An adventure about magic set in modern times on a fictional island located in the USA. Ben is a teenage boy with recently discovered magical powers. A positive story.
Excerpt
WIZARD OF WINDSOR ISLAND: GIOVANNI’S MISSING BOAT
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“An adventure about magic set in modern times on a fictional island in the United States of America.”
“This is a positive story talking about teens, friendship, family and community always working together.”
“Ben, the Wizard of Windsor Island, is a teenage boy with recently discovered magical powers. This book is the beginning of a series of stories which will inspire your kids to read.”
“A festive summer weekend filled with fun and surprises. The last day turns dangerous. When a possible tragedy happens to some friends, the entire community will rally to save the day.”
Copyright © 2007 Richard A. Berry and John M. Kraus
ISBN 978-1-60145-498-0
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.
Printed in the United States of America.
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, places, or events are coincidental and not intended by the author.
Booklocker.com, Inc. 2008
WIZARD OF WINDSOR ISLAND:
GIOVANNI’S MISSING BOAT
Richard A. Berry and John M. Kraus
Table of Contents
Chapter One: The Secret of Magic
Chapter Two: An Unexpected Magical Moment
Chapter Three: The Island and the Neighbor
Chapter Four: A Town Fair in the Sun
Chapter Five: Relaxing on the Water
Chapter Six: Searching for Treasure
Chapter Seven: Storm Trouble
Chapter Eight: Missing Boat
Chapter Nine: Working Together
Chapter Ten: An Escape
Chapter Eleven: Safe Return
Chapter Twelve: The Truth about Magic
Chapter One: The Secret of Magic
A WISE FRIEND once said, “If it is adventure you seek, you need not travel far.” That’s exactly where our story begins today. This is an adventure that starts no farther than home. Now, my young friends, I’d like to extend a warm welcome to Windsor Island and Peachtree Lane. Please let me entertain and enlighten you with a story that includes magic.
Please be warned! The magic learned in this story should not be tried at home by amateurs. If your name is William Benjamin Smith, affectionately referred to as Ben and you live at 4 Peachtree Lane on Windsor Island, then you will learn to safely use this magic. Otherwise, I beg you. I implore you. I beg again! Do not try any of this at home! Leave the magic to Ben. Please don’t even think about casting any spells!
With that said, both young and old will enjoy hearing about my magical friend Ben, the “Wizard of Windsor Island”. Parents may be skeptical. Adults may have lots of doubt. Children may be making funny faces. However, I swear this story happened just like I tell it, give or take a few exaggerations.
Let’s begin this magical story, together. Let’s see. What are the facts? What really took place? How do I explain just how it all happened? Where are my notes? Oh darn! The dog ate my notes. Nah! I am just kidding about the dog. I don’t have a dog. I did have a rabbit once. I haven’t seen that darn rabbit in a long time. Hope to see her again one day. I’ll have to tell you that story another time. Well, give me a minute to find those notes. I don’t want to leave out any important details.
Dear! Oh Dear! Have you seen my notes? My wife shouted back, “Always hunting for things! How many times have I told you to put things where they belong! You’re turning me into an old nag!” Probably a true statement but that wasn’t a very nice thing to say dear! “Look in the den under that stack of papers on the right side of the desk,” she said. Ah Yes! Here they are! My notes! Why don’t I just start talking! Please be quiet! Listen and you will learn something I guarantee you never heard before. Now, turn off the television, the video game, the cell phone, and shut the door so we don”˜t get interrupted. It’s very important in life to pay attention when someone is trying to tell you something. Especially something as interesting as my story will reveal. Here we go, sit back and enjoy.
My friend Ben is seventeen years old. He is a handsome lad. He is the only child of Samuel Chase Smith and Jessica Windsor Smith. In case you’re wondering, they all live together in a beautiful home at 4 Peachtree Lane on Windsor Island, Maryland in the United States of America. Yes, I repeat our hero Ben, the “Wizard of Windsor Island” lives at that address with good old, dear old, mom and dad. Their home is filled with warmth and with love. Family and friends, alike, are always welcome.
Ben’s great, great grandfather, Frances Windsor, settled on Windsor Island in the late 1800’s. Frances’ family owned the Island. When he was twenty one years of age, Frances was given the Island as a wedding gift. Frances renamed the Island, Windsor Island, immediately as a matter of pride.
