But he didn’t even know what that meant. Could he wish for homes for the homeless? Safety for the refugees? He didn’t even think about fixing the world’s pollution problem. It wouldn’t have mattered. There were too many problems in the world to solve with just one measly wish. He felt small. Too small to make any real change. At the same time, however, he felt a profound responsibility to solve all the world’s issues at once. He wanted to be remembered as the guy who fed all the hungry children, brought peace to the middle east, and repopulated every endangered species of animal there was. He couldn’t describe why. Perhaps it was a selfish appetite for fame, or maybe he truly did want everyone to be as happy as he was in his theoretical post-genie world.
Something in Richard told him that he needed to decide. He couldn’t sleep without picking a third wish. He had a gnawing sense of urgency, as if he truly was provided with a genie of his own. It was annoying, stupid even. He’d watched his daughter’s favorite Disney movie and suddenly felt as if he were to blame for the melting icecaps. He decided that his wife was right. It was simple. The only thing he needed to wish for was a good night’s