Parting Glances
Once upon a time there was a Genie just let out of a confining lamp. How long he had been trapped inside he couldn't say. The Lamp had lain wedged between a smooth rock, a hard place, on a far distant hill.
The Genie had been released – as all genies must be released – by a persistent rub on the sides of the lamp. But because this Genie never dreamed of being released, he was fast asleep. It took awhile to wake up.
But once out in the open he looked about and marveled at the sunshine. He stood still. Listening. Loved the birds singing. "My, my, oh my! What have I been missing!" he said, glad to have a big scenery change. (He hadn't a clue how he got into the lamp, who or what put and kept him there.)
As day turned into night, the Genie lay back on the warm ground, looking heavenward. He counted many pinpoints of light; and after a thousand or so, he tired. "I can't spend all my time counting stars, even though it's a very pleasant thing to do. My adventure in being a free spirit is certainly off to a heavenly start".
On day two of freedom, the Genie had a curious urging. Slight at first, but as the day wore on, stronger and stronger. Finally he realized what it was – for the lamp rub that awakened him. "Wow!" he said. "If only I could feel that marvelous vibration again."
And so his search to experience that first electrifying, awakening touch began. He walked expectantly down a nearby path, following footprints before him. Soon he met a man in a somber black suit. A very tight collar.
"Good day, sir," said the hopeful Genie. "Did you by chance rub my lamp and set me free? And as a favor would you touch my heart and make me really real? I'd know that freeing touch, one in a million."
Said the man in the somber black suit and very tight – spot-free – white collar, "You're a queer looking creature, if ever I saw one. I want nothing to do with queerness. No doubt you're a genie. Genies should stay closeted. Besides, any wish you might grant would be evil I'm sure!"
So the Genie reluctantly (but nonetheless hopefully) moved on. Soon he met a young maiden, asking her the same question. "No, no," she answered, shaking her head sweetly. "While you're OK to look at, it's not right for mere mortals to importune genies. I'm afraid I'd ask for all the wrong wishes. Goodbye. Good luck."
As the road was ending (really just beginning), the Genie met a lamp collector. Once more he asked his troubling question. "Yes," said the collector. "I rubbed your small, confining lamp. Apparently you hesitated too long in appearing, perhaps through no fault of your own. Go now and be your genial self! Enjoy. Share your magic gifts with others."
Answered the Genie overjoyed, "You've indeed touched my heart. I'll travel on my merry way. My gifts to gayly give one and all." And so he did. (Make a wish.)
