-Written and Illustrated by
                                      Bethany Esser 2005
Dedicated to Allysa and Carly
Mom, I want this next book!

"The Witch Loses Her Hat"
Chapter 1 - The Kitchen
     Once upon a time there was a witch, not a terrifying witch, but a really nice witch.  Her name was Allysa.  She had a black cat named Carly.  There was one holiday they loved, Halloween.  "Carly!!!, where are you?" cried Allysa.
     Carly came running in the kitchen.  "Go fetch me some roaches!" said Allysa.  Carly ran out the door and soon enough there were roaches in the kitchen pot.  Allysa said, "I'm making your favorite, roach-eye stew with worm-heads."  Carly ran around in circles, took a deep purr, and patiently waited.  Soon it started to rain.  "Rats!, I was going to collect some snails.  I guess I will have to do it later," said Allysa.

 
     "Meow!" cried Carly.  "All right, it will be done soon," said Allysa.  Then Carly was eating her favorite recipe.  The Allysa was turning on the oven.  She took her toad-slime drink, sat in her chair, drank a big gulp of toad-slime and drifted off to sleep.





Chapter 2 - Halloween
     DING, DING, DING! Cried the alarm clock.  "I better get to the store," Allysa said.  "Meow," cried Carly.  "All right, I'll bring you too, but you have to be good," said Allysa.  When they got to the store they bought lots of candy; Jolly Ranchers, lollipops, bubble gum, Snickers, Twizzlers and lots more.


    Finally, Allysa went home.  "Guess what, Carly, it is our favorite holiday, Halloween!"  Allysa said gleefully.  Carly purred deeply.  Then Allysa poured all the candy in one big bowl.  Allysa put the bowl on the front porch.  "We do not need to decorate, Carly."  Of course, their house was spooky enough.
Chapter 3 - The Flight
     Then Allysa said, "hop on" and they hopped on their broom and flew into the air.


     It was a beautiful sight, stars everywhere, the smell of winter, it was grand.  When the trip was over they looked at the bowl of candy.  It was empty with little fingerprints on it.  Allysa smiled, gave Carly a pet, and went to bed.  They had very happy dreams .... The End