Stanley and the Magic Lamp - Jeff Brown [9]
“Take off those robes and gloves,” said Mrs. Lambchop. “It is not wise to get overheated.”
She went on, as they put their things away. “Such an evening! The phone never stopped. I was asked to go on four TV shows, and to advertise a new soap—they wanted to photograph me in the bathtub, so of course I said no!—and then, to find the window open and the three of you gone! Such a fright!”
“We thought we’d be right back,” said Stanley, apologizing. “We didn’t know so many exciting things would happen.”
Everybody sat down, and Stanley told about wishing Arthur strong, and the flying, and chasing the airplane, and the robbers on the ship. Mr. and Mrs. Lambchop both gave deep sighs when Stanley was done.
“It seems, Prince Haraz,” Mr. Lambchop said, “that there are often unexpected consequences when wishes come true.”
“Oh, yes,” said the genie. “That’s what got me into a lamp.”
“It’s not just the Askit Basket problem,” Mr. Lambchop said. “Mrs. Lambchop has been famous less than a day, and already she is exhausted and has lost all her privacy. And though Tom McRude deserved what he got, his tennis comes from natural ability. I am not proud of having shamed him by using magic.”
“And Arthur’s great strength will make other boys afraid of him,” Mrs. Lambchop said. “And flying, mixing with criminals … Dear me! We must consider all this. I will make hot chocolate. It is helpful when there is serious thinking to be done.”
Everyone enjoyed the delicious hot chocolate she brought from the kitchen, with a marshmallow for each cup. The Lambchops sat quietly, sipping and thinking. Prince Haraz, having said twice that he was sorry to have caused problems, began to pace up and down. The Liophant was still asleep.
At last Mr. Lambchop put down his cup and cleared his throat. “Your attention, please,” he said, and they all looked at him.
“Here is my opinion,” he said. “Genies and their magic, Prince Haraz, are fine for faraway lands and long-ago times, but the Lambchops have always been quite natural people, and this is the United States of America, and the time is today. We are grateful for the excitement you have offered, but now I must ask: Is it possible for Stanley to unwish all the wishes he has made?”
“It is, actually,” said the genie.
“How clever of you, George!” cried Mrs. Lambchop.
Arthur sighed. “I don’t know…. I really like the flying. But being so strong, I guess nobody would play with me.”
“I care most about the Liophant,” Stanley said. “Couldn’t we just keep him?”
“He is very lovable,” said Mrs. Lambchop. “But he never stops eating! We cannot afford to keep him.”
“Sad, but true,” Mr. Lambchop said. “Now please tell us, Prince Haraz, what must be done.”
“It’s called Reverse Wishing.” The genie took the little green lamp from the desk and turned it over. “The instructions should be right here on the bottom. Let’s see….”
He studied the words carved into the bottom of the lamp. “Seems simple enough. Each wish has to be separately reversed. I just say ‘Mandrono!’ and—” His voice rose. “Oh, collibots! Double florts! See that little circle there? This is a training lamp! There may not be enough wishes left!”
“A training lamp?” exclaimed Mr. Lambchop. “What is that?”
“They’re for beginners like me, so we don’t overdo for one person,” Prince Haraz said unhappily. “The little ‘fifteen’ in the circle, that’s all the wishes I’m allowed for Stanley.”
The Lambchops all spoke at once. “What? … You never told us! … Only fifteen? … Oh, dear!”
“Please, I’m embarrassed enough,” said the genie, very red in the face. “A training lamp! As if I were a baby!”
“We are all beginners, at one time or another,” said Mr. Lambchop. “What matters is, are fifteen wishes enough?”
The genie counted on his fingers to be sure he got it right. “Askit Basket, Liophant—lucky he doesn’t count double!—that’s two, and fame for Mrs. Lambchop and the fancy tennis, that’s four. Making Arthur strong is five, flying for him and Stanley is two more …” He smiled. “Seven, and seven for reversing