The Here & NowReproducible Book of Good Magic, Spells, Potions, and More from History, Literature, and Make-Believe by Carole Marsh author of Boo To You!: Halloween Trivia for Kids!
The Team Carole Marsh Billie Walburn Cecil Anderson Jackie Clayton Victoria DeJoy Copyright 2001 Carole Marsh/Gallopade International Permission is hereby granted to the individual purchaser or classroom teacher to reproduce materials in this book for non-commercial individual or classroom use only. Reproduction of these materials for an entire school or school system is strictly prohibited. Gallopade is proud to be a member of these educational organizations and associations: Published by G 800-536-2GET www.gallopade.com TM 2
Table of Contents A Word From the Author, 5 Magical Terms, 6 Magical, Mystical, Mesmerizing, Merlin!, 7 Mysterious Stories of Sea Serpents!, 9 The Spellbinding Magic of Enchanted Isles!, 11 The Magic of Disney!, 13 Daring, Death-defying, Davino!, 15 The Charming Art of Snake Charming!, 17 Fairies, Witches, and Wizards The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly!, 19 Open Sesame!, 21 Now You See Him, Now You Don t!, 23 Magic Charms, Amulets, and Spells! Mighty Powerful Stuff!, 25 Mighty Myths A Multitude of Magical Tales!, 27 Wild Man of the Snows! Yeti The Himalayan Creature, 29 Shamans: The Mysterious Magic of Their Power!, 31 The Dazzling, Desirable Diamond with a Curse!, 33 How to Become the Best Magician in all of the Western Hemisphere!, 35 Alchemy Black Magic or Chemistry?, 37 The Mask, The Magic!, 39 Fascinating Forecasting: The Art of Fortune-telling!, 41 The Storm Spirit!, 43 Other Resources, 45 Answers, 46 Author s Biography, 47 Index, 48 4
Magical Terms alchemy: a form of chemistry and philosophy that attempted to discover how to make gold from basic metals amulet: a piece of jewelry worn to protect someone from evil black magic: magic that involves evil forces and spirits charm: the power to delight or attract people, or something worn to bring good luck or ward off evil death-defying: taking the risk of being killed diamond: a transparent form of carbon that is the hardest known mineral fairies: imaginary supernatural beings, usually resembling a small person with magical powers fantasy: an image or dream created by the imagination fortune-telling: making predictions about someone s future using palm reading, a crystal ball, tea leaves, or Tarot cards magic: the art of producing illusions as by sleight of hand mystify: to make something mysterious or unclear myths: stories about heroes or supernatural beings serpent: a snake, sea creature trivia: a collection of unimportant things or information wampum: small polished beads made from shells used for decoration, ceremonial purposes, or for money 6
Magical, Mystical, Mesmerizing, Merlin! Magic has been with us throughout the ages. It was often used as an answer to things not understood or that could not be controlled. Science did not exist long ago! According to legend, as early as the fifth century, there was a child who was empowered with special magic. His name was Merlin. It was believed that his mother represented the goodness in his life, and his father the evil. Fortunately for Merlin, his powers were influenced by his mother, and for the most part he used them wisely! There are hundreds of legends and stories that have been passed down and written about Merlin s adventures. Many of Britain s great happenings were said to be caused by the mighty Magician! As a seer, he was able to foretell the future. He was a master of illusion. He could transform himself into various shapes such as a dwarf, damsel, greyhound, or stag. S t o n e SOUP Ingredients: 4 cups of water, 3-4 medium size stones that have been sterilized (This means that they have been cleaned and then boiled for 20 minutes on the stove with the help of an adult.) Add any variety of vegetables that you would like to use (Examples: corn, peas, green beans, carrots) About 1 cup of each drained. 3-4 chicken or beef bullion cubes Using a crock pot turned to HIGH on the dial, place the stones in the pot and add the water. Allow it to heat up for 15 minutes. Smell the wonderful aroma wafting from the stones! This is when the stones do their magic! Now add the rest of the ingredients. Cover the pot. Leave the pot on high, and stir occasionally. Allow it to cook for about 30 minutes. You have now created delicious, nutritious, and magicious Stone Soup! Serves 3-4 people. By the way, don t eat the stones! Take them out of the pot and save them for more magic! This can be used as a whole class activity. Simply increase the ingredients. Key Words seer: a person who can foretell the future sage: a very wise person stag: a full grown male deer Merlin used his powers in the service of his king or to entertain the king s court. Long, long ago in a land where dragons, knights, and princesses dwelled, there was a very special place known as Camelot. The king of this enchanting place was Arthur. It was believed that a sage named Merlin was responsible for his birth. It was this man s magical power that allowed Arthur to pull the Excalibur (a sword) from a stone. This feat entitled him to be king. It was also said to be Merlin who magically brought gigantic stones from Ireland and arranged them around the graves of British nobles. This place is known today as Stonehenge. Because