Three wishes the genie had said to him. Three. BUt what should he wish for?

Max was a 12 year old boy who went to Sunrise high, just recently moved here from California.

A month into he went exploring in the dark forest on a cold night. Holding his jacket tight around him. That same night he had fallen through the ground, sliding down a towel. Ending up here.

The room was dark and misty, the only light came from his phone. I didn’t shine bright. The wind howled above and water dripped making a puddle.

Slowly so he wouldn’t trip on the wet ground he walked to the center of the room. At first he didn’t see anything, but then it glowed.

A small wooden stand that faintly glowed, it had markings around the edge. He was sure it was Ancient Greek, his teacher had taught him that.

A golden lamp sat on the top, the hole facing upwards. Max didn’t think he had watched the movie Aladdin too many times: maybe he could get a princess of his own.

He smiled, wrapping his hands around the lamp. Unexpectedly, it was warm, like those hand warmers you could get. Max was grateful for that. He listened closely, there seemed to be a faint heart beat coming from the lamp.

That's when he did it. Rubbing it three times, the lamp started to glow, a mist climbing out. Max dropped the lamp backing away hitting the wall. The mist grew and grew until it reached the ceiling.

A figure appeared in the blue mist. His arms raised. “O-oh wow, finally!” He said with a yawn. Then he noticed the quivering Max on the ground far below him.

“Why hello little human.” It said shirking to a normal human size. Max noticed it black beard and how he didn’t have legs, instead a mist swaying soundlessly.

Max stood straighter, looking the genie in the eyes. “I get three wishes right?” He asked, the genie sighed, he seemed disappointed. “Getting to the point I see.” He said lazly. “Fine, yes you get three wishes. Now what do you want?”

The genie watched him for a few moments which was highly uncomfortable.

Max didn’t know what he wanted, all he knew is that he only had three. Three chances three tries.

“Why, how about infinite money…or, you could become the most handsome boy in the world.” His genie said impatiently. He flew around the room laying on his side with his hands behind his head like a large blue pillow.

“No…” He said to the genie, then he said to himself, “what do I need most?” He hoped for a pet of some kind, or to meet his idol…but was that good enough?

“I wish for…” He started but still unsure what to say. This caught the genie's attention. “Yes?” He asked.

The room seemed hotter than usual. Possible from the genie, or maybe from Max’s stress. What should he wish for?

Then it came to him, he seemed to be hit out of the sky with it. “I wish to give my mother infinite money.” He seemed sure about it.

His mother would need it more than he did, plus they lived in the same house.

The genie snapped his fingers. “Wish granted.” He said in a bored voice.

Max thought for a little longer. What else did other people need? He didn’t need anything. He got everything he could wish for.

The room smelt of dirt and a water drop fell on his head, it annoyed him a bit. He looked around, maybe something could help him decide his next wishes.

“I wish that… My neighbor got a cat.” He added, “she needs company.” The genie snapped his fingers. Max felt good inside. His neighbor had always wanted a cat.

For the final wish: “I wish that people who need food or water can get it.” The genie stopped spinning around the room and snapped his fingers. “Good bye Max.” and he was swaddled by the lamp.

Max walked away from that cold room feeling good inside; he had helped many people. And It was like a burning light coming from the inside leading him home.