THE BLACK SPELL BREW The ugliest most rickety house in town belonged to the old witch Madam Snickasnee It stood on the very edge of the town a small melancholy house with steps so old that one was in danger of falling through them but Madam Snickasnee was too busy working her black magic and riding around on her broomstick to do any thing about it even if she had wanted to She had a daughter however who hated the house and looked with longing at the gay neat houses of the town Her name was Minikin Minx for short she was nine years old and she wished with all her heart that she were not a witch's
Little Witch S This evening Madam Snickasnee was preparing as usual for her nightly jaunt on her broomstick to see what trouble she could stir up Don t you want to come along with me tonight she asked in her harsh crow voice You haven't been out riding in a week No I don't said Minx I don t like riding around in the dark and cold You disobedient girl shrieked the old Witch You're no child of mine You'll have to start changing your ways pretty soon or you won t grow up into a de cent witch She glared at Minx with her little red eyes clapping her tall pointed hat on her scraggly hair ei as long as you're feeling so high and mighty she went on you can just get to work and cook up a pot of Black Spell Brew and if you don't do it you won't get anything to eat tomorrow Minx watched with relief as the witch sailed out the open door up into the dark sky After a while the girl went over to a cracked mirror and leaning her arms on the ancient bureau beneath it gazed at her reflection intently She saw a thin delicate face a wide soft mouth and big eyes as dark as ripe
The Black Spell Brew blueberries She had a dimple stuck in her chin which she did not like wishing it had been placed in her cheek instead But even magic could not change that now Rummaging through a drawer of the bureau she found a somewhat toothless comb and ran it through her black hair smoothing it around her shoulders Then suddenly she gave a little jump and gasp turning around swiftly Oh I know I saw her I know I did she said aloud to the empty room That's happened so many times when'm looking in the mirror She stared eagerly into
