Abracadabra! Magic with Mouse and Mole by Wong Herbert Yee Page B

door:
    Midnight Magic

TONIGHT ONLY
DON'T BE LATE!

    Mole ventured a peek outside.
Someone had set a stump in the yard.
Mole looked about. He sat down
on the edge of his seat.
"
Tickets, tickets, please!
" called a voice.
PLOP!
Mole toppled right off the stump.
A white rabbit snatched
the paper and ran off.

    He returned dragging a table.
Snap, snap, snap, snap
went the legs.

    Another rabbit, this one brown,
came by with a tablecloth.
FWOOMPH!

The brown rabbit
flipped the cloth
high in the air.

    "It is midnight on the dot!" announced
the rabbits. "Please welcome...
MOUSE the Marvelous!
"
Out stepped Mouse from
behind the oak. She had on
her moons and stars dress.
The orange cloth was
wrapped around her head.

    Mouse carried a glass jar and wooden spoon.
She set the jar on the table.
It looked empty.
Mouse undid the orange cloth.
She laid it over the jar.
Mouse waved the wooden
spoon in circles.
"
Eeny, meeny, miny ... MO!
"
She tapped the jar three times,
then yanked the cloth away.

    The glass jar began to shimmer.
It grew brighter,
and brighter.

    Mouse unscrewed the lid. The tiny
lights flew up and into the night sky.
"Thank you, fireflies!" Mouse waved.
Mole rubbed his eyes in wonder.
"Bravo, Mouse!" he cheered.

    "A volunteer?" asked Mouse.
Mole looked to his left.
Mole looked to his right.
He was the only one there.
Mouse handed Mole a flashlight.
"Follow me," she said.

    They stopped in front of a mimosa plant.
"
Eeny, meeny, miny ... mo,
" whispered Mouse.
She tapped the branch
with her spoon.

    The fernlike leaves
snapped shut.
Mole nearly
dropped the flashlight.
"How did you do that?" he gasped.
Mouse winked. "A magician never tells!
And now..." squeaked Mouse,
"the GRAND FINALE!"
The two rabbits folded the table legs:
snap, snap, snap, snap.

They tilted it
up on end.

    "As you know, Mole," Mouse began,
"there is a
hole
in this table."
She stuck her head
through the trapdoor.

    "Do not be silly," said Mole.
"As you can see," continued Mouse,
"there is nothing in this hole."
"Except your head." Mole chuckled.

    Mouse smiled. "WHO is being silly now?"
She hung the cloth back on the table.
The rabbits lifted the table over their heads.
They circled behind Mole.
"Pardon me," said Mouse.
She stepped around the stump.

    Mouse the Marvelous swayed to and fro.
She waved the wooden spoon with a flourish.
"
Eeny, meeny, miny ... MO!
" cried Mouse.

    Slowly, she drew the cloth aside
and pushed the trapdoor open.

    PLOP!
Mole toppled
right off his seat.
The hole had vanished!
In its place—
a full moon!

"Bravo, Mouse!"
hollered Mole. "Bravo!"
Mouse took a bow. She thanked
the rabbits for all their help.

    It was a
marvelous
summer night.
The moon above was
magnificent.

Mouse stretched out on the tablecloth.
Mole plopped down beside her.
"You were right, Mouse." He yawned.
"There is magic after all."
Mouse nodded.
"Of course there is."

    "Just remember, Mole.
Real
magic takes time.
Be patient; keep your eyes and ears open.
Magic is all around!"
But Mole's eyes were not open.
He was not listening either.
Mole was fast asleep.
Soon Mouse was too.
Together they slept,
beneath the moon
and stars.