Ben’s mother was born and raised on Windsor Island. His mother carries a lot of pride in her family name. She has passed that pride along to Ben. Ben, an only child, worked hard in school, in the community, and at home. He is a very pleasant young man who gets along with both family and friends. In fact, Ben is a charmer. He easily makes friends with new people that he meets. He is a very popular and diplomatic person. He is, for the most part, happy and smiling while getting through the day. You will rarely see Ben with a frown on his face. Usually, he is singing or humming a tune while laughing, joking, and generally carrying on.
It’s important to know that there is a reason Ben does a lot of humming. He simply loves music. He lives for music. And he is very good at it!
Also, you should understand that Ben didn’t need to work too hard in school. I will just say it. Ben is a child prodigy. He is a young genius. At seventeen years of age, he graduated from high school. Currently, he’s studying music in his first year of college.
To understand Ben’s love of music, you have to hear him play a piano or watch him conduct a band. Oh Yes! He can conduct a band! As a matter of fact, his nickname is “The Maestro”. He was gifted early on. A great uncle sent him a beautiful conductor’s wand when he was only three years of age. Ben carries that wand with him wherever he goes. Sometimes he just stops whatever he is doing, pulls out that wand, and moves the wand like he is conducting an orchestra. I am certain that he feels the music being played in his mind.
Ben’s mom led a humble life as the daughter of a fairly well to do middle class family on Windsor Island. The family owns and operates the island’s local newspaper. It’s not a major newspaper but the family made a good living. Jessica did well in school. She worked at the newspaper during her summer vacation. After college, she started in the administrative office of the family business. That’s where she met Ben’s father Samuel. Now, she is Chief Executive Officer (CEO), President, operations manager and overall boss of “The Islander” newspaper.
Samuel, Ben’s father, was born on Windsor Island. Both Samuel’s mother and father were in the United States Army. They moved around a lot. Samuel managed to get through high school. He was a charmer, apparently a trait he passed down to Ben, and was very bright but a little lazy when it came to school work. Maybe that is where Ben got part of his smarts and personality. Samuel continued to charm his way through life a little longer. He barely had good enough grades to graduate from college but Samuel did learn a valuable lesson. Had he studied more, worked harder, listened more, asked more, read more, and planned more, he would probably be better prepared for life after college. He was shocked that his charm didn’t work on everybody. He actually had to try harder to get things done. He had no real skill. He had very few long time friends. He had no job. Samuel was a good person but he hadn’t thought about life after schooling. He did consider joining the military.
As luck would have it, Samuel decided to rent a place on Windsor Island. He had accepted a summer job in the sales department of “The Islander”. Samuel met Jessica on his first day of work. Almost immediately, they were smitten with love for each other!
Jessica asked Samuel out on a date. Well! She sort of asked him to go out. It was lunch time on a windy, rainy, cool day. Jessica wanted to be safe so she decided to stay close to work. There was a small deli near the newspaper office building. The deli made great sandwiches and pretty good drinks such as lemonade, ice tea, and coffee. Jessica saw Samuel standing in the doorway of the office building. She asked him to join her for lunch. After that lunch, they were always together outside of work. They truly had fallen in love.
On a dreary rainy day about six months later, Samuel asked Jessica to meet him at the deli for dinner. When Jessica walked into the deli, Samuel was waiting at a table. He walked over to her, got down on one knee, and asked for her hand in marriage.
Jessica paused for a moment. She hadn’t expected the proposal after only several months of dating. She did love Samuel. She told him she was in love. However, she always felt that both spouses should not work at the same company. It wasn’t against the law or against company policy. She just felt that it could create tension in a marriage. Marriage is tough enough.
Just as she finished explaining her feelings to Samuel, Miss Theresa and Mister Tony came over to the couple smiling. Theresa and Tony, an elderly couple, had owned and operated the deli for forty years. Samuel spoke up. He told Jessica that he felt the same way. He explained that is why he thinks that he should quit his job at the newspaper. Samuel went on to say that he had decided to buy the deli. He had plans to turn it into a coffee shop with great deli sandwiches. Jessica loved the idea. She said, “Okay! Yes I will marry you Samuel Chase Smith if you can tell me how our new family can survive. How can you quit your job, buy a local business, find a family home, and pay all the bills.”
Just then, surprise, surprise, Jessica’s mother and father stepped out from the back room. Samuel had let Jessica’s parents know that he loved Jessica. He planned to ask for her hand in marriage. He had already asked for their permission to marry her. You don’t see that happen too much now days! Together, Samuel and her parents created a plan.
Jessica’s parents would give her half ownership of the newspaper business. She would become the daily operations manager immediately. Turns out, they had wanted to retire to Florida where the weather is warmer year round. The time seemed perfect when Samuel made his feelings for their daughter known.
