Read the selection and then answer each question.
Delmar and His Disappearing Dog
by Bradford H. Robie
1 Delmar was a poor farmer who lived with his dog, Griffin, in a small village. To earn extra money, Delmar performed magic tricks with Griffin in the village square. He was a good magician, able to make a handkerchief float and flutter like a butterfly, but he wanted to be great.
2 A wizard named Trikken lived in a castle on a nearby mountain. It was said that the secret of invisibility—changing things so they cannot be seen—had been passed to him by a legendary magician. Trikken promised to share the spell with other skillful magicians, but never did.
3 Delmar often wished Trikken would share the spell with him, believing that such knowledge would make him great.
4 One morning, Delmar decided to visit the wizard and ask him directly for the secret. After a long, difficult climb with Griffin, Delmar found Trikken sitting peacefully in his garden.
5 Delmar bowed and introduced himself. “I am just a poor farmer and a lowly magician, but I wish to learn your secret of invisibility.”
6 The wizard laughed. “I’ve seen you perform, but why would I share the greatest magic spell in the world with you?”
7 “Because it was meant to be shared among other magicians,” Delmar said. “Your teacher said so.”
8 “Very well,” Trikken said. “You are a respected magician, so I will tell you. First, place your right hand on top of your head. Then recite these words: nunc evanesce!”
9 Delmar repeated the spell—and was astonished to find he had vanished. “I’m not here!” he cried, looking down at where his body had been.
10 But Trikken wasn’t interested and went back to admiring the scenery.
11 “Um,” Delmar said, “are you going to undo the spell?”
12 The wizard teased, “Why, you didn’t tell me you wanted to learn that, too! That spell will cost you . . . your dog!”
13 “Griffin?” Delmar cried. “But the spell is supposed to be shared. You tricked me, and I will not give up my dog!”
14 Trikken shrugged. “Suit yourself. Perhaps you will change your mind.”
15 “Please,” Delmar begged, “just remove the spell.”
16 “Then give me the dog,” Trikken said, grabbing for Griffin’s collar.
17 Delmar swiftly placed his hand on Griffin’s head. “Nunc evanescet!” he shouted, and the now invisible dog bounded off, barking excitedly.
18 “How can I capture a dog I can’t see?” Trikken cried.
19 The wizard followed Griffin’s barking into the castle, where the dog led him on a wild chase. Following hotly behind, Trikken cast powerful magic spells in the direction of the naughty dog, but nothing stopped him.
20 “Take your dog home!” Trikken shrieked. “I want nothing more to do with him!”
21 “Gladly,” Delmar said. “But please, you must share the secret of visibility.”
22 “Anything!” Trikken raged, growing more impatient and rattling off a spell. “Pinch your nose with your left hand and repeat after me: Nunc evanescet!”
23 Delmar did as he said and watched with relief as his body reappeared. He whistled for Griffin and then made him reappear, too.
24 So that is how Delmar learned the secret of invisibility, kept his dog, and finally became the Great Delmar. Many years later, at the end of his career, he passed his knowledge on to other magicians, so they, too, could brighten people’s days with amazing magic shows. And as for Trikken, he never made anything disappear again.
