The Ashes of Madame Blavatsky
by Ambrose Bierce · from Fantastic Fables
Adapted Version
Once there was a man. His name was Carl. He wanted to know. Carl was very curious. Carl wanted to learn big secrets. He saw two wise men. They knew many things. They seemed very old. Carl also saw some special dust. It was in a small box. The dust looked magical. Carl wanted to learn from them all. He sat down to listen. He hoped to find answers. Carl wanted to be very smart.
Carl sat near Wise Man One. He listened to his words. He listened closely. Then Carl sat near Wise Man Two. He listened to him too. He listened carefully. Carl put his ear to the small box. He hoped the dust had secrets. He waited for sounds. He heard nothing at all. No sounds came out. The dust was very quiet. He was a bit sad.
Carl finished his learning. He said, "I am a Great Leader!" His words were loud. He stood on his head. He looked quite funny. This was very strange. He also said silly things about his folk. His folk felt confused. People watched him. They just stared. They did not know why he did this. Carl thought he was very smart. He felt very special. He liked his new ideas. He was very proud.
Many people thought Carl was very smart. They believed his words. They thought he was special. They liked his silly ideas. They liked his strange ways. They copied his actions. People wanted to be like Carl. They thought he knew big secrets. They wanted his wisdom. They listened to all his words.
The two wise men were not so wise. They were not honest. People found out they were tricksters. They told many lies. Their words were false. So, the two wise men left. They packed their bags. They were no longer leaders. They went far away. They just went away. No one saw them again. They vanished from sight.
Now Carl was the leader. He felt very powerful. He led all the people. These people believed the silly ideas. They trusted his words. They were Carl's club. His club grew bigger. Carl told them what to do. He gave them rules. He still stood on his head. He was their new boss. All followed Carl.
Carl lived a long time. Many years passed. He was old now. His hair was white. He still did strange things. One day, Carl was gone. He passed away quietly. He closed his eyes. He was there no more. His life was finished. He had a quiet end. His time was over. His journey ended.
But Carl came back. This was a surprise. He came back as a little dog. A small dog appeared. It was a scruffy dog. The dog had yellow fur. Its fur was bright. It wagged its tail. The dog did not know it was Carl. It was a happy dog. It loved to play.
The scruffy dog found the small box. It sniffed around. It had the magic dust. The dust smelled good. The dog was hungry. It ate all the magic dust. It licked the box. The dust was all gone. The silly ideas were gone for good. The ideas vanished fast. No one believed them now. The dog was full.
Being curious is good. Be curious, yes. Think for yourself. Use your own mind. Don't believe all you hear. Listen with care. Some things are silly. Some ideas are false. Always use your own smart brain. Be smart and wise. The silly ideas ended. The dog wanted a snack. He taught a big lesson. Always think for yourself.
Original Story
The Ashes of Madame Blavatsky
The two brightest lights of Theosophy being in the same place at once in company with the Ashes of Madame Blavatsky, an Inquiring Soul thought the time propitious to learn something worth while. So he sat at the feet of one awhile, and then he sat awhile at the feet of the other, and at last he applied his ear to the keyhole of the casket containing the Ashes of Madame Blavatsky. When the Inquiring Soul had completed his course of instruction he declared himself the Ahkoond of Swat, fell into the baleful habit of standing on his head, and swore that the mother who bore him was a pragmatic paralogism. Wherefore he was held in high reverence, and when the two other gentlemen were hanged for lying the Theosophists elected him to the leadership of their Disastral Body, and after a quiet life and an honourable death by the kick of a jackass he was reincarnated as a Yellow Dog. As such he ate the Ashes of Madame Blavatsky, and Theosophy was no more.
Story DNA
Moral
Blindly following supposed spiritual leaders can lead to absurdity and the demise of the belief system itself.
Plot Summary
An Inquiring Soul seeks enlightenment from two Theosophical leaders and the ashes of Madame Blavatsky. After his 'instruction,' he adopts absurd behaviors and beliefs, earning reverence while the original leaders are hanged for lying. He becomes the leader of the Theosophists, and after his death, is reincarnated as a Yellow Dog. In this form, he eats the ashes of Madame Blavatsky, leading to the complete demise of Theosophy.
Themes
Emotional Arc
naivete to absurdity to destruction
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Ambrose Bierce was known for his cynical and satirical writing, often targeting societal absurdities and hypocrisy, including spiritual movements of his time.
Plot Beats (9)
- An Inquiring Soul seeks wisdom from two Theosophical leaders and the ashes of Madame Blavatsky.
- He listens to both leaders and then to the casket containing the ashes.
- After his 'instruction', he declares himself the 'Ahkoond of Swat', begins standing on his head, and disavows his mother.
- He is revered for his new, absurd beliefs and behaviors.
- The two original Theosophical leaders are hanged for lying.
- The Inquiring Soul is elected leader of the Theosophists' 'Disastral Body'.
- He lives a quiet life and dies honorably from a jackass's kick.
- He is reincarnated as a Yellow Dog.
- As the Yellow Dog, he consumes the Ashes of Madame Blavatsky, leading to the end of Theosophy.
Characters
The Inquiring Soul ★ protagonist
Average height and build, unremarkable features, suggesting a person who blends into a crowd, perhaps slightly gaunt from intellectual pursuits.
Attire: Modest, dark-colored suit of the late 19th century, likely wool or tweed, with a starched white shirt and a simple tie, indicating a serious, studious disposition rather than wealth or flamboyance.
Wants: To learn something 'worth while' and gain profound spiritual or philosophical insight.
