It’s so dark and cold, I think I’m lost, I’d better sleep here the night and wait till dawn to find my way home.
(WART nestles under a tree for shelter - after a while he sees a light in the distance) Oh, thank goodness, a small cottage over there, I have to get there for shelter, I do hope the owner is kind.
(He walks briskly toward the cottage and knocks on the door - a strange looking man with a very long beard dressed in a long cloak and holding a long stick opens the door)

Ah, Wart! I’ve been expecting you, you took your time didn’t you, did you get lost?

Well, yes I did get lost, but how do you know my name, and why were you expecting me?

I am Merlyn. Come inside and warm yourself by the fire young Sir. A glass of my secret herbal tea?

Not for me thanks, do you have anything else?

No.

Ok, then tea, what herb is it?

Well if I told you that it wouldn’t be secret, now would it! (Pours the tea) Now then, I will be your tutor and your guide, and …

Er.. excuse me, but I’ve just come for shelter, maybe a bite to eat, and now you tell me you’re going to be my tutor and my guide!!

I’m sorry, let me explain. I am Merlyn and I am .. well, I’m a wizard!

(Frowning) A wizard? Have you any idea how crazy that sounds, and actually how crazy you look??

Well, I am a wizard, you wouldn’t expect me to wear normal clothes now would you?

(Thinking he’s crazy) OK, then .. Mr Merlyn!

Now then, you have no idea what will become of you do you?

‘What will become of me!!??’ … Well er … no of course not, nobody can tell the future, can they?

I can! I live life backwards, so I can see what is going to happen in the future, you will be a great man one day Wart .. a great man!

A great man, yeah right! Look at me I’m just a simple country boy.

Yes, you are now, but you will learn much knowledge from me.

OK, will you teach me how to be a wizard like you?

(Laughing softly) Oh no, no, you are destined to do so much more, but first you must learn the ways of the world.

The ways of the world? What do you mean?

With my powers I will transform you.

Transform me? Into what??

You will learn to swim, like a fish, hunt and fly like a hawk, work like an ant, be as graceful as a goose, and be as wise as a badger.

But, what about my Step Father, he wants me to have an education and learn all sorts of trades and writing, I’m not sure if he’d want me to be as graceful as a Goose!

Go back to your Step Father and show him my references, you will return tomorrow, I guarantee it! (MERLYN gives WART some papers and he exits running off) (MERLYN goes to sleep in his chair, and awakes the next morning to WART banging on the door)

Mr Merlyn! Mr Merlyn! (MERLYN let’s him in) OK, you win, I don’t know what was in those papers, but my Stepfather has asked for you to be my tutor! Can we leave out the goose bit though! I’m not sure what my friends would say!

You will have many friends, Wart, don’t you worry about that, we will start later today, now fetch the firewood so we can keep warm.

But I’ve been running all through the forest all morning to get here, can’t I rest for a while?

Ah, I can see we will first have to transform you into an ant!

An ANT? Why?

Ants are very strong for their size, they work together for and with each other for the benefit of the whole colony, this is something you must learn Wart.

Ok, ok, if I get the firewood, can you not turn me into an ant until after lunch please?

Hmmm! Let me think about it. (WART exits) (to himself) Hmm .. this could be harder than I thought!

(WART Returns with the wood - loads it on the fire) OK, now how do we light it?

Leave it me, stand back. (MERLYN points his stick at the fire and says) ‘IGNIS LITICUS’ - (the fire lights up)

Whoa! That’s a neat trick! Can I have a go?

No you can’t ... Arthur.

(Aside) Oh, my! He’s so old he doesn’t even remember my name, this is not a good start!! (Aloud to MERLYN but politely) Er… it’s not Arthur Mr Merlyn, it’s Wart, they call me Wart.

Mmm .... For now, maybe!

(WART shrugs his shoulders) Oh, well, bring on the ant!