*Stage Directors 1, 2, 3
*Storyteller
Vendors 1, 2, 3, 4
*Mateo, a 19-year-old shop owner
*Graciela Mamani, a 16-year-old shop owner
Characters
Choose the character you will play.
*Starred characters have large speaking parts.
Illustrations by Joseph Qiu
Rogue Enchantments
Welcome to a magical market—where not everything is as it seems.
By Isabel Ibañez
From the September 2023 Issue
Learning Objective: to describe how a drama’s plot unfolds
Complexity Factors
Lexile: 860L
Featured Skill:
Key Ideas and Details,
Other Key Skills: character, conflict, genre
Common Core Standards
TEKS Standards
Prologue
SD1: The curtain rises on a bustling outdoor market. A storyteller speaks to the audience.
Storyteller: Welcome to La Hechiceria, the most legendary market in Monterisa. There are three things you need to know about this place. Number one, it’s magical.
Vendor 1: One sol for an encanto to heal wounds!
Vendor 2: Twenty-five soles to ensure long life!
Vendor 3: Fifteen soles to keep a plant alive forever!
Storyteller: Extraordinary things can be found here—a spell for love or a potion for lost memories. (in a hushed voice) If you need to curse an enemy, try the stall next to the dried frogs and snakes.
SD2: Shoppers drift from stall to stall. Horses clip-clop down the cobblestone path.
Storyteller: Number two! During the day, this market belongs to the living. But at night . . .
SD3: The lights darken. The market goes still.
Storyteller: . . . this market belongs to the duendes, mischievous ghosts who appear as children.
SD1: Shadows flit across the stage.
SD2: The lights come back on. The market activity resumes.
Storyteller: Number three! The market is run by La Gerencia. It has many rules.
SD3: Francisco and Suri, dressed in crisp uniforms, march across the stage.
Storyteller: There go two of its officers now.
SD1: Graciela Mamani walks into the market carrying a tall stack of baskets. She sets them down and looks around.
Storyteller: Here is Graciela. It’s a big day for her. She is opening her own store.
SD2: Graciela smiles, her face full of hope.
Storyteller: She is taking over the stall that belonged to her abuelita, Maria Mamani.
SD3: The storyteller starts to exit, then looks back at Graciela.
Storyteller: Poor soul. She has no idea what is coming . . .
Scene 1
SD1: Graciela picks up the baskets and begins to walk.
SD2: A young man knocks into her. Her top basket starts to fall, but he catches it just in time.
Mateo: Excuse me! I’m so sorry!
SD3: They pause as their eyes meet. Then the young man smiles widely and plucks Graciela’s baskets out of her hands.
Mateo: The least I can do is help you carry these.
Graciela: Thank you! This way, please.
SD1: As Mateo follows Graciela, he looks into the baskets.
Mateo: Where did you buy these paints?
Graciela: I’m selling them. I have brushes and canvases too.
SD2: Mateo’s smile suddenly disappears.
Mateo: What’s your name?
SD3: Before Graciela can answer, they arrive at her stall.
SD1: It is completely wrecked. Bits of food and debris are strewn about. Paint has been splattered everywhere.
Graciela: What? No!
Mateo: You’re Maria’s granddaughter!
Graciela: Y-yes.
SD2: Mateo opens his mouth to speak, then shuts it.
Scene 2
SD3: Francisco stomps toward Graciela’s stall like an enraged bull. Suri follows behind him.
Francisco: Graciela Mamani! Your stall is in violation of several market rules.
Graciela: I just got here and was unaware of the mess.
Francisco: License!
SD1: Graciela pulls a document from her bag. Francisco snatches it.
Suri (quietly): You can get a cleaning spell from Hortensia’s, 10 stalls down.
SD2: Suri picks up one of Graciela’s paintbrushes.
Suri: Do I smell . . . fig? And locoto?
