There was a witch in the forest.
Sometimes the legends called her a sorceress. Sometimes a magician. They pretty much all agreed she was a woman, though -- or perhaps "female" would be better. Were witches human? Some stories said "no." Heck, some claimed she was a demon -- or a fairy. Whether she was malevolent or benevolent varied too.
But all the stories agreed that, if someone could survive the forest and find her house hidden deep within, the witch would grant them a wish. For better or worse, everyone was said to return from an encounter with her "changed."
Whatever that meant.