Thank you to Martin Rauff, Cecil Castellucci, Magnus Merklin, Cecilie “Q” Maintz Thorsen, Thorbjørn Petersen, Erik Barkman and Thomas Vium for leading us through this process.
Thank you to the folks in my studio for being the most supportive friends ever.
Thank you to my family, my parents and grandparents for passing down the history and knowledge that I need.
Thank you Oskar, for being my pillar through everything.
Chapter 1
All right, All right.
“If you kids are ready, we can all raise our glasses,” Uncle Tzadik grunted with a stern look in our direction. I grabbed my cup of juice, and held it up.
”Baruch ata adonai,” Uncle Tzadik started, and all of us joined in, ”Eloheinu melech haolam”
If I didn’t know it by heart I’d have fumbled the prayer for sure. I was so excited, I almost vibrated out of my seat! I was all done with goofing around at the forest like in past summers. I was finally twelve! That meant I could start studying how to cast magic at the Synagogue like the rest of my family. By speaking special words, they made things fly and change and do stuff. I couldn’t wait to join them, and they were so excited to welcome me.
So? Adi, you feeling reAdy?
thiS iSn’t like primAry Schoolyou need to tAke it SeriouSly. yeS?
So thoughtful tomer! She’ll be fine.
I hoped Dad was right. I might not have been the best at studying, or good at reading like my brother Tomer was. But everyone in my family was able to cast, so really, how hard could it be?
”By the time I’m back from my research trip, we’ll all be able to cast together.” Dad strained a smile. He wanted to be there for my first few weeks of casting, but it was better like this, with him being away. Now only Tomer would be nagging me to read, and that was annoying enough already!
“I’ll be an expert caster by then!” I tell Dad, faking a smile back. Who knows, maybe it’s true!
Uncle Tzadik let out a howling laugh, “That’s the spirit! You’ll be the one serving by next Shabbat.” He then motioned at Rachel, who stood from her seat confidently.
I cAn totAlly do thiS-
I’m reAdy.
”You’re not getting out of this Adi!” I heard Mom from the other room. Evil evil wicked too tight shoes! And this dress, where did it come from? It looked so itchy! I picked up the dress and stomped over to the living room. ”Sweetheart, classes are at the Synagogue. You know have to dress well.”
I’m So reAdy.
dAdhAhAhA!
fiiiine.
WhAt did you think?
We cAn’t hAve your dirty feet Stomping All over the SynAgogue!
I put on the stupid dress. But then came my worst enemy; shoes. Not just shoes, but fancy shoes AND socks. I stared them down as if maybe I could scare them to get up and run away, but they stayed right there, ready to tie-up my feet and make it impossible to climb anything!
My brother, dressed in his best button down and pants, came to the entrance. He sat down next to me to put his shoes on. ”Come on,” Tomer nudged me, ”We don’t want to be late on your first day.”
So I put the stupid shoes on. Dad leaned down to hug us as we headed out the front door.
“I’ll see you when I’m back.” He whispered to us, and gave me a kiss on the forehead, ”You’ll do great.”
My savior! Not only was the smartest girl in class, but as my best friend she also had to help me study. We always did everything together, and this was no different.
I’m So excited!
mom bought me like All the bookS on the liSt.
but I only got to reAd A bit, With my mom’S-
I AlSo tried reAding, but it’S Sooo boring!
there’S no WAy I’ll get WhAt rAbbi Shimon teAcheS.
If there’S Anything you don’t get I’ll teAch you. you’ll do greAt!
Suddenly the door slammed shut. Everyone got quiet and ran to their seats as Rabbi Shimon walked to the front of the classroom. His presence felt too big for the small classroom, far from the holy scrolls.
“It’s nice to see so many familliar faces.” He smiled at us. I cautiously smiled back. “It’s a big deal to start learning how to cast, working to connect to Judaism by your own findings. I expect you are all ready and excited to dedicate yourself to the class.” Rabbi Shimon walked around the front of the classroom, looking at us in the way that made every word sound important.
”Casting is an ancient tradition, passed down in many different cultures, in all kind of forms. Can anyone name some?” He asked, grabbing a white piece of chalk as students raised their hands excitedly. He called on some and wrote down their answers. Bird Watching, Speaking With the Dead, Tea Reading. Then he wrote down ’Words of Truth’ and circled it on the board.