Graciela: Yes. The brushes are dipped in a potion that helps you sketch faces and draw straight lines.
Suri: It’s unexpected, just like your abuelita. (gently) I was sorry to hear of her passing.
Francisco: I’m giving you a warning, Miss Mamani. You have until the end of the day to fix up your stall.
Graciela: A warning? On my first day? In the first . . . hour?
Francisco: One more infraction, and you will be kicked out of the market forever.
Graciela: But the mess isn’t my fault! Please—
SD3: Francisco stalks off. Suri darts after him.
Mateo: The other vendors will never leave you alone. It’s no secret they wanted Pilar Fuentes to get this stall.
Graciela: This stall was my abuelita’s. The rule is that when someone dies, their family gets first rights to their space.
Mateo: That may be, but Pilar has been waiting years for a stall. Plus . . . not everyone liked your abuelita.
Graciela: What, because she was outspoken? Because when something wasn’t fair, she wasn’t afraid to say so?
SD1: Mateo shrugs. Graciela points at the mess.
Graciela: Were you part of this?
Mateo (offended): Pilar is a friend, but no. I wouldn’t destroy someone else’s property.
SD2: He turns to go, then pauses.
Mateo: If I were you, I wouldn’t leave my things out tonight without a guardian spell.
Graciela: I can’t afford a guardian spell—or a cleaning spell. I spent every penny I had to open this shop.
Scene 3
SD3: The sun is low in the sky. Graciela has cleaned up her stall and is placing her wares on shelves.
SD1: She looks tired but happy.
SD2: Other vendors are closing up their stalls for the day when Mateo appears with two bowls of soup.
Mateo: Your stall looks great! I wouldn’t have recognized it.
Graciela: Better, right?
Mateo: So much better. Are you hungry?
SD3: Graciela smiles gratefully, and they sit down to eat.
Mateo: So are you sleeping here?
Graciela: Yes. At least until I can afford a guardian spell.
Mateo: Be careful of the duendes.
Graciela: Do they hurt people?
Mateo: Just don’t anger them.
SD1: Graciela’s eyelids begin to droop. She yawns.
Mateo: You’ve had a long day. I will say good night.
Graciela: Thanks, Mateo. Good night.
SD2: Mateo leaves, closing the stall’s curtain behind him.
SD3: Strange voices chatter outside, but Graciela does not hear them. She is already asleep.
Scene 4
SD1: The next morning, Graciela comes out of her stall and begins setting up a sign that says FREE PORTRAITS!
Vendor 4: You should have given up your abuelita’s stall.
SD2: Graciela turns to find the owner of the neighboring stall glaring at her.
Graciela: I—I have a right to be here.
Vendor 4: So you say.
SD3: Just then, a young woman walks up. Graciela smiles.
Graciela: Would you like to sit for a portrait? I’ll hang it up for a week, and then you’re welcome to keep it.
Camila: Sure!
SD1: Graciela fills a palette with color and begins painting.
Graciela (to herself): What is that smell? Something is off. But the spell does seem to be working . . .
SD2: A crowd gathers as Camila’s face slowly appears on the canvas. Graciela signs her name at the bottom and steps back.
Camila: It’s beautiful!
SD3: The crowd applauds. Customers fill Graciela’s stall.
SD1: An old man approaches.
Mico: Are the free portraits still available?
Graciela: Of course!
SD2: Mico sits and Graciela paints him. When she finishes, she signs her name at the bottom.
Mico: Who’s that old man? Just kidding—this is wonderful!
SD3: He tips his hat and strolls away as more people crowd into Graciela’s stall to buy her magical painting supplies.
Scene 5
SD1: The next morning, Camila comes to Graciela’s stall. Her face is covered by a cloth.
Graciela: May I help you?
Camila: Oh, you’ve done enough.
SD2: Camila removes the cloth and Graciela gasps. Camila’s hair is gray. Deep lines crease her forehead.
