Jeanie's Birthday and the Magic Necklace

When Witchy-Boo gave the magic necklace to Johnny Carmel at her two thousandth birthday party she didn'tknow that the ten year-old boy always carried his crystal ball with him. She thought it stayed big like hers. But Joynny was a smart little boy and didn't want to lose his magic ball. Also, he wanted to carry it with him at all times so he'd always have magic. And in the size of a split-pea on a ring was perfect.

Well, Johnny used the necklace to make his favorite candy appear: Hershey with Almonds, Tootsi Rolls, and Baby Ruth. He loved others but these he liked so well he could munch them all day.

One day Mother asked Jeanie who she wanted to ask to her birthday party. The eight year-old said, "I'll make a list." The little girl put every one of her friends. Thre were nineteen.

"You'd think," said Johnny, "that being that close to twenty ou could think of one more person to ask."

Jeanie agreed. But no matter how hard she tried she couldn't think of another person.

"I'll tell you what," said Johnny helpfully. "I have a friend from out of town. I think she's going to be here this weekend. Would you mind if I asked her? She's nine just like you'll be."

"Oh," answered Jeanie. "What's her name?"

Without think Johnny blurted, "Boo." He blushed, then added quickly, "It's spelled with a 'u'. B-O-U."

"That's a pretty name," said Jeanie. "Is she nice? Oh, I'm sure she is. Yes, Johnnie, ask Bou if she'll come to my party."

Later Johnny got on his broomstick and zoomed to the cave of the witch. The ole hag with the hair coming out of the wart on her nose was cackling as she swept up the mess from her party.

Johnny laughed out loud. "Witchy-Boo, Witchy-Boo, would you come to my sister's birthday party?"

The hag swept a gargoyle off the table and cackled. "Me? A witch? Go to a party of PEOPLE? Ha!"

"She's turning nine. And I told her you'd come."

"Zounds!" shrieked the witch. "You had no right to do that!"

"Maybe," answered Johnny. "But I came to yours --asawitch! -- so I figured you should come to her's -- as a girl."

"GIRL? Zounds and double-Zounds!"

"Not only that, but you must promise not to scare anyone. Just dress and act like a nine year-old girl, that's all you have to do. By the way, I told her your name was Bou. B-O-U."

Johnny didn't wait for her answer. He justknewshe couldn't resist.

Before the party Witchy-Boo hid her broomstick under a log in the Vacant Lot. She skipped toward the house in the first clean dress she'd ever worn.

"Jeanie, I wnt you to meet Wi ... ah, Bou. she's the girl I was telling you about."

The two girls became instant friends. Throughout the afternoon they were always together: holding hands, smiling,

playing. But when the birthday girl began opening presents, Bou ran to Johnny, horrified.

"I didn't bring a present, Johnny. What will I do?"

The boy answered, "Would you mind giving the magic necklace that you gave me? I have it right here."

"Oh, it'd save my life!"

So Johnny wrapped it up quickly.

"Here, Jeanie," said Bou. "It's awfully small but I think you'll like it."

Throughout the afternoon Johnny noticed that Witchy-Boo, now Bou, enjoyed herself completely. The boy knew that she had felt nearly sick when she first thought of becoming a girl, but now it seemed it would be the most natural thing in the world for the witch to do.

When the witch got back to her cave she stood in front of the mirror. Yes, Bou was pleased. She never thought she would even think of being a girl, but she had hadsomuch fun! Now she had a friend. And she liked looking pretty!

That night Jeanie lay in bed fingering her new necklace. It reminded her of her new friend, the pretty Bou whom she hoped would come to visit often. Thebestthing couldeverhappen would be if Bou moved next door at the For Sale house!

At that moment she wished she had a Hershey with Almonds. She looked on her pillow and there one sat.

She got into her pajamas. She thought of munching on M & M's. She turned her head and there was a bag on her sheet.

"Oh, how nice of someone to give me my favorite candies for my birthday!"

Jeanie didn't think the necklace had anything to do with the candy. At this point she didn't believe in magic. If she had thought about the two together she might have said Bou's present was her luck necklace. But she didn't even think that. She was too happy with the joyful party and especially with her new friend.

And don'tweknow that for anything more to happen between these friends this story will have

TO BE CONTINUED