1 Believe. Believe. Believe.
The key to securing fairy friendship is believing that fairies exits. In Peter Pan, J.M. Barrie wrote, “Every time a child says ‘I don’t believe in fairies’ there is a fairy somewhere that falls down dead.” You definitely don’t want that to happen, so follow Pete’s advice: Clap your hands and say, “I believe in fairies!” to keep them alive and to increase your odds of finding one.
2 Plant a seed.
To attract your garden-variety fairies, fill your garden with their favorite flowers and plants, like foxgloves, ferns, and primroses. Tulips make cozy beds for fairy babies, and if you’re up at the crack of dawn, you might catch a glimpse of these tiny tots. You can also build a fairy house (similar to a bird house) with twigs and rocks. Fairies like sparkle, so add some crystals and beads.
Signs a Fairy Might Be Nearby
• A whisper in the leaves
• The tinkling of bells
• The appearance of a pretty feather
• A sudden pleasant smell
3 Go mushroom hunting.
Some legends say that a ring of mushrooms is formed by fairies dancing in a circle and is a portal to a fairy world. And if you skip around a mushroom ring nine times on the night of a new moon, you may hear sounds from that magical world. In any case, where there are mushrooms, there’s a good chance there are fairies (the mushrooms on your pizza don’t count).
BE AWARE • If you visit the fairy world, don’t eat or drink anything. If you do, the rules of fairy lore say you have to stay in fairy land forever!
4 Churn some butter.
According to English folklore, good fairies love butter, and you can summon one by making butter while chanting, “Come, butter, come. Come, butter, come. Peter stands at the gate, waiting for a buttered cake. Come, butter, come!” If that doesn’t work ...
5 Bring out the sweets.
Fairies love sweet things, especially honey. Pour some honey on a plate and leave it on your front steps or windowsill. You could also try leaving fruit like currants (a fairy favorite). Don’t be insulted if a fairy only takes a quick nibble and then flies off. Keep providing the goodies, and the fairies should grow to trust you.
6 What’s the catch?
Never catch or trap a fairy, or the fairy and its friends will wreak havoc on your life in the form of pranks and mischief.
Fairy Trouble
Not all stories about fairies are pleasant ones. During the nineteenth century, fairies were blamed for all kinds of mischief, such as tangling people’s hair and stealing small objects. To ward off these “evil fairies,” believers wore iron charms, turned their clothes inside out, and left out stale bread. Of course, blaming “evil fairies” comes in handy when you’ve cut the cheese!
How to Defeat Medusa
Imagine a creature so ghastly, so utterly repulsive, that the mere sight of her will turn you to stone. With serpentine hair that slithers and hisses, Medusa puts the “Ugh!” in ugly. Many a hero tried to take down the nasty hag, only to find himself turned into a permanent fixture in her lair. Finally, someone figured out how to tackle this stone-cold killer. Here’s the secret, in case you’re unlucky enough to run into Medusa II.
1 Don’t look now.
If you think you’re having a bad hair day, take a look at Medusa’s locks for some perspective. Wait! Don’t! If you look directly at this snake-haired Gorgon, or even sneak a peek, you’ll turn to stone faster than you can say “Gross.” Medusa’s lair is a bona fide art museum full of sculptures of people who were foolish enough to lay their eyes on her. So how exactly are you supposed to defeat Medusa if you can’t even look at her?
2 Use a shield.
In Greek mythology, the hero Perseus was charged with the task of beheading Medusa. His secret weapon? A very shiny bronze shield that was given to him by the Goddess of Wisdom, Athena. Using his reflective shield, Perseus was able to see his target without looking directly at her. Unless Athena is a friend of the family, you’ll probably want to visit your local blacksmith and ask for a specially made, highly polished bronze shield (and a nice sharp sword while you’re at it). Or, just snatch a mirror off your living room wall.
Beauty Before Beast
Medusa wasn’t always an eyesore! She was once a beautiful woman who prized her beautiful ringlets of hair above all else. But when the dashing damsel upset the goddess Athena, Athena turned her locks into serpents, transforming the once beautiful Medusa into a hideous monster.
3 Shield, shield, on the wall.
As you make your way into Medusa’s lair, listen closely. You should soon hear the hissing of Medusa’s serpentine hairdo. Once you’re in striking distance, lean your reflective shield against the wall. And wait.
4 Sneak, step, and strike.
You want to take Medusa by surprise, so use the statues of her victims to hide behind (they won’t mind!). Then be still. When Medusa’s face appears in your shield, brace yourself (she is not a pretty sight!). Once she gets in range, step out from behind your statue, close your eyes tightly, and swing for the neck.
Other Mythological Creatures on Your To-Slay List
• Minotaur. The Athenian king Theseus took down this half-bull–half-man beast with a magic sword, but killing Minotaur is only half the battle. You also need to escape the labyrinth built by the master-builder Daedalus.
• Cyclops. This giant has one eye smack-dab in the middle of its forehead. Take a cue from the hero Odysseus, who managed to escape the cyclops Polyphemus by striking its eye with a stake.
