Too Many Genies

Every kid in the world thinks he knows what he would do if he rubbed a lamp and a genie popped out. He'd keep wishing for more and more wishes until he had thousands, even millions. Then he could have everything he ever wished for.

But genies are too smart for that. They made a rule against wishing for more wishes. You simply can't do it. But there's no rule about wishing for more genies. It really works! I would know, I've tried it. Let me tell you exactly what happened.

It was early in the morning and I opened a yogurt for breakfast. Out popped a genie!

I know what you're thinking. Genies only come in lamps. Well, that was the old days. Now they hide inside yogurt containers.

My genie was big and plump and blue. "You have three wishes," he said. "What is your wish, Master?"

My first thought was to wish for a new bike. I really wanted one, too. But then I thought of something even better.

"I wish for a genie," I said.

"Yes, Master," said the genie. And a second genie appeared. "What is your wish, Master," he said.

It was as simple as that. In no time at all, I had hundreds of genies, all ready to give me three wishes. I didn't wish for anything yet. I just spent all my time wishing for more wishes.

For each genie, I used up two wishes wishing for more genies. I figured I'd save the third wish for something I really wanted.

There was one problem, though. I had no idea genies made so much noise. They spent all afternoon yelling and singing and dancing right there in the kitchen. It just about drove me crazy.

Finally, I'd had enough.

"I wish you'd all stop that racket!" I yelled.

"Yes, Master!" they all said. They all disappeared instantly. And then I realized what I had done. I had used up my last wish on all of them. Well, if I ever find another genie, I'm not going to make the same mistake.

By the way, do you know anyone who wants to buy 300 already opened yogurt containers?