Even better! Jessica’s parents would provide a ten year interest free loan that Samuel could use to buy the local deli. As a wedding gift, Samuel and Jessica could live at her parent’s house on 4 Peachtree for free.
You guessed it, Jessica and Samuel were married. Her parents moved to a home in Florida. Jessica and Samuel moved into a beautiful home where Benjamin was born into a happy family. Jessica took over the newspaper as senior management retired and Samuel turned the deli into a successful coffee shop. Samuel proceeded to pay off the loan and they eventually bought the house from Jessica’s parents. This is the same house in which Ben was raised on Peachtree Lane.
The house is really perfect for Ben’s family. It is a long and wide brick rancher. It was built with some special features to withstand powerful storms or possible hurricanes. The house sat on a hill overlooking the water which borders Windsor Island. It has two floors. The first floor sits above ground.
Upon entering the front door, there is a good sized hallway with a closet and half bathroom. High ceilings and large windows allow for lots of light. Going forward into the house and to your left, you see a cozy den and a long hallway leading to the bedrooms. The master bedroom, at the end of the hallway, contains a full bathroom. Two bedrooms and another full bathroom are situated directly off the main hallway. A pull down step system located in the ceiling of the long hallway leads to a large attic area.. The attic is finished off well enough to provide extra storage space. Straight in front of you, there is a large kitchen with a cooking island in the middle. A full size bay window in the kitchen provides a panoramic view of the water in the back of the home. To the right of the kitchen is a doorway into a large fully equipped family room. A stairway neatly tucked off to the side of the family room leads to the basement.
The basement is underground but the basement windows are above ground to allow lots of sunlight during the day. The basement has two exits to the outside. One basement exit is located in the back of the house. The other basement exit is located on the right side of the house. There is a large family room on the left side of the basement. Three bedrooms, a full bathroom, and a good size laundry room finish off the rest of the basement.
On the outside of the house, the Smith’s have a two car garage located to the left. A paved driveway about eighty feet long leads from the road way to a multi vehicle parking pad in the front of the garage. There is a 20 feet by 20 feet fabricated wood deck on the back of the house. At the front of the house, there is a covered porch, six feet wide by forty feet long. The front porch has two sets of steps. There are steps leading up to the front door and steps on the right side which lead to the ten feet by ten feet covered patio. Not too close to the house, there is plenty of tree coverage on both sides of the property.
Ben lived in an upstairs bedroom as a child. Every couple of years, Ben would switch bedrooms until he became a teenager. A piano was kept in the den. Ben took music lessons from Mrs. Agnes who lived two houses to the right. Mrs. Agnes has a piano in her den. She gave lessons both in her home and Ben’s house. She has a beautiful home which is very similar to Ben’s house. Some people find Mrs. Agnes to have a sharp tongue but I think she is a very special and pleasant person once you get to know her. However, I admit Mrs. Agnes can be firm with her remarks because I believe she tries to make you think. She won’t let you get lazy with either your mind or body. She sure made Ben do his best at learning music. She is a special friend to Ben and his family.
As Ben grew into a teen, he decided to move into a basement bedroom. At first, Ben was a little afraid to move into the downstairs. Moving into the downstairs by your self, even a beautiful club basement, can be scary. You feel alone and isolated. When the house gets quiet, you always hear all the noises both inside and outside. Your mind starts to imagine things when you hear noises or see shadows. Even adults can find it creepy to live in a basement. With that said, Ben got used to the downstairs. Ben’s mom and dad would check on him often. Ben still would venture upstairs frequently for meals or to socialize with his parents. Of course, the piano was moved downstairs into the family room where Ben has always found comfort in his music.
Now, here is where the magical part of the story finally starts to happen. Mrs. Agnes and her husband, Phineas Jones, got the neighbors to collect items to sell at a fund raiser. It was determined that Windsor Island needed a new medical center. The business community organized a local fair that was to be held on the weekend of August 5th - 6th 2007. The fair had a group of tables set aside to support a “yard sale” which raised money by selling off donated items. The profit from the sales was added to the monetary fund used to build the new medical center.
All the neighborhoods on the island were included. The island’s Catholic Church and Protestant church worked together to get the community behind the project. Mrs. Agnes and Mr. Phineas volunteered to collect items in Ben’s neighborhood. They recruited their young neighbor Natalie Carroll to assist. Natalie motivated a bunch of her young friends to lend a hand. Ben planned to do his part by playing music, getting the high school band to perform for a few hours. Normally, the performance would be enough for Ben.
