Whizardy Witch and The Tree of Spells Whizardy Witch is always whizzing around. She is the fastest witch in the Land of Magic. “Zoomedy zoom, let’s go broom,” she squeals, making her broom- stick go faster. Whiz, and off she whizzes. One day, Whizardy Witch was fly- ing far across the dark forest when she saw a very strange sight. All the trees had moved apart, leaving a wide open space. Just one very old tree stood in the centre. Everywhere else, ex- cept here, the trees were squashed tightly together. “I wonder why that is,” she said. Zooming down from the sky, Whizardy Witch landed alongside the very old tree and said, “Hello. Why have all the other trees moved so far away from you? Aren’t you lonely?” The very old tree ignored Whiz- ardy Witch. Not even its multicol- oured leaves moved. “I’m lonely sometimes,” she said. “I know that makes me sad.” The tree’s leaves gave a little shudder and the tops of the very old branches swayed in the breeze. “I’d like to be your friend,” said Whizardy Witch. “If you want me to.” “Leave me alone,” grumbled the very old tree. “So you can talk!” said Whizardy Witch. “I don’t have any friends. I don’t want any friends,” said the very old tree. “Now go away, before I put a spell on you.” “You are grumpy!” said Whizardy Witch. “What’s your name? Mine is Whizardy Witch. You can call me Whiz if you like.” “I said, leave me alone or I will put a spell on you!” the very old tree repeated . “How can you put a spell on me? I’m a witch, you’re just a tree. You can’t do magic spells!” The tree fell silent again, ignoring Whizardy Witch. All around, the other trees began to lean towards them trying hard to hear what was being said. “Go on then,” insisted Whizardy Witch. “Put a spell on me if you can! I’m not scared. You would never catch me anyway because I’m the fastest witch in the Land of Magic.” The very old tree suddenly let out a really deep laugh. “You, the fastest witch in the Land of Magic. My magic spells are much faster than you would ever be.” The other trees moved closer and closer trying to hear what the two were saying. “You try it then,” said Whizardy Witch. “You see if you can catch me.” “Zoomedy zoom, let’s go broom,” she squealed, making her broom- stick go faster. Whiz, and off she whizzes flying in a big circle all around the very old tree. “Frogs that croak and bats that fly, Whizardy Witch fall from the sky,” said the very old tree. Out from its leaves blew a strange yellow fog chasing after the speeding witch. Faster and faster the yellow fog blew until it was right behind the broomstick. The very old tree laughed again, “My spell is catching you young Whizardy Witch.” Whizardy Witch looked quickly be- hind to see the chasing magic spell. “Zoomedy zoom, faster broom,” she shouted. Around the tree she zoomed keeping just ahead of the chasing spell. The other trees crept even closer until there was almost no space left for Whizardy Witch to whiz around. Gradually, the magic spell weakened until it puffed out of sight. Whizardy Witch squealed with de- light, “You see tree, I am the fastest in the Land of Magic.” The other trees pressed closer still. Whizardy Witch landed and stood next to the very old tree. She put her arms around his trunk and gave him a friendly hug. “Okay you win,” said the very old tree. “You really are the fastest witch in all the Land of Magic.” The other trees all began to whis- per and chatter excitedly. “That was fun, I really enjoyed that game,” said Whizardy Witch. The very old tree shuddered and shook, laughing loudly. “You see, the other trees like it when you laugh. You won’t be lonely anymore,” said Whizardy Witch. “My name is Mystic, I am called the Tree of Spells,” he said. “That’s a nice name. Do you know many magic spells?” Whizardy Witch asked. The other trees all hushed. One small sapling said quietly, “Every leaf, on the Tree of Spells, is magic.” “That’s true,” said the very old tree. “Each new leaf holds one of my spells.” He dropped one that floated down to the ground beside Whizardy Witch. “Hold that leaf in your hands Whiz. Then say the magic spell.” Whizardy Witch picked up the leaf and said, “Bugs that bite and ants that crawl, I’ll be the fastest of them all.” The leaf disappeared in a puff of colourful smoke and her broom magically changed from brown to red with a white stripe along it. “You now have the fastest broom in all the Land of Magic,” said the very old tree. The other trees cheered and waved their branches in approval. “Wow, thank you Mystic. That’s the best present I’ve ever had,” said Whizardy Witch. “And thank you Whiz,” said the very old tree. “I haven’t laughed so much in years.” “I’ve got to go now,” said Whiz- ardy Witch. “My mum will be worried where I am. It’s time for my tea.” “Goodbye Whiz,” said the very old tree. “Come back anytime you like.” Whizardy Witch whizzed off across the dark forest, her green cape fluttering behind her, head- ing for home. “I’ll come back and play again soon,” she shouted over her shoulder to her new friend. *** And that is the story of Whizardy Witch and the Tree of Spells.