This was no ordinary day. You know the feeling. I woke up, sighing as usual, and stared at the ceiling. Another school day loomed ahead. Typical. What fourteen-year-old actually wants to go to school? Scratch that—what kid these days does?

I lay there for a while, thinking about Ralph. Today was his birthday, and I still hadn’t figured out what to get him. My cellphone sat on the bedside table, but it wasn’t going to help. Anything I ordered online wouldn’t arrive on time.

I stretched and yawned, catching Zelda’s curious gaze. My dog must have snuck into my room during the night. She was curled up at the foot of the bed, looking at me with her big, soulful eyes. Zelda was named after my favorite video game. You know the one. If you don’t, what world do you live on? Even Robin Williams named his daughter after it.

My favorite games in the series are A Link to the Past and Ocarina of Time. I haven’t decided which one takes the top spot, but it’s a close call.

Reluctantly, I got up and started dressing for school. Clothes shopping is already annoying, but picking out clothes in the morning? Worse. I’m colorblind, so nothing I pick ever matches anyway.

“This sucks,” I muttered to no one in particular.

Once I was dressed, I sat back on the bed and scratched Zelda behind her ears. “You’re so lucky, you know that? No school, no chores… Just naps and snacks.” I sighed again. “If only I were a dog, just like you.”

Zelda’s tail wagged lazily, as if she agreed with me. I chuckled, knowing how ridiculous the idea was.

Heading downstairs, I nearly tripped on a Barbie doll left smack in the middle of the staircase.

“Karly!” I yelled, glaring up toward my little sister’s room. “Why do you always leave your toys on the stairs?”

Karly peeked her head out of her doorway, a defiant scowl on her face. “Don’t move them! I’m not done playing yet!”

I opened my mouth to argue but stopped. What was the point? One of these days, I was going to throw those toys away. Or… something.

Breakfast was pancakes and bacon. I love bacon, but man, I hate the smell of it cooking. I scarfed everything down quickly, knowing I had plenty of time before school started. On mornings like this, I’d eat fast and head over to Ralph’s house to hang out before the first bell.

As I stood to rinse my plate, Mom handed me an envelope. “Don’t forget, Andrew—we’re going to the doctor this afternoon for your checkup. Drop this off at the office before school, okay?”

“Got it,” I replied, pocketing the letter.

Grabbing my backpack, I headed out the door, determined to find a gift for Ralph on the way to his house. The problem? I still didn’t know what to get him.

Halfway down the street, I stopped in front of a store I’d never seen before: Mr. Wing’s Collectibles and Stuff. The word “stuff” on the sign made me laugh, reminding me of an old Beavis and Butt-Head episode. (Mom didn’t know I’d watched that show. She wouldn’t have approved.)

The shop looked small and cluttered, but something about it pulled me inside. The moment I stepped through the door, I was surrounded by dragons, unicorns, and other mythical creatures. Swords and shields hung on the walls, their blades gleaming under dim lighting. It was like stepping into a fantasy world.

My eyes landed on a stone tucked away on a shelf. It was small but covered in strange, intricate markings. Curious, I picked it up, running my fingers over its smooth surface.

“May I help you, young man?” a voice said, startling me.

I nearly dropped the stone as an old man appeared behind the counter. He had a long white beard and was smoking a pipe that looked like it belonged in The Hobbit.

“Uh, hi,” I stammered. “I’m looking for a birthday gift for my friend.”

The old man—Mr. Wing, I assumed—nodded thoughtfully. “And that stone in your hand? Is it for you?”

“Yeah,” I admitted, “but I’m more interested in that sword behind you.” I pointed to a replica of Excalibur mounted on the wall.

“Ah, King Arthur’s sword,” he said, turning to look at it. “A fine choice. That one’s two hundred and fifty dollars. The stone is an additional hundred, bringing your total to three hundred and fifty.”

I dug into my pocket and counted my money. Months of saving, and I still didn’t have enough for both. Reluctantly, I placed the stone back on the shelf.

“I’ll just take the sword,” I said.

Mr. Wing smiled, his eyes twinkling. “You seem like a good lad. I’ll tell you what—I’ll give you the stone as a gift. No charge.”

“Really? What’s the catch?”

“No catch,” he said. “You remind me of my grandson. But let me tell you something about that stone. It’s magical. It grants one wish. Not just any wish, mind you. No money, no love spells, no invincibility, and no wishing for more wishes. But whatever you wish for, it will come true. After that, it’s just a paperweight.”

I blinked. “You’re serious?”

“As serious as a heart attack,” he replied with a chuckle.

I couldn’t believe it. Magic wasn’t real… was it? Still, I couldn’t resist. I quickly paid for the sword, thanked him, and left the store, the stone tucked safely in my pocket.

At Ralph’s house, I handed him the sword. His eyes lit up as he pulled it from the bag.

“No way! Is this Excalibur?”

“A replica,” I said. “The real one’s probably in a museum or something.”

Ralph grinned, placing the sword on his bed. “This is awesome. Thanks, Andrew.”

He noticed the stone in my hand. “What’s with the rock?”

“It’s a wishing stone,” I said, explaining what Mr. Wing had told me.

“Cool! What are you going to wish for?”

I hesitated. “I was thinking… what if I became a dog? Just for a while. Until school starts next fall.”

“A dog? Why?”

“No school, no chores, no responsibilities. Sounds like paradise.”

Ralph laughed. “You’re crazy, man. But go for it.”

Taking a deep breath, I held the stone tightly. “I wish I were a beagle, just like Zelda, until school starts next year. My family will think I’m just another pet, but Ralph will still know who I am, and we’ll be able to talk telepathically.”

The stone grew warm in my hand. Suddenly, my body began to change. Fur sprouted from my skin, and I dropped to all fours as my legs and arms shortened. My face elongated into a snout, and a tail burst from my spine, making me yelp in pain. In moments, I was no longer Andrew the boy. I was Andrew the beagle.

Ralph stared at me, wide-eyed. “Dude, it worked.”

“No kidding,” I barked, my voice echoing in his mind.

And just like that, my new adventure began.