Also well known, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice hardly needs an introduction but for those who haven't seen Walt Disney's magnificent film, Fantasia, we'd advise you log off the Internet right now and go out and rent it! And certainly this is how most people around the world have come to love this classic of animated music. The French composer Paul Dukas (doo-KAH), was inspired by a century-old ballad of the same name written by the famous German poet, playwright, and novelist, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The ballad is the story of a young magician (I almost wrote "musician"!) who works for and studies with a great and powerful sorcerer (No, not Merlin!).

Upon stepping out, the Sorcerer instructs the young Apprentice (played by Mickey Mouse in Fantasia) to fetch water for his bath. He thinks himself too good for such menial labor and with some magic words, gives arms, legs, and a head to an old broom for it to get the water! Unfortunately he can’t make it stop, and the water from the bath begins to fill the room!

Grabbing a hatchet, Mickey splits the broom in two but just when you think it’s over, two brooms begin to bring water! The flood rises into a lake and then a tumultuous sea which Mickey can barely stay above! Finally the little apprentice calls upon his master, who stops the brooms with undeniable authority and flourish!

Humbled, Mickey apologizes for his arrogance and sneaks toward the door in embarrassment. But the great Sorcerer whisks him out with the once defiant broom.