The five children find a cantankerous sand fairy, a psammead, in a gravel pit. Every day 'It' will grant each of them a wish that lasts until sunset, often with disastrous consequences.
The novel begins with the Woolscroft children—Anthea, Robert, Jane, Sanday, and the youngest, Phil—spending their summer holiday at a house in the countryside. While exploring, the children stumble upon a strange creature, a Psammead, which is a sand fairy. The Psammead, who has a rather grumpy and cynical personality, reveals that it can grant wishes, but only one wish a day. However, there’s a catch: the wishes are not always granted in the way the children expect, and the results often lead to unexpected and sometimes problematic outcomes.
At first, the children make lighthearted wishes, such as having unlimited wealth or the ability to fly. However, the Psammead’s wishes frequently come with humorous and sometimes disastrous consequences, teaching the children lessons about the nature of their desires and the importance of considering the effects of their wishes. For example, a wish for beauty leads to some amusing complications, and a wish for a giant cake becomes an overwhelming and inedible pile of food.
As the children continue to make wishes, they learn valuable lessons about contentment, responsibility, and the limitations of getting everything they want. Over time, their adventures help them grow as individuals and appreciate the more important aspects of life, such as kindness, family, and the joy of simple pleasures.
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