In 2020, the year of the Sea Tides, on Fogwater Peninsula, there was a scurry and a flurry of noises all around the forest and by the lighthouse at the beginning of March. "What's all that commotion?" asked Granny. "Remember?" said Poppy, "It's time for the Festival of Magical Creatures tomorrow!" "Oh, I'm so excited!!!" exclaimed Granny! "I had totally forgotten until now. I'd better make my famous oatmeal scotchies for the festival!"

Granny quickly retrieved her ingredients, but since she was in a hurry, she baked them with magic instead of oven heat. "That will make them taste extra magical," she said with a chuckle. "No sneaking any bites, Daisy!"

Daisy had been in a bad mood because her cousin, Mia, was visiting and had taken her softest blanket.

You see, it began a few years back, that Granny and Poppy acquired the magical powers they now held. They were trained by Old Wizard Jenkins, the only flying penguin and head wizard. No other humans had ever met him, but one Sunday evening, they were hunting for mushrooms right at dusk, when all of a sudden, they heard a flapping sound above their heads. 

"Great googlebarrels, Michele! What was that???" said Poppy.

"Look up!" she whispered.

"Behold!" boomed a very large penguin from above. "I don't know how else to say this, but you are now entrusted with a major secret. I am Old Wizard Jenkins, and I'm the greatest magical being on the peninsula. You must tell no one of my existence!"

Poppy mumbled to Granny under his breath, "He's very fat."

"I'm very sure we can keep your secret, sir" said Granny. "But what's in it for us?"

"Well, I shall bestow upon you one magical power of your choice," said Old Wiz. 

"Wonderful!" said Granny "I'd love to be able to cook and bake the best food in the world, please." "And I'd like to be telekinetic," stated Poppy.

"Propper-dee-dopper-dee-quantum-quark-plop!" said Old Wiz. 

As Granny and Poppy said their polite goodbyes to the wizard, the penguin called out, "But wait, I need to invite you to the Festival of Magical Creatures. It happens each year in March. Listen for the commotion of every animal on Festival Eve." 

"Bye!!!!" they said, as Poppy tried out his new trick with mushrooms.

And so it was that Granny and Poppy humbly and joyously used their new magical powers to help others and make life easier. And each Festival Eve, they attuned their ears to all sorts of caterpillar, deer, bear, and chipmunk noises. This year, in particular, Daisy seemed extra restless and energetic. Mia slept a lot and didn't really notice any of it, so Daisy enlightened her, "You see, each year Old Wizard Jenkins blows a trumpet that only animals can hear on Festival Eve. That's how we know it's time."

"Time for what?" scowled Mia.

Daisy answered, "For The Appointing!" 

"I have no idea what you mean..." said Mia.

Daisy sighed, "Each year, one animal, AND ONLY ONE, is chosen to change from regular animal to magical creature."

Just then, Granny came down the steps. "Let's go! We have a long walk ahead of us!" The Steels were about to embark upon the annual 6 hour trek to Leadbetter Point and they planned to camp alongside all the woodland creatures on Festival Eve. Then, as they awake in the morning, the festivities would begin.

"This year, I hope it's me," blurted Daisy, but only Mia heard.

"What???" questioned Mia.

Daisy said, "You know....the magic. I think I'm going to be chosen! I've been a very good girl and I'm just so beautiful and a little bit stinky."

"Good luck, I guess," offered Mia. "Meow."

Along their way, they encountered a lost goat crying in the bushes. "Hey there, little friend, can we help you?" asked Poppy. 

"I...I'm lost!" sobbed the goat. "Mommy and I were trying to find Leadbetter point but I got separated from her and I don't know which way to go!" Granny said, "Oh, poor little goat! You can come with us. Don't worry."

"Could this day get any longer?" complained Mia.

"We're almost there. I can smell penguin," said Daisy.

They reached their campsite just as the sun was setting. Granny and Poppy set up the tents and called it a night. At that time, all the gathered animals were setting up campfires and playing their guitars on the beach just a quick walk away. "We'll be back in a jiffy!" said Daisy, "We've gotta go meet the others!"