Of all the
kids in Mrs. Snicker’s class, three were stand-out students. And not just
because they were smart, but because they were, well, different. You see,
gentle James never spoke a word, sociable Cory couldn’t stop talking and bubbly Zorinda was quite forgetful. But they were
all best friends and were discussing Halloween costumes while walking home from
school one afternoon when Cory announced he was going to be a Pirate. James,
then hung his arms to his knees and walked around like an Ape.
“Oh no!”
Zorinda exclaimed “Cory, you need to be a Warlock and James, a Vampire because
I am a witch!”
“Aw,” Cory
groaned “I’m not gonna be a Warlock just because you want to be a Witch.”
“I said I am a Witch.”
James’ eyes
grew wide, but Cory scoffed. “Oh, yeah?
Then where’s your broom?”
“I don’t
remember.” Zorinda shrugged and chewed her bottom lip.
James
suddenly clapped for attention and pointed to brooms on display at the hardware
store.
“I can’t
just buy a magic broom, James. But thanks anyway.” Zorinda gave him a hug.
“Will you guys help me find my broom?”
The kids
looked high and low and everywhere for days with no luck. Cory wished Zorinda
would just pick something else to be for Halloween and James still walked like
an Ape sometimes. Then Cory had an idea.
“When was
the last time you saw your broom?” he asked Zorinda on the way to school one
day.
But before
she could answer, the schoolyard monitor ushered them into the school building
for an emergency announcement. It seemed there was a bully running loose and
until he or she was caught there would be no Halloween celebrations. The entire
room groaned in disappointment, everyone talked at once until the Principal
dismissed them all to their classes.
“I wonder
where James is.” Zorinda whispered.
“Me too,
he’s never late for school. We’ll look for him at lunch time.” Cory whispered
back.
When James
wasn’t around at lunch time, Cory and Zorinda decided they would go to his
house after school. Maybe he was sick or something. Along the way they found
one of James’ school books lying in the dirt, and then another. They ran the
rest of the way and banged on James’ door. A white-haired lady with sky-blue
eyes let them in, but put a finger to her lips to shush them.
“Oh, James!”
Zorinda cried when she saw him lying on a sofa in the dimly lit room. He had an
icepack on his face. For once, Cory was speechless.
“I wish I
had my magic broom! I’d make this all better!” Zorinda declared.
“You don’t
need magic for that, honey.” The white-haired lady gave Zorinda a hug.
“Yeah, you
should see the other guy.” James said in a raspy voice.
Cory’s jaw
dropped and Zorinda squealed with delight. “You can talk!” she gushed.
When the
Principal announced the next day that the bully had been identified and
Halloween festivities could go on everyone cheered and clapped.
“But who was
it?” asked someone in the crowded room.
“Do we
care?” said the Principal and the whole crowd spoke as one: “NO!”
There was
only a trace of a bruise left on James’ face when the three friends went to the
hardware store to buy Zorinda’s new broom. He made the others laugh when he put
a bucket on his head and danced in the narrow isle! Then Zorinda surprised her
friends by announcing that she wouldn’t be a Witch for Halloween after all, but
teasingly wouldn’t tell them what the broom was for. “Wait and see.” She said.
Shera Trist
What do you think Zorinda will be for
Halloween? What will you be? What was the best costume you ever wore?