“The casting form we use as Jews is called Words of Truth. We speak sacred words to alter our reality.”
let’S StArt then. flip to pAge 32 of your bookS-
“This is so boring!” Elissa and I were laying in the Synagogue garden. I rolled over so I could look at the sky instead of my book. ”All we do is study, study, study! I thought we would at least get to cast something by this point!”
”Well to cast we have to first know the words we’ll use.” Elissa chimed in in that oh-so-knowing way.
I Am tAking it SeriouSly! It’S juSt … I don’t get Any of it!
I flapped my arms so she would know I’m seriously peeved. ”But all we do is sit in class, quietly read, fill in worksheets and be boooring! It’s been three days and we haven’t cast one word!”
“This isn’t just goofing around, casting is altering reality, Adi. Remember what the Rabbi said? We need to take it seriously.”
Well I think the reAding iS intereSting.
And... ISn’t it nice to Study together?
It doeSn’t work When it’S All boring And no Action!
yeAh. you’re right.
Are you leArning About StructureS yet?
not yet, but I’ve been reAding About it!
It’S pretty cool huh?
“That was Fariha! And Liam!” I pulled on Elissa’s shirt to get her attention. “Let’s go hang out with them! We haven’t gone to the forest in forever.”
Elissa looked at me, confused. ”But I thought you were going to study? You really need to practice if we want to cast soon.” I looked down at the ground. How stupid! The casting exam was coming up. If I didn’t pass that, everyone but me would start casting. Elissa continued to walk home.
The whole night I felt so restless. I kept getting distracted, I was so going to fail that exam.
We hAve clASS!
guyS!
I’ll be right there!
”How are classes?” Asked Fariha. ”Are you casting yet?” Chimed in Sam.
juSt Who I WAnted to See! huh?
I just had to scoff at this. Elissa, Tommy and I were the only ones from casting families in our class, so while we had to study everyone else got their summer break. “It’s so boooring! All we do is read, no casting or free time at all.”
Sam and Liam looked at eachother, confused. “Oh,” said Liam, “Tommy said his classes are awesome! He’s been casting all these cool stuff, and he gets to choose his familiar next week.”
“That’s so unfair!” I whined to my friends. I didn’t even get to cast, but Tommy got to befriend a cool bird? “I really think I need a day off.”
“I guess you could ask your Mom.” Liam said. I shook my head.
“I have a better idea,” I smirked as I scooted closer to them, their mischevious smiles matching mine. ”Why don’t I just skip class for a day?”
Rabbi Shimon only took attendance at the morning lecture, so as long as I was there for attendance, who would ever notice if I skipped the rest! As long as Mom or Tomer wouldn’t find out, I wouldn’t get in trouble.
And well, if I take one day off, I will have more space to study for that stupid exam on Friday!
Chapter 2
As morning classes ended, I slammed my book shut and quickly packed it away. Obviously it was another boring day, something about the history of the root word for Giving, and what some historians said about it. Who cares! I looked out the window as I thought about my next steps, all I had to do was wait for the others to leave-
”Where should we study?” Elissa said from right behind me. Shoot. I forgot about Elissa! I had to get rid of her, she would totally rat me out to Rabbi Shimon.
“Oh, um...” I thought about my options. I had to lie. “I was thinking of studying alone today?” Elissa’s smile fell. I was too blunt! “I mean, it’s just SOOOO fun to study together, I keep getting distracted! Maybe if I study alone for a day I can be more focused? I really need to prepare for the exam.”
Elissa held her book in front of her, looking down as if I had said the meanest thing in the world. “I guess... Well... If you need me I’ll be by the tree.” Taking a glance back at me, she left for the garden. It was go time!
Skipping was the best idea ever! When I got to the creek my friends already had a plan for the day. Sam’s older sister Cassie hated slimy stuff, and she HATED toads. So obviously, we had to find the biggest, grossest one and scare her with it. Scaring her sister was one of Sam’s favorite pastimes.
he’S perfect!
too round.
not enough WArtS.
too SmAll.
We hAve A Winner!
WhAt do you WAnt SAm?
I WAnted to give you Something.
WhAt’S Wrong With you! eW! SAm!
Where did you find Such A groSS toAd?
In the creek.
cool. you WAnnA do Something ActuAlly fun With it?
ok. All you hAve to do iS SneAk into thAt houSe,
And let the toAd looSe in the Witch’S evil lAborAtory.
iSn’t thAt the lAdy eliSSA’S mom viSitS?
my mom took me once, I thought She WAS nice...
