READING 1

1. Delmar was a poor farmer who lived with his dog, Griffin, in a small village. To earn extra money, Delmar performed magic tricks with Griffin in the village square. He was a good magician, able to make a handkerchief float and flutter like a butterfly, but he wanted to be great.

2. A wizard named Trikken lived in a castle on a nearby mountain. It was said that the secret of invisibility—changing things so they cannot be seen—had been passed to him by a legendary magician. Trikken promised to share the spell with other skillful magicians, but never did.

3. Delmar often wished Trikken would share the spell with him, believing that such knowledge would make him great.

4. One morning, Delmar decided to visit the wizard and ask him directly for the secret. After a long, difficult climb with Griffin, Delmar found Trikken sitting peacefully in his garden.

5 Delmar bowed and introduced himself. “I am just a poor farmer and a lowly magician, but I wish to learn your secret of invisibility.”

6 The wizard laughed. “I’ve seen you perform, but why would I share the greatest magic spell in the world with you?”

7 “Because it was meant to be shared among other magicians,” Delmar said. “Your teacher said so.”

8 “Very well,” Trikken said. “You are a respected magician, so I will tell you. First, place your right hand on top of your head. Then recite these words: nunc evanescet!”

9. Delmar repeated the spell—and was astonished to find he had vanished. “I’m not here!” he cried, looking down at where his body had been.

10. But Trikken wasn’t interested and went back to admiring the scenery