A Wish that Almost Came True...

One day Mark sat by the riverside in a glum mood. He looked all around with a frown and continued tugging at the grass. Everything seemed dull and boring. Somehow he felt that there would be no way out. Mark was in his mid twenties, a rather average looking personality who failed to make an impression on anybody. To make matters worse, Mark was continually harassed by his peers at work. His personal life seemed to drag and he preferred to sink back into his couch and brood over all these affairs.

This was like any other evening by the riverside. Mark wished that he could trade his place with anyone else in this world. He looked at the gentle ripples in the water...the fish darting across suddenly. He stared at the yellow butterfly gently kissing the flowers. Mark sighed heavily to himself, "How I wish I could run away from home. How I want to lose my identity and begin a new life." Suddenly there was a flash of light and a little goblin appeared from nowhere. He was dressed in his best and said with a majestic bow, "I grant you 3 wishes dear Mark. For I have heard you grumble everyday by the riverside and I have realized you are unhappy with your current life. You can take any form you wish to for a new life. However, use it wisely." Mark had always read about brownies and goblins but could not believe his eyes nor ears when he witnessed this moment. He said gingerly, "You are very kind my friend, but can I know the reason behind your kind act?" The goblin smiled and said, "It is not I who is doing a favor on you. It is you who would be helping yourself." With these puzzling words, the goblin vanished into thin air. Mark looked all around in astonishment and wondered at these strange words uttered by the goblin.

Thinking about the 3 wishes, Mark's eyes gleamed with excitement. "I can take any form! That is truly amazing," thought Mark. Having hated the way he lived his life, Mark thought and wished, "I wish to take the form of a fish," said Mark aloud. And he muttered in his mind, "At least I can swim around in this river and feel the freedom." Mark suddenly felt the icy cold water. He tried to look at himself but he could no longer view his own body. He realized he was in the depths of the river and could swim about with natural ease. He swam with glee and watched the life beneath the water with happiness. "Finally I am free from the problems of my everyday life," he thought. Feeling hungry, he looked around for food. He noticed a tiny bit of food wriggling in the water. He swam towards it hungrily. He bit it only to realize it hurt. What Mark swam towards was only a bait! He was hooked onto a fishing rod that belonged to those pesky neighborhood kids. "Oh Gosh! I am trapped and done for," he exclaimed to himself. Suddenly he remembered his 2nd wish. "I need to use it. I wish to turn into a beautiful bird that can soar through the sky without any fear," he said worriedly in his mind.

Suddenly he found himself atop a tree, hidden in the branches. He tried to speak and a soft cry escaped his beak. Mark felt his wings flapping and soared into the sky. How beautiful it seemed, there below lay the river and he was free! He flew around in excitement and after some time, sat on a branch of a tree, resting after the excitement of his first flight. He knew he was an exotic species, so proudly displayed his wings. Suddenly Mark felt a pain in his stomach. With a cry, he fell to the ground. Mark had been struck by a poison dart shot by a cruel man from his village. Withering in pain, Mark gasped for breath. "Oh dear! I have hardly had the time to be a bird," he thought. As he lay groaning in pain, the steps of his slayer drew closer. Suddenly Mark remembered that he still had his third wish! His mind raced wondering what should be done. He then realized there was no point in wanting to be something else. "Wasn't I happier the way I was?," he questioned himself. Mark heaved a sigh of relief when this thought dawned on him. "I wish to be back where I was, as Mark...," he uttered with difficulty to himself.

Suddenly Mark found himself back at the riverside. His body bore a few scratches that served as a reminder about what had happened. He remembered the goblin's words about doing himself a favor. Mark then realized all was not lost. Perhaps if he changed his outlook towards life, things would take a beautiful turn. Happy with this realization, he got up with a smile. The Mark that walked away into the horizon was a brand new person, a person full of confidence and a positive attitude. He thanked the goblin silently to himself for having given him a whole new life!