She mAkeS creepy potionS And forceS people to SWAllow SnAkeS. no, She’S evil All the WAy through!
once An old mAn didn’t pAy her in time, So She Stole All hiS teeth And put them in A jAr!
I took a closer look at the old Witch, I had never seen from so close. She was crouched over doing something in the garden. She looked old and mean, definitely a Witch! My Dad told me she was Jewish, but have I ever seen her at the Synagogue? creepy!
Liam looked at me wide-eyed, he was scared. I felt my stomach turn, this could be really dangerous. I didn’t want to get caught by the Witch, but what could I do?
I hesistated as Liam chimed up, “I don’t know about this...” but before he finished his sentence I crouched forward, toad in shirt, and started making my way through the garden. I would do it, I would sneak into the Witch’s house. I heard my friend’s whispered cheering from behind, and felt the sweat running down my back as I imagined what would happen if I was caught.
WAtch out for the vineS, they like StrAngerS.
come bAck!
This was such a dumb idea, Elissa could never hear about this! I had to get out of there. I stayed down, maybe if the Witch didn’t see me she’d forget I was there. The creepy vines entangled me further as I accepted my fate between them. What if she told my Mom?
Wait, what if she stole my teeth? I looked behind me to wave to my friends for rescue, but the bushes were totally empty! They fled without me! They were gonna let her shove snakes down my throat!
”Hey kid, pass me that satchel.” The old Witch called out from her spot, pointing to a rust-colored bag leaning against one of the garden beds nearby. I didn’t want to, but my legs walked on their own towards the bag, the vines loosening as I stepped forward. Walking in the garden almost felt like making my way through a jungle, my bare feet feeling the coolness of the dirt beneath them. I picked up the heavy bag and handed it to the Witch. Then I stood there and watched.
I couldn’t help but watch.
Chapter 3
That night I barely slept, my mind kept working. What was that casting the Witch used? What was up with her weird plants? I HAD to know.
While working to stay awake in the morning classes, I planned my way out of the Synagogue again. I was going to fail that stupid exam anyways.The hardest part was getting Elissa off my tracks. If she knew I was skipping, she would hate it! She would be so mean about it, and she would totally tell Rabbi Shimon. So I lied to her again, that got her to leave. I stuffed the ugly dress in my bag, took off my shoes, and ran all the way to the Witch’s garden.
but pomegrAnAteS Aren’t ripe in june.
WhAt? hoW?
WhAt kind of cASting WAS thAt?
And WhAt’S up With thoSe Weird vineS?
I uSe wordS of truth on my gArden.
And thoSe vineS Are friendS, be nice to them.
uSuAlly not, She mAde them.
there’S my next pAtient.
As the Witch walked into the house with the patient I finally had a second to think over what she said.
I pulled out a few pomegranate seeds and popped them in my mouth. My eyes popped open. They were so delicious! Juicy and sweet and a little tart, they made me think of honey.
”You must be the one who gifted us the garden toad.” The other old lady turned to me, breaking my train of thought. Oh no. They knew I was trying to play a trick on themmaybe the old lady was the Witch’s evil sidekick, she was going to steal my teeth and pull out my hair! I had to say something. I wanted to lie, but no, she could probably read minds. What was I supposed to do?
he SeemS to like it here.
I gulped down the seeds I was chewing. “I just— How does the Witch use Words of Truth like that? Where did she learn it?”
“It’s an ancient healing tradition, herbalism knowledge passed down between generations.” The old lady told me. Then she huffed and gave me a stern look. ”And my Wife isn’t a witch. Her name is Batsheva.”
Alright, finiSh thAt pomegrAnAte And get outtA here.
I
Was this supposed to be the evil lair? It looked nothing like one! There were just a bunch of huge boring looking books, bottles and jars full of dried plants, and some soft chairs to sit on.
Batsheva let out a chortle, “Let’s see how they treated you this time. Show me those rashes.” The boy raised up his
pant legs, where he had huge, red angry rashes all up his legs. I cringed at the sight, rashes from the thornbushes outside town could take weeks to heal, and they hurt a whole lot. I’d know. I watched as Batsheva took a closer look at the boy’s legs.
Batsheva moved over to the big table, where she pulled some jars off of her shelves, and got something out of a little box under the table. ”All it needs is a fresh salve and some kind words.”
