"The Magic Finger" is a children's book written by British author Roald Dahl. Published in 1962, this short story follows a young girl who has an extraordinary power known as the "magic finger" that she uses to bring justice to those who harm animals. The story revolves around the main character, whose name is never given but is simply referred to as the girl with the magic finger. She lives on a farm next to the Gregg family, who are known for their passion for hunting. The girl becomes extremely upset when she sees the Greggs shooting birds with their weapons. In an act of retaliation, the girl points her magic finger at the Greggs' house and uses her power.
At a high school level, gifted students are sometimes bullied for being a “nerd”. Once again, it is because their way of thinking is so far ahead of their peers that they no longer become relatable. When their peers think that they are unfriendly or snobbish, they would naturally avoid investing the effort to befriend them. This unfortunate situation means that these gifted students are left with a world of ideas and wonder in their heads, only to find that they have no one to share it with.
They may learn not to overshare ideas in their head that are uninteresting to their peers and modulate their excitement in school settings so as not to garner unwanted attention. There are special-gifted schools, pull-out programs, and other types of alternative groupings that exist so that these gifted students can find peers that are similar in temperament and capability.
In an act of retaliation, the girl points her magic finger at the Greggs' house and uses her power. To everyone's surprise, the magic finger causes the Greggs to undergo a dramatic transformation – their roles are reversed, and they become tiny, fragile creatures with wings instead of arms. The Greggs are left helpless, and their victimized state ultimately teaches them a valuable lesson about empathy and compassion.
The Curse of the Gifted and Talented Child
Few people understand the challenges that come with raising a gifted child. If your 2-year old is reading, or your 6-year old is doing algebra, others might accuse you of hot-housing the child, pushing the child to go beyond his or her true intellectual capabilities.
However, the only way to truly discover the gifts in your child is to explore them in earnest. In other words, if your 2-year old child is displaying a particular acumen in reading, then the only way to see how far the child can go is to allow the child to read more books, with increasing difficulty. That, however, might come across as insensitive to other parents with different parenting styles.
Not only do you have to deal with this judgment, but gifted children also tend to be a bit “more” than other children — more active, more curious, more emotional, and more disobedient. It would appear that they experience life at a deeper, more vivid level.
Inappropriate educational environments can make things even worse. While one might think that a child with a high IQ would naturally do well in school, this isn’t always the case. In fact, some gifted children are never identified as such because they don’t fit the typical profile of a high achiever.
Let’s continue to look at some of the challenges that gifted children and their parents may face, along with potential solutions to these problems.
Throughout the book, Dahl uses imaginative and witty storytelling to highlight the importance of treating animals with kindness and respect. The magical element adds a touch of whimsy and fantasy, making the story appealing to young readers. "The Magic Finger" is not only entertaining but also carries an important message about the ethical treatment of animals. It encourages readers to consider the consequences of their actions and to stand up against cruelty. Dahl's unique ability to address serious themes while maintaining an engaging and child-friendly narrative makes this book a timeless classic. Overall, "The Magic Finger" is a delightful children's book that combines magic, humor, and a strong moral lesson. It is a testament to Dahl's talent as a storyteller and his ability to create captivating tales that resonate with both children and adults. Through this entertaining story, readers are reminded of the power of compassion and the impact one person can have in bringing about positive change in the world..
Reviews for "The Magic Finger: An Introduction to Roald Dahl's Iconic Characters"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I found "The magic finger book" to be quite disappointing. The story lacked depth and the characters were not well-developed. I also felt that the plot was predictable and lacked originality. Overall, I expected more from this book and was left feeling unsatisfied.
2. Emily - 3/5 stars - While "The magic finger book" had an interesting concept, I found the execution to be lacking. The writing style was simplistic and didn't engage me as a reader. Additionally, I felt that the book lacked emotional depth and failed to deliver any meaningful message. Overall, this book failed to captivate me and I wouldn't highly recommend it.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was quite disappointed with "The magic finger book". The storyline was weak and the characters felt one-dimensional. I also found the writing style to be bland and uninspiring. The book lacked the magical and imaginative elements that I was hoping for, and I struggled to connect with the story. Overall, I would not recommend this book to others as it didn't live up to my expectations.
4. Michael - 2/5 stars - "The magic finger book" was a letdown for me. The plot felt rushed and underdeveloped, leaving many loose ends. The characters were not well-rounded and their actions didn't always make sense. I found myself struggling to stay engaged with the story, as it lacked the captivating elements I was hoping for. Overall, this book didn't leave a lasting impression on me and I cannot recommend it.