This Agathocles Lucky Star is perhaps a variation on the Golden Ball theme from Roadside Picnic, but with more stringent conditions. Only one desire - which, of course, must be disposed of with dignity; Agathocles the Elder also understood this responsibility to humanity for the gift of the gods, sending his son to study as a philosopher. “Stoic at school and epicurean at heart” is an excellent portrait and a typical example of Gromov’s subtle humor.