Anna's magic

Anna was particularly pleased with herself when she arrived home with a very special package. Her mother had taken her to the Palace of Prestidigitation, a very strange name and a very strange place indeed.

Anna had been saving her allowance for weeks, and after receiving some money for her 10th birthday, she finally had enough money to buy the magic kit she had been wanting since last summer. It was perfect! It had card tricks, magic rings, a magic wand and even a costume. The box said "Everthing for the new magician."

She ran to her room, opened the box and began reading the instructions. She had already planned her first show right after dinner. Her mom and dad would be there, and even her big brother, Mike, said he would help, even though it was "kid stuff."

After dinner, everyone gathered in the living room while Anna changed into her costume and set up the magic table. Her mother picked a card and put it back in the deck and Anna easily picked it out. Her dad tried to separate the magic rings finally handing them back to Anna who had no problem separating them.

Everyone had a great time, but Anna knew that these were just tricks, not real magic. The instructions said "Use the magic wand to create your own magic" and that's what she really wanted. She told Mike to put a sheet over his head so she could make him disappear. Mike did and when Anna said some magic words and waved the wand, the sheet fell to the floor. Mike was gone!

Her parents applauded and laughed, but Anna was terrified. Mike soon came in the front door looking sick and went straight to his room.

Anna never touched that magic kit again.