Thanks to Canva for sponsoring the illusionist. In the 10 years since Canva began, it has

grown to offer services in over 100 languages. And Canva is freemium, so there is plenty available

for 0 pounds, including free libraries of video, audio, graphics, and their amazing tools,

magic write and magic design, which use AI to help you with your first drafts, get you

through the creative block, whew, because it's easier to start from something than from

a blank page. I put in a few writing prompts and, well, if Canva learns to speak, I think

I can just hand over hosting this show to it entirely. Also, if you and your colleagues

are working together, your human colleagues, that is, you can design and collaborate with

Canva for teams. Right now, you can get a free 45 day extended trial when you go to Canva.me-illusionist.

That's C-A-N-V-A.me-slashillusionist for a free 45 day extended trial. Canva.me-illusionist.

This is The Illusionist, in which I, Helen Zoltzman, cover language with ShipLab. Coming

up in today's show, obstacle courses for words. On with the show.

Gather round everybody, it's story time.

Genesis 1. In the beginning, God created heaven and the earth. Then came a lot of titillating

tabloid speculation and slanderous allegations. He was stepping out with a red-headed waitress

and he was in debt to the tune of $40,000. He pled not guilty to murder and insisted that

the cocaine in the glove compartment was a plant. He was found guilty of mismanagement

of public funds and sentenced to 600 hours of community service. He went into self-imposed

exile and after a while the noise died down. The scandal had no discernible effect on

his career. That sounds unorthodox. This is not only not from the usual book of Genesis.

It's not from a usual book. Yeah, well, my name is Jazz Barrow's,

I'm a designer and illustrator and I'm the author of a book called Dictionary Stories,

...