”Alright, let’s see that rash again.” Batsheva smiled at the boy, she scooped up some of the salve with her fingers and gently massaged it into his leg. As the salve seeped into the boy’s skin, the rashes vanished, as if never there. How? Was this made from the plants in her garden? I thought Words of Truth were kept for the Synagogue, books and research. Using it like this was so, so much cooler.
Could I do that?
teAch me to cASt like thAt!
That Witch! Why wouldn’t she teach me? Isn’t she supposed to pass this stuff down? I grumpily took one of the wet towels and hung it up on the clothesline.
”How is it going at the Synagogue?” Mom asked from her seat nearby. “It’s been a while since I’ve stopped by.”
“It’s going awesome.” I grumbled, not fully listening. I couldn’t tell her that I hadn’t been going, and that instead I have been sneaking off to Batsheva’s garden. I saw my brother look at me from behind the clothesline.
“I heard you have an exam coming up.” He chimed in.
“Oh, how is that going?” Mom asked.
I shrugged. I was so doomed on that exam, I didn’t even care anymore.
It’S okAy if it tAkeS you A little longer.
SometimeS, you hAve to tAke your oWn initiAtive in leArning, then it’ll pAy off.
Of course! I had to show initiative! Batsheva didn’t know I liked nature, she thought I was just a random twerp! If she knew I could take care of plants, she would have to take me on as a student!
The plan I came up with was genius, and quite simple really. The next day I went to Batsheva’s garden, snuck into her laboratory and borrowed some seeds from her storage. Now I just needed to figure out how to grow them.
”How do you plant a seed? Do you just put it in the ground?” I asked Batsheva. I had been following her around the garden all day, trying to get any information I can about how she takes care of her magic garden. ”How do you know where to plant the seeds? Or what kind of plant a seed makes?”
WhAt wordS do you uSe to grow plAntS reAlly fASt?
”You are annoying, and quite a nosy little brat!” Batsheva shouted, pointing her finger at me. ”You also happen to be trespassing! I already told you, I will not teach you!”
”When was I annoying?” I asked. All I was doing was showing initiative.
“Right now!” Batsheva shouted. ”Go. Do something else!”
I stomped away from the irritated Batsheva. Ugh! Now how was I going to know? She was so stubborn, I had to find another way!
My only choice was to study Batsheva without telling her. If I watched her long enough, I was sure I’d learn something! The next day I took a notebook and a pen with me, and climbed the biggest tree in her garden.
mr. levinSky iS here! yeS yeS, I’m coming over.
Who would’ve known Batsheva kept a bunch of old books in the shed? I looked them over, but even the beginner books were so confusing! Yet between words I didn’t know, and the casting I didn’t understand, I was pretty sure I found enough information to work with. I had to make it work.
thiS plAce probAbly hAS enough light.
And it’S fAr enough, no one Will find it! now I juSt hAve to follow the StepS...
...till the dirt...
...plAnt the SeedS...
...And WAter them!
Done! The next day I returned to my secret garden right after the morning lecture. I watered the plants, and leaned down close to the dirt to see if anything grew. Nothing yet. How long would it take? I couldn’t wait to find out what would grow!
”You’re hovering again.” Batsheva told me. She was separating some purple leaves in the shade of her fig tree.
“I can be here. I’m on public property.” I told her.
”Hmph. What are you so happy about?” Batsheva asked. I shrugged in return, all smiles. I couldn’t spill my secret yet.
you
I learned that it takes a looong time for plants to grow. It has already been a few days, yet nothing has popped out! I really hoped I wasn’t missing something. That day I took the herbalism books home from my safekeep. I only had a few more weeks. I had to figure out how to make them grow!
”Adi!” I jumped as Tomer called me from behind. I forgot, this was when the Rabbi’s classes finished up! I held tighter onto my bag as Tomer walked towards me, hoping he wouldn’t notice I wasn’t wearing the dress from that morning. Tomer immediately snatched the bag out of my hands. ”You look tired, I can carry it.”
I heArd you fAiled the exAm AgAin... you knoW, I cAn teAch you.
It’S So heAvy!
iS it All bookS?
hAhA... yep... gottA Study!
yeAh.
Chapter 4
there. the book SAid you need fertilizer.
So I know Where not to Step!
I cAn’t WAit.
