The Magic Hat

Magic hats. We’ve known about them forever. They exist in movies and books, legend and song. Magicians use them to stun their audiences. They bring snowmen to life and sort wizards. And yet, despite all of the evidence, people still doubt their existence.

I inadvertently bought one on the streets of Antigua a few weeks ago. It looked innocent enough—a red and white felt Santa Hat, with white cotton pigtail braids tied off with red ribbons. I probably should have caught on to its powers when I saw that the red stars on the white strip were actually little lights that chase one another at an astonishing speed; extremely high-tech, by any standards. There was something about that hat—I knew I had to have it. So I borrowed 10 quetzales from Kevin, another volunteer and avid non-believer in anything he can’t put his finger on (he even considers all fiction to be a waste of time in ‘fantasy worlds…but I can’t get into that here.)

People usually think I'm kidding or crazy when I tell them it’s a magic hat. I offer it to everyone. “Do you want to try on the magic hat?” Most sober people say no. Most drunk people say yes. I'm not sure why this is, as the powers are much more understandable and poignant to sober people...but I think it’s kind of like dancing—people are afraid they look silly; but dancing is not about how you look…simply about the freedom of letting music course through your body and letting it all go. Some people say it might give them epilepsy--watching the stars chase one another. It won't. But it is a powerful hat.
Saturday night was a Christmas party for some of the kids, who were to perform, among other things, a dramatized version of Where the Wild Things Are. The party was commence at 6 with tamales and pizza, continue with the play, a visit from Santa, and finish up with a disco...complete with fog machine and crazy flash-y-lights. As with all things in Guatemala, the party began about a half hour late. I look over at Kevin (my hat purchaser) and he is standing alone, looking miserable. "Kevin..what's up dude?" "I am extremely pissed off right now." Kevin snarls in his Australian accent. "I'm .... sorry..." "The teachers took the kids out for the procession...and show up late and our theater person has to leave and everything is completely screwed up. I'm going to have someone's head for this next week. I'm seriously going to kill someone." "Well then I'm glad I'm leaving next week." "Not you." "Do you want to try on the magic hat?" I pull it out of my bag and dangle the pigtails in front of his face. I smile huge and he shakes his head. “I promise it will make you feel better.”"That's alright." "Come on Kevin! Just try it on. It's magic!" He bats the pigtails away. And gives me a you-are-insane-and-annoying look. "Fine. I'll try on the 'magic' hat." He takes the hat. And puts it on. The power takes hold almost immediately. Kevin is doubled over laughing.
"Ha ha!! I told you it's magic! Now watch this." I push the button to turn on the lights and the stars begin to run around the hat. He starts swinging the pigtails around his face…and keeps laughing.
"Now, let me take a picture." He's trying so hard not to enjoy this. But bends under the hat's power. I pull out my crappy disposable camera and Kevin puts his hands on his hips and flashes me his best model face.
He stops laughing for a minute and reaches into his bag. "Alright...one more," and he drags out his digital cameral and hands it to me. Three little kids pounce into Kevin’s arms. And there, in the magic hat, Kevin and three children try to pose, but are instead caught in a moment…far beyond smiling…caught in the hat's enchantment.

I'm not how you define magic... and I don’t think I need proof…but the next skeptical look I get about the hat... will be met with a copy of that photo.
It is a magic hat.