Funny story: What would you wish for

It was an ordinary afternoon at the office. The air buzzed with the sound of keyboards clicking and phones ringing. Employees hurried from one desk to another, caught in the never-ending cycle of work. Among them were three colleagues, a sales representative, an administrative clerk, and their manager who had been looking forward to their lunch break all morning. Finally, the clock struck noon, and the three of them stepped out of the building, eager to escape the stress of deadlines and meetings. As they walked toward their favorite café, something unusual caught the administrative clerk’s eye. There, half-buried in the dirt near the sidewalk, was an old, antique oil lamp. It looked like something out of a storybook, its metal surface worn but still glistening in the sunlight. Curious, the clerk picked it up and brushed off the dust. Before any of them could say a word, a thick cloud of smoke erupted from the lamp, swirling into the air until it took the form of a towering, mystical figure. It was a Genie. The Genie stretched and yawned as if he had been asleep for centuries. Then, in a deep and powerful voice, he spoke, “You have freed me from my slumber, and for that, I will grant each of you one wish.”

The administrative clerk was the first to react. She had been dreaming of an escape for years, tired of filing papers, answering calls, and dealing with office drama. Without hesitation, she blurted out, “I want to be in the Bahamas, driving a speedboat without a care in the world!” The Genie nodded, snapped his fingers, and in an instant. Puff! She was gone. The sales rep’s eyes widened in excitement. If wishes were real, this was his chance to live the life he always wanted. Grinning, he turned to the Genie and said, “I want to be in Hawaii, relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas, and the love of my life!” Once again, the Genie nodded, snapped his fingers, and, Puff! The sales rep vanished. The Genie then turned to the manager, who stood there in silence, arms crossed, deep in thought. The Bahamas sounded amazing. Hawaii sounded even better. The idea of escaping the stress of work, responsibilities, and daily struggles was tempting. But unlike the other two, the manager didn’t let excitement cloud his judgment. 

He thought about the sales rep, who had important deals to close. He thought about the clerk, who kept the office running smoothly. And most of all, he thought about the bigger picture, the team, the company, and the responsibilities they all had. After a few moments, the manager finally spoke. “I want those two back in the office after lunch.” The Genie raised an eyebrow but said nothing. With another snap of his fingers, Puff! The administrative clerk and the sales rep were standing right back where they had started, looking around in confusion. The clerk and the sales rep were stunned. One moment, they had been enjoying paradise, and the next, they were back in their office clothes, standing on the same sidewalk where their adventure had begun. At first, frustration flashed across their faces. But as the shock wore off, they looked at their manager with new understanding. The clerk realized that while a carefree life sounded wonderful, there was value in responsibility and purpose. The sales rep, who had dreamed of luxury, realized that success doesn’t come from avoiding work, but from engaging with it. The manager, on the other hand, had demonstrated wisdom, leadership, and the ability to see beyond personal gain. Instead of thinking only about himself, he considered the well-being of the team, the company, and the bigger picture. The Genie gave a knowing smile before vanishing into thin air, leaving behind only the old oil lamp which was now just an ordinary object once again.a