“That’s it. If you have any questions let me know, otherwise it’s self practice time.” Rabbi Shimon said, pulling me back into reality. I had been staring out the window the whole time, thinking about my garden, wondering what Batsheva must be up to. I closed the book that I had read none of, and put it in my bag. She must be with Mr. Levinsky now, he had recently been coming in for his sight problems.
I waited for everyone else to pack up their things and leave the classroom. The students who passed the exam had already started casting, with only a few of us left behind to try again. Of course Elissa passed on her first try! I barely saw her even when I did show up to class. Once everyone was gone, I opened the window and snuck out.
WhAt Are you doing?
going to Study.
no you’re not. IS thiS Why you’ve been fAiling?
becAuSe you’re Skipping?
no, I’m going to Study, juSt outSide the SynAgogue!
don’t SAy thAt if it’S not true.
I Should’ve knoWn you wouldn’t tAke thiS SeriouSly.
I Am tAking it SeriouSly!
It’S not my fAult thAt clASSeS Are boring And cASting iS hArd!
you cAn’t cASt becAuSe you won’t Study! It doeSn’t mAtter if it’S boring, We promiSed We’d do thiS together! tell me the truth.
I’m going to Study.
WhAtever. I gueSS you’re not going to tell me.
I stomped my way to Batsheva’s house. What was wrong with Elissa! Couldn’t she ever just mind her own business? She was so nosy! She didn’t know anything.
Mr. Levinsky was there. I’d never heard him cry before. I stood by the window, not knowing where to go. I wanted to know what was going on, but this probably wasn’t the time. Not if Mr. Levinsky needed privacy. I quietly left from underneath the window and headed into the garden.
”Why was Mr. Levinsky here?” I asked Batsheva, confused.
”He is a patient.” She answered curtly.
”But he didn’t take any medicine with him.” I said. It was true. He usually took heaps and heaps of medicine home, trying to fix his eyes. That day he left with nothing.
”Patients don’t always need medicine. Sometimes they just need to be listened to.” Batsheva said, and walked back into the house.
”You’re not even trying.” Tomer snapped at me.
“I am!” I snipped back. We had been stuck in the same cycle for over an hour! We would go over the book. He would ask me questions, I would answer and he would tell me I was wrong. He would read it again, and ask me to repeat it. I would just mess up again.
try AgAin. repeAt the core cAStingS.
truth of tzedek,
do you even liSten to the rAbbi? I do!
truth of tikkun,
truth of tikvAh...
”You evidently don’t!” Tomer shouted. ”You don’t even know the core castings yet, how are you so behind! Do you want to let down Dad? If you keep going like this, you won’t be able to cast at all by the time he’s back!”
I looked down as he said this. He was always so worried about what Dad thought. But he was right, Dad would be disappointed. “I know.”
Suddenly Tomer wrapped his arms around me, holding tight. “I didn’t mean that, you won’t disappoint Dad. I know you’re trying. Just... You know how excited Dad is that we will both be able to cast with him and the family. We’ll practice more.”
I held onto the hug, hoping he’ll understand.
If I wanted to win over Batsheva and start casting by the time Dad was back, I had to focus. I got everything about herbalism that I could out of the books, but it just wasn’t enough.
What was she placing by the plants? What did it do? Suddenly Batsheva got up, wiped her hands on her apron, and headed inside. She left the bag. The bag of the evil eye sticks was still there.
you know you cAn AlWAyS ASk if you don’t underStAnd Something, right?
Seeing Elissa was weird ever since we had the fight. It felt bad to be in the same room and not talk, bad enough that I thought of skipping morning classes too. And anyways, I didn’t have any time to waste if I wanted to make sure my garden was growing and safe! I packed up my things quickly and left my garden, sweaty from work.
“Is that Adi?” I heard from behind me. ”Yeah, Adi! Over here!” It was Sam, she was waving at me from further in the distance. Fariha was holding her soccer ball. I realized they must be heading to the forest clearing, where my garden was.
”Guys! I saw a huuuuge blackberry bush just that way.” I told them, “Let’s go pick some!” I grabbed onto their shoulders, trying to seem as calm as can be, and led them down to another part of the forest. If you’re here AnyWAyS you might AS Well be uSeful. pASS me thoSe StickS.
Chapter 5
It’ll be So Sunny tomorroW, it’S perfect for the beAch!