However, it should be revealed to our readers that Ben has a crush on Natalie. They like each other. Natalie asked Ben to look for some items to auction. Ben talked to his mother for help. This was the moment it happened. Ben’s mom said those wonderful words which started this adventure. She said, “You’re welcome to go up in the attic. Be careful! You will find a few boxes of old books. There are lots of old but useful toys packed away. Look around for the toys. You can try to sell the few pieces of old furniture sitting in the back of the attic. However, don’t touch the old bedroom set and cedar chest near the front of the attic. Ask your dad if any of his stuff can go?”
A truck, provided by the Catholic Church, was coming by on Friday evening, August 4th, at 5 PM. The truck would pick up collected items from 2 Peachtree Lane to 40 Peachtree Lane.
The collection process took a while. A few young friends of Ben and Natalie’s were working on the truck. Johnny World, age 17, and his younger brother Geoff, age 15, worked in the back of the truck. David Carroll joined them in the truck when it arrived at 2 Peachtree Lane. Sister Ashley Carson was driving the vehicle. Father Stewart was a passenger.
Ben went up in the attic on that Friday afternoon hours before the truck arrived on his street. The plan was that Ben would identify the items to be donated to charity. He would call David and Natalie to help him get the items out of the attic and down to the area in front of the garage for pick up. The plan worked fine except for one unexpected magical moment.
Before continuing with that magical moment, which I assure you is about to happen, let me say a few words to our readers about Ben’s next door neighbors. This will be brief and add a much needed perspective to our story.
At 2 Peachtree Lane, we have the Miller family. Jonathon Miller, age 47, is the mayor of Windsor Island. His wife, Rita at age 45, is both a criminal and civil lawyer. They have a 16 year old son named Scott. Scott is a young genius much like Ben. Scott’s sister, Natasha, is 17 years old. Natasha is bright and beautiful.
At 4 Peachtree Lane, we have Ben’s family. I have already told you plenty about his family and their wonderful home.
At 6 Peachtree Lane, we have the Carroll family. Alice Carroll, age 45, is a very popular school teacher. Roger Carroll, age 44, owns an Arts and Craft Shop located in the business district on Windsor Island. Natalie Carroll is their daughter, age 16. Natalie’s brother, David, is 17 years old.
At 8 Peachtree Lane, we have Mr. Phineas Jones and his wife Agnes. Mr. Phineas is 65 years old. Mrs. Agnes is 65 years of age. Mr. Phineas is a retired college chemistry professor. He is a very loving and nurturing fellow. He is somewhat humorous but serious enough and always helpful. Mrs. Agnes is a retired travel agent. Besides for being a talented pianist and private music teacher, she has lots of worldly knowledge. She knows world history, world geography, world cultures, world politics and lots about people in general. I guess that is why she was an excellent travel agent. Mrs. Agnes is also very loving and nurturing. At age 65, Mrs. Agnes is still a very attractive woman with a nice figure. She is still active and exercises everyday. Both seem to be a very good match. Mrs. Agnes and Mr. Phineas have a home almost identical to Ben’s. All the homes in this neighborhood are remarkably similar in design and layout.
Now, let us continue with the part about “an unexpected magical moment”
Chapter Two: An Unexpected Magical Moment
BEN FOUND THE items just as his mom had described. Also, he found a few items his dad said he could donate. He decided to use all of the items as they appeared to be in excellent to good condition.
However, Ben got a funny feeling that he should look over the box of books before he gave them away. I know the feeling. I’ve had those funny feelings before in my lifetime. Have you ever had those feelings? You get butterflies in your stomach that tells you to be careful or to do one more thing before you go. Some people call it intuition. Intuition is usually good to follow but sometimes it may not turn out as simple as you plan. So, always be extra careful when you follow your feelings.
Ben dragged the boxes of books over near the steps. The books were heavy. He figured if he got them out of the way and over to the steps then the books could be moved first while everyone had more energy. Moving things can be a tiring experience. Not everyone likes to move things, especially Ben’s friend Johnny World. Ben opened the first box of books. He found children’s books, some early math, and some United States history books.
Before opening the second box of books, Ben went down to the kitchen for a cool glass of iced tea. As he looked out the kitchen window, Ben saw Natalie and Natasha walking along the area near the water’s edge. Actually, at this spot, they couldn’t get too close to the water’s edge. There is a safety fence along much of the residential properties on Peachtree lane. These homes sit on a hill. It is at least ten feet down to the water in most locations. Ben was slightly distracted because these young ladies are very attractive teenagers. Any boy would notice either one of them walking anywhere. Two of them walking in such a scenic setting were very pleasing to the eye. Ben was about to go out to join them for their walk when the telephone rang. Ben’s dad called to remind Ben to get the items out of the attic before the collection truck arrived.
