Johnny Goes Into the Crystal Ball

Jeanie and Johnny sat on the bed. The door was locked and the two hid under the blanket. The didn't want their parents toknow they were doing REAL magic.

"Johnny, have you ever goneintothe Crystal Ball?"

"Why, no, Jeanie. I never even thought of it."

"I would but I'd be scared."

"Why? There's nothing to be afraid of."

"How do you know? There're all sorts of things in there."

"Well, there's Witchy-Boo's ? Crystal Ball. And a broomstick. And ring, bracelet, necklace, and wand. They're all magic and aren't scary at all."

"It's not those things I'm afraid of. It's all the other stuff."

"Oh, Jeanie, there's no reason to be scared.when you have super-magic."

"Then why don't you go in?"

Johnny was silent. He raised his finger to his lips. "Hush. What was that?"

Jeanie whispered, "Maybe Papa. Or Mama." The two sat motionless. The noise didn't return so Jeanie whispered. "Idareyou to go into the crystal ball."

Johnny laughed quietly. "That won't get me to do it, Jeanie.

Because I've already decided to do it. I think it's going to be the greatest adventure in the whole wide world. No child alivewouldn'tgo in if he had a crystal ball."

"But aren't you scared?"

"No. Because the magic will protect me."

With that the ten year-old twirled the pea-sized ball, removed it, placed it on the bed, and said, "Crystal Ball, Crystal Ball, get bigger." Then he said, "Crystal Ball, Crystal Ball, let me come in."

The ball glowed bright. It was good the brother and sister had pulled the blanket over them or the light might have awakened their parents. The ball spoke quietly.

"No one has ever gone into the Crystal Ball. Not even a witch."

"Doews that mean I can't"

"No. YOu are my Master. I must do what you say. It's just that it is a request that through the thousands and thousands of years that there have been crystal balls, no witch -- and certainly no person -- has ever asked to go inside."

"Will it be safe?"

"No. But if it wasn't, I would protect you."

Johnny Carmel took a deep breath and said bravely, "Then let me come in."

Jeanie watched her brother shrink. Small, smaller, smallest. Until he disappeared into the bright glow.

Johnny had not told his sister but he was a little scared. But no more than an;y ten year-old doing something no one had ever done.

The boy stepped down long, very long stairs. He looked around. He must have shrunk more than he thought because

when he looked around all he saw was space. It looked like the bery sky. And it was completely empty.

Johnny stepped further. But no matter how hard he tried he saw nothing. Nothing floating, nothing zooming, nothing hopping, skipping or jumping as he expected.

"This is weird," he said outloud. "Where's the broomstick?" But there was no answer. He didn't even hear an echo. He yelled.

"Where's Witchy-Boo's Crystal Ball? Where's the magic wand and the necklace and bracelet and ring? I know you're in here. Where are you?"

finally, out of the empty, silent space, Crystal Ball's quiet voice said, "This is the land of magic, Johnny Carmel. The only thing that's here is MAGIC."

"No, no," answered the boy. "The wand and all those things are here. I know. Because I PUT them here."

"The only thing that exists in a crystal ball is MAAGIC, Johnny Carmel. MAGIC," and the voice faded. "Magic, magic,magic...."

"This is very weird," said the boy. "And I don't understand. Not verything in the crystal ball is magic because I'm here -- and I'm real. Crystal Ball," he said, "Don't fade away. You have to explain this to me."

The glow grew brighter. "Yes, Master?"

"If the only thing in here is magic, then how come I'm here?"

"iot is the Rule of the Magic that I must obey my Master, the one who holds me. ;You asked to enter so I had to obey you. You are the nly thing that has ever entered these many thousands and thousands ..." and the voice began to fade again.

Johnny was not satisfied. "Crystal Ball, now you get back here

right now. And tell me why when I'm outside all I have to do is ask for something and it appears but when I'm here there's nothing. I mean, where did the objects that appearcome fromif they weren't in you?"

The glow increased and the calm, quiet voice seemed to chuckle. "Johnny, Johnny, that's what magic is: getting what you ask for. But what you ask for doesn't already exist. Only magic exists. It's the ASKING that creates what you want."

Johnny didn't fully understand but it didn't matter. He was experiencing something no one else had so he might as well enjoy it.

The ten year-old began walking up the long stairs. Then he got an idea. He spread his arms like wings and thought. Then he leaped off the steps. And he flew.

He floated, he soared, he hovered. He felt completely and absolutely free. "Oh," he said happily, "this really IS magic!" He glided deep into the empty space. He felt he could fly forever.

Suddenly he was jarred by the voice of his sister.

"Jophnny, Johnny, Mother's coming!"

The boyt flew to the top of the stairs, scurried under his blanket, and whispered quickly, "Crystal Ball, Crystal Ball, get smaller!"

And just in time. Becaue at the bvery moment the ball became pea-sized the door opened.

"Johnny Carmel, what's going on in this room? Every night I hear all kinds of noises." And she flipped the blanket off. Joynny looked up through sleepy eyes. He was in the soft ball of his pajamas.

"Maybe it's mice," he said innocently.

Mothered entered Jeanie's room. She appeared to be sound asleep under her blankets.

"I don't know," said Mother. "I hear noises when I'm outside but not when I'm inside. It's either mice or magic." She closed the door and went to her room.

Johnny smiled. He smiled becaue he had gone into the crystal ball, had flown, and his mother had not caught him, but he also because he had an idea of what he would do the net time he entered the balll. But that's a story

TO BE CONTINUED