My teacher is a witch! I know this might sound crazy, but I am convinced that my teacher is a witch. It all started about a month ago when she moved to our school. From the moment she stepped into the classroom, there was something strange about her. First of all, she has the most piercing gaze I have ever seen. It's like she can see right through me, into my soul. Whenever she looks at me, I feel a shiver down my spine.
Whenever she looks at me, I feel a shiver down my spine. And her eyes, oh her eyes! They are a mesmerizing shade of green, like two sparkling emeralds. But the real evidence of her witchcraft lies in her abilities.
Magic in Ancient Greece and Rome
The practice of magic thrived in classical antiquity. From Athens to the Black Sea to Roman Britain, from tavern goers to the highest-born imperial nobles, magical texts and objects flourished as modes of managing vulnerability, overcoming rivals, mitigating loss, and surmounting uncertainty. Ritual practitioners—professional magicians—peddled various charms, custom-made spells, curses, and initiations for the ancient customer in need.
Writing around 375 BCE, Plato would describe the traffic in magical goods and services in classical Athens, including the use of incantations and bindings spells and the unease felt by passersby on seeing “molded wax images,” types of magical curse-effigies, placed at doorways, crossroads, and ancestral tombs. Over 500 years later, the Latin writer Apuleius would render, in vivid detail, a scene of a witch at work:
First she arranged her deadly laboratory with its customary apparatus, setting out spices of all sorts, unintelligibly lettered metal plaques, the surviving remains of ill-omened birds, and numerous pieces of mourned and even buried corpses: here noses and fingers, there flesh-covered spikes from crucified bodies, elsewhere the preserved gore of murder victims and mutilated skulls wrenched from the teeth of wild beasts. Then she recited a charm over some pulsating entrails and made offerings with various liquids.
Coming from different literary genres—a Greek philosophical text and a Roman novel—these accounts reveal the presence and potency of magic in classical antiquity, and the centrality of objects within such ritual practices. Magic included not only spoken words, gestures, and actions, but was also expressed by way of physical, material forms, such as curse tablets, effigies, amulets, and gems, to name but a few. Many of these objects have survived in the archaeological record to reveal that classical communities used ritual to conquer fear and uncertainty, to influence individual lives, to improve current circumstances, and to transform the future.
She possesses an uncanny knowledge about everything. It's as if she has access to a magical library where she can find answers to any question. Whenever we ask her something, she always has an elaborate and detailed answer that leaves us in awe. Not only that, but she has a way of controlling the classroom with just a flick of her wand, I mean, her hand. When she wants us to be quiet, she simply raises her hand, and suddenly, all noise ceases. It's like a spell has been cast on us, forcing us to obey her. Another clue to her witchiness is her mysterious potions. Every now and then, she brings a small vial filled with a mystical liquid to class. She claims it's for educational purposes, but I suspect there's something more to it. Maybe she's concocting some sort of potion that grants her magical powers. Who knows? But perhaps the most convincing evidence is her ability to predict the future. She often makes bold predictions about upcoming events, and strangely enough, they always come true. It's like she has a crystal ball hidden somewhere that gives her insight into what's to come. Despite all this, I must admit that having a witch for a teacher is not all bad. In fact, it's quite exciting. We never know what she has in store for us, and every day is an adventure in her class. She brings magic into our lives and teaches us to believe in the impossible. So yes, my teacher might be a witch, but she's the best witch I've ever known. And I am grateful for the enchanting experience she brings to our classroom every day..
Reviews for "Riding Brooms and Giving Exams: Tales from a Witch Teacher"
1. Max - 1/5 stars - I really did not enjoy "My Teacher is a Witch" at all. The story felt extremely cliché with predictable plot twists and one-dimensional characters. The protagonist lacked depth and the conflict resolution was too convenient. The writing style was also subpar, with dull descriptions and a lack of engaging dialogue. Overall, I found it to be a disappointing read and cannot recommend it to others.
2. Emma - 2/5 stars - "My Teacher is a Witch" had an interesting concept, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The pacing was inconsistent, with slow and uneventful chapters followed by rushed and unresolved conflicts. The characters were underdeveloped, and their actions often didn't seem to align with their personalities. The magical elements in the story were not well explained, leaving me confused and detached from the plot. Despite the potential, the execution left much to be desired.
3. David - 2/5 stars - I was disappointed with "My Teacher is a Witch." The storyline was unoriginal, offering nothing new or exciting. The writing style felt awkward and lacked finesse, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the narrative. The dialogue was forced and unnatural, making it hard to connect with the characters. The climax and resolution were predictable and offered no surprises. Overall, it was a forgettable book that failed to captivate me.
4. Sarah - 1/5 stars - "My Teacher is a Witch" was a complete letdown. The characters were flat and generic, offering no depth or complexity. Their actions and motives were often inconsistent, which made it difficult to sympathize or relate to them. The plot was poorly executed, with predictable twists and a lack of tension. The writing style was weak and lacked polish, leaving me disinterested and unengaged throughout. I would not recommend wasting your time on this book.