Camila: I’ve aged 60 years overnight. You did this to me!
Graciela (horrified): I don’t understand.
Camila: I do. Your magic is atrocious. When can I expect the counterspell?
SD3: Graciela’s face pales.
Camila: You don’t know one? This can’t be permanent!
Graciela: I’ll find a way to fix it.
Camila: I’m reporting you to La Gerencia!
SD1: She storms off. A young man holding a turtle walks up.
Grandson: You painted a portrait of my abuelo yesterday—and this morning, he’s turned into a tortuga!
Graciela: I’m— I’m—
Grandson: He’s all I have. Bring him back to me!
SD2: Camila returns with Francisco and Suri.
Francisco: An extraordinary claim has reached me.
Graciela: I don’t know what happened! I’ve made these potions a hundred times.
Francisco: We cannot have rogue magic sold in the market. Pack up your things.
Vendor 4: Good riddance.
Suri: Wait. I believe someone has tampered with Graciela’s wares.
Francisco: Explain!
Suri: These brushes have the same scent they did the day Graciela arrived: fig and locoto. (He sniffs and wrinkles his nose.) But there are also traces of rotten egg.
Francisco: So what? She could have botched the potion.
Suri: True. But given that her stall was vandalized on the day she moved in, foul play seems likely, does it not?
Francisco: Fine. Miss Mamani, find proof of a crime by tomorrow afternoon, and you may stay.
Graciela: Tomorrow?!
Suri (whispering): I know who you can ask. They see everything that goes on here.
Graciela: Who?
Suri: The duendes.
Scene 6
SD3: That evening, Graciela sets a bowl of fruit outside her stall, then goes inside to wait.
SD1: Soon there is a rumble of strange, low voices. Graciela peeks outside.
Graciela (softly): Hello?
SD2: A shape materializes in the darkness.
SD3: This duende is a young girl, with dark hair tucked under a large sombrero. She nibbles on a banana.
Graciela: Do you like the fruit?
SD1: The duende gives Graciela an eerie, toothy smile.
SD2: Her voice is high, like the soft ringing of a bell.
Duende: Why do you call for me?
Graciela: I have questions.
Duende: About Diego?
Graciela: Who? I don’t know a Diego.
Duende: You will one day, for he is your true love.
SD3: Graciela frowns.
Duende: I will answer three questions—for a price.
SD1: Graciela watches as the duende stares intently at the portraits of Camila and Mico that hang inside the stall.
Graciela: I . . . I could paint you, if you’d like.
Duende: That is acceptable. Ask your questions.
Graciela: Have you seen anyone come into my shop and ruin my supplies?
Duende: Yes.
SD2: Graciela waits for the duende to say more. It doesn’t.
Graciela: Who ruined my supplies?
Duende: There was one who dipped your things into a vat of something foul. Awful, smelly magic.
SD3: The duende whispers a name into Graciela’s ear. Surprise and anger flash across Graciela’s face.
Graciela: How is the spell activated?
Duende: By your signature.
SD1: Graciela paints the duende’s portrait.
SD2: When she finishes, she stares at the painting.
Graciela: I’ve seen this face before.
SD3: The duende takes the portrait.
Graciela: Wait! How do I know you?
Duende: Take care of my shop.
SD1: The duende vanishes.
Graciela (amazed): Abuelita?
Scene 7
SD2: The next morning, Graciela stands in front of her stall.
Graciela: Attention! I am going to paint another portrait!
Vendor 1: How can you be so foolish?
Vendor 2: You’d really risk someone’s life?
SD3: A crowd is gathering. Francisco and Suri make their way to the front.
Francisco: What is this?
Graciela: I will paint a portrait of the person who cursed my brushes. The spell is activated by my signature, which I will leave off—but only if the culprit comes forward.
Francisco: You know who is responsible?
Graciela: I do. This person won’t want to suffer the effects of their own terrible magic.