Ben said to his dad, “Thanks for the phone call but I am proud to say that I did remember that the collection truck was coming. I was already up in the attic.” Ben’s dad responded, “I was confident you would remember the chore. I had a feeling that you might get distracted.” Ben laughed. His dad laughed. “How did you know that would happen?” asked Ben. “I was a teenager once,” replied his dad. Ben told his dad that he was in the kitchen to get a drink and that he was slightly distracted. Ben thanked him and said he would see him later.
Ben went back up in the attic to open the second set of books. Almost all the books here were old high school and college text books on subjects like chemistry, English, history, and poetry. All at once, one unusually old looking book caught Ben’s attention. It was fairly thick in size. Ben used both hands to pick it up. He saw what looked like the edge of an old envelope hanging out of the side. He slid the envelope out of the book! Flipping over the book, he saw the title. The book cover read, “Gabriel’s Book of Magic”. Ben thought, “Who is Gabriel? What is in the envelope? What are my parents doing with a book on magic?” And he was particularly curious about the thought of magic. He was too smart to consider that magic could be real but what magical secrets or amusement could possibly be inside. The only answer was to look in the envelope.
Ben decided to open the envelope before the book. Inside the envelope, he found a most puzzling note. The note said:
Dear Jessica;
Please don’t ever give this book away. I would keep it but something tells me that it is time to pass it on to your son Benjamin. As we discussed, the book should be given to Ben on his 16th birthday. My father gave it to me. I want Benjamin to have it. It is a very valuable family treasure. It is a very enjoyable topic for teenage boys. I assure you that it will be a harmless gift and bring great pleasure to whomever possesses it; (That”˜s why I want Ben to have it.). I know you will do the right thing!
Yours Truly; Phineas Jones
Ben thought, “Now! Why would Mr. Phineas be giving a book, a family treasure, to my mom for me as I reached sixteen years old? Is there significance in being sixteen? Was this merely a coincidence?” Suddenly, Ben’s reflection was interrupted by the matter at hand and though Ben was confused, time was running out for the truck pick-up. He needed to get the items down to the garage area soon. He instantly decided that the note and the magic book would have to wait. It’s usually important to stay focused on the task at hand. Sometimes curiosity must be put on hold. He was supposed to call David and Natalie to get the task done. Just then he put the note back in the envelope, grabbed the magic book, and raced downstairs to put the book in his room for later research.
As he went down the steps to the attic, he opened the book to glance at the first few pages. Well! Ben wasn’t being careful. He slipped about halfway down the steps. Ben let out a shriek of some kind. Luckily he landed very softly and very okay to his own surprise. Ben could have really hurt himself badly. He could have broken an arm or a leg. You probably can imagine but, I guarantee, that the visits to the hospital and the doctor along with the treatment at home could be a frustrating and painful experience. Slow down whenever time allows, for haste makes waste. Please be careful around the house. Most accidents occur around the house and when you are in a hurry.
Okay! As Ben picked himself off the hallway floor, he noticed an object had fallen out of the book. It looked like some type of wand. It looked almost identical to his conductor’s wand which he carries everywhere. How did this wand fit in this book? The book was thick with pages but where was this wand hiding. Puzzled by this event, he picked up the wand. But as soon as he reached for the book, he saw another amazing thing. There was a rabbit rolling around on the bathroom floor by the bathroom door just where the book had landed.
Yes! Ben was surprised. He was so surprised that he rubbed his head in disbelief. He looked around for blood but saw none. He ran into the bathroom to look in the mirror. He didn’t have any cuts or bruises on his head, face, or any where else on his body. Ben was still seeing the rabbit. He must have suffered some injury and be dreaming or imaging this rabbit. He splashed cold water on his face several times but the rabbit was still there in the bathroom.
Suddenly things got worse depending on whose perspective you considered (Ben”˜s or the rabbit”˜s). Ben heard the rabbit laughing and laughing out loud. The rabbit kept laughing and rolling on the floor. The rabbit kept repeating “Rollo is free!” She just couldn’t stop repeating those words, “Rollo is free!”
