Jeanie Learns the Secret

Johnny had used the magic of the crystal balll, the broomstick, ring, bracelet, necklace, and wand. Sometimes he laughed or said things his sister could hear. Even though he was under his blanket and she was in the next room.

Jeanie was eight. And curious. So somnetimes she got out of bed, put her ear to the wall or even the door that separated the two bedrooms, and listened.

One night her curiosity would not let her sleep. She simply had to know what was going on. So when she heard her brother snoring she took her key and let herself into his room.

Now, Jeanie was smart. She'd heard just enough that she figured that whatever her brother did it had something to do with a crystal ball. And a ring. And that he had to tell it to get it bigger and to do what he wanted.

Jeanie aimed her flashlight onto her brother's hand. She twirled the ring and, not too surprised, found the pea-sized ball. She slipped it off. Then she scampered into her own room, locked the door, and hid under the blanket.

When she was sure that no one had heard her, she said what she'd heard many times.

"Crystal Ball, Crystal Ball, get bigger." Wht happened did surprise her. The split pea grew into a ball as big as any she had seen on TV or in the movies. You know, the ones gypsids told fortunes with? She thought Johnny had magic but now she

The crystal ball said in its deep, quiet voice, "You are my Master because you hold me. What you ask I must do."

Jeanie giggled. "Oh, this is PERFECT." Then she did what she'd planned. ;You see, she thought something like this happen. And just in case it did, she knew exactly what she would ask for first.

"Crystal Ball, Crystal Ball, if you truly truly truly have magic, then you can make another ball just like you."

"True," answered the ball. "I can do anything."

"Then," said Jeanie confidently, "give me a crystal ball just like you. And remember, with all the magic that you have. Okay?"

She didn't have to ask permission. The Rule was that all she had to do to get her wish was totellthe ball.

Instantly there was a cloud of blue smoke and the words, "Okee dokee." And sitting on the sheet next to here was a large, beautiful, glowing crystal ball.

Jeanie knew she couldn't waste time. Johnny might wake up. Or Mother might come. Jeanie was about to return her broyther's ball when it slipped out of her hand. Luckily it rolled on the bed.

She caught her breath. "Crystal Ball, Crystal Ball," she said to her ball, "get smaller." and it did. Then Jeanie said to Johnny's ball, "Crystal Ball, Crystal Ball, you get smaller." And it did. Quickly the little girl scooted into her brother's room and slipped his ring on his finger. She darted out, locked the door, and jumped into her bed.

When she knew no one had heard her, she turned her flashlight on. She looked at her new ring.

"You don't look magic," she whispered. So she said, "Crystal Ball, Crystal Ball, get bigger." And it did.

"Oh, you are magic!" And she giggled. "But what can youdo?"

The ball answered, "For you, my Master, I can do anything."

Jeanie's eyes widened. "JIf ouy can doanything," she said daringly, "then you can do some magic and make it so no one can ever take you away, right?"

"Right," answered Crystal Ball. And poof! a cloud of white smoke filled the space. Jeanie tossed the blanket off so she wouldn't cough.

In the dark the ball glowed so brightly she feared someone would see it so she quickly replaced the blanket.

"Crystal Ball, Crystal Ball, moe than anything I would like a Hershey bar with almonds, a Barbie Doll, and a brand new kitchen set with ..." Then a thought flashed through her mind.

"Wait," she whispered before her wish was granted. "If I get all those things Miother will ask a lot of questions in the morning. No, Crystal Ball, just give me a Hershey bar with almonds. Without a wrapper!"

Instantly the candy bar appeared. And almost as quickly the eight year-old ate it.

"Oh, this is SUPER!" she said. "And it's real! It's really rea. I have magic! I have magic! l have real magic!"

The little girl hushed herself. Now that she had it and no one could take it away, she smiled happily. "I'll play with it tomorrow," she thought. Then she said, "Crystal Ball, Crystal Ball, get smaller."

Jeanie stared as her glowing ball shrank. She slid the pea-sized

globe of magic on her finger. Then twirled it inside so no one couold see it. '

Jeanie closed her eyes.

And don't you KNOW that there's a lot more to come now that she has a crystal ball? Which means that this one really is

TO BE CONTINUED