SD1: Graciela starts to paint. The crowd can’t see the canvas.
SD2: Whispers go through the crowd. Everyone is tense.
Graciela: My painting is finished. Shall I sign it?
SD3: Graciela waits a moment; then she lifts her brush, about to sign her name and activate the spell.
Mateo: Wait! Stop! I did it for Pilar.
SD1: The crowd erupts into shouts.
Graciela (softly): Thank you, Abuelita.
Scene 8
SD2: Suri walks into Graciela’s stall.
Suri: How are you feeling?
Graciela: Not great. I thought Mateo was my friend. And those poor people will have to live with the effects of that awful spell.
Suri: I found a sleeping potion in Mateo’s stall.
Graciela: He brought me soup on my first night here. He must have put the potion in it so I wouldn’t wake up while he tampered with my art supplies.
Suri: Well, he’s banned from the market forever, and he must pay for the counterspell.
Graciela: Counterspell?
Suri: Yes, I managed to make one. Everyone who needed it was given a vial this morning. Graciela, I didn’t know your abuelita long, but she helped me when I needed it the most. You belong here. Don’t let them push you out.
Graciela: I won’t. Thank you.
SD3: They step outside to find Mico and his grandson.
Grandson: I saw what you did. It was very clever.
Graciela (gesturing to Suri): I had help.
Mico: May I show my grandson my portrait?
Graciela: Of course! I’m so happy to see you looking like yourself again—though you did make a handsome turtle.
Mico: My grandson disagrees—says I pooped everywhere. Have you two officially met?
SD1: Mico’s grandson holds out his hand, and Graciela shakes it.
SD2: She smiles. Mico’s grandson grins and blushes.
Grandson: It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Diego.
SD3: Graciela’s eyes widen. As she and Diego continue smiling at one another, the storyteller walks onstage.
Storyteller: Like I said—extraordinary things can be found here at La Hechiceria.
SD1: The curtain falls.
Writing Prompt
You are a reporter for The Monterisa Sun newspaper. Write an article or make a podcast or video covering the extraordinary events that occurred at La Hechiceria over the past few days.
This play was originally published in the September 2023 issue.
video
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Audio
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Activities
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Preparing to Read
Reading and Discussing
Skill-Building Activities
The Core Skills Workout
Quizzes
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Answer Key
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video
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Audio
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Activities
(10)
Preparing to Read
Reading and Discussing
Skill-Building Activities
The Core Skills Workout
Quizzes
(1)
Answer Key
(1)
Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
Close Reading, Critical Thinking, Skill Building
Essential Questions: What does it mean to be an outsider? Where does self-confidence come from? What role does family play in our lives?
1. PREPARE TO READ (20 MINUTES)
Watch the Video (5 minutes)
- Watch the Author Chat video, in which author Isabel Ibañez talks about her writing process and the magical world of La Hechiceria.
Preview Vocabulary (15 minutes)
- Project the Google Slides version of Vocabulary Definitions and Practice on your whiteboard. Review the definitions and complete the activity as a class. Highlighted words: atrocious, culprit, infraction, materializes, palette, rogue, tampered, wares. Audio pronunciations of the words and a read-aloud of the definitions are embedded on the slides. Optionally, print the PDF version or share the slideshow link directly to your LMS and have students preview the words and complete the activity independently before class.
- Project the Pronunciation Guide and play its audio at Scope Online to teach students how to pronounce the Spanish words in the play. (A glossary of Spanish words is also embedded in the play.)
2. READ AND DISCUSS (45 MINUTES)
- Invite a volunteer to read the As You Read box on page 13 or at the top of the digital story page.
- Assign parts and read the play aloud as a class.
- Divide students into groups to discuss the following Close-Reading and Critical-Thinking questions, which are also located in the Resources tab.