All at once, there was a knock at the door. Ben gathered up the wand and the book. He placed them in a location where he would remember to take them downstairs, later. He went to the door to see who was knocking. It was David and Natalie. Ben invited them inside. Ben was still rubbing his head. David asked if everything was all right. Ben told them he slipped on the steps but there didn’t appear to be any injury. Ben didn’t mention the book or the wand to either of them. David said he wanted to go in the attic to start moving items if Ben was ready. Natalie asked to use the bathroom. Ben was startled. It quickly occurred to him that maybe he was crazy, or maybe not, but he had to check out the rabbit in the bathroom before he let Natalie use it.
Ben told David to go scope out the attic. They had discussed what things to move. David seemed eager to get the chore done. Ben escorted Natalie to the bathroom door where he peeked inside. The rabbit looked up at Ben and said, “Hello! My name is Rollo. Thanks for letting me out.” The rabbit stepped out into the hallway at the bottom of the steps. Ben was startled again by the rabbit. How was he going to explain a talking rabbit to David and Natalie? He looked back to see if David or Natalie saw the rabbit. David looked right at the spot where Rollo was standing. David went right up the steps into the attic without saying a word. Ben looked at Natalie. Natalie almost stepped on Rollo as she entered the bathroom. Ben shouted to both of them, I have to take one thing downstairs and I’ll be right back. Ben grabbed the wand and the book in the family room, took it downstairs to put in his closet, and returned upstairs into the attic. He felt fine. Rollo was gone for the mo
ment.
David, Natalie, and Ben took about an hour and a half moving items from the attic to the area in front of the garage. Ben kept glancing at Natalie whenever the moment allowed. David didn’t even notice Ben looking but Natalie saw him glance on several occasions. Natalie was very smart because neither Ben nor David saw her checking out Ben. After they moved all the items outside, Ben thanked them over and over again. Ben offered them a small snack and some iced tea. David and Natalie both ate the snacks and drank some tea. David excused himself because he had to go meet the truck at the beginning of the street.
As soon as David left, Natalie asked Ben a question. Natalie asked, “Will you take me to the fair on Sunday?” She knew Ben was playing music Saturday but she was hoping Sunday was available for fun. Ben excitedly said, “Yes! I would love to take you to the fair.” Ben asked if this was a date. It would be his first official date with Natalie. She said that it was a date. Ben asked her why she asked now and so suddenly. Natalie took a deep breath. She told him how it took all the courage that she could summon to ask him out. She had liked him for a long time but her best friend Natasha had also liked him. Natalie didn’t want to interfere with her best friend’s feelings. Ben told Natalie that he has always liked her but never had the courage to ask her out. Ben said, “I’m glad one of us finally made the move. You are beautiful and I always thought you had lots of boys interested in being your boyfriend.” She just smiled! She was so happy to know that Ben liked
her. No other boys mattered to her. She had liked Ben since first grade. She explained that Natasha has a new boyfriend. Natasha is now interested in Johnny World. Natasha told her that “Johnny World is a stud”. When she, Natasha, told Natalie about her feelings for Johnny World she saw Natalie’s face light up with joy. Natasha guessed it was because that made Ben available to Natalie. Natasha had never realized that her friend had such a big crush on Ben. So it was Natasha who told Natalie that she should tell Ben her feelings and ask Ben to the fair. Ben walked slowly over to Natalie. Natalie moved towards Ben. When they got very close to each other they kissed very softly on the lips. It was a youthful, innocent, wonderful kiss. Ben and Natalie were about to hug and kiss some more when the front door opened. It was Ben’s mom.
Ben and Natalie moved away from each other and let go of each others hands. Ben’s mom entered the kitchen. She could see the joy in Natalie and Ben’s face. Jessica knew they liked each other for years but she had been waiting for nature to take its course. Jessica smiled. Natalie said hello to Jessica then excused herself to go home. Ben walked Natalie to the front porch where he could watch her walk home. He would have walked her all the way home but he could see her parents out near the street so he knew she was safe. When Natalie was safely home, he returned to the kitchen to talk to his mom.
Jessica asked him if everything was okay. Ben told her that Natalie had asked him for a date on Sunday. Jessica exploded with joy. She told Ben that she loved Natalie. She said that she knew he also liked her for a long time. She also said that she felt that Natalie had a mutual admiration for him. She told Ben that the news was wonderful. Jessica asked if he needed anything like money or her car. Ben said he would work on the details of their date later.
