"When I see bad guys doing bad things,
I use my wand and turn them into stone.
So, be careful around this!
But, I know you aren't bad, Mom."

-Norah, playing dress up and pretending after hearing
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe on CD.

I do plan to teach her that witchcraft is "bad, very bad," but for now, I am focusing on the fact that Norah has an uncompromising sense of justice and an understanding of her responsibility to try and right the wrongs she sees.

I also realize that this fuzzy wand is the only pretend weapon she has right now. Those dumb dress up kits at the toy stores get it all wrong, you know. Maybe I'll try and find her a plastic bow and arrow set, so she can model herself after Susan or a plastic knife and a container of "healing juice," so she can be more like Lucy. Her dad would, no doubt, prefer that I get her a set of toy pistols and hip holsters. But, she'd really have no idea what to do with those right now, since we haven't read any stories about the heroes of the wild west or at least, we haven't yet.

Like I've said before, young children will use whatever they are provided to fuel their imaginations. So, even before they can read the stories for themselves, as soon as they can enjoy them, why not let them listen to the best, most timeless, most celebrated, most magical, most inspirational tales ever told? The heroes and morals in these stories will, no doubt, shape who they are today and who they will become tomorrow.

And, maybe one day, I will be thrilled to see the grown up version of my little girl using her "magic" to care for the broken or free the oppressed.