# Cucufa — The Indiscreet Jewels character guide

> Cucufa in The Indiscreet Jewels by Denis Diderot.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** The Genius Cucufa, the Genius, Genius

**First appearance:** 0005-iv-evocation-of-the-genius

## Snapshot

An ancient genius who hands Mangogul a ring that makes women's toys talk, then vanishes with a warning about ill-placed curiosities.

## Who they are

Cucufa appears as a hooded old figure with horn-owls in hand, speaks with the casual authority of one who has performed greater prodigies for Mangogul's grandfather, and disappears into the air before anyone can ask follow-up questions. He frames the ring as a gift and a test, insisting that the toys will speak 'by the frankest part about them' and adding a warning that there are curiosities best left unindulged. His brief appearance sets the entire plot in motion and plants the novel's central question about whether knowing everything is worth the cost.

## Relationships

### [Mangogul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_indiscreet_jewels_se/characters/mangogul)

_psychological_

Cucufa is a mysterious enchantress who manipulates Mangogul through magical means, often for her own cryptic purposes.

### [Mangogul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_indiscreet_jewels_se/characters/mangogul)

_psychological_

Cucufa is a mysterious enchantress who manipulates Mangogul through magical means, often for her own cryptic purposes.

### [Mangogul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_indiscreet_jewels_se/characters/mangogul)

_psychological_

Cucufa is a mysterious enchantress who manipulates Mangogul through magical means, often for her own cryptic purposes.

## In the story

### [The Indiscreet Toys](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_indiscreet_jewels_se/chapters/the-indiscreet-toys)

The Genius who bestows the magical ring upon Mangogul, setting the plot in motion.

### [III: Which May Be Regarded as the First of This History](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_indiscreet_jewels_se/chapters/iii-which-may-be-regarded-as-the-first-of-this-history)

The Genius Cucufa, relation and friend of Mangogul, is invoked by the Sultan for his power to provide diversion.

### [Evocation of the Genius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_indiscreet_jewels_se/chapters/iv-evocation-of-the-genius)

The old hypochondriac Genius who lives in the Void and bestows the ring upon Mangogul.

### [Mangogul's Dangerous Temptation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_indiscreet_jewels_se/chapters/v-mangogul-s-dangerous-temptation)

The Genius who gave Mangogul the ring and advised caution.

### [First Trial of the Ring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_indiscreet_jewels_se/chapters/vi-first-trial-of-the-ring)

The Genius who bestowed the ring; Mangogul thanks him at the end of the chapter.

### [A Sketch of Mangogul's Moral Philosophy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_indiscreet_jewels_se/chapters/xxii-a-sketch-of-mangogul-s-moral-philosophy)

The Genius whose ring is said to raise the voice of Toys.

### [Sequel of the Preceding Conversation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_indiscreet_jewels_se/chapters/xxvii-sequel-of-the-preceding-conversation)

Mentioned as the giver of the ring that Mangogul considers using on his mare.

### [Prodigious Events of the Reign of Kanaglou, Mangogul’s Grandfather](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_indiscreet_jewels_se/chapters/xlvii-prodigious-events-of-the-reign-of-kanaglou-mangogul-s-grandfather)

The genius and protector of the reigning family, who performed the enchantments that transformed the court and its inhabitants.

### [Thirtieth and Last Trial of the Ring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_indiscreet_jewels_se/chapters/li-thirtieth-and-last-trial-of-the-ring)

Appears at Mangogul's prayer to reclaim the ring and bestow blessings.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_indiscreet_jewels_se/characters/cucufa
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_indiscreet_jewels_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_indiscreet_jewels_se/characters