Jessica then told him that she noticed the boxes outside for collection. She had been looking for a book inside one of the boxes but it wasn’t there. Ben said he found a book called “Gabriel’s Book of Magic”. He said he hadn’t had time to open it but took it downstairs to look at later. Jessica was actually pleased. Jessica explained it was a special gift from Mr. Phineas. She had stored it away in the attic. She thought about it once in awhile but knew it was safe in the attic. She was very glad that he had found it because she intentionally came home early to retrieve it before the collection truck arrived. Jessica went to her room to change out of her work clothes. Ben went out to greet the collection truck and his friends. Everything went perfectly as planned along with Ben’s magical surprise. The day turned out to be a great day.
As Jessica prepared dinner in the kitchen that night, Ben went downstairs to check out the wand and the book. As he picked up the wand, he waved it in the air as if he was playing music. Rollo suddenly appeared. “Rollo, the magical rabbit, is at your service! Rollo is your friend!” said the rabbit. Ben jumped back in amazement. Rollo explained, “Oh, don’t be surprised by Rollo. Every time you wave the wand and think of me, I will appear. You are not imaging me Ben. You are not crazy. When I was returned to the book for a long rest, I knew that one day you would come and rescue me. One day soon, you will also learn more about this story. For now, you have to understand that I do exist when you want me to be here. As I said, I am a magical rabbit. I can talk. I can explain how to use the wand. I can do magic tricks. I will always be here to protect you. No harm can ever come to you, your family, girl friend, or wife while I’m around. When safety is needed, I will app
ear whether you summon me or not. Consider me your guardian angel!” Rollo began to laugh and roll around on the floor. Rollo said, “I’m a guardian angel Rollo is special.” Rollo was a she. She went on to explain that only Ben could hear or see her with a few exceptions. Rollo and Ben could agree that someone else could see and hear her for brief periods of time if needed. Ben couldn’t make this decision alone. They had to agree on the matter, together. They had to form a consensus if you will.
Ben was sitting in his basement talking to a somewhat invisible rabbit. He figured he had either taken a big blow to his head and his imagination was running wild or maybe this was real and decided that he might as well play along for a little while longer. Ben asked Rollo to explain how the wand worked, what Rollo can do, and how to use the book. Rollo said he would gladly do that after Ben ate dinner. Ben’s dad yelled down the stairway for Ben to come up for dinner. Ben’s curiosity peaked for how did Rollo know dinner was ready? Ben did proceed to the kitchen for dinner. He was hungry from both the work and the excitement of the day
At dinner, Ben told his parents how much he liked Natalie. Ben acknowledged his youth but he also expressed his desire to handle any future relationship with Natalie carefully. Ben said, “Sometimes you only get one chance to do a particular thing in life.” They agreed. His parents thought simultaneously that Ben’s wisdom on this matter was amazing for someone his age. Certainly there are those people twice as old as he with far less sense. Ben asked his mom and dad for advice on how to move forward with their friendship. Ben’s mom told him to take each day and each date one step at a time. Be honest and communicate your feelings without getting too personal too soon. It takes time to open up your life and your heart to someone else. It takes time for “real love” to mature. Ben’s dad was in agreement with his wife, and he basically said to be yourself and help the other person feel relaxed around you. If it’s real, things will probably go fairly smooth, with m
aybe a few bumps in the road from time to time. My son, love is like a fine wine. Enjoy it one sip at a time, savor it. Don’t gulp it in one fell swoop. Above all, don’t be afraid to talk things over with each other, your friends and your parents. People can always listen or help more than you think. Ben said, “Thanks mom and dad! I’ll try to remember your sage advice.” Ben felt good about the conversation. He went downstairs after dinner.
Ben picked up his magic wand. Rollo appeared. Rollo explained, “For now, Rollo can tell you things you need to know to get started with magic. As you do more, then you can learn more. Rollo doesn’t choose who gets the magic. The magic knows who gets the magic next. With that said, you can guess that there have been others before you that had the magic and there will be others after you. Rollo will meet the heir to Ben’s magic someday.”
Ben asked who came before him. Ben wanted to know if she or he were still alive. Since, Mr. Phineas gave the book to Ben’s mother; Ben thought Mr. Phineas might be his predecessor. Rollo answered Ben. “Rollo can not say more on the subject at this time but I can say your predecessor is still alive and that you will meet someday. Always remember that the magic can be passed along through the book by whoever has been given the book. However, just because one has the book, it doesn’t guarantee that they get the magic.” Rollo explained that Ben’s child could get the magic or maybe his child will pass the book to someone else.
“Okay! I want you to practice using the wand. First, the wand will never leave your side. Try throwing the wand away,” exclaimed Rollo. Ben opened a window and tossed the wand outside. When Ben looked down at his hand, the magic wand was there. The number one rule, “The wand will never leave you! Of course, when you’re sleeping or taking care of personal needs the wand will remain in the vicinity. You need just utter the word “˜stay’,” said Rollo.