Flaw: Susceptibility to radical, perhaps nonsensical, teachings, leading him to embrace extreme and illogical beliefs.
Transforms from a humble seeker into a revered, albeit eccentric, leader of a spiritual movement, and then reincarnates as a Yellow Dog, ultimately destroying the very movement he led.
Initially curious and earnest, seeking profound knowledge. After his 'instruction,' he becomes eccentric, dogmatic, and ultimately revered, showing a capacity for radical transformation and leadership.
Image Prompt & Upload
An adult man of average build, with a serious expression, wearing a dark wool suit, white shirt, and simple tie typical of the late 19th century. He is standing on his head, with his legs straight up in the air, maintaining a peculiar, intense gaze. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The First Bright Light of Theosophy ◆ supporting
Unspecified, but likely presented as an authoritative figure, perhaps with a scholarly or charismatic appearance, consistent with a spiritual leader of the late 19th century.
Attire: Formal, perhaps slightly exotic or academic attire, such as a dark, well-tailored suit or a flowing robe, suggesting wisdom and authority, typical of a Theosophical leader of the late 19th century.
Wants: To propagate Theosophical teachings and maintain his position of influence.
Flaw: Dishonesty and deception, which ultimately lead to his downfall.
Begins as a revered teacher and ends by being hanged for lying.
Presented as a source of profound knowledge, though ultimately implied to be a liar, leading to his demise.
Image Prompt & Upload
An adult man with a distinguished, authoritative face, wearing a dark, formal suit with a high collar, typical of a late 19th-century intellectual or spiritual leader. He is seated cross-legged on the floor, with an air of serene wisdom. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Second Bright Light of Theosophy ◆ supporting
Unspecified, but likely similar to the First Bright Light, projecting an image of wisdom and authority, consistent with a spiritual leader of the late 19th century.
Attire: Formal, perhaps slightly academic or spiritual attire, such as a dark, well-tailored suit or a flowing robe, suggesting wisdom and authority, typical of a Theosophical leader of the late 19th century.
Wants: To propagate Theosophical teachings and maintain his position of influence.
Flaw: Dishonesty and deception, which ultimately lead to his downfall.
Begins as a revered teacher and ends by being hanged for lying.
Presented as a source of profound knowledge, though ultimately implied to be a liar, leading to his demise.
Image Prompt & Upload
An adult man with a thoughtful, slightly ascetic face, wearing a dark, formal suit with a high collar, typical of a late 19th-century intellectual or spiritual leader. He is seated cross-legged on the floor, with an air of serene wisdom. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Madame Blavatsky's Ashes ○ minor
Fine, grey-white powdery substance, contained within a casket.
Wants: N/A
Flaw: Vulnerability to being consumed, leading to the end of Theosophy.
Begins as a revered relic and ends by being consumed, signifying the end of Theosophy.
Inanimate, but symbolically represents the core of Theosophy and its ultimate demise.
Image Prompt & Upload
A small, intricately carved wooden casket, perhaps with brass or silver inlays, resting on a velvet cushion. The casket is closed, suggesting a sacred and contained object. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Yellow Dog ○ minor
A medium-sized dog with short, coarse yellow fur. Lean and somewhat scruffy, typical of a stray or common dog.
Wants: Hunger, or simple canine curiosity, leading it to eat the ashes.
Flaw: N/A
Appears at the very end to consume the ashes, marking the final dissolution of Theosophy.
Instinct-driven, unceremoniously consuming the ashes, symbolizing the mundane and ultimate end of grand spiritual movements.
Image Prompt & Upload
A medium-sized, lean yellow dog with short, somewhat coarse fur, standing on all fours. Its head is lowered, sniffing at the ground, with a curious or hungry expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
Theosophist Meeting Place
A room where two prominent Theosophists are present, along with a casket containing the ashes of Madame Blavatsky. The atmosphere is one of serious inquiry and reverence.
Mood: Mysterious, reverent, slightly absurd
The Inquiring Soul seeks wisdom from the Theosophists and the ashes, leading to his transformation.
Image Prompt & Upload
An ornate, dimly lit Victorian-era study, perhaps in a London townhouse, with heavy velvet drapes and dark polished wood paneling. A small, intricately carved wooden casket rests on a draped table in the center, catching a sliver of light from a tall window. Two figures in formal attire are seated in high-backed chairs, while a third figure kneels, ear pressed to the casket. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Ahkoond's Revered Space
A place where the transformed Inquiring Soul, now the Ahkoond of Swat, is held in high reverence by Theosophists, possibly after the demise of the previous leaders.
Mood: Reverent, slightly bizarre, cult-like
The Inquiring Soul, now the Ahkoond, assumes leadership of the Theosophist 'Disastral Body' and is revered.
Image Prompt & Upload
A large, somewhat austere meeting hall with high ceilings and tall, narrow windows, possibly in a late 19th-century European building. Rows of wooden benches face a raised platform where a figure, the Ahkoond, is precariously balanced on his head. The room is filled with earnest-looking individuals, the 'Theosophists,' gazing up at him with a mixture of awe and confusion. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
Rural Pasture/Farmyard
A simple, rural setting where a jackass might be found, implying a farmyard or pasture, leading to the Ahkoond's 'honourable death'.
Mood: Pastoral, mundane, ironically fatal
The Ahkoond meets his 'honourable death' by the kick of a jackass.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sun-drenched, slightly overgrown farmyard or a small, fenced pasture. The ground is a mix of packed dirt and sparse green grass, with a few scattered stones. In the foreground, a sturdy, brown jackass stands idly, perhaps near a weathered wooden fence post. The background shows a simple, rustic barn or shed under a clear, bright sky. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
