Magic or product, and why the choice matters

© Pavel Aleynikov | Dreamstime.com

I want to hear from the child again, the one who was talking to the inquisitor. Are they out there? Are they here?

I can’t speak for the inquisitor, but of course the child isn’t here, in this room of books, because when last seen the child was running across a sunny field, laughing, running, laughing, and wondering at it all.

“Wondering is such a fine word!” the child cried. “You can be wondering how to solve a mystery or just wondering — a joy that s...