Kiddies have always held a certain fascination with magic. From pulling rabbits out of hats to making coins disappear, the world of magic has always captivated their imaginations. What is even more wonderful is that kiddies themselves can create magic, not in the traditional sense of performing tricks, but in the way they bring joy and wonder into the world. Children have an innate ability to find magic in the simplest of things. They can turn a cardboard box into a spaceship or a pile of leaves into a kingdom. Their imaginations are boundless, and through their eyes, the mundane becomes extraordinary.
In even rarer cases they are animated by vengeful fathers, seeking retribution for the loss of their children, or by wizards seeking undying loylaty in their servants.
The crow catches it and transforms into a Brown Bear the bear retains the physical characteristics of the raven, such as it s milky white eye and silver markings. Once servants to hags and other arcane masters, these animated scarecrows have mysteriously broken free from their tasks after the death of their masters.
Their imaginations are boundless, and through their eyes, the mundane becomes extraordinary. They see the world differently, with a sense of wonder and awe that often gets lost as we grow older. Moreover, kiddies have the extraordinary power to make others believe in magic as well.
Wandering witch scarecrow
I saw this rather scary-looking scarecrow about this time last year while out on a country walk.
Although scarecrows normally appear in fields and gardens in springtime - built by farmers and gardeners to keep crows from eating newly-planted seeds - as creatures from horror stories they are mainly associated with harvest-time and Samhain (or Halloween).
One possible reason for this is that they look similar to Jack O'Lanterns , which as well as being carved pumpkins are monsters with the bodies of men and pumpkin-lantern heads. They are named after Stingy Jack who, according to Irish legends was cursed by the Devil to wander the Earth for eternity with only a single coal to light his way.
To be honest, I have always wondered whether scarecrows are more effective at scaring off human trespassers than the avian variety. Today, most farmers use reflective strips of plastic that shimmer in sunlight to deter birds and in the past many would simply shoot the offending crows then hang the corpses from a pole or tree as an example to others.
This is probably what Robinson Crusoe meant, in the 1719 novel by Daniel Defoe, when he said: "I could never see a bird near the place as long as my scarecrows hung there." Robinson Crusoe is also the first known English story to use the term, although scarecrows have probably been used to protect fields for thousands of years.
In the US, published tales of animated scarecrows begin with writer Nathaniel Hawthorne's short story Feathertop , published in 1852.
In this, a 17 th- century witch from Salem, called Mother Rigby , makes a scarecrow to protect her garden from birds, but then decides to animate it to do her bidding. The creature at first believes he is human and falls in love with a girl from the village. She also falls in love with him, but when she sees his true reflection in a mirror she is horrified.
The scarecrow then realises what he truly is and decides to end his sad, unnatural life. Mother Rigby says: "There are thousands upon thousands of coxcombs and charlatans in the world, made up of just such a jumble of wornout , forgotten, and good-for-nothing trash as he was! Yet they live in fair repute, and never see themselves for what they are."
The story is supposed to be a moral tale, rather than a horror story, yet it has spawned countless tales of terror.
But many of the scarecrows that appear in fiction and folklore, rather than being scary, are helpful or even likeable
In Kojiki , the oldest surviving book in Japan (compiled in the year 712), a scarecrow known as Kuebiko is a god. He cannot walk, but because he stands in the open and watches everything that happens, his knowledge is vast.
Perhaps the most famous friendly scarecrow is the one in L Frank Baum's tale The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. However, rather than being all-knowing, that scarecrow was much in need of brains and that was the reason for his quest for the Wizard of Oz.
Worzel Gummidge is another friendly scarecrow. He was invented by novelist Barbara Euphan Todd in the 1930s, and made popular in an ITV series in 1979.
The Scarecrow was also the name of the disguise used by Robin-hood style rogue Reverend Doctor Christopher Syn in a series of novels written by Russell Thorndike. The first book, Doctor Syn: A Tale of the Romney Marsh, was published in 1915. It was made into movies in 1937 and 1963.
Perhaps the lesson to be learnt from the many tales of helpful scarecrows is not to judge people by their appearance.
Even the fellow in my picture at the top is far more civilised than his fearsome face suggests. He has a name, according to the board around his neck, although it is a little hard to read in the photo. He greets passers-by with a friendly "Hello" and even wishes them a nice day.
And it certainly was a nice day when I took the photo - perfect for a spring walk in the countryside followed by a lovely pub lunch at a place just down the lane from the seed beds guarded by my scarecrow friend.
Many villages in the UK have scarecrow festivals, such as the Wray Village Scarecrow Festival, starting on Saturday 24 April. These usually include competitions for the best or most original scarecrow.
In this, a 17 th- century witch from Salem, called Mother Rigby , makes a scarecrow to protect her garden from birds, but then decides to animate it to do her bidding. The creature at first believes he is human and falls in love with a girl from the village. She also falls in love with him, but when she sees his true reflection in a mirror she is horrified.
From their contagious laughter to their wide-eyed excitement, they have the ability to bring joy and happiness to those around them. Their innocence and pure hearts can bring out the best in people, reminding us of the magic that exists in the world, even amidst the chaos and challenges. Furthermore, kiddies have an inherent ability to create connections and build bridges between people. They have a natural knack for finding common ground and making friends. Their ability to see past differences and embrace each other's unique qualities is truly magical. By simply being themselves, kiddies can create a sense of belonging and unity that transcends age, race, and background. In addition, the magic that kiddies create extends beyond their interactions with others. They teach us valuable lessons about perseverance, resilience, and courage. Their eagerness to try new things and their willingness to embrace failure and learn from it is truly inspiring. They remind us to never stop believing in ourselves and to always follow our dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem. In conclusion, kiddies have the remarkable ability to create magic, both in their own world and in the lives of those around them. Their innocence, creativity, and joy bring a sense of wonder and awe that can change the way we see the world. Let us cherish and nurture their magic, for it is a precious gift that can bring light and happiness to our lives..
Reviews for "DIY Magic Toys: Craft Projects for Kids to Make Their Own Toys"
1) Name: Samantha Rating: 2 stars
Review: I recently took my kids to see "Kiddies create magic oen" and I have to say, I was very disappointed. The show seemed poorly organized and lacked any real magic. The performers seemed unprepared and their tricks were predictable and underwhelming. My children were bored throughout the show and kept asking when it would be over. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time or money on this show.
2) Name: Mike Rating: 1 star
Review: "Kiddies create magic oen" was a complete waste of my time. The show was advertised as a magical performance for kids but it fell far short. The production quality was low, the set design was minimal, and the performers lacked any real talent. There was no sense of wonder or excitement in the show, and it felt like the performers were just going through the motions. Save your money and find a better magic show for your kids.
3) Name: Jessica Rating: 2 stars
Review: I attended "Kiddies create magic oen" with my nieces and nephews and I have to say, it was a disappointment. The show lacked any real magic tricks or illusions. The performers relied on cheesy jokes and silly costumes to entertain the children, but it fell flat. The kids in the audience seemed bored and restless throughout the show, and we ended up leaving early. I would not recommend this show to anyone looking for a quality magic performance for kids.
4) Name: David Rating: 2 stars
Review: I was expecting a fun and magical experience when I took my children to see "Kiddies create magic oen", but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The show felt disjointed and unorganized, with no clear storyline or flow. The performers seemed inexperienced and their tricks were unimpressive. The kids in the audience appeared disinterested and there was a lack of engagement from the performers. Overall, it was a disappointing experience and I would not recommend this show to others.