Benjamin and the Genie

Benjamin and the Genie

by Evan Swope

     Once upon a time in a far away village there lived a lonely sad boy named Benjamin.  His family was very poor so they had to live in a barn. They had no money to eat so they had to eat dirt three times a day.  Every year on Ben’s birthday, he was allowed to have grass for dessert.  The boy’s only friend was a stuffed pig named Frank, but one day the family ran out of dirt so they had to eat Frank. 

     His father had to sell his arms and legs so they could afford having dirt to eat. But his father was a painter so that was a pretty stupid idea. Now the family was even more poor. 

     One day, on Christmas, Ben was digging for dirt to eat.  It was so cold that his hands were frozen solid, but he kept on digging.  He kept digging and digging until he discovered something very strange buried in the ground.

     “What’s this?” Said Ben.

  It was a solid gold lamp, encrusted with diamonds and emeralds.  Ben looked at it scornfully and rubbed the dirt off of it.

  “This isn’t dirt. I can’t eat this! Useless!” Ben said as he threw the lamp backward. But suddenly, out of nowhere, came a small green man, floating in mid-air. 

  The strange man suddenly spoke in a booming voice.

  “Congratulations, good peasant. You have rubbed the Lamp of Destiny and unleashed the Genie of Promise. I shall grant to you three wishes!”

  Ben stared at the Genie. 

  “Can I wish for dirt?” Ben said excitedly. 

  “Um, If you would like. But you can wish for anything, anything at all! You can wish to be a King, you can wish for riches, you can wish for-”

     “I wish I had a big bag of dirt!”

  “Okay... As you wish.” Said the Genie hesitantly.  Suddenly, a giant bag of soil appeared out of nowhere and landed in front of Benjamin. 

  The Genie smiled.

  “One bag of the finest topsoil.”

  Ben yelled in excitement and began scoffing down the dirt. 

  “Mmm, this is the best dirt I’ve ever had!” he exclaimed with his mouth full.

  “I’m, um, happy you enjoy it. Now, how about wishing for a flying carpet, or a royal mansion, or perhaps an enormous feast for your family.”

  Ben considered for a moment.

     “I wish for more dirt!” 

  “What? You can have ANYTHING you want. Just say the word and it is yours. I believe that it would be in the best interest of your family that you would-”

  “MORE DIRT!”

     “Are you sure?” Said the Genie hopelessly. “Alright, as you wish.”

  Another bag of soil appeared next to Ben.  Without hesitation Ben ripped a hole in the bag and started pouring the dirt into his mouth. 

  While Ben ate, the Genie reasoned with Ben. 

  “Now, you only have one wish left. I would strongly recommend wishing for something other than dirt.”

  After Benjamin finished off the last of the soil, he thought about it. 

  “Your right, I wouldn’t want to waste all three of my wishes on dirt, that would be silly of me.”

  “Exactly. I’m glad you finally understand what I’m saying. Listen, your family is severely underprivileged, no? Why not wish for money for your family.  You could give yourself a better life.” 

  Ben stared at the barn his family lived in. He thought about all the hardship his family had endured.  He thought of his father and mother, who worked so hard to provide for their son.  He thought of how sad his family had always been.

  “I wish for a pet turtle named Sparky!” Ben finally declared.

  The Genie put his head in his hands. 

  “You are truly hopeless.”

  A small, green turtle appeared in front of Ben. 

  Thank you, Mr. Genie. Wow! A pet of my very own! Sparky, I’m going to love you, and play with you, and feed you lots of yummy dirt every day.”

  The Genie slowly descended back into the lamp, muttering.

  It was the best day of Benjamin’s life.