When did I learn about the “magic egg”? Mmm! Some time in the early 1980’s, I think, when I discovered Victorian dissection puzzles. Birds hatch from eggs, and so the nine pieces of the puzzle may be placed in different positions to create fantasy birds. Back then I decided it would be a fun project for my class of eight year olds to colour in outlines of the puzzle to stick onto Easter cards. I then gave them each a second outline to cut up and arrange into a bird shape to stick on the inside of their cards.
Rafal’s huge geometric pieces reminded me of the dissection puzzles, so this Saturday I made a birthday card for him featuring the magic egg outline.

how to draw the magic egg.
Construct a circle radius 2inches, centre O
Draw the diameter AB
Draw line JH through O at right angles to AB and extend beyond circle.
Draw line BC through H
Draw line AD through H
Place compasses point on B and construct the arc AC
Place compasses point on A and construct arc BD
Place compasses on H and draw circle of radius HC, intersecting arcs at C and D
Keeping same radius, place compasses point on J and mark the point E
Keeping same radius, Construct circle, centre E and intersecting A at F and G

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