[ WP ] Three scientists encounter a stone with the words `` Three Wishes '' inscribed into it

One day, three scientists were strolling through the woods. They spoke merrily of the things they discovered and what they learned. As they walked they happened upon a waterfall and stopped to admire it's beauty. 
 
 As they cast their gaze over the scene they noticed an obelisk in the shallow pond at the base of the fall. Drawn by the spectacle, the three scientists make their way to the stone to examine it. 
 
 `` Look at this,'' the first scientist said excitedly `` my knowledge of geology tells me that this stone is carved from obsidian!'' 
 
 `` Even more important than that'' the second one said `` my knowledge of archaeology tells me that this stone was once beautiful as it was carved by the hands of an ancient relative of man!'' 
 
 The third scientist was not as learned in the ways of her fellows, but none the less was in awe of the stone. `` Look at this!'' She exclaimed with surprise for on the back of the stone was carved a message *Three Wishes*. 
 
 The first scientist said `` Fascinating! It is written in English! Was it perhaps graffiti?'' 
 
 The second scientist said `` I doubt it, for the words are barely visible and are worn down the same way the stone is.'' 
 
 The third scientists remained silent as her colleagues debated the writing for her thoughts were upon the content of the message itself. She decided to test the stone to see if it would grant what it stated. 
 
 `` My friends,'' she interceded `` I beg you, please tell me, if each of you were granted a wish, what would it be?'' 
 
 The first scientist though for a moment and said `` I would wish for limitless funding for my research, for I believe it could lead to better earthquake detection in the future.'' 
 
 The second scientist said `` I wish I could discover a new link in the human evolutionary chain. The more we know of where we came from, the more we can understand about ourselves.'' 
 
 After they both spoke their wishes aloud, the first scientist's eye caught the glimmer of something shiny in the water at his feet. He looked down and protruding from the silt were small gold nuggets and gems all across the small lake. He let out a cheer and began picking up all he could carry. 
 
 The second scientist heard the echo of the first scientist's cheers coming from behind the waterfall. He passed through the wall of water to discover a cave and protruding from the rock was the bone fragments of a human-like being that he had never seen before. 
 
 During all of this commotion, the third scientist had watched the stone carefully. As each wish was granted, the writing changed and now it read *One Wish*. 
 
 She stared at the stone long and hard, thinking carefully. Eventually her colleagues returned to her side at the stone and took notice of the new writing. 
 
 They grew silent and the first one said `` We have each made a wish and it has been granted, why do you not do so as well?'' 
 
 The third scientist said `` You two are my friends and colleagues, but you have acted in haste. Your wishes will surely help the world, but only through the way you have chosen. I do not believe I can say what is best for the world, but what I can do is ensure that this gift is not lost forever.'' 
 
 The first and second scientists realized their follies and hung their heads in shame. `` What shall we do then?'' The second one asked. 
 
 `` I wish to understand how to create another wishing stone so that some day, when we as a people are ready, we may use it for true good.'' The third scientist said. 
 
 As she spoke her last words, the top of the stone cracked and crumbled revealing an empty hole in its center. The third Scientist reached into the hole and withdrew the object she found within it. 
 
 The three scientists looked at what she held and gasped in astonishment for in her hand she held a memory stick. 
 
 `` You have chosen wisely'' The first scientist said 
 
 `` Much more so than we'' The second one said 
 
 `` We will honor the wisdom of your decision by protecting its existence as a secret'' The first one said 
 
 `` And we will do our utmost to ensure that it is safeguarded for as long as we draw breath'' The second one said 
 
 `` You two surely are dear friends'' the third scientist said as they all left the waterfall and continued on their way.