Rollo said, “The number two rule. You can just think what you want the wand to do! Tell the wand to make Rollo go away.” Ben made Rollo disappear and reappear. Ben was impressed. Rollo explained the magic wands’ best powers are as follows:
“The wand can glow from a dim light to a blinding light at Ben’s command,
The wand can melt items without making them hot,
The wand can start a fire,
The wand can sting people and animals,
The wands’ owner can summon unusual strength. Just enough to get a task done,
The wands’ owner can summon heightened senses (smell, vision, hearing, etc.) which can be raised or lowered as needed.”
Ben practiced a few tricks. He lifted the pool table. He turned off all the lights. Ben made the wand glow like a bright candle. Ben wanted to hear what was on television in the family room. Suddenly, Ben heard the television as if it was right next to him. Ben thought this is going to be fun. Rollo could read his mind. So Rollo said, “The magic is not for fun all the time. A little fun now and then is okay. However, you must respect its powers. You must be a good shepherd of the magic. You have been given the magic to help others without revealing yourself to them. This must be our secret. The secret is that William Benjamin Smith is now officially “˜The Wizard of Windsor Island’. You are neither the first wizard nor the last wizard. Your powers are yours until your 40th birthday. Good luck my friend. Get used to Rollo because Rollo is free! For now, put the old wand in the book. You will need it one day. Your new magic wand will serve you now. On your 40th birthday, y
ou will pull out the old wand from the book, place the magical wand back in the book, know who will receive the book, and say goodbye to Rollo. You will have some time to turn the book over to the next person. Remember, the magic will protect you and those around you even after you pass the book along.”
Rollo said, “Rollo needs to explain two more items but for now you need your rest. We will pick up where we left off in the morning. Sleep well tonight. Rollo is here. Rollo is near. Rollo and the magic will always protect you.” Ben was exhausted. He told his parents “Good Night!” Rollo disappeared. Ben was wandering if he would wake up the next day and find out it was all a dream. I assure you it was not a dream. Rollo was there the next morning.
After a Saturday morning hot breakfast, Ben went straight downstairs. He pulled out his wand. Rollo appeared. Rollo started laughing and rolling on the floor. “Rollo is happy to see his friend Ben,” said the rabbit. She wanted to tell Ben about casting spells and reading the magic book. “Castings spells can be fun and easy. Using the book to perform more advanced magic takes days, weeks, and even months.” So Rollo told Ben about casting spells. “You can cast a magic spell on anyone, including yourself, at anytime. You don’t have to pull out the wand. You just need to think of a short verse to make a spell happen. It helps to have a nice rhyme with the words. Try thinking of a verse something like the following; “˜Ben’s shoes are near that seat but I sure wish they were on my feet’.” Ben tried to think of that phrase but he was thinking of a tune at the same time. Rollo said to Ben, “You must concentrate for just a few seconds to cast a spell. Don’t be
distracted or it will not work. You just need a few seconds.” Ben tried again. This time the shoes were gone. Ben looked down at his feet. Of course, Rollo was correct. The shoes were on Ben’s feet.
Ben tried a spell of his own. “Natalie isn’t here for me to talk but I just would like to watch her walk.” Ben looked out of the basement window. To his surprise, Natalie was walking across his backyard on the way to Natasha’s house. Ben thought, “I’m going to like casting spells.” Rollo explained the spells must be short, sweet, and have a simple beneficial purpose. “You can’t cast any spell that would bring harm to another. You can make someone trip to prevent them from hitting someone but the trip will result in no harm. The spell may cause minor embarrassment to the other person but it can’t break their arm or leg.” Ben understood.
As for the book, Rollo explained it would take time. “You should read a few pages of the book everyday. Not too much reading and not too little reading. After reading a few pages, you should ponder the meaning for a while and then discuss it with me.” Rollo assured Ben that he would get the hang of it.
I hope you, our reader, enjoyed the part about Ben getting his magical powers. Keep on reading and imagining your own thoughts because Ben is about to find out that he will use his newly found powers sooner than he ever realized, to help others.
Meanwhile, Ben couldn’t wait to start the day. He was looking forward to the fair. He was looking forward to seeing his friends. He was looking forward to talking with Natalie.
Read more about WIZARD OF WINDSOR ISLAND: GIOVANNI’S MISSING BOAT and Richard Berry HERE.
Copyright 2008 Richard Berry. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.
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