Close-Reading Questions (25 minutes)
- What was your first impression of Mateo—that is, what was your impression of him after reading Scenes 1, 2, and 3? What gave you this impression? (character) Students will likely say that at first, Mateo seems like a kind young man. He seems like he wants to help Graciela, who is a newcomer in the market. He helps carry her baskets and seems to have her best interests in mind when he warns her that the other vendors will not be welcoming to her. He advises her to use a guardian spell to protect her stall, and he even brings Graciela dinner. Students might also note that when Graciela’s and Mateo’s eyes meet for the first time, it seems like there might be a romantic connection between them.
- What magical powers do Graciela’s wares have? Why do some vendors not want her to sell her wares at the market? (key ideas and details) Graciela’s paintbrushes are dipped in a potion that improves the painter’s ability to paint faces and make straight lines. Some vendors don’t want Graciela selling her wares at the market because they think someone named Pilar Fuentes should have gotten the stall that Graciela is using. What’s more, some of the vendors are biased against Graciela because they did not like her abuelita, from whom Graciela inherited the use of the stall.
- Who wants Graciela to fail? Who wants her to succeed? Explain. (conflict) Francisco of La Gerencia and the vendors who are unkind and unwelcoming—including those who trashed Graciela’s stall—clearly want Graciela to fail. Mateo, who sabotages Graciela’s paintbrushes by dipping them into awful, smelly magic, is among these vendors. On the other hand, Suri of La Gerencia wants Graciela to succeed. He seems to be on her side from the first time La Gerencia gives her a warning, as he compliments her potion and says something kind about her abuelita. Later, when Francisco tells Graciela to pack up her things and leave, Suri defends her potions and argues that she should be given a chance to prove her innocence. Suri is also the one who suggests to Graciela that she ask the duendes for help. The duende who reveals the culprit to Graciela is her abuelita and obviously wants Graciela to succeed as well.
- This play falls into the genre of fantasy. While all fantasy stories are unique, there are some characteristics that are common to the genre: a good vs. evil conflict, supernatural creatures, magic, romance, a villain whose identity is not revealed until the end of the story, a made-up language or a manipulation of how an existing language is spoken. Explain how Rogue Enchantments includes one or more of these characteristics. (genre) Answers may include: The unwelcoming vendors who are working to get the honest and well-meaning Graciela kicked out of the market are examples of a good vs. evil conflict. The magical nature of the market is an example of magic. The duende who helps Graciela is an example of a supernatural creature. The end-of-the-story revelation that Mateo has been working to sabotage Graciela is an example of a villain’s identity being revealed only at the end of the story. The duende’s reference to Diego as Graciela’s true love is an example of romance.
- As a class, discuss the following questions.
Critical-Thinking Questions (10 minutes)
- Do you think Mateo would have come forward and admitted his offense had Graciela not threatened to use his spell against him? Answers will vary, but the way Mateo holds out until the last possible moment to come forward, and the lack of remorse that he shows, suggest that he may have never taken responsibility for his offense.
- Did you suspect Mateo was the culprit while reading? Answers will vary.
- If you could sell an encanto at La Hechiceria, what would it be for? Answers will vary.
- Have you read any other books or seen movies in the fantasy genre? If so, which ones? What do you like or dislike about this genre? Answers will vary.
3. WRITE ABOUT IT: KEY IDEAS AND DETAILS (45 MINUTES)
- Have students complete the Featured Skill Activity: Key Ideas and Details, a graphic organizer that helps students summarize this literary work. This activity will prepare them to respond to the writing prompt on page 17 in the printed magazine and at the bottom of the digital story page:
You are a reporter for The Monterisa Sun newspaper. Write an article or make a podcast or video covering the extraordinary events that occurred at La Hechiceria over the past few days.
- Alternatively, have students choose a task from the Choice Board, a menu of possible culminating tasks. (Our Choice Board options include the writing prompt from the magazine, differentiated versions of the writing prompt, and additional creative ways for students to demonstrate their understanding of a story or article.)
Text-to-Speech