The Little Witch

The Kleine Hexe (Little Witch) lives in a forest house, with only her pet raven Abraxas as a companion. She is 127-years-old, but still youthful in appearance. As Walpurgis Night (April 30th) arrives, she wishes to join the other witches in dancing. But she is still considered underage, and it is forbidden for her to join them. Unable to stay away, the Kleine Hexe sneaks into the witches' gathering. She is discovered by her "aunt" Rumpumpel (actually a distant relative), who reveals her presence to the other witches. The head witch decides to punish her, by forcing her to memorize all spell in a giant-sized spell book. Her magic broom is burned by the older witches, and she is forced to walk her way home. The Kleine Hexe spends an entire year studying the spell book, and memorizing thousands of spells. Meanwhile she uses her magic to help out people in need, befriends a few children, and helps correct the behavior of an abusive father. She feels good by helping others. Meanwhile, Rumpumpel has been assigned to supervise her. The elderly witch secretly observes the Kleine Hexe's good deeds, records them in written notes, but chooses not to confront her "niece". As a new Walpurgis Night approaches, the Kleine Hexe is called to pass an examination by the older witches. She demonstrates her memorized spells, and wins their approval. But Rumpumpel then reveals how the Kleine Hexe has been helping humans. The witches explain that they are evil witches, and in order for the Kleine Hexe to join their ranks, she must be evil as well. The head witch commands the Kleine Hexe to petrify the children who she had befriended. Or else, the older witches will remove her powers and banish her. The Kleine Hexe is tempted to hurt her friends, but she changes her mind when she meets them in person. She draws a protective magical circle around two children, then decides to take action against the older witches. Determining that they are weak without their spell books, and have not actually memorized the spells in them, she figures out what to do. On Walpurgis Night, the Kleine Hexe uses her memorized spells to remove the spell books and brooms of the other witches. They are indeed unable to use magic without them. They still outnumber her, however, and they try to intimidate her. The Kleine Hexe uses spells to transform the head witch and most of the others into frogs. They are now harmless. Rumpumpel has not transformed, and tries to escape unnoticed. The Kleine Hexe captures her, and wants revenge for all the trouble her aunt has caused her. Using an idea which she had dismissed at an earlier point, the Kleine Hexe gives Rumpumpel a monstrous appearance. The Kleine Hexe remains the only active witch. To celebrate her victory, she dances alone at Walpurgis Night. Fullfilling her heart's desire.