Read Online Be a Genie in Six Easy Steps by Linda Chapman - Free Book Online Page B

“Let’s get the book and ask Skribble—now!”

Chapter Ten
    M illy and Jason ran upstairs to see Skribble and explain their idea. The little bookworm seemed to approve.
    â€œNot a bad test of your abilities, I suppose,” he said. “It may give you food for thought, at any rate!”
    â€œWe can make whatever we like,” said Milly. Jason grabbed the lamp and she carefully picked up the book. “Come on!”
    â€œNot too quickly!” Skribble commanded. “I get airsick.”
    They came back downstairs to find Michael and Jess had laid out four empty plates on the kitchen table. Milly put Skribble and the book down on the kitchen counter.
    â€œRight then, Worm,” said Michael. “How can we make a tasty all-you-can-eat grub marathon out of some cold baked beans, a bit of moldy cheddar, and some rock-hard bread?”
    â€œSince you have a rock-hard head as well, I’m notentirely sure you can,” said Skribble. “Who intends to be the genie?”
    â€œLet me try again!” Jess said eagerly. “Genie me!” she gasped as she was tugged down into the lamp, then tried to collect her thoughts while she waited for Jason to summon her. Yes, she knew how she wanted to appear….
    There was a fizzing feeling in her tummy as the lamp began to shake. Jess shot out through the spout, looking stunning in a gold miniskirt, glittering gold boots, and a gold cutoff top. She had a diamond in her belly button and a delicate diamond-and-gold tiara on her head.
    â€œThat’s a brilliant outfit!” Milly declared.
    â€œThanks.” Jess smiled. “I just really pictured in my head what I wanted to look like….”
    Michael yawned noisily. “How about granting a wish sometime this year?”
    â€œJess, for my lunch, I wish I had a huge plate of sausage and mash, please,” Jason burbled. “With gravy!”
    Jess drew herself up to her full height. “Your wish is my…” She frowned. “How do I do it?”
    â€œTransform that bit of cheese,” said Michael, tipping it out onto one of the empty plates on the kitchen table.
    â€œPicture it in your head,” Milly advised. “That’s what I did when I unfroze Jase.”
    Sausages , Jess thought to herself, imagining themsizzling in a pan. Sausages and fluffy mashed potatoes with no lumps …She pictured a big plateful of mash, neatly ringed with sausages, and then smothered the whole lot with deep brown gravy. For good measure, she imagined four frankfurters sticking out of the whippy potatos like birthday candles.
    The book on the floor trembled. Jess’s hands shot up. “Your wish is my command!” she boomed, her genie voice echoing around the room.
    A flash of gold lit up the air. Everyone gasped as a plate of sausages and mash appeared!
    â€œOh, wow!” Jess laughed out loud with delight. “I did it! I just did real magic!”
    â€œIt looks amazing!” Michael grinned, too, and slapped a knife and fork into Jason’s hand. “Dig in, then, Jase!”
    Jason speared one of the sausages and scooped up a huge forkful of mash with it. But as he stuck it in his mouth, he screwed up his face and groaned. “Euurggh! It tastes of old cheese!”
    Milly stuck a finger in the mash and tasted it. “Ugh, he’s right.”
    â€œYou disguised the appearance, but not the taste!” Skribble told Jess, clicking his tiny tongue. “An elementary mistake.”
    â€œIt’s cold, too,” complained Jason.
    â€œAll right, then,” Jess retorted. “ You be the genie if you think you can do it better!” With that, she flounced back down the spout.
    Jason set her free, then whooshed himself inside the lamp. Milly rubbed the sides, and he reemerged in genie form—still with a rude noise but with less of that horrid brown smoke. His green silk suit, funny slippers, and white turban were the