Z ^{andra and her family were tinged with magic. They didn't lead ordinary lives like most of us mere mortals, nor did they look quite human, either. They were as bewitchingly beautiful and ageless as the legendary folk pictured in books. Zandra had eyes as round and green as a cat's; her skin was as luminous as moonlight shining on a ghost-gum; her long hair was streaked with gold and swished below her waist.}

In a modern castle of creamy marble that graced the edge of a cliff, she lived with her brother, Gasgon, and their mother and father. The sign with glittery silver letters hanging from the front of the castle left curious passerbies in no doubt that witches were in residence:

'MAGICAL MYSTERY TOURS

Take a magical and mysterious journey
through The Witchery.
Have a peek into the Magic Arts
of charms, chants and horoscope charts
of cure-all herbal lotions,
crystal ball predictions and Powerful Potions.
Tours arranged only by appointment.
Please phone before to avoid disappointment.'
Illustration:

Viewpoint is looking down onto the castle and the cliff upon which it perches. The castle is beautiful though quaint. Another sign on the very edge of the cliff states (in childlike handwriting): 'OCTOPUSES' GARDEN THIS WAY.' The sign also has an arrow pointing straight down the cliff.

A short distance across the sea, we can see the silhouette of a rock-island, similar to Ayres Rock, but shaped like a huge strawberry.

Zandra's father had bought the castle for a song as the previous owner feared it might topple into the frothy surf below. However, his faith in positive thinking was spellbinding. He told the family if they believed the castle would always stand, it would.

And it did: proud and gleaming white -- or shimmering with crimson, gold, green or violet if any magic was afoot.

In the evening when the last tourist had been shown through the castle, (and received a complimentary bag of decorator spiderweb) the family could relax. Then, magical stories were told in the Pentagram Room. Located on the ground floor of the castle, the Pentagram Room contained a library of all the magic in the world - and beyond.

Illustration:

The large Pentagram Room has floor-to-ceiling bookcases stacked with ancient looking volumes. A round rug in the middle of the room has a picture of a pentagram woven into it. Zandra (pretty girl of about 12 with very long hair) is seated next to her youthful looking mother on a 'witchy' looking couch. Zandra's father (wearing a long caftan with astrological symbols) is leaning beside the fireplace with a very fizzy purple drink in his hand. Gasgon (about eleven years old with spiky hair, a cheeky expression and wearing dark glasses) is sitting cross-legged on the rug next to Crooner (large black dog also wearing dark glasses).

"Tell us more about the Pied Piper," Zandra asked her father one story night as they gathered around the green fire in the fireplace.

The Pied Piper was her most favourite story. Her father had told the family about the musical exploits of this talented man: how he rid a whole town of rats just by enchanting them away with music he played on his pipe; and how he also held a town of children spellbound with his magical tunes. Zandra liked to imagine herself as a modern Pied Piper playing music that enchanted everyone who heard it.

"The Pied Piper was one of the most successful witches in history," Zandra's father said, leaning against a floor-to-ceiling bookcase with a glass of Fungi Fruit Punch fizzing in his hand.

"He was so successful because his magic combined two different skills," he continued and smiled a broad, elfish smile at his son. "Could you say what they were - Gasgon?"

Gasgon was busy whispering to Crooner, his dog familiar, and didn't hear the question. He was saved from further embarrassment by his mother.

"The Muses didn't do too badly, either Herbert," Idis remarked, smoothing the net layers of her ballerina dress. Despite her penchant for ultra-feminine clothing, she considered herself a Liberated Woman and never missed the opportunity to remind her husband that a woman could do just as well as a man.

Herbert's eyes twinkled as if reminded of something wonderful and magical. "The Pied Piper certainly met his match with those ladies," he replied. To Zandra and Gasgon he explained, "The Muses were witches who not only combined magic and the creative arts, they also inspired others to create powerful music and stories and theatre."

Zandra and Gasgon watched expectantly as Idis flipped through the pages of a heavy volume from the bookcase. Many of the books in the Pentagram Room were very magical. Just to open one could unleash specks of magic, sometimes fountains of magic.

She held up a watercolour illustration of nine beautiful sisters who all vaguely resembled herself. "One of the greatest magics is to create some lovely thing just from an idea," Idis explained. "The Muses provide inspiration for everyone, but each person must believe that they can bring those ideas to life or the magic won't work."

When she snapped the book shut, tiny glowing fireflies flew up and around the room. Zandra's familiar, Famous the frog, tried in vain to catch one as it darted past.

"Are the Muses and the Pied Piper still alive?" Zandra asked. The stories of these wonderful witches were ancient, but she was aware that witch years were measured differently to human years.

Her father grinned and narrowed his eyes mysteriously. "I am happy to say they are alive and well."