of his great and powerful abilities, Merlin was asked to become Arthur s royal advisor. Legend suggests that he was responsible for creating King Arthur s Round Table Court. Merlin was there for Arthur when he married Guinevere, and was at his side during Lancelot s betrayal. Lancelot had been Arthur s favorite and most trusted knight. Arthur depended upon Merlin for his counsel and special magic. Eventually, Merlin fell in love with the Lady of the Lake. He shared the secrets of his magic with her. Because she desired to use this power without him, she entrapped him in an imaginary tower where he was to remain the rest of his days. So the magical, mystical, mesmerizing Merlin was actually defeated by his own, should we say, sleight of hand. Read All About It! Go to the Library and check out Mark Twain s A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur s Court or read the story of Merlin and Arthur in The Stone and the Sword by T. H. White. View the movie Camelot 7
Merlin- The Power Behind the Throne!!! Directions: Find the secret idiom in each sentence below. Write it on the line in the crystal ball. Put your best foot forward, and put your finger on the right answer. Here s the first one to get you started. 1. mind over matter An idiom (no, not idiot!) is an expression used in language that has a hidden meaning, or magical way with words! Make-Believe! Pretend you are King or Queen for the day at your school. What magic would you perform to make things different for everyone? Write about it! 1. Merlin could use mind over matter to do his magic tricks! 2. Arthur was on cloud nine when he pulled the sword from the stone. 3. The Lady of the Lake s trickery was swallowed hook, line, and sinker by Merlin. 4. Moving the stones to Stonehenge was more difficult than pulling a rabbit out of a hat. 5. King Arthur and his knights were always dressed to the nines. 6. Many of the legends about Merlin are considered good cloak and dagger stories. 7. Merlin often called the shots for King Arthur. 8. Merlin wore his heart on his sleeve over the Lady of the Lake. 8
Mysterious Stories of It s only a whale. No. I think it is a giant squid. Maybe it is a humongous manatee. YIKES! It s a sea serpent, and it s headed this way! Have you ever played Sea sea monster while Serpents! you were at a lake or at the ocean? Fun isn t it? Long ago, the legend of these creatures was passed on by word of mouth to friends and family members. Seamen who were out on the ocean for months at a time often came back from their travels with tales of mysterious creatures. It is believed that many early legends were based on stories from mythology. The creatures were called marine monsters. They were described as snake-like, ranging in length from 40 to 60 feet (12-18 meters), with reptilian or fishlike tails. They moved in an undulating motion through the water. Often they had humps on their backs, and at times a serpent s head was said to resemble that of a turtle, snake, and even a lion or horse! Imagine that! Usually they were gray or brown in color. The serpents generally made appearances in the colder northern climates. They seemed to prefer foggy, snowy, and rainy regions for habitats. One of the most popular sea serpents is Nessie, better known as the Great Orm of Loch Ness or the Loch Ness Monster. Nessie is supposed to live in a loch (lake) located in Scotland. The water of this lake is about 600 feet (183 meters) deep, and 26 miles (42 kilometers) in length. The water is dark and murky. It is often foggy and misty over the loch. Sightings of this mysterious creature have occurred throughout the years up to the present time. How to Make Savory Sea Serpent Stew! Ingredients: 1 sea serpent, 2 rabbits (optional), a big dash of salt and pepper Cut up the sea serpent into small pieces. This could take about 3 weeks! Add enough gravy to cover. Cook over a kerosene stove for about 2 weeks at 450 degrees. This will serve 2,564 people! If more people are expected, two rabbits may be added. Do this only if necessary. Most people do not like to find hare in their stew! Nessie is said to be 20-40 feet (6-12 meters) in length, with a long neck with a head shaped like a football, and humps on her back. Nessie has been photographed and reported on by many, but it has never been proven that Nessie exists. This serpent has always escaped capture! During the last two centuries the coast of New England was famous for serpent sightings. In modern times, marine monsters have been seen along the California coast up to British Columbia, Canada. The serpents reportedly look similar to the creatures described hundreds of years ago! They tend to shy away from humans, and have never harmed anyone. They travel at great speeds and have little or no wake as they swim through the water. They have been spotted by sailors and people on shore, as well. Giant squid up to 60 feet (18.3 kilometers) long may have been mistaken for sea serpents at one time or another. Whether marine biologists will ever get to the bottom of this serpent phenomena remains to be seen. The mystery of the sea serpents continues today! Seaworthy Words: undulating: moving with a wavelike motion mythology: a set of stories dealing with a particular person or event that usually has to do with gods and heroes marine biologist: someone who studies plants and animals of the ocean 9