Anna ran out into the garden to play. As she dashed through the hedge row looking for her brother, she spotted a couple peddlers. They had heard it was the little girl's birthday up at the manor, and had decided to help Anna spend her birthday money on some cheap toys at overinflated prices. They called to her through the hedge row.
"'ello, ar' yew the burthday girl? I'm Mr. Smee, retired from the sea and here to offer yew the chance to purchase rara bobbles from the Far East," said the shorter, fatter, older, balding peddler. He lifted a cheap German china doll from his tray. It was dressed in gaudy red colors like a dancer at Paris' Moulin Rouge.
The younger, taller man watched and followed his master's lead. They were going to be rich. The girl's ring alone must be worth ten years earnings, thought the young peddler.
"Hawking their wares, greedy men out to cheat you dear child," Circe murmured in Anna's head.
"Hawking, yes. Tell them to take their hawking elsewhere Anna, and point your ring at them when you say it."
Anna wasn't sure, but she knew she didn't want to be cheated, so she pointed and said, "Take your hawking elsewhere!"
The two men dropped to the ground in pain spilling their wares all over the gravel path next to the hedge row. Smee raised a hand toward his face, the fingers were fusing and elongating, and little pin feathers grew from his skin. In minutes the two men were completely covered in brown feathers, and began two shrink. Anna watched in awe as two hawks struggled out of the peddlers clothes. The minds of the men had been replaced by those of hawks. They took to the air in search of rabbits.
Anna laughed.
"Miss Anna, what have you done?" the old gardener called from the top of the ladder on which he stood pruning the pear tree.
"Who's that?" Circe asked in Anna's mind.
"Oh, that's just Mr. Partridge, our gardener." She pointed with her ringed finger.
"Who are you talking to Anna?" Partridge asked. Suddenly, he felt very strange.
Anna stood looking at a partridge in her pear tree, and Christmas wasn't for three more months. She laughed enjoying her new power.
"Say, Anna, there you are. I've been looking everywhere for you."
"Who's the little man? He might make a cute puppy or frog."
"That's my brother, and I shan't be changing him into anything at present," huffed Anna. She wasn't going to let an invisible voice push her around. Besides she detested frogs, and was a little afraid of dogs.
"Who are you talking to, Anna? Your invisible friend? Or have you just gone plain daft?"
"Kevin, you are making an ass of yourself!" Anna pointed her finger and smiled.