[ WP ] How about a genie story from the genie 's perspective

**I Dream of Freedom: A Genie's Autobiography** 
 
 I hate my existence. I really do. You would too, if you were me. Growing up, I thought there would be nothing better than having all the power in the world and using it to make people happy, but it's terrible. I'm lonely, constantly used, and usually cooped up in a home too small for anybody to consider decent by any standards. If you have n't guessed by now, I'm a genie. Whoopty freakin doo. Yeah, it sounds awesome, but like everything in life, if it's too good to be true, it is. 
 
 You spend your entire existence ( I ca n't even call what I have a life ) trapped inside a small bottle until some idiot wanders by and decides to jokingly polish it because they do n't think I exist. Then, I get to pop out and scare the life out of em, about the only good part of this job, and grant them three mystical wishes. Of course, you got your usual rules, I do n't bring people back from the dead, I do n't handle emotions ( too messy ), and I do n't under any circumstance directly kill anyone. Beyond that, wish for what you want, and I'll make it come true one way or another. The job can be good sometimes, depending on the poor shmuck who uses me and what he or she wishes for. 
 
 Sometimes, I'm a good genie, most of the time, I just like to have fun. These idiots do n't know how to make a proper wish. They go too vague, leave me too much wiggle room. You wan na be `` rich'' huh? Well, looks like I'll give you a good bit of money in the American housing market circa 2007. You want a long life? So did Terry Schiavo. Also, I can hear you when I'm in my bottle. Use your words carefully. No `` God, I *wish* this traffic would hurry up and get moving,'' wishes. This ai n't *Who Wants to be a Millionaire*, kid. I do n't have to ask you to confirm your wishes. Ca n't tell you how many puppies I've gotten, how many traffic jams I've cleared up, or how many sets of keys I've found because of one slip of the tongue. Everybody I've met has been a total and complete idiot. Except one kid. 
 
 It was around the 1400's A.D. or so. I do n't keep track of time anymore really. I'd only been a genie for a couple centuries or so, but I knew what I was doing. Back then, the crusades were going strong, people were invading the Holy Lands under a religious mask. Power like mine was sought after constantly and I dreaded the thought of some idiot soldier on any side getting a taste of power in their heads, trying to use it to advance their stupid cause. Thankfully, that did n't happen. I was hanging just outside Damascus one day on one of my longer confinements when some idiot picked me up. He opened my top, shook me around, and threw me onto his cart to be either sold or melted down. I do n't know what would have happened if the latter had come true. Nobody I've ever met has heard of what happens to a genie in a melted down bottle. Few days later, I'm on a shelf in the marketplace when someone decides to take a nice look at me. 
 
 `` How much for this lamp?'' I hear the potential customer say. It was a younger voice. Definitely male. Just barely a man, still mostly a boy though. 
 
 `` Ahhhh, for most customers, I charge 15 denarii. For you though, my boy, I only charge 10,'' the shopkeeper replied. 
 
 `` 10 denarii?! For this piece of junk?'' the boy shot back, `` What makes it so special?'' Oh, kid, you have no idea. None of you do. 
 
 The shopkeeper must have brought the boy in close, as what I heard next was barely a whisper, `` The lamp contains a powerful genie,'' he explained. Okay, maybe he had some idea. Maybe it was just a bluff though. The shopkeeper continued, `` If you rub the lamp, the genie will emerge and grant you any three wishes your heart may desire.'' 
 
 `` Anything?'' the boy inquired, his voice filled with wonder and excitement. He was really falling for this... well, I do n't guess it's crap if it's true, now is it? 
 
 `` Anything at all, my boy. Just polish the lamp when you get home and see what happens.'' 
 
 `` It's a deal then!'' I heard the coins change hands and felt the all too familiar sensation of being carried in someone's pocket as they walked. 
 
 It was a long walk back to the kid's house apparently, but soon, I felt the *WHOOSH* as I was pulled from my small home as the boy rubbed the lamp. 
 
 **'' I AM THE GREAT GENIE!!!! `` ** I cried out. First impressions go a long way when you're an immortal magical wish granter **'' SPEAK YOUR WISHES, MORTAL, AND I SHALL GRANT THEM. UP TO THREE. `` ** 
 
 He stood in awe of me, an act that I had grown accustomed to, but still inflated my ego a bit. Mustering up the courage after a few long seconds, he uttered `` I-I-I can wish for... anything?'' 
 
