Bab 168: Story 168: The Wish

In a small, bustling village nestled between rolling sand dunes, there lived a humble merchant named Karim. One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden hue over the desert, Karim stumbled upon an old, ornate oil lamp while digging through his late grandfather’s belongings.

Intrigued by its intricate designs and the faint glow it emitted, Karim decided to clean it. As he rubbed the lamp, a wisp of smoke spiraled out, forming into a towering figure—a genie.

“Thank you for freeing me,” the genie boomed. “I am bound to grant you three wishes.”

Karim, though startled, quickly gathered his thoughts. He had heard tales of genies and their wishes, but never did he imagine he would encounter one. He pondered deeply, knowing that such an opportunity was rare.

“For my first wish,” Karim began, “I wish for prosperity for my village. Let no one go hungry or suffer from poverty.”