Ahh it’S been So long!
mom cAn I go too?
thAt won’t work, your dAd comeS home tomorroW. tomorroW?!
”Your Dad is done with his research work early, so he’s ready to come back.” Mom explained. Wait. But I wasn’t ready! Batsheva hasn’t accepted me as her student, and I didn’t know how to cast yet. Mom looked at us, puzzled. ”What, aren’t you two happy he’s coming back?”
“Of course!” Tomer and I shouted. Obviously I wanted to see Dad! I was just hoping I would be casting by then. I would have to be accepted by Batsheva tomorrow. I wondered if my garden was ready, if there was anything else I could do to prepare. If only Elissa was here, she always knew what to do!
The next day, I ran down to my garden right after breakfast. I had no clue when Dad was coming home that day, and I wanted to be Batsheva’s student by then. I couldn’t wait to tell Dad!
I kneW it.
”You haven’t been studying at the Synagogue at all, have you?” Tomer stomped his way towards me, stepping over the branches I’ve laid on the dirt to mark the garden. ”You’ve just been wasting your time on... Whatever this is!”
Whatever this is? It was a garden, my garden! I stood up straight and locked eyes with him, holding my ground. I had to explain, if he knew what I was doing, I knew he would cheer me on. “It’s my garden! I have a plan-”
“It doesn’t matter!” Tomer cuts me off. “Maybe you didn’t notice, but Mom is worried about you. You’re giving up! You’re letting everyone down, just wait until Dad finds out why you’re failing!”
I clenched my fists, frustrated. “I’m not letting anyone down! You’ll see, I’m going to be a caster too! Just... In a different way.”
there iS no different WAy, Adi!
“I have to get to class.” Tomer whispered, and left.
”Adi! Come here.” I heard Dad call as I closed the front door behind me. He was sitting on the couch with his arms outstretched, waiting for me to sit next to him. There were tea glasses on the table, Dad was in the middle of telling Mom and Tomer stories about his research. I nodded cautiously, and kept my eyes down as I walked towards my bedroom. I didn’t want them to see my puffy red eyes.
I stuffed my face in the pillow, this was so embarrassing. Tomer was right, I was a disappointment! I pushed my head further into the pillow, hoping its softness would take away my thoughts.
Adi? IS everything okAy?
I WAnt to help, but I cAn’t if I don’t know WhAt’S Wrong.
I’m A fAilure.
WhAt?
I’m A fAilure!
I’m no cASter At All, I’ll never be one!
I jumped out of the bed and ran out the door as Dad tried to grab me. I could hear Mom call out to me, but I was down the street before they could even put their shoes on. I didn’t want to face them, I didn’t want them to know.
Chapter 6
Before I realized it, my feet led me to Batsheva’s garden. I didn’t know what took me there, but as I stepped past the gate and felt the coolness of the dirt beneath my feet, I let out a breath I didn’t notice I was holding. I made my way through the garden, grazing the leaves with the palms of my hands.
I’m Sorry, I told you it’ll tAke time to outSource the floWerS.
I hAven’t been groWing them thiS SeASon.
I don’t underStAnd! you kneW I’ve been Struggling AgAin. you told me you’ll grow them.
I knoW, AgAin I Apologize-
I didn’t expect to see Elissa there, but I should’ve known as soon as I saw her Mom with Batsheva. I felt my body stiffen at the sight of her, not sure how to react.
”Hey.” Elissa said to me, playing with the vines.
”Hey.” I answered back. ”How come your Mom is here?”
”Her nightmares got worse.” Elissa explained, I crouched down next to her, reaching my hand towards the vines and watching as they curled around me.
oh. I didn’t knoW.
We cAn’t Seem to WArd off the evil eye.
hAve you been getting enough Sleep?
Well... no...
We’ve been trying to mAnAge it, but it’S hArd.
IS thiS Where you’ve been SneAking thiS Whole time? Why Are you here?
I WAS hoping to leArn Something, but I don’t think it’S going Well.
“I
wish you would’ve told me. I wouldn’t have judged.” Elissa mumbled.
Suddenly the door opened, and Mrs. Blum came out to the garden empty-handed. She called Elissa, who with a weak smile got up and followed her Mom.
Where could it be? they Should be in here!
you muSt’ve miSplAced it.
bAtShevA, it hAppenS.
