THE SOULFUL SORCERER

THE SOULFUL SORCERER

Dick, the apprentice was surprised to see his master sitting on a stall in the corner of his laboratory weeping bitterly.

He had never seen the old chap in such a state before. Wizard Septimus Marigold sat with his head in his hands. His limpid, grey eyes, usually clear and intelligent were red and swollen, his wrinkled, lofty browed face was contorted with grief and his long white straggly beard wet with his fallen tear drops. In short, he seemed somewhat upset.

‘Why. What ails thee master?’

‘I am ruined. I don’t know what to do. I have lost all.’

‘Surely that cannot be. Since you managed to modify that goose so that it could lay golden eggs you have become a very rich man.’

‘Dick. You really should keep up with the times. Have you not heard that Wizard Cornelius Grump has perfected the art of turning base metal into gold? He has patented his discovery and flooded the market. Consequently the price of gold has plummeted and my golden eggs are virtually worthless. He doesn’t care because he can make as much gold as he likes.’

‘I thought you had been working on that project master.’

‘Yes. I was within an ace of achievement but he pipped me at the post. I really am in dire straits. Look at this robe. It’s full of moth holes. My pointy hat has lost its stiffness and my wand’s magic powers are waning. It desperately needs an overhaul or even a replacement but I just cannot afford it.
’
‘It seems to me sir that this is a case for the brainybox tree.’

‘Do you think so? Well I suppose it is worth a try.’

The brainyboxtree is a unique tree of knowledge. It is to be found in the impenetrable forest beyond the rushing, gushing river and through the fairy dell. It is a fair distance away but not too bad if you cycle.

It was a bright sunny morning when, tucking in his robes, Septimus mounted his trusty velocipede and set off. As he journeyed on his spirits lightened. Could it be that the tree would be able to help?

The skirts of the wizard’s robe were rather dampened by the river but he managed to negotiate it safely. The fairies were all asleep having revelled all night so he passed through the dell without interruption. A simple spell enabled him to penetrate the impenetrable river.

The brainyboxtree was a beautiful sight with lush green foliage and pink, white and yellow blossom.

‘I’m pleased you’ve come Septimus’ said the tree. ‘You are not the only one concerned over the change of events. If someone doesn’t do something quickly it could lead to worldwide poverty.

‘What can I do?’

‘You should know from your research that everything in this world is composed of molecules. It is by changing the molecular structure of base metal that Cornelius has proved successful. In the case of Iron he has changed Fe to Au. You must eliminate Au to break the cycle and replace the Au, which is a soft, somewhat useless, metal of little commercial use with another more useful metal, possibly Pl. The gold still in existence will then become exceedingly rare and should more than regain its value.

‘Oh thank you tree but how do I achieve this?

‘That is up to you Septimus. You are the wizard. Not me. Perhaps the gnomes of Zurich or wizard George Osborne can help?’