The Magic Read online

  Copyright © 2021 Julie Ann Gandulla

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN: 978-1-09836-899-9 (printed)

  ISBN: 978-1-09836-900-2 (eBook)

  Table of Contents

  Acknowledgements

  A Package Arrives

  The Stone

  Something to Worry About

  Help Arrives

  Keep It Close

  Magic

  It Begins

  Rude Awakenings

  Ready, Set,…GO!

  Who Hooted?

  Let the Hunt Begin

  Wakey, Wakey

  Fears

  The Sidhe

  How the Sidhe Say “Goodnight”

  Survival of the…

  Most Patient

  An Owl’s Patience

  Learning to Soar

  The End?

  Owls

  Northern Pygmy Owls

  The Magic – Book Club

  About the Author…

  For Aidan and Fallon

  My greatest teachers and brightest blessings

  Acknowledgements

  ~ To my sister Stephanie, whose support was infinite.

  ~ To my dearest friend Michael, who never shrank from, “Will you please check this out?”

  ~ To my mother Susan, who’s supportive in all I do.

  Special Thanks

  ~ To Kristen Braymer, and Jenny Schroeder of Hawk Hill Raptors for their generous contributions of owl pellets – we’ve never looked forward to receiving animal regurgitation, until now!

  ~ To Panzer Gnauck for the contribution of his beautiful photograph of the Northern Pygmy owl.

  A Package Arrives

  Only small patches of snow spotted the tips of the Bridger Mountains. A sure sign that spring had arrived, and summer was on its way. But locals knew it was still too early to begin planting. Rather, the remaining patches of snow were a sign that avid gardeners could begin planting seeds indoors. Sunshine gleamed brightly through the kitchen windows of the little home, as Kenai, the family’s old Malamute, lay napping on the cool linoleum floor. Suddenly, footsteps pounded up the stairs shattering the peace, as Paul and his little sister Eileen came barreling in from the backyard.

  “Hey! Watch it you two!” Shouted their mother Ann as she juggled a huge box in her arms. Side stepping the snoring dog, she danced this way and that, until she finally brought the box in for a landing on the center of the kitchen table. Laughing lightly and brushing strands of her dark brown hair from her face, she shot a mock stern look at her children. A washcloth lay draped over her shoulder, a sure sign she was cleaning. She would often forget and wear it around all day. Ann was small in frame but big in voice, or how most people put it, a small person with a big personality.

  “Whoa! What is that Mom?” Asked Paul. Always curious and a bit mischievous, Paul was already at the table and making a grab for the box. Meanwhile Eileen was still scrambling onto a chair of her own. Eight years apart the siblings were very different but very close. Paul’s hiking boots often littered the entryway, his bike was always ready for a voyage, and gaming rounded out most of his evenings.

  Although Paul’s “processor” functioned at top speed, he would sometimes feel lost for words and a bit drained in groups. Eileen always had huge Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle pillows piled on her bed, her countless ballet dresses made up the colors of the rainbow, and she could often be found singing and dancing throughout the house. Eileen had no problem telling people how she felt - often very loudly. And as far as Paul was concerned, he was hers and no one else’s.

  Ruffling Paul’s messy brown hair, Ann laughed. “That massive thing is a gift from your Auntie. And it is meant for everyone, so don’t get any ideas.”

  “Did I get something too Momma?” Asked Eileen, who jumped up and down in the seat she had finally claimed.

  “Of course you did Buttercup! Your Auntie Teto would never forget you!” Packages from Teto were always mysterious treats. As a Maritime Archeologist Teto traveled all over the world, in and out of the water, and always found rare and wonderful things. She also just picked out cool toys.

  “Well let’s get on with it Mom!” Cried Paul and made a move toward the box. “Hold on! Let your sister help too!”

  With that, both children shot toward the box and the kitchen became a storm of packing material.

  The Stone

  Paul sat on the bed in his room, turning the stone over and over in his hand. His room was small and cozy. Scenes from the cosmos illustrated one wall, while animal and plant life from the ocean danced across another. Knick-knacks, toys and sporting equipment littered his closet and shelves, and a fish tank gurgled in the background. Night, Paul’s dog and best friend, sat next to him as he peered at the gift in his hands. Dark brown, speckled with tan and white markings, the rock had a nice weight to it. Still holding onto it with one hand, Paul reached over and grabbed his Aunt’s note with the other.

  Paul,

  You hold in your hand a very special stone. While I was traveling in Ireland, I decided to take a day to adventure around on my own. By afternoon, I found myself following a small trail off the beaten path. It was then, out of the blue, that I spotted it. A small strangely shaped stone nestled at the base of a Hawthorne tree. Normally, I hold strictly to my rule, “leave only the footprints of your shoes.” This includes not taking anything from the natural places I visit, but I just knew when I saw it that it was meant for you. It is the perfect worry stone! It has a thumbprint already shaped in its side (how, I do not know). And the stone is in the shape of a bear! Ha! A worry stone from Ireland in the shape of a bear, for the Irish boy who lives with the bears in Montana! Well, that is the story of your worry stone Paul. Keep it close, in your pocket, and when you’re worried give it a good rub, it will help.

