Powder of Life

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Powder of Life is a magic substance from the Oz book series by L. Frank Baum. The substance first appears in The Marvelous Land of Oz .

It is a magical powder that brings inanimate objects to life. The witch Mombi first obtained it from a "crooked magician." Later in the series it is revealed that the substance is made by a Dr. Pipt. In order to make the substance, Dr. Pipt had to stir four large cauldrons for six years. Only a few grains of the powder could be made at a time. It is always described as being carried in a pepper box.

Mombi's shaker also contained three "wishing pills" fabricated by Dr. Nikidik.

[edit] Usage

After the subject is sprinkled with the powder, an incantation must follow. Text from The Marvelous Land of Oz:

"Then, putting the pepper-box back into the basket, Mombi lifted her left hand, with its little finger pointed upward, and said:

"Weaugh!"

Then she lifted her right hand, with the thumb pointed upward, and said:

"Teaugh!"

Then she lifted both hands, with all the fingers and thumbs spread out, and cried:

"Peaugh!"

Jack Pumpkinhead stepped back a pace, at this, and said in a reproachful voice:

"Don't yell like that! Do you think I'm deaf?"

Old Mombi danced around him, frantic with delight.

"He lives!" she screamed: "He lives! he lives!""

[edit] List of Ozites brought to life by the powder


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