One whole shelf was marked: "Brain Furniture," and the bottles on this shelf were labeled as follows: "Obedience," "Cleverness," "Judgment," "Courage," "Ingenuity," "Amiability," "Learning," "Truth," "Poesy," "Self Reliance." "Let me see," said Margolotte; "of those qualities she must have 'Obedience' first of all," and she took down the bottle bearing that label and poured from it upon a dish several grains of the contents.
"'Amiability' is also good and 'Truth.'" She poured into the dish a quantity from each of these bottles.

"I think that will do," she continued, "for the other qualities are not needed in a servant." Unc Nunkie, who with Ojo stood beside her, touched the bottle marked "Cleverness." "Little," said he.
"A little 'Cleverness'?
Well, perhaps you are right, sir," said she, and was about to take down the bottle when the Crooked Magician suddenly called to her excitedly from the fireplace.
"Quick, Margolotte! Come and help me." She ran to her husband's side at once and helped him lift the four kettles from the fire.

Their contents had all boiled away, leaving in the bottom of each kettle a few grains of fine white powder.

Very carefully the Magician removed this powder, placing it all together in a golden dish, where he mixed it with a golden spoon.

When the mixture was complete there was scarcely a handful, all told.
"That," said Dr.Pipt, in a pleased and triumphant tone, "is the wonderful Powder of Life, which I alone in the world know how to make.
It has taken me nearly six years to prepare these precious grains of dust, but the little heap on that dish is worth the price of a kingdom and many a king would give all he has to possess it.