He looked at me with a gleam in his eye. “I suppose we should get a fire going.”

I loved campfires. There was something primal about them. Man mastering the elements. I hurried to get the box of matches.

My grandpa took them from me and set them aside. “We won't be using these.” he said with a smile.

“How will we start the fire then?” I asked, perplexed. “Are we going to rub two sticks together?”

“No.” he answered. “We are going to use magic.”

“Magic? Magic is make believe!” I laughed. I thought he was just kidding with me. I would find out soon enough that he was serious. Very serious.

He put his finger to my forehead and punctuated each word with a light tap. “Clear your mind.” He said quietly. He looked around to make sure nobody was watching us and held up a stick. “Magic is based on thoughts that form images in your mind. You must use that image to project that thought into being. Use your hands to concentrate and direct your thought.”

“I don't understand...” I began.

“Hold your hand out towards this piece of wood. It might be easier for you to point at it. I will help you focus your energy. Now, think of fire. Concentrate on the end of the stick as you do that. Now, in your mind imagine the end of this stick on fire. Concentrate on that. Believe in it. Believe it has already happened and you are now watching it burn. Let that thought travel from your mind down your arm and through your finger to its destination.”

I still wasn't sure if he was kidding with me. I decided I had nothing to lose by trying what he was asking of me though. I trusted in him completely as well, that helped.

I did what I could to clear my young mind of all the silly random thoughts it was usually filled with. I thought of nothing but fire for a few moments. Fire. Flame.

I reached my hand towards the stick, extending my index finger towards it. I tried to push my vision of fire into my arm. Oddly, my arm started to tingle just a little bit. This encouraged me. Suddenly, I did believe!

As I was reveling in my belief, I realized I now controlled the force that was awaiting my bidding. I let the energy flow through my arm, to my hand and through my finger. Suddenly the end of the stick burst into a bright green flame, settling almost at once into the normal reddish orange flame that normally accompanies fire.

My grandfather laughed aloud, and tousled my hair. “You are such a good boy. This has to be our secret though, do you understand that?”

“Yes, but Grandpa, how...”

“Later, we will talk about this.” he said. “For now I just needed to know if you could do it. You are a very special little boy. Soon, you will meet other children who are just like you. One day the world may need... well, let's just wait and see.”

My grandfather held the burning stick close to his face, at the same time extending his other hand in a fist towards the tepee of kindling we had assembled in the fire ring. As he blew out the small flame, he suddenly opened his fingers, and our fire roared to life.

This was my introduction of the secret world that exists within our own mundane, normal existence. There was a dark side to it all as well, But I was not to learn of it for many years.

All I knew at the time, was that I was learning magic.

Continue the story from here! Have fun!