The World's Worst Fairy Godmother Read Free Page A

She lives in the village at the edge of the forest, just like your source told you she would.”
    Zozmagog nodded. “Good. Now what’s her problem?”
    â€œShe’s too good.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œShe’s too good.”
    â€œThat doesn’t make any sense,” said Zozmagog. He gave Zitzel a noogie between his stubby horns.
    â€œOw! Cut that out, boss. Anyway, you’d understand if you saw her. She flounces around like she was you-know-who’s gift to the world. I bet everyone who meets her wants to slap her.”
    Zozmagog’s eyes lit up. “Aha—I think I’ve got the picture. Good work, Zitzel. Now, you weren’t seen, were you?”
    Zitzel looked uncomfortable.
    â€œZitzel…?”
    The smaller imp still didn’t answer. Zozmagog reached out and snatched his tail.
    â€œNo boss! No, don’t!” cried Zitzel. But it was too late. Zozmagog began to twist.
    â€œI asked if anybody saw you?”
    â€œOw! Ow ow ow! Yes, someone saw me. But only for a minute!”

    Zozmagog let go of Zitzel’s tail. “You idiot! I told you not to let yourself be seen! Who was it?”
    â€œJust some woodcutter at the edge of the forest.”
    â€œStay out of my sight!” snapped Zozmagog. “Stay out of everyone’s sight while you’re at it!”
    Chuckling to himself, Zitzel scampered into the cave. His tail didn’t really hurt—he just yelled like that when Zozmagog twisted it because it seemed to make the boss happy. Zitzel had never been able to figure out why Zozmagog thought tails were sensitive; his own never hurt at all. The boss sure was weird for an imp. But he was great at thinking up new mischief, and that was what really counted.
    Zozmagog stood outside the cave, tapping his chin with his finger and muttering to himself. “Ever since I put that hex on Maybelle’s wand, she’s made one mess after another. That frog episode was the worst one yet. I’ll bet this Pfenstermacher kid is her last chance. If I can mess Maybelle up just one more time it ought to end that wretched little fairy godmother’s career forever! Ha! Aha! Ah ha ha ha ha ha!”
    His laughter peeled the bark off a nearby sapling, startling a squirrel that happened to be bouncing past. The squirrel had an acorn in its mouth. Zozmagog turned the acorn into a brick, just because he was in such a good mood.
    Still laughing, he turned and skipped back into the cave.

Chapter Five
Maybelle’s Plan
    The next morning two women entered the little village of Grindersnog. One was tall and thin, the other short and plump. Standing side by side, they looked like the letter b.
    From head to toe, they were dressed just like any of the village women. The short one, however, had a tendency to float a bit, and was having a hard time keeping her feet on the ground.
    â€œEdna, do we really have to do this?” she asked, sounding slightly grumpy. “These shoes are killing me!”
    â€œTut tut, Maybelle,” said her tall companion in a prim voice. “A little discomfort is a small price to pay for chance to observe your client in a natural setting. After all, how can you help Susan without knowing more about her?”
    â€œEasy! I just wiggle my wand a bit. Here a poof, there a poof, everywhere a poof-poof. Presto change-o, you’ve got—”
    â€œInstant disaster,” said Edna darkly.
    â€œWell, I miss my wings.”
    â€œWings are a minor part of our job,” sniffed Edna. “Ah, look—there’s Susan’s house. Let’s watch.”
    The two women stood beneath a tree. Without ever actually seeming to disappear, Edna slowly became invisible. Maybelle turned invisible, too. But in her case, she vanished in a shower of sparks, and with a distinct pop.
    â€œFor heaven’s sake, Maybelle,” whispered Edna sharply.
    â€œSorry,” said Maybelle, who was just happy that she