The Funtastic World of Hanna Barbera

29. How to be a Wizard (Or Witch)

October, 1971

Halloween was around the corner in the Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera. The cool fall breeze was in the air, and everyone was looking for costumes to wear to Hokey Wolf's Halloween costume party. Yogi Bear wanted to dress up like a vampire, and Boo-Boo wanted to be a pumpkin. Top Cat was going as a pirate, and Quick Draw McGraw wanted to dress up as a cowboy. Augie Doggie was going to dress up as a bedsheets ghost, and Snagglepuss was going as a wizard. But Huckleberry Hound was having a bit of trouble deciding on his costume. Last year, he dressed as a sailor. He also went as quite a few things before, such as a cat, a magician, an astronaut, a knight, a cowboy, and even an adventurer. But this year, he just couldn't figure out what he wanted to be.

"There's so many costumes here!" he said as he walked through the costume shop. "I wonder what I should dress up as! I could be a farmer. Nah. This one's too big. Oh! Maybe I can be Robin Hood! No. I went as Robin Huck already. Should I go as a space ranger? Nahhhh. I'm pretty sure it's just like an astronaut. Let's see...what should I go as?"

Huck was having something trouble looking for a costume that he didn't see Winsome Witch coming.

"Why, if it isn't Huckleberry Hound! How lovely to see you!"

Huck looked up at the witch. "Oh! Hi, Winnie! Listen, I can use a helping hand. I'm trying to find a costume for Halloween, but I can't decide what I want to be. I wonder what I should go as. Do you think you can think of any suggestions?"

"Well, how about a wizard?

"Snag's already going as a wizard."

"How about something similar? Like a witch?"

"A witch?" Huck asked.

"Why, of course!" Winnie replied. "All you need is the cape, the hat, the magic wand, and of course, a broom to ride on!"

"A broom?" Huck wondered. "You can ride a broom?"

"Yes! And I can show you how! Come with me!"

Huck followed Winnie all the way to her castle, and looked around.

"Shuckins!" he said. "I've never been a witch before!"

"Now, male witches are usually called warlocks."

"Warlocks? Hmmmmm, that sounds kinda aggressive-like. Is it okay if I'm referred to as a witch instead?"

"Well, okay!" Winnie replied as she brought Huck into her cauldron room. "I have a special spell that will instantly transform you into a witch. Now, what kind of witch would you like to be?"

"A good witch, of course!" Huck answered. "One with a kind nature, and a pure heart. One that can make people happy!"

"Well, you will need to use magic to turn yourself into a witch!" Winnie explained. And she gave Huck a magic wand with a star on the tip. "Just wave this wand around and say as loud as you can..."

"Uhhhh, what do I have to say?" Huck asked. "Something like abra-cadabra? Presto change-o? Hocus pocus?"

"Oh, yes, that's it! You have to say, 'Huckle-pocus!'"

"Okay!" Huck grinned. He then held up the wand, and shouted as loud as he could, "Huckle-pocus!"

He soon felt a powerful sensation in his body as he was lifted into the air. He spun around with the wand in his paw, as it made a ribbon in midair. Huck waved the wand around, then did a great big spin, and a cape appeared on his back. And then, the ribbon wrapped around his head, turning into a witch's hat! He soon landed back on the ground and caught a glance of himself in the mirror.