Magical substance in The Oz Series
Dr. Nikidik's Celebrated Wishing Pills
Also known as three silver pills, these wishing pills, the silver pellet, the two silver Wishing Pills.
Three silver pills hidden with a written formula in the false bottom of the Powder of Life pepper-box; labeled 'Dr. Nikidik's Celebrated Wishing Pills', each grants a wish when swallowed and the proper counting ritual is performed.
Appears in 3 chapters, first in chapter 42, last in chapter 44.
This encyclopedia covers chapters 1 to 100 of the story and shows the world as it stands at chapter 100, so it contains spoilers up to that point. To read it spoiler free, one chapter at a time, open the interactive codex.
What the story establishes
| Appearance | Three silver pills, stored in the sealed cavity beneath the pepper-box's false bottom together with a folded paper of directions written in red ink. (as of ch. 42) |
| Charm uses remaining | 3 |
| Effect on target | Each pill grants one wish: the user swallows a pill, counts seventeen by twos, and then makes a wish, which is granted immediately (e.g., the Woggle-Bug's wish instantly mended the Gump's broken wings). |
| Enchantments | Each pill grants any wish the user makes after swallowing it and counting seventeen by twos. |
| Object type | Artifact |
| Properties | Swallowing one pill, counting seventeen by twos (begun at one-half so the odd number can be reached), then making a wish causes the wish to be granted instantly; a granted wish may even undo the swallowing itself, returning the pill to the box; each of the three pills is good for one wish, and they must be kept in a dry and dark place. (as of ch. 43) |
| Substance form | Three small silver pills (pellets), stored in the false-bottomed cavity of the pepper-box beneath a folded paper of directions. |
Relationships
- possesses ← Tip (ended) ch. 42–44The party keeps and wields Dr. Nikidik's three silver Wishing Pills, carried in the Scarecrow's pocket: in the Jackdaws' nest Tip swallows one and, in pain, wastes a wish undoing his own swallow so all three return to the box; the Woggle-Bug then swallows and spends a pill to wish the Gump mended, leaving two pills for future wishes.
- invokes ← Tip (ended) ch. 43Tip swallows the first Wishing Pill and counts seventeen by twos (starting at one-half), but, seized by fearful pains, wishes he had never swallowed it — the granted wish undoing the act and returning all three pills to the box.
- invokes ← Woggle-Bug (ended) ch. 43The Woggle-Bug boldly swallows a Wishing Pill and counts seventeen by twos without any pain, successfully readying a wish to save the party.
- creates ← crooked wizard (ended) ch. 42The Wishing Pills are the work of Nikidik (the crooked wizard), whose name is printed on their label as 'Dr. Nikidik's Celebrated Wishing Pills'.
From the text
DR. NIKIDIK’S CELEBRATED WISHING PILLS.Chapter 42
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