  Love,

  Auntie Teto

  Paul set the note down and once again began looking over the rock. It fit perfectly in his left hand so that his thumb could easily rub into the smooth, cold mold, along the bear’s belly. A slow smile spread across his face, Auntie Teto always gave the best gifts. This was going to be pretty cool, something small and solid to have when things didn’t go quite right. And no one else could see it - not that it wasn’t something to show off. But it was fun to have something secret, something special. A small whimper squeaked out of Night and made Paul look down. “You alright boy?”

  Just then Paul’s mother hollered from the other room, “Paul let’s get ready to go! We have to hit the grocery store before we go swimming. We better get a move on.”

  Ah man, not the grocery store! It’s sooooooo boring. Ugh.

  Keeping those thoughts to himself, Paul got up with a groan. He gave Night a good-bye pat on his large black head, then tucked the stone in his pocket and headed out the door.

  Something to Worry About

  Paul gently trailed his hand along the cereal boxes. His fingers carefully glanced each box, never pushing them over but never losing contact. It was the only thing keeping him from going crazy while his family shopped for groceries. Eileen sat in the cart swinging her legs back and forth, while his mother Ann handed his sister various items to add to their load. Slowly but surely, he began to drift further and further behind, hoping somehow to emphasize how annoying it is when people hold you up.

  “Paul! Hurry up; you know we all need to stay together! I know it’s not the most fun, but you could make things go faster by helping. Why don’t you pick out some snacks?”

  “I don’t know Mom. I just won’t have any, let’s get out of here!” Paul replied, picking up his pace and setting course to try and veer his family toward the check stands.

  “Please don’t do that Paul. Not only would you regret that decision this evening when you’re looking for a snack, but also, these groceries are for everyone. So, if you don’t want them…fine, but let Eileen and I get what we want.” Eileen emphasized her mother’s point by giving him a firm look and short nod. With a groan Paul resumed his game and began trailing his hand along soup cans, while his mother and sister discussed which cake mix would be best for cupcakes this weekend.

  Shopping stinks! Does it really take all this time to get a few groceries?

  Once in line, Paul’s mom asked him to please start bagging up their belongings as she unloaded the cart and paid. With the end so near and wanting to speed things up, Paul began to quickly shove any and all items he could get his hands on into the boxes they were taking home.

  “Paul! Stop! What are you doing?” His mother yelped just as he shoved a can of tomato soup onto the top of the pile. “You’re ruining our food!” While other customers waited in line behind them, Ann pulled the groceries from the box Paul had been packing. Bruised and torn nectarines followed a thoroughly smashed loaf of bread, which was eventually followed by a carton of eggs. Without saying a word, only shooting Paul a sizzling look, his mother carefully opened the carton. With a look to the ceiling and a long sigh, his mother set the eggs down on the conveyor belt to reveal nearly a dozen crushed shells.

  Trying to remain as small as possible, Paul quietly squeaked, “They’re not all broken Momma, see.” He pointed to the one egg in the carton that remained intact.

  “Thank you Paul, that’s just great.” Replied his mother flatly.

  “Ma’am I’m sorry to say this but those groceries can’t be exchanged for undamaged ones since you already purchased them, and well, because you damaged them yourself.” Noted the clerk, with a genuine look of sympathy.

  “I understand sir. Thank you. W
e will be out of your way in a minute.”

  Help Arrives

  No one said a thing as Ann packed up the remainder of their groceries and pushed Eileen and the cart out the door. Paul made sure to stay close, it was a family rule to stay together, but he kept a little distance. Even from a few steps away he could feel his mother fuming over the visit to the store. After both kids were safely buckled in and everything was loaded into the car, Ann plopped down in the driver’s seat and let out a huge sigh.

  “You know Paul,” began his mother, “not only did you cause us a great deal of stress in there, but you also wasted good food, and cost our family a lot of money. All because you couldn’t be patient long enough for us to get some groceries. Patience is a muscle you really need to work on young man - for yourself because you will be happier, and for those around you because they will be happier. I’ll talk to you later about a consequence for your decisions today.”

  “Ok Mom, I’m sorry,” was Paul’s quiet and simple reply.

  Oh man! I really messed up! I just wanted to go swimming. Now I probably don’t even get to do that and Mom’s mad at me.

  With those worrisome thoughts weighing on him Paul shoved his hands into his pockets, only to find the worry stone waiting for him. Its solid weight slid nicely into his hand, as his thumb came to rest in the imprint of the bear’s belly. As he began to rub the smooth, cool surface some of the anxiety and worry began to fade from his thoughts. That is until a tiny voice piped up just near his right ear.

  “Well, that didn’t go well.” Declared a voice with an unusual accent. Paul swiveled his head, this way and that, only to find a tired Eileen looking at him as if he had lost his marbles.

  “Did you hear that Eileen?” asked Paul, but his baby sister only answered with an increasingly perplexed look.

  “Of course, she didn’t silly. She didn’t rub the stone, now did she?” And with that a tiny person, no bigger than Paul’s hand, appeared on the seat in front of him. She leaned with one hand against the headrest and her long reddish-brown hair hung wildly around her body.

