Abducted to Oz

  CHAPTER SIX:

  SPELLBOUND!

  Once back on the other side of the mirror and in her own domain, theWitch could not wait to get started on the first spell. After all, whocould resist experimenting with spells from a book with a title like_The Best and Most Complete Book of Witchcraft Ever Written_?

  "Okay, you little squirt," she snapped. "Read me the first spell."

  Graham knew he would have to think off the top of his head and thinkfast if he was to come up with something plausible. The minute she foundout that the book was a fake, he would be dead meat, that was for sure.

  "Okay. Well.... Let's see.... The first spiel--I mean, spell--is 'How toTurn an Obnoxious Dial (or Socially Disadvantaged Countenance) into aReflection of Infinite Beauty.'"

  "I haven't the faintest idea what you just said," snapped the Witch withobvious annoyance. "Read it to me again. Wait. That won't do any good.What do you think it means?"

  Graham knew he had her hooked. "It is obviously a spell that willtransform you into the most beautiful creature to ever walk the face ofthe earth."

  "Oh, my," said the Witch-clone with obvious delight. "Well, let's getstarted! What are you waiting for?"

  Graham cleared his throat and began to "read" from the book:

  "_Find a slimy little pickle. Rub it with a shiny nickel. Drop it in a Witch's hat. Add seventeen eggs on top of that. Top that off with a bowl of Jell-O and spittle from a little fellow. Add some sour cream and chives and honey directly from the hives._

  _Now add one pint of strawberry jam (preferably bought from Knott's Berry Farm). Then bend thy head towards thy legs and press said hat upon thy head. Now stand and then induce a friend to pull it down below thy crown. Wait at least a half-an-hour. Take off the hat and dust with flour. Now look in the mirror and thou shalt see none more lovelier than thee."_

  "Oh, that does sound absolutely divine!" cried the Witch. "Quick! Helpme gather the materials together so we can start immediately."

  Graham could hardly contain himself with the thought of the true resultsof this experiment. And although he was going to use this opportunity toescape, he almost wished he could stay to see the whole thing through.He congratulated himself on his ability to create such anauthentic-sounding spell and for having the presence of mind to suggestthe half-hour lead time he would need in order to escape from thecastle. When everything was ready, Graham followed the spell to theletter. And since he was the only little fellow around, he was theobvious choice to provide the spittle for the concoction--which he didwith great delight.

  As soon as he got to the part where he had to pull the Witch's hat downover her head, he said, "I'll keep my eye on the clock and let you knowwhen the half hour is up." With that, he jammed the hat down over hereyes and down to her shoulders and then made a beeline for the window.