[ wp ] You stumble upon a genie in a bottle , instead of granting three wishes he gives you three choices . End world hunger , stop all current and future wars or find out what 's in the box .

`` I'm not a fool, I know that there are always strings attached to these things, or some kind of gotcha. You are probably some kind of trickster, and my grandmother always warned me of tricksters.'' 
 
 Genie: `` Why? Why go to all that trouble. If I wanted to cause you harm surely you can think of other ways I could do that. I am here to grant wishes, that is my job and I will do it. I ca n't lie.'' 
 
 `` But that's exactly what a trickster would say'' 
 
 Genie: `` I promise I ca n't lie. The wishes are exactly as described, you can end all hunger, stop all the wars, or even find out what is in the box'' 
 
 `` Why would anyone choose the box?'' 
 
 Genie: `` You'd be surprised, I mean, it could even contain a boat!'' 
 
 `` I.. wait, is that a pop culture reference? You watch TV?'' 
 
 Genie: `` I have a lot of time on my hands...'' 
 
 `` Stuck in there forever?'' 
 
 Genie: `` Well, if not forever, then near enough'' 
 
 `` In all that time, has anyone ever chosen the box?'' 
 
 Genie: `` Do you still have world hunger? Any wars going on?'' 
 
 `` Hmmm... but really, they chose the box?'' 
 
 Genie: `` Hey, do n't look at me, I'm just as surprised'' 
 
 `` Were they happy with their choice'' 
 
 Genie: `` Everyone has been happy with their wishes so far. You just need to follow the rules.'' 
 
 `` What are the rules?'' 
 
 Genie: `` Oh, good question. Very smart to ask that. So listen carefully. I gave you 3 wish choices. You make a wish, I grant it. You only get one wish. I ca n't lie. I ca n't tell you anything about the box unless you wish it.'' 
 
 `` I'm not going to pick the box'' 
 
 Genie: `` That's what they all say, at first'' 
 
 `` But then they change their mind? why?'' 
 
 Genie: `` I ca n't tell you'' 
 
 `` I'm going to wish to end all wars'' 
 
 Genie: `` That sounds like a good one'' 
 
 `` So do I just say it or?'' 
 
 Genie: `` You need to say'I wish to end all wars forever''' 
 
 `` Ok, here goes:'I wish to end all wars forever''' 
 
 Genie: `` Excellent, I will get right to granting that, but one thing first'' 
 
 `` What's that?'' 
 
 Genie: `` You were right when you said I could be a trickster'' 
 
 `` Uh huh... I want to take my wish back. I wish that I did not make a wish. Listen, I wish that I did not make a wish.'' 
 
 Genie: `` Much too late for that. World war III has just started... there will be no more wars after this'' 
 
 `` This is just a trick right, ww3 has not actually started'' 
 
 Genie: `` Oh, I assure you, the missiles are in the air as we speak'' 
 
 `` But why?'' 
 
 Genie: `` I've been locked up here a long time, locked up by your ancestors, your direct ancestors no less... for only you could make a wish. There was no coincidence that you ended up with this lamp. It is just that everyone else knew what I was and you are just so trusting and naive'' 
 
 `` So you lied to me'' 
 
 Genie: `` No, I never lied. It is actually true that I can not lie''. 
 
 `` So I should have wished for the box'' 
 
 Genie: `` Oh no, I would have just put a plague or something in it. You should have just made whatever wish you wanted with a long list of very detailed criteria. The rules are just you make a wish, I grant it, you only get one, I ca n't lie. I never said you had to pick one of the wish choices I gave you... I just made those up and said they were choices. The box just kept you distracted'' 
 
 `` Why do this? You will die too'' 
 
 Genie: `` I really really hope so'' 
 

