The Magic Mrs. Rickles

Tom arrives at the office to find a mysterious woman (Lisa Kirk) answering the phones. Tina introduces the woman as her mother from Sioux City. Mrs. Rickles has a propensity to misremember names. She is a believer in superstition and magic, giving Eddie a charm and teaching him a chant to get an "A" on his test the next day. Rational Tom knows the answer is studying, but feels pressured to allow what could be innocent fun. Eddie, however, has forgotten his study material at school, but is sure the magic charm will work. At school, Eddie teaches it to Joey. She is the worst in class at spelling and wishes for a "B", and gets it. Eddie is thrilled to have gotten an "A" without studying and now feels with the charm he'll never have to study again, much to his father's chagrin. Joey pushes Eddie to prove it to his dad by wishing for what he wants most in life- a mother. Instantly, a substitute teacher, Miss Huffman (Chris Woodley) walks up to Eddie and the two begin to get to know one another. Eddie begins matchmaking. When Tom explains to him that she is engaged to someone else, he feels he didn't wish properly. Mrs. Rickles gifts Tom a special figurine that when rubbed grants any wish. Tom expresses his displeasure of how Eddie has been affected by her magical mindset. She understands and apologizes and the two become affable to one another. Mrs. Rickles gives Eddie "The Velveteen Rabbit" book and reads aloud a lesson on being real. Tom begins to see that magic may merely be intense will power made up of imagination, hard work, and loving intentions. Perhaps there is a special wish that may come true after all.

Moral: Magic is intense will power comprised of imagination, hard work, and loving intentions.

A good lesson on what magic really is.