My Old Wand (Soft g)

There is a village where magic is as common as mud. A boy called Aidan lives in the village, and he is ready to buy his first wand. So he visits the shop where magical instruments are sold.

Aidan plucks up his courage and approaches the counter. He hands over his money and asks politely for a wand.

'I'm sorry young man,' says the shop attendant, 'but this amount won't buy you much.'

He hands Aidan a tragic looking, rather beaten up old wand.

Aidan is happy enough to at least get that much, and he runs off through the village street, excited to try his new magic wand.

He gathers all his energy, pulls at the magic around him and tries his first spell. 'I call on the magic of the village to grant me a toy train!' he bellows.

Seconds later, Aidan is surrounded by colourful ribbons that spurted from the end of the old wand. 'No! That is not right!' Aidan cries, giving the wand a shake.

Not one to give up easily, Aidan immediately tries again. 'I call upon the magic of the village to send me a ball!' he shouts.

All at once, Aidan is nearly buried under an avalanche of lollies and sweets. 'No. You stupid old wand. I wanted a ball!' he says, climbing out from under the mountain of candy.

He decides to try something new and whispers his new spell gently to the wand. 'Please... Village magic, please send me a dog of my very own.'

A bolt of lightning hits a nearby roof and Aidan nearly jumps out of his skin. He is so frustrated, he thinks about just throwing the old wand away.

Before Aidan completely gives up on being a magician, he examines the old wand carefully. Down one side, a splinter of wood is pulling away from the wand. Aidan removes it.

Feeling confident now, he gathers his energy to try again. 'Oh great magic of the village, I request a magic broom!' he chants.

His wand might be old, but it is powerful enough. Aidan whizzes through the sky. A very happy magician!