Jack opened his eyes.
The sun was setting beyond the woods. No time atall had passed in Frog Creek.
"Welcome back," said a soft, lovely voice.
Morgan le Fay was in the magic tree house.
"Morgan!" cried Annie. She threw her arms aroundthe enchantress.
Jack hugged Morgan, too.
"Look, Morgan," said Annie. "We have proof wefound four special kinds of magic!""Yes, I see," said Morgan.
Morgan picked up the play scrolls that Shakespearehad given Jack and Annie in old England.
"You found the magic of theater," she said. Morganpicked up the twig from a mountain gorilla in theAfrican cloud forest.
"And the magic of animals," she said.
Morgan picked up the pouch of corn seeds fromtheir trip to the first Thanksgiving.
"And the magic of community," she said.
Finally, Morgan picked up the wreath of flowersfrom Kama and Boka.
"And you discovered the magic of friendship," shesaid.
Morgan looked at Jack and Annie for a longmoment. "Listen carefully to what I'm about to tellyou," she said.
"Yes?" They both leaned forward.
"You are now Magicians of Everyday Magic," saidMorgan. "You have learned to find the magic inthings you encounter on earth every day. There aremany other forms of everyday magic. You never haveto look far to find it. You only have to live your life tothe fullest."Jack and Annie nodded.
Soon you will be called upon to use yourknowledge of Everyday Magic in the realm offantasy.""The realm of fantasy?" said Jack.
"Are we going back to Camelot?" said Annie.
Before Morgan could answer, a shout came fromthe distance. "Jack! Annie!""Our dad's calling," said Annie.
"You must go home now," said Morgan gently.
"Rest--and get ready to test your powers. Your mostexciting challenges are yet to come.""Good-bye, Morgan," said Annie and Jack.
They hugged the enchantress. Then Jack took theHawaii book out of his pack and gave it to Morgan.
He put on his backpack and followed Annie down theladder.
When they stepped onto the ground, there was agreat roar above them. Jack and Annie looked up. Aswirl of sparkling light lit the top of the tree.
Then the light was gone. The tree house was gone.
Morgan le Fay was gone, too.
Jack and Annie didn't speak for a long moment.
Then Jack broke the silence.
"Our most exciting challenges are yet to come?" hesaid. "What do you think Morgan meant by that?""I don't know," said Annie.
"It sounds a little scary," said Jack"That's okay. We can handle it," said Annie. Shesmiled. "We're Magicians of Everyday Magic."Jack smiled. "Yeah," he said. "I guess we are."They walked out of the woods as the sun wassetting. Down the street their mom and dad werestanding on their front porch. They waved at Jack andAnnie.
Jack felt a surge of happiness. There's another kindof everyday magic, he thought, the magic of family.
In that moment, it seemed the best magic of all. |