The Cookie Lady is a short story by Philip K. Dick

Philip K. Dick

Philip Kindred Dick was an American novelist, short story writer and essayist whose published work is almost entirely in the science fiction genre. Dick explored sociological, political and metaphysical themes in novels dominated by monopolistic corporations, authoritarian governments and altered...

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Bernard "Bubber" Surle is a young boy who enjoys visiting Mrs. Drew, a lonely old widow who bakes him cookies. He visits her after school every day, and reads to her after eating cookies. Mrs. Drew, who has almost no company, enjoys having him. One day, she begins to undergo a transformation while he is there, becoming younger. Bubber, however, returns home very tired. His parents make him promise that his next visit will be his last. The next day, he stays longer, and Mrs. Drew is reverted to her younger self. Bubber, however, is drained of his physical energy, and while walking home is reduced to dust and is carried away by the wind.