The Miracle

           Charlieenteredtheshopandlaidthedampfiftypenceonthecounter. 

           ’OneWonka’sWhipple-ScrumptiousFudgemallowDelight,’hesaid, rememberinghowmuchhehadlovedtheonehehadonhisbirthday. 

           Themanbehindthecounterlookedfatandwell-fed. Hehadbiglipsandfatcheeksandaveryfatneck. Thefataroundhisneckbulgedoutallaroundthetopofhiscollarlikearubberring. Heturnedandreachedbehindhimforthechocolatebar,thenheturnedbackagainandhandedittoCharlie. Charliegrabbeditandquicklytoreoffthewrapperandtookanenormousbite. Thenhetookanother...andanother...andoh,thejoyofbeingabletocramlargepiecesofsomethingsweetandsolidintoone’smouth! Thesheerblissfuljoyofbeingabletofillone’smouthwithrichsolidfood! 

           ’Youlooklikeyouwantedthatone,sonny,’theshopkeepersaidpleasantly. 

           Charlienodded,hismouthbulgingwithchocolate. 

           TheshopkeeperputCharlie’schangeonthecounter. ’Takeiteasy,’hesaid. ’It’llgiveyouatummy-acheifyouswallowitlikethatwithoutchewing.’ 

           Charliewentonwolfingthechocolate.Hecouldn’tstop.Andinlessthanhalfaminute,thewholethinghaddisappeareddownhisthroat. Hewasquiteoutofbreath,buthefeltmarvellously,extraordinarilyhappy. Hereachedoutahandtotakethechange. Thenhepaused. Hiseyeswerejustabovethelevelofthecounter.Theywerestaringatthesilvercoinslyingthere. Thecoinswereallfive-pennypieces.Therewerenineofthemaltogether. Surelyitwouldn’tmatterifhespentjustonemore...