"The Doom of Yakthoob"

by Lin Carter

originally published The Arkham Collector #10, September 1971

Abdul Alhazred tells us of his youth when he was apprenticed to a Saracen wizard named Yakthoob.  His best bud was a fellow apprentice, Ibn Gazoul.  They complain to Yakthoob because he's not letting them summon the biggest, most powerful demons.  Yakthoob tells them this will require the sacrifice of a soul - or the use of a rare elixir which can be purchased in Babylon.  He sends them there.

Ibn and Abdul return from Babylon with the potion.  Yakthoob summons the demon.  But it eats him.  It seems Ibn spent the money he gave them to buy the potion on booze and whores, and had subbed red wine for the elixir.

A humorous Clark Ashton Smith riff, and a complete throwaway.