• Chimera. With the body of a goat, the head of a lion, and the tail of a serpent, this she-monster breathes fire. In order to take her down, you need to strike from a distance, using a bow and arrow, like the hero Bellerophon (see “The Story of Pegasus” on page 97).
How to Be a Sorcerer’s Apprentice
Sorcery isn’t all fun and magic wands. Most spells are cast using ancient languages, and speaking them correctly demands hours of study and learning from a master. Here’s how to be a star student.
1 Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty.
Alchemy, or the mixing of potions, is an important part of becoming a sorcerer. Potions are often made up of unappealing ingredients, like wriggling spider legs, lizard eyes, and snake tongues. If you’re squeamish, start slow. Work up from one spider leg to three. Before you know it, nothing will faze you.
2 Spell-check before you spell-wreck.
Make sure you practice magic only under your teacher’s supervision. Spells can have significant consequences if cast incorrectly. You may think you’re reciting a spell to conjure up a hamburger, only to mispronounce a word and summon a hobgoblin.
From the Vault: Merlin the Magnificent
Merlin, the wizard from the legend of King Arthur, was a sorcerer and advisor to King Arthur and his Round Table, a group of the bravest knights in the kingdom. Later, Merlin fell for an enchantress who tricked him into teaching her all of his magic. She then imprisoned him in a tree—not exactly the nicest way to thank your teacher.
How to Get What You Want from a Genie
Just like Aladdin in One Thousand and One Nights, you’re polishing a tarnished antique oil lamp, when all of a sudden you are looking up into the twinkling eyes of a bejeweled figure who exclaims, “Your wish is my command!” Of course, you like the sound of those five words. Just be careful what you wish for...
1 Think before wishing.
A genie often grants wishes in ways that cause the wisher to wish he’d never wished the wish in the first place (try saying that three times in a row!). So, make sure the wording of your wish is crystal clear with lots of details and no room for a second (or third) interpretation.
2 Make your last wish count.
Often the best last wish is to undo the first two wishes or to wish the genie back into the lamp, so he can’t cause any more trouble. Oh, and the whole “I wish for more wishes” bit won’t fly with genies. That’s on their “Do not grant�
�� list, so don’t even try!
What You Might Wish for... and What You Might Get!
• To be able to fly. The genie makes you afraid of heights.
• To be a rock star. The genie makes you a geologist who studies rocks all day.
• To be rich. The genie turns you into delectable milk chocolate.
How to Swim with a Mermaid
You’re out deep-sea fishing, and nothing’s biting. You decide to chill out, lean back, and take in the wide expanse of the deep blue sea. Suddenly, you see a large tail fin break the water in the distance. As you survey the splash, you see long blond hair on the water’s surface. Are your eyes playing tricks on you, or is it the ever-elusive mermaid—your biggest catch of the day?
1 Far out, dude!
You’re not gonna find a mermaid batting a beach ball around at the local beach. According to folklore, mer-folk live deep beneath the sea. They prefer to swim among rocky coves and caverns far from any popular beaches and sea routes—though they may swim upriver to freshwater lakes. Ask experienced seafarers where mermaids are rumored to be. Next thing you know, you’ll be yelling, “Mermaid, ho!”
2 Listen up.
Once you’re headed toward Mermaidville, listen up. Mermaids are known for their beautiful singing. Head toward the sound, but be careful! The song may be coming from a Siren, a mischievous seafaring creature that’s half-bird–half-human. Sirens’ songs enchant sailors and place them under a spell, causing sailors to walk off ship decks or to crash their ships into rocks.
BE AWARE • Every sailor worth his sea salt knows not to harm a mermaid. Legend says that if you do, a terrible storm will rage, endangering your ship and crew.
3 Rock out.
If you’ve got some pipes, try coaxing a mermaid to emerge by singing a little ditty of your own. Mermaids prefer the peacefulness of the sea, so don’t belt out any heavy metal. Choose a classic sea chantey instead, like “Blow the Man Down” or “Good-bye, Fare Thee Well.” Mermaids will only be attracted to a pleasant voice—they’re the ultimate talent show judges. (Plus, you don’t want to be pelted by seashells. Ouch!)
The Little Mermaid
What a mermaid will do for love! In Hans Christian Andersen’s tale, “The Little Mermaid,” a beautiful mermaid is willing to trade her cushy life in an underwater paradise for the love of a handsome prince on land. Because she drinks a potion that changes her fin to legs, the mermaid is never allowed back to her watery paradise. This story gives a whole new meaning to “sea legs.”
How to Outwit a Leprechaun
Sometimes, little things can be big trouble. Such is the case with the leprechaun, a wily little Irishman full of mischief and mind tricks. If you can manage to outwit him, though, you could find yourself with a big ol’ pot o’ gold.
1 Here’s the catch.
Legend says that leprechauns live in hollows under trees or in furnished caves. Rather than squeezing yourself into an uncomfortably small place, you’ll want to lure one your way. Prop up a box supported by a stick connected to a long string. Under the box, leave your bait: either something gold (leprechauns like to add to their pot) or an old shoe (leprechauns are cobblers by nature, so they can’t resist a shoe in need of repair).
BE AWARE • Leprechauns were originally known for wearing red clothing, not green.
