The Magic Trick

The magic trick as so magic that it majicked everything else, too. Wherever there was a top hat - hundreds of rabbits appeared from inside it ... and then magically disappeared again. The magic trick made bouquets of flowers grow bigger ... and bigger ... and even bigger. The magic trick made the person who was sawn in two pieces whole again with a simple "ABRACADABRA !". The magic trick magicked people into the air and left them there high in the clouds. The magic trick was very useful - it helped do all kinds of jobs around the house without even putting very much effort into it. But if the magic trick got into the wrong hands, dastardly things occurred. One day, an evil wizard got hold of the magic trick ... and suddenly, the magic trick was so magic that it magicked all over the house. Nothing worked properly ... the fridge over - heated and the oven cooled down. None of the lights would work in the day ... and the stars went out at night. People started to walk backwards and even crabs (who were used to walking sideways) started to walk in circles. When the evil wizard got hold of the magic trick - doors slammed shut and wouldn't open again ... except for in the kitchen where everything popped open. The evil wizard used the magic trick to make the spaghetti bend and biscuits crumble. The vegetable rack was never the same again ... all the tomatoes turned flat and the cabbage didn't wrinkle quite so much. Carrots turned blue instead of orange and potatoes rolled all over the kitchen floor. The garden peas squashed into mushy peas, the broad beans grew broader ... and the runner beans ran away. What mischief that evil wizard created ! The magic trick did a vanishing act on the pots and pans ... before long, the cups and saucers flew up into the air and smashed into smithereens on the wall. The evil wizard refused to use the magic trick to glue the pieces back together again. The magic trick stirred broth in the pan until it bubbled over the sides onto the stove ... it made the kettle whistle so loudly that it wouldn't stop, awaking all the neighbourhood. The cans of baked beans exploded so that baked beans spilled everywhere. The magic trick made the jelly wobble and the milk turn into cheese. The magic trick swapped the taps around so that the cold water was hot and vice versa. Washing - up liquid squirted everywhere and bubbles frothed over the edge of the sink. Thankfully, the magic was that magic that it pulled the plug and all the water disappeared down the plughole. The magic trick was so magic that it made the clock tick faster ... and the hands go around the wrong way, then stop. What magic trickery was afoot - causing chaos everywhere, everyday. By mid - afternoon, it was clear that the evil wizard must have been upto his dastardly, old tricks outside in the garden too because the sun disappeared and it rained all day. The flowers lost their pretty petals and the leaves fell off the trees. Luckily, before long, a friendly, kind witch appeared - on her way back from the shops and seeing the commotion, stopped to see what was the matter. She smiled and waved her magic wand over the mess created by the evil wizard ... "HEY PRESTO !" ... the evil wizard disappeared in a cloud of magic dust and with him, so did all his evil tricks. When the friendly, kind witch smiled ... the sun reappeared and it's magic rays made the garden grow all pretty again. The cups and saucers in the kitchen magicked back onto the shelves - all bright, clean and shiny new. The knives and forks were neatly stacked and the fridge returned to normal, too. Magic.

© Jacqueline Richards 2005