wake you and, just before you scream, bury it's sharp teeth in your throat and rip it out. It will then carry you off to the forest to finish its feast.

Summary

The story of the Zabith, or Zabith the Child Stealer, is often told to children as a means of convincing them to obey. Many cultures have the concept of the Zabith, but not all use it as a means of frightening children into obeying.
It always involves a common creature turned humanoid and monstrous. The creature is usually a fox, but there are variations.

Historical Basis

When shifters were discovered, fear and panic about them spread. This myth grew out of that, focusing on fox shifters. Over the years, the shifter was given a monstrous form, which is what the story currently uses.

Variations & Mutation

The Zabith is also known as žabis omipen, adlozu tul nokima, or the two-legged fox.
Some cultures use different animal types, but the fox seems to be the most common. And even when it is not a fox, it is often called the Zabith.