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	The Magic Room


	By Sue Clarke

Poppy is spending the summer with her aunt Bella. Aunt Bella is out and Poppy is exploring the big, old house. She's found a staircase at the end of a corridor, which has taken her to a magic room, with walls that change colour, moving furniture, and a table with delicious food. Suddenly, a boy appears - he's a genie. Poppy tells him that she's feeling lonely. But the genie has gone. Will she get what she wishes for?

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The cool genie stood up and said, "Well, bye - I must go now!"

The smoky cloud appeared again. Then suddenly he was gone. Poppy went out of the room and back down into the house. She looked out of her bedroom window and the sun was shining. She went downstairs and found a postcard from her parents. It said 'Darling Poppy, Miss you, Back next week, Love Mum and Dad.'

Then the front door banged and she heard Aunt Bella arriving with her shopping.

"I've got a surprise for you, Poppy," she said. She gave Poppy a box. A strange noise was coming from inside. Poppy opened the box and found a cute little puppy. He looked at her with big eyes and barked 'hello'. Poppy smiled. She felt so happy. She went out into the garden to play with her new puppy.

The next day Poppy decided to say 'Thank you' to the genie.
She went upstairs towards the attic and opened the door. But there was nothing there except a dark old room with a few boxes.
Poppy stared in amazement.
"Oh well," she said. "Who needs magic anyway?"

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