Maybe it was a Crocodile?

The first thing I notice when I wake up is whether I'm in a safe familiar place. That's the most important question.

That's why I didn't even notice the alligator dozing in the other corner of the room until I stood up to dress.

"Hey!" it said, "I have some words of bad wisdom for you. Something I learned from a great chess master, who also taught me to talk and sneak into other people's bedrooms while they sleep."

"Well, I'm always happy to share bad ideas," I replied cheerily.

"If you let yourself get bogged down in details and plans, and worry about what other people think, you'll get stuck next-to-last in every game. If you trust your instincts and do whatever comes to mind first, though, you're guaranteed to win second prize."

"You don't know the rules of chess, do you?" I asked.

"No, I'm just here to eat mammals."