Brad’s parents had always warned him, “Never talk to gypsies!” But Brad was curious, so, he wandered through their camp and entered a tent. Madam Cornelia with curls and hooped ear-rings stared at him. “Come boy, let’s see your future,” she said with a grin, showing her stained, crooked teeth. The gypsy had a huge crystal ball in front of her. She gazed into it. “Leaping flames,” she said. Spooked by the gypsy’s raspy voice and menacing laugh, Brad ran away. That night, loud screams and voices woke him. He felt very hot and stuffy. His father came running into the room, picked him up and ran out of the house. Brad realised his house was on fire. Huge flames leapt up, turning the sky yellow orange. The firemen doused the fire. The next day, Brad saw a crystal ball in his room. Brad looked into the crystal ball. He saw the gypsy grinning back at him.
The Crystal Ball
