Why don’t most people’s wishes come true?

The rich young man stumbled through the beaded curtains while nursing a hangover as well as a broken a heart. His ex-girlfriend’s venomous words still rang in his ears, “Derek! You are the dumbest man I ever dated! I am leaving you!”

As he ventured deeper into the dimly lit room, the strong pungent smell of burning incense assaulted his senses and shook him awake. All around him were wooden shelves filled with strange and unnerving artifacts. And shadows perpetually pranced around the walls as dozens of candles burned ominously in the background.

“Is there anything I can help you with?” croaked the old wrinkly man in the corner of the room. His eyes were still closed as he sat cross-legged on a dusty pillow.

“I am looking for the g-g-genie?” stuttered the young man with a hint of anxiety in his voice.

“I am he” hummed the man. The resonance from his voice seemed to make everything in the room reverberate. But the young man shook it off and blamed his unsettling experience on his throbbing headache.

“What do you seek?” whispered the old man as he slowly opened his brilliant blue eyes.

“I want to be wise! I am so tired of being written off as being stupid by all my former girlfriends!” stammered the young man.

“It will cost you. Are you sure you can afford the full price for wisdom?” croaked the old man with a hint of warning in his eyes.

“My dad is rich! I can pay any price you ask for!” scoffed the young man as he pulled out a thick wad of cash and waved it arrogantly in front of him.

“Very well. You will pay the full price for wisdom. Your wish is my command.” whispered the old man as he gently breathed out a thick stream of sweet smelling smoke. The young man inhaled and fell into a deep and drowsy coma.

When he finally woke up, the young man was shocked to find various tubes and electrodes attached to his entire body. When he finally picked up a hand-held mirror, he was mortified to be staring back at an old withered man. He realized he paid the ultimate price for wisdom. He paid with his time.

There are some lessons in life that can only be learned once the appropriate amount of time has first been sacrificed.