A Magical Test

 

Jordan looked hopelessly around at the endless expanse of trees and undergrowth. He didn’t want to admit it, but…

“We’re lost, aren’t we?” Johnny, the African parrot on his shoulder, cut into his thoughts.

Jordan tried to keep the fear out of his voice as he said, “Well, maybe. I just don’t recognize this place.”

Johnny clicked his beak. “Weren’t you paying attention?”

Annoyance flashed through Jordan. “What about you? We’re supposed to be doing this together.”

Jordan felt Johnny’s claws tighten on his shoulder. “Come on, you’re the wizard. I’m just your good luck charm.”

Shaking his head, Jordan said, “You know you’re much more than a good luck charm. I wouldn’t be a wizard without you.”

Spreading his wings proudly, Johnny said, “Of course. Thank you for acknowledging my importance.”

Jordan couldn’t stop the smile that crept over his face. “Well then, Mr. Importance, which way do we go?”

Johnny carefully arranged his feathers and thought. “What are we supposed to be looking for again?”

Jordan barely stopped himself from rolling his eyes. “Just the magical spellbook that will teach us how to be wizards.” This was the first test to prove that they could use their new magic. If they failed, they would go their separate ways and Jordan would go back to his previous boring life. Looking over at his new friend, he felt his resolve harden. They may have only just met, but their friendship was deeper than any other he’d experienced. He was not going to lose that now.

Studying the dark trees around him, he looked for any kind of clue that would lead them where they needed to go. The strange forest let in very little sunlight, and rustling leaves surrounded them. “What do you think, Johnny?”

Cocking his head, Johnny stopped to listen. “Everything looks and sounds the same in here, but there’s got to be something we’re missing.”

An idea popped in Jordan’s head. “Why don’t you fly up into the trees and see if you notice anything different from up there?”

The weight on Jordan’s shoulder disappeared as Johnny launched himself in a burst of feathers. Jordan watched as the gray parrot flew high into the treetops. “See anything?” A shaft of sunlight blinded him temporarily, and he had to look away. He could no longer see Johnny anywhere.

After a few anxious minutes, Johnny’s gray wings finally reappeared and he settled himself back on Jordan’s shoulder. “The only things I could see were miles and miles of the same trees that surround us down here. This is obviously a magical forest, and we won’t get anywhere without cracking some kind of code or something.”

A magical forest? What were they supposed to do? How were they going to find a magical book in an ocean of trees? “Maybe we’ve got to use magic?” Jordan had no idea how to use his new magic, but it seemed the obvious answer to their problem. “You know how it felt when we connected? That felt pretty magical. Let’s try that again.”

“All I know is that you’re the one that drew me to you. Just do that for the book.”

Jordan thought back. How exactly had it happened? He had so desperately wanted to be a wizard. When he finally had a chance to call a companion, he had no idea how to do it. As the minutes passed, he’d grown more and more worried until finally he noticed something different. It was as though an invisible string had been tied to him and someone was pulling on it. Intrigued, he pulled back on the line and was astounded when Johnny came and landed gracefully on his shoulder.

Could he do the same thing again, but with the book? He looked within himself and saw his connection to Johnny. It already seemed stronger than when he’d first felt it. He kept searching and found… nothing.

“Why don’t you try calling out loud for the book?” Johnny’s sudden question made Jordan jump.

“Okay.” Feeling slightly foolish, he called, “I need the magic book!” Absolutely nothing happened.

“You should try that again, but feel for it with your magic this time.” Johnny’s eyes shone and Jordan wondered if he was laughing at him. But no, it was excitement in his eyes, and Jordan felt it too.

“Where is the magic book?” This time, when Jordan called out for the book, he looked within himself and waited for some kind of magical feeling.

At first, he didn’t notice anything different, but then a thought shot right to him… from the woods. Now he knew what to do. “This way.” Confidently, he followed the feeling, and he could tell immediately that he was going in the right direction.

Johnny flapped his wings in excitement, saying, “There we go! I knew I made the right choice when I came to you!”

Continuing to follow the magical pull, the two friends strode deeper and deeper into the woods. The feeling grew stronger as they walked at least a mile. Finally, they reached a small clearing, and Jordan knew this was it. Pulling aside some branches, he looked into a beautiful, grassy area and saw a book, sitting on a tree stump. Without any hesitation, he picked it up and knew it was what they’d been looking for.

The feeling intensified as he opened the book and a beam of light shot straight into the sky. A mighty wind built and grew and he threw up his hand to protect himself from the sudden tornado.

When the wind subsided, he was surprised to see a man standing in the clearing next to him. “Oh, well done Jordan and Johnny!” He shook Jordan’s hand while Jordan just gazed back, dazed.

“You two were the first ones to find your book. Congratulations on recognizing your new magic!”

At these words, Jordan found his voice again. “Thank you!” He grinned from ear to ear and felt the excitement from Johnny, too. They had done it! He was going to become a real wizard!

As he followed the man out of the clearing, Johnny whispered in his ear, “Good job, partner! I’m proud to be on your team!” The bird squeezed his shoulder affectionately.

Still grinning, Jordan reached up to softly stroke Johnny’s gray feathers. “Thank you for your help, friend.” For he knew that he wouldn’t have been able to find the book without Johnny. This was going to be a great friendship.