Lulea

by Robert G. Brown Duke University Physics Department Durham, NC 27708-0305 Copyright Robert G. Brown, 2023

Queen Xixi of Ix was one of Frank L. Baum's (well-known author of The Wizard of Oz and the other Oz books) most interesting stories. In it, a Fairy named Lulea grants a magic cloak to mortals. The cloak was a standard one-wish device, no fair wishing for more wishes, with the usual ability to ruin the lives of its users who never manage to wish for the "right thing". A Moral Tale.

However, the real moral of the tale was, I think, missed. The following short story can be thought of a "missing chapter", or epilogue, that I think takes the story to an interesting conclusion. It can almost stand on its own, although it is better if you've read the original.

This is one of several stories I've written about the dangers of total wish fullfillment and its near-equivalence to Hell. One day I might get some of the others organized and posted on this site.