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The water in the fountain sparkled in the early morning sun.

The fountain behind Melvin’s house was one of his favourite places.

Today even the plop and gurgle of the falling water did not make him smile.

rustle rustle Melvin sat up. Was that a mouse?  

He imagined the shadow of a cat,

He thought hard about being a cat...

Nothing happened.

Melvin's lips turned down as he frowned.

His hair moved as wind gusted.

He turned his face to feel it blow against his face. 

A good day to play in the air.

He tried imagining the shadow of a seagull.

He thought really hard about becoming a seagull...

Nothing happened.

Dangling his bare feet in the cool water of the fountain,

He imagined the shadow of a frog.

He thought hard about being a frog...

Nothing happened.

Melvin really began to worry.

“Melvin, you will be late for school!” called his mom out the kitchen window.

Melvin hurriedly pulled on his shoes, grabbed his backpack from beside the fountain,

and began the walk to school.

Melvin dragged his feet as he walked across the grass of the park.

He threw rocks in the creek from the brigdge like he usally did.

today the plunk! sounded sad.

Melvin noticed how late it was. I need to run!  

He imagined the shadow of Fred, the family collie.

he thought hard about looking just like Fred...

Nothing happened.

Melvin ran extra hard the rest of the way in his own shape...

and got there just in time.

“Jack!” Melvin whispered to his cousin, also a shapeshifter as he pushed his backpack into his locker.

"Meet me in the woods at recess."

When the bell rang for recess they met behind the school.

Melvin led jack through the trees.

Soon they were hidden in a quiet spot on the trail behind a very large, very leafy bush.

"What's the matter" asked Jack seeing the look on Melvin's face.

"I can't do shadow magic!" said Melvin.

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WHY MELVIN CAN'T DO SHADOW MAGIC ?

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