2 Have a staring contest.
Watch your trap like a hawk. Leprechauns may be small—they’re only 2 feet (60 centimeters) tall—but they’re fast. When you see the leprechaun take the bait, pull the string, allowing the box to fall and cover him. Remove the box and lock your gaze on the man o’ mischief, or he’ll vanish.
3 Strike a deal.
Leprechauns may be tricky, but they’re also o’-so predictable: When you catch one, he’ll probably want to trade his freedom for information about his pot o’ gold. According to leprechaun lore, as long as you look the leprechaun in the eye when you make the deal, he should tell you where the gold is buried.
BE AWARE • A leprechaun may try to bribe you before giving up the information about his pot o’ gold. Don’t fall for any of his tricks, including the offer of a gold coin. It will turn to dust once you release him.
Trick and No Treat
There are many tales about leprechauns outwitting humans. In one famous story, a leprechaun told the man who caught him that his pot o’ gold was buried under a bush. The man then tied a red ribbon to the bush. The leprechaun promised that he would not remove the ribbon or the gold. When the man returned with a shovel to claim his prize, he found that the leprechaun had tied red ribbons to hundreds of bushes.
How Not to Get Crushed by a Giant
So you know how to deal with the little guys and gals—leprechauns and fairies—but what about the big fellas? Just like their name, giants are, well, giant. Some can be friendly, but most would like to crush you, then eat you, and use your little bones as toothpicks. Here’s how to avoid being tonight’s appetizer.
1 Duck and cover.
On open ground, you can’t outrun a giant. One of their steps equals ten of yours, and a well-placed one will squash you like an ant. But if you’re in a forest or indoors, you can duck in and out of nooks and crannies where a giant can’t fit.
2 Fee fitoe fum.
Most giants don’t wear shoes, leaving their feet vulnerable to an attack. Being vertically challenged, you can’t help but stare at a giant’s ugly toes. Jab right between them—where the stinky toe jam lives—with a stick, or slam down a stone squarely on one of his toenails. Then run and hide!
A Tall Tale
“Jack and the Beanstalk” shows that brains (and greed) can prevail over brawn. Jack successfully climbed the stalk twice—nabbing gold and a hen that laid golden eggs—but the third time wasn’t quite a charm. When the giant caught wind of Jack, Jack took down the stalk and the ogre with an axe . . . and lived happily ever after.
Appendix
Field Guide To Magical Woodland Creatures
When a quest takes you deep into the magical forest, you’ll want to know how to deal with the creatures that dwell there. Here are some of the usual suspects.
• Elves. A far cry from the vertically challenged toy makers from the North Pole, these pointy-eared, quick, and wise elves can be of great help to any adventurer. Elves are said to be immortal and have magical abilities, including great healing powers. Elvish singing (not to be confused with Elvis!) can raise the spirits of those who are wounded or those who are feeling down in the dumps. Elves also have hawklike vision and are able to see in the dark, making them great scouts for any adventurer’s party.
• Dwarves. The short and stocky linebackers of woodland creatures, dwarves often sport beards and heavy armor and are skilled with axes. These master metalsmiths will offer you magical weapons and armor (for the right payment, of course).
• Trolls. These big dudes aren’t going to win any woodland creature beauty pageants! They have tough skin, long noses, questionable hygiene, and animal-carcass breath. Trolls won’t eat humans, but they are known to hurl rocks at passersby.
• Gnomes. Gnomes are tiny little guys (smaller than a newborn baby) who wear pointed hats that are nearly as tall as they are. They are peaceful creatures who guard the animals of the forest, freeing them from traps and tending to the injured.
Form For Documenting a UFO Sighting
Form For Documenting a Bizarre-Creature Sighting
About the Experts
These experts reviewed select tips in this handbook and offered smart advice. Consider them the wizards of weird!
Rachel Connolly is the director of the Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium at the University of Louisville. She was previously the Education Manager at the American Museum of Natural History’s Hayden Planetarium in New York City, and, before that, a high school physics teacher in the Bronx. She is currently completing her Ph.D. at Columbia University’s Teachers College where she has held a NASA Graduate Fellowship.
Carl Mehling is
a paleontology collections manager in a natural history museum and he has been fascinated by fossils since childhood. Carl has collected fossils around the world, and sees no end to the surprises offered by the fossil record. Carl spends a good amount of time traveling to study the organisms of Earth’s past.
About the Authors
David Borgenicht is the coauthor and creator of all the books in the Worst-Case Scenario series. He has never encountered vampires, zombies, or ghosts but claims to have seen Bigfoot in the mountains outside of Salt Lake City, Utah, where he grew up. Then again, it might just have been a really hairy fellow camper.
Justin Heimberg has, from time to time, been considered weird. Maybe it’s because he creates “art” by wrapping pieces of used gum around a coat hanger. Then again, maybe it’s just because he is weird, a label he welcomes with great cheerfulness.
About the Illustrator
Chuck Gonzales is very pleased to be involved with another Worst-Case Scenario Junior edition. Especially one with zombies, vampires, and aliens. Although he’s never had to fight any off, knowledge is power!
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