The Autumn After Next

"The Autumn After Next" by Margaret St. Clair is a science fiction novella written in the early 1960s. The story explores themes of magic and cultural dissonance through the experiences of Neeshan, a wizard missionary trying to teach a lazy and indifferent tribe called the Free'l about the proper use of magic. The novella highlights the challenges of bridging different worldviews, especially when one party lacks the motivation to engage with the teachings being offered. The plot centers around Neeshan's frustrating attempts to instruct the Free'l in performing spells accurately. Despite his efforts to demonstrate the efficacy and power of magic, the Free'l remain mostly apathetic to the practices he teaches, preferring simple pleasures over the diligence required for true magical mastery. When Neeshan's attempts to implement a more aggressive teaching strategy backfire, he discovers that the very spells he influenced them to cast to rid themselves of him inadvertently result in his transformation into a stone statue. Ultimately, the story reflects on human (and non-human) behavior, the consequences of manipulation, and the persistence of community faith in magic, even in the face of failure.