| A boy is trapped in a cave that is filled with treasure. But it is dark. He can't see to find his way out. And even if he could see, can he get out? He finds a lamp. Is it really real? He rubs it with his hand and it begins to glow! The cave is fulled with light that shines and sparkles off all the untold treasure filling the caverns. In the center, towering above the boy is a Djinn. "I am the Djinn of the Lamp." It says. Command me and I will give you whatever you wish." The boy says, "I wish for gold! Give me gold!" "What do you want gold for?" the Djinn asks. "To buy nice things. Great things!" the boy says. "Ask for the things!" The Djinn says, "And I will create them for you." "But if you give me nice things, then someone will take them from me! I need gold to pay for an army to protect me and my nice things." The Djinn laughs and says, "I will make you an army that worships you! They will be the greatest army ever. And they will never betray you." "Then I will need gold to feed the army and to buy land to keep my nice things." "These too I can make for you, master." The Djinn says. "You have but to ask." The boy thinks about this. Then a sly smile crosses his face. "Can you give me your power? So that I can make these things for myself?" "Yes." says the Djinn,"But my power is tied to the Lamp. You must become one with the Lamp. Knowing all, seeing all. You will want for nothing because you will need nothing. The Lamp is perfection. You will live in a state of grace within it." "Let it be so." The boy said. The Djinn nodded and his light shone and filled the cave, the world, the sky. The boy grew until he was as big as the Djinn was. Was, because the Djinn shrank down and became an old man. A look of perfect bliss appeared on the Boy's giant face. He was all powerful, all knowing. He retreated into the Lamp and assumed his position as its keeper. The old man, who had been the Djinn sighed. He was tired. His back hurt. His clothing was worn and patched. "I need a nap." The old man said. He lay down and went to sleep. He woke many hours later and stretched. He felt much better. Like the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders. The old man looked around. There on the floor was the lamp. He bent down, groaning, and picked it up. He rubbed it three times and the cavern filled with light. The boy, now a giant appeared. He looked down and saw the old man. "I am the Djinn of the Lamp. What do you want with me. I'm busy running the Universe." "I need some new cloths and a new hat. Nothing fancy." "Yes, yes." The Djinn said. He waved his hands and the old man's cloths changed. Nothing fancy, but very nice. "There, your wish is granted. Now I must be off. My world awaits." "Before you leave," the old man said. "I would like some breakfast. And a few gold coins. Jut a few, so I won't have to bother you so much." The Djinn waved his hands and a table with food appeared. Beside the filled plate was a small purse. "I must go now." The Djinn said. "Anything else?" The old man started to eat. Between bites he said, "No ... Oh wait. Yes. Please unlock the back door to the cave." The Djinn waved his hands, but paused. "Do you need a light? The cave will be dark when I am gone." "No, that's okay." The old man smiled. He held up the Lamp. "I have a light." |