Sami was awoken by the buzzing of his third alarm. Was it 8.30 already? He would be late for school! He swung down from his hammock and into his wheelchair. Its shock absorbers cushioned the impact ... [+]
Polly Owen
Three little witches were heading off to the Great Grand Ball. They were called Mary, Maggy and Molly.
They were poor witches and they had used all their money to buy tickets, so they had none left to buy proper witches' clothes. Mary had no hat, Maggy had no cloak and Molly had no wand. And none of them had a broomstick! So they set off on foot and they made up a song.
"We may not have a broomstick, a wand, a hat or cloak. But we are clever witches. Just hear our froggies croak. Ribbit!"
The three little witches cackled in delight, but as they turned the corner... SMACK! They bumped into something big and black. It was stopping them from getting to the Great Grand Ball.
"Who goes there?" came a menacing voice. They had walked straight into a giant's boot! He bent down and growled, "Fe fi fo fum, tonight my dinner's three for one!"
But, instead of running away in fright, Mary stared into the giant's eyes. She had been blessed with petrifying features. She had a nose as big and warty as a warthog's, piercing eyes, and a long, pointy chin. With no hat to hide her face, the giant was instantly turned to stone.
"Ha!" said the three little witches, and they went on their way, singing:
"We may not have a broomstick, a wand, a hat or cloak. But we are clever witches. Just hear our froggies croak. Ribbit!"
They soon reached the Ragged River and were crossing its little wobbly bridge when a troll jumped out before them.
"Mmm," he said, licking his lips. "What a tasty trio!"
"Let us pass," they cried. "We need to get to the Great Grand Ball!"
"No!" shouted the troll.
"But I don't taste nice," said Mary. "I'm all bony."
"And I'm all fatty," said Molly.
"Well, I taste lovely," said Maggy. "But you'll never find out because I'm too quick for you!" Then she cackled crazily and bounded back and forth across the bridge like a frog.
With no cloak to get tangled in, she was super-fast and leapt straight at the troll. He was so scared, he plunged into the river to hide.
"Ha!" said the three little witches, and they set off again, singing:
"We may not have a broomstick, a wand, a hat or cloak. But we are clever witches. Just hear our froggies croak. Ribbit!"
They were so close to the ball now, they could see the lights glimmering. But as they walked up the muddy track, they heard rustling. Molly spotted a goblin in the bushes – and everyone knows how much goblins like causing trouble for witches!
"Evening!" called the goblin, and he began to pelt them with stones.
"Uh oh," said Molly. Quick as a flash, she cast the only goblin spell she knew that didn't need a wand.
"Goblin, goblin, hiding in the trees. Sprout some twigs and grow some leaves!"
In no time at all, he was rooted to the spot and looked like a bush.
The three little witches sang:
"We may not have a broomstick, a wand, a hat or cloak. But we are clever witches. Just hear our froggies croak. Ribbit!"
Finally, they arrived at the Great Grand Ball. It was full of witches from around the world, chatting and dancing. They dined on slug stew and drank frog spit from golden goblets. The three little witches had a wonderful time.
When the dancing was over, the head witch, Morgana, took to the stage to give out her annual awards.
"Good evening, witches," she said. "In order to find this year's finest witch, I played a little trick on you all tonight. Some of you may recognise these special guests... Fred the gentle giant, John the friendly troll and Bob the kind goblin."
In strolled the giant, the troll and a rather leafy goblin.
"Oops!" gasped Mary. "I hope we didn't hurt them."
Morgana pointed out the three little witches. "Without any doubt, for being the scariest, bravest and the most inventive, these three little witches are this year's winners! Please come and collect your prizes."
Mary, Maggy and Molly were amazed, especially when they saw the prize – it was a smart new witch's outfit! Of course, Mary put on the hat, Maggy draped herself in the cloak and Molly took the wand.
They decided to share the broomstick and, that night, they got home as quick as a flash – and nothing got in their way!
***
Illustrations by Kathryn Durst