I couldn’t hAve! I AlWAyS keep my night rue SeedS right here, SpecificAlly for mrS. blum.
they couldn’t hAve juSt floWn AWAy!
Night Rue. I recognized that name. I turned around and ran to the clearing where my garden once was. I tried not to look at what it has become as I reached towards my safekeep. I pulled out my watering bottle, the books, bag of fertilizer, and then I found it. The stash of seeds I stole.
Shuffling through the names on the seeds, I found what I looked for. I knew they were here.
As I reached Elissa’s house I stopped in my tracks. I had no clue what to say. What was I supposed to say? Should I have apologized and said I was wrong? Was she wrong? Out of breath, I held on to the Night Rue flowers, stepped closer to the door, and knocked.
put it in A pouch under mrS. blum’S pilloW.
I reAd thAt’S WhAt you Should do With it. It WAS in A book.
thAnkS...
yep.
I’m Sorry. I WASn’t there for you, I Shouldn’t hAve kept thiS A Secret.
I juSt... I AlSo WAnted to be good At Something.
I don’t like not Seeing you, but I don’t WAnt to Study At the SynAgogue Anymore.
Chapter 7
There was one more thing I needed to do. I hurried back to Batsheva’s garden, needing to tell her the truth.
I felt my shirt sticking to my back, not sure if the sweat was from running earlier or the fear of telling Batsheva now. She would be angry. She would call me nosy, bratty, useless, annoying and a thief. Maybe it was all true.
bAtShevA? not noW.
I... I took them. I’m reAlly Sorry, I didn’t know they Were importAnt!
I took the SeedS.
they Were the firSt thing I SAW, And I needed them. I WAS groWing A gArden to prove mySelf!
but it WAS A miStAke. I know I didn’t liSten to you, And thAt I’m reAlly Annoying. I gAve mrS. blum the night rue... All thAt I WAS Able to groW.
So... I’m reAlly Sorry, I won’t tAke your thingS AgAin, And I won’t come by Anymore, AndShow me the gArden.
there’S nothing to See. It’S gone.
I’ll See About thAt. Show me the gArden.
“Okay.” I said, trying to pull myself together. Just one more thing to prove that I was a stupid kid, that I couldn’t even protect my plants. We quietly walked through the forest together, our bare feet crunching on the leaves and grasses of the forest floor. It was getting dark, the only light getting through the canopy was the moon in the sky.
When we got to the garden, I couldn’t look at what remained of it. ”See? Nothing.”
plAntS Are living creAtureS.
If you liSten to their needS, they cAn AlmoSt AlWAyS be heAled.
thAt iS your firSt leSSon. WhAt?
tAke thiS plAnt home, you’ll need to prActice there too.
come to the gArden tomorrow morning.
And bring the bookS you Stole.
Feeling the weight of the pot in my arms, I walked home. What just happened? Was I Batsheva’s student, an herbalist? Did that make me a caster again?
As I walked home in the dark, I finally noticed how tired my legs were. My face was blushed. All I wanted to do was lay down and sleep.
I had to get home, I had to tell Mom and Dad, I had to tell Tomer!
Where did you go, Adi? you found her!
mom?
I’m not Sure WhAt hAppened, but let’S tAlk it out. I’m Sorry.
I don’t like Studying At the SynAgogue.
thAt’S okAy.
I WAnt to be An herbAliSt. like bAtShevA. oh... Alright.
I hAd A fight With tomer. We knoW. I think he’S reAlly mAd. he’S not.
he WAS worried And then overreActed. but he Will Apologize.
thiS iS my neW plAnt. It’S A night rue. It’S for homeWork.
Where do you WAnt to put it?
Herbalism is the study of medicine through plants. It exists in every culture, because plants are well... Everywhere! Women who practiced herbalism in Jewish history were known as ”wise women.” They were pillars of their community – as healers, midwives, and a person to talk to.
Herbalism is still practiced today, even if we don’t notice it! Drinking chamomile tea when you’re sick, swallowing honey for a sore throat, or rubbing aloe vera on a sunburn are all ways to use plants for healing, and there are many many more such uses out there.
This is a Final Production from Graphic Storytelling, The Animation Workshop, Via University College, 2025
This is the summer Adi was going to cast magic! At least... that’s what she thought. She didn’t think it would be this hard. Or boring.
Overwhelmed by her family and friends’ expectations, she runs off to Batsheva’s garden, hoping to learn from the old lady how to become a healer.