  Decorated with flowers, vines, and leaves, she wore a light, shimmering dress made from a patchwork of colors. Paul inhaled sharply.

  What in the heck!

  Guessing his thoughts, the tiny creature smiled and answered, “I am a Fae, that is my stone, and I have come to see who has laid claim to the magic I bestowed upon it so many years ago.”

  Keep It Close

  “You’re a what?” Paul yelled, astonished at the small creature in front of him.

  “I said I will talk to you later Paul, not now. I need time to cool off.” Snapped his mother, assuming his sudden outburst had something to do with what she had just said. “And keep your voice down please, it looks like Eileen is falling asleep.”

  Paul glanced at his sister to see that she had indeed started to nod off, thankfully undisturbed. Without being asked, Paul carefully adjusted her head so that it would not slip, then turned back to the tiny person watching and waiting.

  “You’re a what?” Paul tried again, this time in a whisper.

  “I’m Fae.” She repeated, obviously waiting for some sort of response from him. When the only thing but silence and the general noise of traffic greeted her, she gave an exasperated huff and went on to explain. “I am Fae, a magical being who has walked the earth since its creation.”

  Lost for words, Paul had only one response, “Holy cow!”

  “Well that certainly is not the common reaction but you’re young.” With that, the tiny Fae sat down cross-legged on the back of the passenger seat and adjusted her dress and hair, making herself more comfortable. “So, I gather you have no idea what you have in your hand?”

  “A worry stone?” Paul guessed, speaking from behind his hand so his mother didn’t get any more confused or irritated.

  “Hmmmmm, well at least you know something. Yes, it is a worry stone. Carrying a worry stone is an ancient tradition, especially in Ireland. But this stone is special. Unlike normal worry stones, it will not only ease your anxiety, but it will help you overcome it.” Paul listened intently as the tiny being instructed him. “Once you have awakened the stone, it will sense when you are in need and it will transform you into an animal well suited to help deliver you from your suffering.”

  “I can turn into animals!” Yelled Paul elated and exhilarated by the possibility.

  “What are you talking about Paul? Is this your way of trying to be patient for the car ride? Pretending?” Asked his mother, glancing in the rearview mirror with a somewhat concerned look.

  “Ummmm…yeah, it is!” Bluffed Paul. “But I’ll keep it down, sorry Mom.” He quickly turned his eyes back to the little Fae only to find the shoulder of the passenger seat empty

  Magic

  As Paul got ready for bed that night, his mind raced with thoughts of what it would be like to become an animal whenever he wanted. Next time he had a problem he didn’t want to deal with - poof, he would turn into a bug and fly right out of the room. Or, next time he forgot to do his chores – poof, he would become a cheetah and race around getting everything done in half the time.

  But what if I just daydreamed it all? What if the little Fae creature was all a figment of my imagination? There had been no sign that she had really been there in the first place and there had been no sign of her since then. And who can turn into animals anyway? What if I just convinced myself that Teto’s gift was something more than it really was?

  “Well, that’s a sad face.” Observed Paul’s mother, as she turned on his night-light and straightened his covers up to his chin. “What are you thinking about honey?”

  After a small pause Paul asked, “Why doesn’t magic exist Momma?”

  “Who says it doesn’t?” Replied Ann, a warm smile spreading over her face.

  “What? You believe in magic Mom? But I’ve mixed a thousand potions and tried a million words, and I can never get anything to happen!”

  “Well,” began his mother, taking a seat next to him on the bed, ”the world is a tricky place that a lot of people think they have all figured-out, until there is a big ‘ah-ha’ moment, and they realize how much there is to learn. In the same way, we take things for granted. Some of the smaller, most normal things in the world…things we see and do every day seem like no big deal, but when we stop and really pay attention to them…they become magical. Anything from laughing and playing with your sister, to stopping and watching a butterfly. When we stop and really observe these things, how amazing they are, how magical they are, becomes very clear.”

  “I know Mom, but I mean MAGIC, real magic!” Replied Paul, half smiling and half annoyed.

  Paul’s Mom nodded, smiled softly and continued. “Then there are the bigger things, like the fact that we live on top of a spinning ball that is also twirling around another ball, in the middle of a huge galaxy, within a ginormous universe, within a … holy cow! When you stop and really think about that, how amazing that is, how magical that is, becomes very clear.”

  Paul yawned, “Ok Mom, I get the point, life is pretty cool and interesting if I pay attention, but that’s not magic.”

  “Finally, you look beyond the big and small.” Replied his mother, adjusting his covers once more and kissing his forehead as she got up and walked toward the door. “And consider that magic can also be something undiscovered or something extraordinary, above and beyond the everyday world.” Paul’s mother continued to talk as she blew him a kiss and turned off the light. “What is the rule? For every action you must have an equal and opposite reaction? So, for something extraordinary to happen you have to have something extraordinary to create it. An emotion? An intention? An energy, focused so intently that it creates something…magical.” With that Ann quietly slipped from the room and whispered sweet dreams to her son.