"The April Witch" is a short story by Ray Bradbury. It tells the story of a young girl named Cecy, who discovers that she has the power to make her wishes come true. As she explores her newfound abilities, she begins to understand the consequences of her actions. Cecy is portrayed as a misfit who doesn't quite fit in with the rest of her family and classmates. She is often lost in her own dreams and wishes for a different life. One day, Cecy discovers that she can transform herself into anything she desires by simply wishing it.
One day, Cecy discovers that she can transform herself into anything she desires by simply wishing it. However, she soon realizes that her new powers come with a price. As Cecy continues to experiment with her powers, she begins to lose touch with reality.
The Curse of the Curse of the Pharaohs
“Cursed be those that disturb the rest of Pharaoh. They that shall break the seal of this tomb shall meet death by a disease which no doctor can diagnose.” (Inscription reported to have been carved on an Egyptian royal tomb)
Top of the lid of an unlaid wooden chest, picturing Tutankhamun and his wife Ankhesenamun. (The Metropolitan Museum of Art; photograph by Harry Burton)
Throughout the centuries, ancient Egypt and its civilization have often been referred to in terms of the dark and mysterious. Encounters with its strange customs have frequently led people, both ancient and modern, to have misconceptions about this land. The Greeks acknowledged that much ancient wisdom, such as the basics of mathematics, architecture, art, science, medicine, and even philosophy, ultimately derived from the Egyptians; but they still had some difficulty in understanding, accepting, or even dealing with the alien and unfamiliar aspects of the religion. Greek historians often wrote about the mysterious ways in which the Egyptians worshipped their deities, such as this note by Herodotus: “There are not a great many wild animals in Egypt…Such as there are—both wild and tame—are without exception held to be sacred” (II, 65). He also wrote a disclaimer: “I am not anxious to repeat what I was told about the Egyptian religion. . . for I do not think that any one nation knows much more about such things than any other” (II, 4). Of course he then goes on to state: “[The Egyptians] are religious to excess” (II, 35-39).
Egypt was different from much of the rest of the ancient world, with its pantheon of fantastic deities, part animal, part human; its rulers who were understood to be gods on earth; its bizarre funerary practices that paid unheard of attention to the preparations for an afterlife; and its enigmatic script that was written with recognizable pictures, but remained unreadable and therefore mysterious to the uninitiated. As a result, Egypt managed to inspire both awe and fear in the foreigner who came into contact with its culture.
Today, the products of Egyptian civilization that have survived the passage of more than 3000 years provide a visible monument to its advanced state. Such accomplishments, however, often evoke suspicion rather than respect. Thus there are people who prefer to believe that Egyptian building techniques, literature, art, and mathematics derived from an alien culture from outer space, rather than to accept the documented evidence of their earthly origin. This and other equally inaccurate theories are espoused by people fondly referred to by Egyptologists as “pyramidiots.” But while some modern ideas about ancient Egypt are based on a mixture of misguided awe and respect, others appear to have originated under less innocent circumstances. One of the most persistent examples of the latter type is the so-called curse of the pharaohs.
Tutankhamun’s tomb (lower center) was situated below the entrance to the tomb of Ramesses VI (center) in the Valley of the Kings. (The Metropolitan Museum of Art; photograph by Harry Burton)
She becomes disconnected from her family and friends, opting instead to live in her own magical world where anything is possible. But as her desires become more and more elaborate, the line between dreams and reality begins to blur. Eventually, Cecy's powers start to have negative consequences. Her wishes start to cause harm to those around her, and she is unable to control the outcome of her actions. She learns that sometimes reality is more important than fantasy, and that the power to make wishes come true doesn't always bring happiness. "The April Witch" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of giving in to our desires without considering the consequences. It reminds us that sometimes the things we think we want may not be what is best for us or those around us. It serves as a reminder to appreciate the beauty of the world around us, and to be careful what we wish for..
Reviews for "Celebrating the April Witch: Festivals and Rituals"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The April Witch" based on the rave reviews, but I found it incredibly disappointing. The story lacked depth and the characters felt one-dimensional. I struggled to connect with the protagonist, Linda, as her motivations and actions seemed inconsistent. The writing style was also confusing, with abrupt switches between past and present tense. Overall, I found the narrative to be disjointed and unsatisfying.
2. Robert - 1 star - "The April Witch" was a complete waste of time for me. The plot was thin and predictable, and the pacing was incredibly slow. I was hoping for a captivating story, but instead, I was left bored and uninterested. The character development was weak, making it difficult for me to empathize or care about any of the characters. Additionally, the prose was overly flowery and overly descriptive, which made it tedious to read. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
3. Lisa - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to reading "The April Witch," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The story lacked a clear direction, causing it to meander aimlessly. The supernatural element, which I thought would add intrigue, was underdeveloped and felt forced. The romantic relationship between Linda and her love interest felt forced and lacked chemistry. Overall, I found the book to be underwhelming and forgettable. I would not recommend it to others searching for a captivating read.
4. Michael - 3 stars - "The April Witch" had potential, but it failed to deliver. The story started off strong, but it lost momentum as it progressed. The characters were not well-developed, making it difficult for me to fully engage with their journey. The magical elements introduced in the plot felt out of place and poorly integrated. While the writing style was decent, it didn't make up for the lackluster storyline. Overall, I think there are better books out there to spend your time on.