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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    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    1 year ago

    Hello, 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. 

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    Reply to  Margarida Brei
    1 year ago

    You’re most welcome, Margarida.

    Greene M Wills
    Greene M Wills(@greene-m-wills)
    1 year ago

    One was left wondering about the composition of the fuchsia smoke…Religion, greed and addiction all mixed together to produce a great story!

    Allan Neil
    Allan Neil(@allan-neil)
    1 year ago

    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.

    Christer Norrlof
    Christer Norrlof(@christer-norrlof)
    1 year ago

    A good story about corruption, power and credulity, Margarida. We are too often fooled by Fuchsia smoke in some form or shape.

    Bella Minyo
    Bella Minyo(@bella-minyo)
    1 year ago

    Wonderful 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.

    Shobana Gomes
    Shobana Gomes(@shobana-gomes)
    1 year ago

    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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