One hot and arid day, the Slave was walking across the granulated sands to fetch water from the well. A three-foot wide crevice fixed with a simple lever and pulley system. His skin began to perspire as he lowered the bucket deep into the blackened abyss. The sun’s harsh rays beat furiously against his back and beads of sweat formed upon his brow. He pulled tirelessly at the rope to retrieve the cool liquid when a glint of gold caught his eye from the pitch-black below. His shrewd eyes widened as he wildly pulled on the rope. Once the bucket raised to the top he tossed it aside, spilling all of the water which got quickly soaked up by the sand like a giant, dry sponge. Save for an archaic Lamp still glistening with wetness. The Slave had lived in servitude his entire life and had never witnessed a personal item of such beauty. Even from his master, Ziyad the Sultan, the wealthiest man in the entire region. Caught up in a deranged sort of daze he gripped the lamp into his hands and wiped the sand off with his shirt. Immediately the lamp rumbled to life in his hands and emitted glittery plumes of smoke and of all colors. Startled, he stumbled backwards, falling onto his back. The lamp violently shook as if a chick were breaking free from its egg. First, a magnificent turban-wrapped head popped out of its spout, followed by the torso of a giant man adorned in a long, flowing muslin robe. The Slave lay on the ground in bewilderment while the giant man towered over him, its entire figure grand enough to blot out the brightness of the sun.

“I’m a jinn of magical abilities far beyond your simple level of understanding. I have no desire for petty introductions or engaging in small talk. In order for me to be fully free from my shiny prison I shall grant you three wishes of your choice.”

The Slave thought to himself aloud.

“All I ever wanted was true happiness. Having been in servitude to my master my entire life and have only observed happiness acquired through the accumulation of wealth. With that being said I believe I can achieve happiness through only one wish, and that would be un-measurable wealth.”

“Ha!” The jinn boomed with laughter. “I could never grant enough wishes to make a human happy. Nonetheless, your wish shall be granted at once! When you’re ready I’ll be awaiting your second wish within the lamp.”

At once the Man found himself in a beautiful dining hall. The large room kept lit by panes of colorful stained-glass windows and supported by tall pillars lined with filigree of gold and silver. The Man instantly recognized this fancy hall as the one he had served his master Zihad for years, but now he was seated at the table. On a pillowed throne and dressed in a silk garb. Suddenly a dozen servants entered through the dazzling archways with platters of food and full pitchers of wine. Among the servants was Zihad himself who the Man made an example of by beheading him with a cutlass before all.

The King quickly became recognized as the richest, most powerful person and dictated his political authority over his nation. He married the most attractive woman from the city and stuck her current husband on a stake to officiate their engagement. The King lived for many years partaking in all of man’s pleasures like a gluttonous swine. He had three sons, each of which he spoiled with the privilege of gifts and being fitted with the softest threads.

Soon, old age began to plague the King and his sons began to plot against him for his fortunes.

Deeply distraught, he returned to the lamp which he had stashed away long ago not thinking he would ever need it. The cool lamp felt heavy in his feeble, wrinkled hands as he rubbed it with his sleeve. Once again, the jinn emerged from it to grant his second wish.

“It was only a matter of time before you’d be back,” the jinn laughed.

“Truly I thought my wealth would finance happiness but this I found to be false indeed!” The brittle King exclaimed, moonlight lighting every wrinkle of his leather face, “Now I have the wish that shall grant the solution I so desperately seek! My second wish is everlasting health and life.”

“This shall be granted at once! Remember: inquire for me within when ready for your third and final wish!” The jinn proclaimed and retreated back to the confines of the lamp.

The King felt the ache in his joints disappear. The weight lifted from his shoulders. The mirror on the wall reflected a visage that was more youthful than he’d seen in years. He could run faster, jump higher, and spar longer than his own kids who were at their prime. His people were amazed, if not frightened, by his defiance to gracefully age and revered him as a spiritual figure and prophet. And with all his newfound spare time he read many books and became educated on the matters of men until building a library for himself.

The more knowledgeable the Wise Man became, the more he noticed the two great follies of man. Avarice and war. He tried teaching against these wrong ways of life but learned the people only perceived his message as powered by wealth.

The Wise Man continued on for many generations. Living longer than his kids, then grandkids, and attended all of their funerals with a cascade of saltwater pouring from his eyes. He attempted starting new families several times but ultimately could only live with them until their deaths.

At last, the Wise Man felt as if he could not bear one more funeral and returned to the lamp. Which, by now, had lost most of its luster. After fumbling for it in his robe, he rubbed it for the last time. Then broke down in sobs.

“I have lived for fifty generations and watched every bloodline die.Furthermore, I’ve studied every text ever written and become wiser each day with life’s experience. Yet now I know that man’s pleasures are bound to a cyclical system that can never be satisfied. So, for my last wish I ask to no longer live in pain and misery.” The Wise Man said, knowing perfectly well this would finally be the wish that led him to true happiness.

The jinn floated there with his arms crossed before him.

“Aha—finally, a wise wish indeed! And fitting enough to free two immortal souls in one day and I shall grant that at once!” The jinn exclaimed, and with a bright flash of light the bedroom was empty, save for a rotted corpse. A rusty oil lamp clutched in its hands.

© 2026 [R-Complex Press]

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