Philosopher's Stone

[H.W.Fluks@telecom.tno.nl]

Yesterday, I read Barks' Philosopher's Stone story, for the first time in English.

I noticed one thing: early in the story, Scrooge reads about various people having used a "yellow stone". But later in the story, the Philosopher's Stone looks like a normal (gray) stone, not yellow (gold-ish) at all.
As far as I could see, this is not explained in the story.

Any ideas?

I can think of one: in ancient times, the stone was covered with a layer of gold, which wore off over time. But if it was covered with gold, how can objects turn into gold when (not) touched by it?


And a related question, though in a possibly different universe 8-) and with a minor *SPOILER*:
In Rosa's "Letter From Home", the people who touch the stone don't turn into gold themselves. How come?

--Harry.

Harry Fluks  --  TNO Telecom  --  Delft  --   Nederland
h.w.fluks at telecom.tno.nl   --   http://dd50.inducks.org
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