 `` Yes, anything your heart desires, but three things. I sha n't raise any man from the dead. The price is too heavy of a burden, as his soul is to remain at rest. Neither shall I directly send any man to his death. I will rain down fire from the skies if it's what you desire, but never shall I be the one to rip a man's soul from him. And lastly, I will not make anyone fall in love with you. The heart is too delicate of an instrument for even one such as me to handle. As long as your wishes do not break these rules, I shall grant it to you.'' 
 
 The boy's eyes lit up, obviously not caring for power or wanting for love. `` I wish for you to shower me with gold, then, genie!'' He cried out. Ah, young stupidity. Not thinking before speaking. I live for these moments, I thought as I caused a downpour of golden coins to come crashing down onto him. In my defense, he asked for a shower, and at least I was giving him solid gold. As he cowered from the metal hitting him, he yelped `` Hey! What's the big idea?'' Obviously a bit mouthy, was n't he? 
 
 `` My master, you wished for a shower did you not? You must choose your words carefully or else, the consequences will be much, much worse.'' It was true. The first wish was usually a learning experience for the idiots. I did n't toy around after that. Some got the message, some wound up dead, or, at the very least, severely disabled by the end of their wishes. One poor boy wished to fly and I gave him wings like Icarus. He survived somehow. 
 
 `` I understand,'' he said, piecing things together, `` Well, for now, I have no need for you. You may go back into your bottle if you wish, or you may stay here with me.'' 
 
 I'd never heard of such a thing. A genie, a servant, being allowed to remain outside? Did this boy not know of servitude and its customs? I was by all means his servant, bound by mystical law, and yet he still gave me something nobody else in all my milennia had. He gave me a choice. My head spun at the thought of it, I had been in captivity for centuries before then, I knew not what to do with this modicum of freedom. I chose to rush into my bottle, to go back to familiarity for a bit while I pondered this all. The boy excused me to go back and I did so with great haste. I remained in there for a day or two, thinking about all the possibilities that this boy could show to me when he called me out. I emerged quickly and quietly, showing respect for my new master, `` You summoned me, sir?'' I asked, adding the `` sir'' for just him. 
 
 `` Yes, genie, I grow lonely, would you join me for dinner?'' What was this? Was I being tricked? Was this just so I would n't turn his wishes against him? Well, it would n't work, dammit! 
 
 `` If that is what you wish, master,'' I replied. As he went to fetch his supper of bread and water, I decided to, well, go out of my way for him, conjuring up a feast. A roast chicken, vegetables that he had never seen, that I had only seen from my time in various places, wine so good, it would cause kings to turn green with jealousy. An impressive feat for one to see, but nothing with my powers. As he sat down to his feast, we began to talk about things. About his life, how his mother had passed and how he never knew his father. How all he wanted in life was to live in a place of peace and prosperity. As he continued to talk, he would often pause to allow my interjections of my stories which thrilled and delighted him. In talking about the lands I'd been to, a look of longing overcame his face. It was obvious he wished to travel. 
 
 We spent many a night like this, me conjuring up dinner for him, us telling stories of our lives until one night he asked me a question that I had never been asked before, `` Genie, what is it that you would wish for, were you able to do so?'' I paused, not knowing what the answer to such a thing would be. 
 
 `` I-I-I guess, that I would wish for freedom. For happiness.'' It was true. Every genie starts as a boy who wants power, but soon, they learn that freedom and happiness are even more valuable. We sat in silence the rest of the night. 
 
 The next day, the boy had decided it was time to use his two last wishes. The second wish of his, he said, was for a way to see the world. I could have easily been a smartass and given him visions of the earth, but I had grown fond of the boy and brought forth to him a carpet. One that could fly anywhere in the world, one that would obey his every command, even if he did n't know what that command was. Finally, it was time for his last wish. He looked at me and said, `` Genie, I wish for your happiness.'' 
 
 As he said the words, I could feel my chains loosening, I was becoming free, and yet, I could see them not only being taken from me, but given to him instead. I could n't let this sweet innocent boy be chained to this life. Could n't let him be used like I had been. With all my strength, I willed him away, far far away from where I was, into a mansion I built for him, filled with every amenity I could imagine. As I sent him, I felt the chains tighten their grip on me. It was okay. The boy was safe. He would be able to travel the world and live a good life. And that is what truly made me happy. 
 
 I have been alive for millenia since then, and never have I come across another one who deserved to be happy as much as that boy. 
 
 Edit: I know the ending's cliche and all, but I have trouble with endings and it's 6:30 am here so I really need to sleep sometime soon.
