Fuchsia Smoke
Bowed heads.
Averted eyes.
The crowds paid reverence to the High Mystic gliding towards the Ancient Pagoda. Head high, she was aware of her daunting might.
On the platform, her hurricane eyes blazed blue with power, reducing the throng to tangible silence. Bull-necked and invulnerable looking guards surrounded her, but the High Mystic was even more unassailable.
Her rich voice floated magically across the crowd.“Children, today is an auspicious day. For time immemorial, on this day we have always had the same dignified ceremony to make THE wish. The wish is beyond selfishness and oneness; it must promote the community. The Wish Wizard needs to read your collective thoughts to grant the wish. Think clearly, positively and for the community.”
Turgid tendrils of glittery fuchsia smoke rose from the High Mystic’s feet, twisting around her like a supernatural beast. It denatured! From the smoke, the Wish Wizard appeared. There was a collective gasp. An imposing fearsome figure dressed in cloaks of shimmering colours towered.
The Wish Wizard encouraged the audience to take a deep cleansing breath saying, “Breathe! Breathe my children!”
As the crowd breathed in the fumes, the Wish Wizard became a little arrogant. “You my children are lucky to cast your eyes on the Wish Wizard! Concentrate on your collective wish so that I can read your minds!” There was a deeper hush, then the Wish Wizard sighed, “Praise you children for desiring to give money for a grander Pagoda. I, the Wish Wizard, grant your wish.”
He hushed an insignificant spark of annoyance, “Breathe deeply, my children. You will be blessed in a more beautiful and splendid Pagoda. Thank you, my children, for your selflessness.” With these words the Wish Wizard dissolved into the air.
That evening around their dinner tables, each family felt satisfaction, because instead of wishing for a new hospital, better education or brand new roads, they had wished to be more heavily taxed. They continued to breathe in the fuchsia fumes.
Meanwhile in a secret chamber of the Pagoda, the Wish Wizard and High Mystic laughed greedily.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleHello, Margarida. Your story is intriguing. I was intrigued about the Wish wizard and the High Mystic. I seem to see someone like them in government officials. They are full of greed. Well done.
Thank you, Lotchie for your kind comments. The High Mystic and Wish Wizard were definitely confidence tricksters of a grand order. All smoke and mirrors!
You’re most welcome, Margarida.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleOne was left wondering about the composition of the fuchsia smoke…Religion, greed and addiction all mixed together to produce a great story!
Yes, the smoke made the crowd like putty in the hands of the Wish Wizard. Thank you, Greene for reading my story.
Well done, Margarida. Your story, enhanced by its mystic content is almost a mirror image of our society. You haven’t been inspired by the current Tory leadership debate, by any chance? Whatever is behind it, your imagery is just splendid.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you, Allan for your encouraging comments. Although I am a Midlander from England, I actually live in Texas. Interesting enough I am never inspired by politics!
A good story about corruption, power and credulity, Margarida. We are too often fooled by Fuchsia smoke in some form or shape.
Too true Christer, that we are fooled by one type or other of “fuchsia smoke.” Unfortunately! The High Mystique and the Wish Wizard were cunning to use subterfuge. In “reading” the public’s collective mind, the Wizard was able to give his own interpretation of their wishes. The two characters were both crafty and underhanded.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleWonderful descriptions and I can definitely see the parallel between the Wish Wizard and the High Mystic to those who try to take advantage of the goodwill of others with lies and propaganda.
The two are a cunning pair of deceivers, certainly. Thank you, Bella for your feedback.
Such vivid imagination, Margarida. I love it. And in the end you have written a story which relates to human weakness. Well done.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThe High Mystic are weak in their corrupt greed whereas the crowd are both naive and tricked.
Thank you, Shobana for your kind encouraging words.