I have a mouse friend, (known to some as Judy but to me as Lydia) and I always get asked if she is real or not when I use her to attract attention while I am busking or at a gig. I have a few responses to this but mostly I just say "Are you real?"

I was wondering if anyone had better responses to this question or could point me to a thread where this was discussed.

I want to use Lydia to introduce more magic. So I want to use this question "is it real?" that they ask to trigger more magic. I suppose I could reply with another question "is magic real?" to them and then go into a trick or two. What do you think?

I always do this whenever using a puppet in walk around or shows. keep in midn that you will never win a battle with a child. lol It simply will not ever happen. So my repsonse is geared in such a way to answer the question but to also empower the child at the same time.

"SHHHHHHH I know and YOU know he is just a puppet....however Harvey the Rabbit thinks he is very real. So let's pretend that he is so he can have as much fun as we both are." (then smile and wink)

It works pretty good. It does not talk down to the child and it acknowledges to them that they are correct in their thinking. It also shows that you are not trying to pull anything over them.

Try it out and see if it works for you. =)

Kyle

Thanks for the great idea. That gives me loads of ideas and also helps get them on the path to enjoying magic. So many people don't enjoy magic because they think magicians are trying to make fun of their intelligence. They think people who enjoy magic are stupid for believing in "something that doesn't exist." Its nice to let people know they can be smart and enjoy magic!

I usually say don't worry no its not, with any puppet! I say to the children myself before I bring out a puppet though don't worry, he or she is not real!!! But in regards to your question with a mouse when people say is it real, you could say it was once until I made it into this puppet, hee hee!!! But Kids might find that a bit scary that you have gutted a real mouse, which is now their friend and made it into a puppet, lol, but you could just say it was once though instead of saying until I turned it into this puppet, however, if your saying works, then just carry on with that. Hope this helps!

You are right, Kyle! When I bring Freddy the Teddy out, sometimes one or two kids will yell "He's a puppet!" and I quickly cover his ears and say, "Shhh! HE DOESN'T KNOW!" (I don't shout; I say this in an intense whisper into the mic.)
Gets a laugh and usually takes care of it.

Thanks Eric. that is what I have done and it answers the kid's question and does so in a funny way. they usually are fine with the answer and they then start to get into the routine I do with the puppets I have. But you must address the question if it comes up. If you do not, it starts a trickle effect where all the kids start shouting. By giving them that simple answer, they are content with it and they realize you also know he is not real but are going to have a lot of fun.

Kyle