The Festival of Wishes

Jack had been aware of the whispers. A curious celebration took place every decade beyond the boundaries of the principality. It was known to the community as The Festival of Wishes.

On this particular night, it was the cold and fall that gave Jack the spontaneous journey to stand at the opening of the gates. He saw a wooden board glowing at the edges which had letters that made him both thrilled and fearful: “Come in, make your wishes, and be careful!”

He walked past the gates, and the surroundings changed immediately. Quiet music, colored bulbs, and people in funny costumes with smiles on their faces as though hiding some secret inside them.

Jack’s attention quickly flitted from one attraction to another. Each had a corresponding wish inscribed on the surface above it, and below that, there was a warning: “Wish comes with a price.” He inhaled deeply. He had a mission to accomplish, and this festival was unlike anything he had ever participated in before.

The first stall in the corner drew his interest. The Lucky Ring Toss. There was a wish which read: “One throw endowed with infinite money.” A rush developed within Jack. Infinite money! He could solve all of his family’s problems with that one wish. He grabbed a ring enthusiastically and threw it towards the target.

The ring flew through the air, twirling and glistening before landing on its designated peg with precision. An unusual gust of wind swept through and Jack sensed his pockets becoming full. He regained consciousness and began to dig into his pockets producing handfuls of gold coins.

He was out of breath. “It worked!” No, he wouldn’t have it. But upon trying to raise his foot up, his effort proved futile. His bellowing pockets were too much for him to lift even one of his legs. More and more gold coins came out of his pockets and piled up around his legs.

People started looking and pointing at him. Jack felt his heart pounding. The treasure was too much for him to handle—he was rooted to the spot, much less able to pick it up. Be careful what you wish for, he thought, remembering the old warning. He was terrified and began rummaging through his pockets and slowly the coins began to disappear as if they never existed.

He was disconcerted; he retreated from the stall. “I suppose I ought to be careful at such points,” he said, almost to himself.

Once lowered, he saw a mirror maze with a labeled sign which read: ‘The Glass of Beauty.’ The Glimpse of Fame – Jack hesitated. Fame always seemed fascinating to him. Until the throwing of the ring, such was not in doubt. However, even so, curiosity seemingly encouraged him to move ahead.

He stepped into the maze and began to walk through the narrow corridors which were filled with mirrors. Finally, he arrived at the middle round, one of the walls being a tall period fashionable mirror. The image in the mirror appeared to be that of a ‘star’ with hordes of admirers surrounding him.

The glass glimmered and all of a sudden, he heard sounds of applause. On surveying the scene, he found himself at the heart of the audience with people shouting out his name and flashes of cameras going off.

For one moment, he relished it — the thrill, the limelight. However, that also came the stage where the audience was getting too close for comfort and their shouts were turning into something close to screaming as hands reached out for him. The sound was deafening, bewildering. He tried to step back, but there was no way out.

“Enough!” he shouted and the audience vanished. He was back in the maze, panting like a lion who had just returned from battle. It would appear that the died glorification that people experience was a little exaggerated. This spectacle was nowhere near ordinary; its beauty was intriguing, yet strange.

Collecting his senses, he strode through the maze. He had two desires out of the way, and he decided to be prudent this time.

At the next attraction, a notice read:

The Lake Of Rejected Wishes. One Stone Throw Grants Dearest Wish Of All. Jack’s heart skipped a beat. What was the dearest wish of his heart? Did he even know?

He picked up a pebble by the edge of the pond. He clenched it in his grip and thought of his family. He wished them happiness, health, and home which they would not have to leave.

He threw the stone while watching it disappear into the lake and cause ripples of strange colors. For a while, there was absolute silence. Then, he heard voices, soft and familiar.

When he turned around, he found his family standing next to him, looking cheerful and laughing as if everything was perfectly normal. Relief flooded him—his prayer had been answered.

However, as he approached them, something was wrong. They didn't regard him, nor acknowledge his presence. They appeared to be busy with their own things, happy but oblivious to him.

He tried to call out to them, but they merely laughed, as if he was not present. Despair gripped him. He understood that the wish had given them happiness, but had removed him from their world.

He hesitated, then took a step back and shook his head. “I didn't want this.” A lone tear escaped from his eye and as he attempted to wipe it the vision blurred and cleared to show him alone once again.

He had just one more wish.

At that moment, Jack had noticed. He was aware that the magic of the festival twisted every wish. However, he was not capable of leaving the place without the last effort. He approached the stall entitled The Source of Friendship. A sample hopes for true friendship.

Jack pondered on this. Friendship is what he has always wanted, someone who would understand him, who wouldn’t leave. Holding his breath, he leaned forward and took a sip from a small pot placed at the edge of the fountain.

For a second, there was no response. He scanned the area wondering if he had been swindled. But at that moment, something warm nudged him on his side.

Standing next to him was a small creature with shiny, glimmering skin that was both a silvery and blue color. It was a fox-like animal, but with wings and sharp bright eyes. The creature bent down and stared at him.

“Greetings, Jack,” it said softly, its voice sounding like a summer zephyr. “I came because you requested a companion.”

Jack beamed, a comforting sensation filling his chest. “You're… real?”

The animal nodded. “Real as can be. But remember, friendship is not about getting instant results. It is about empathy, patience and endurance.”

Jack nodded, appreciating the gravity of those words. This was not just a magical beast— it was an understanding that truest friendship was not wished for but worked towards.

Movements as they gossiped and laughed their way through the party, they walked together. If anything, Jack felt lighter, as though he had found something more valuable than fame, riches, and aspirations.

But as the night came to a close, the party began to fade its colorful lights growing dull. Jack appreciated the experiences, looking back for the last time.

'Thank you,' he said barely audible and to his new friend.

That creature smiled and faded away with the morning light. “Keep this in mind, Jack—wishes can come true but so can you. Make wise choices in life, just as you did here.”

And saying that, the party was over, leaving Jack at the back of the city. He felt different, as if he had grown up, taking in a piece of the festival's spirit with him.

He turned to face the house, smiling, knowing that he would always remember The Celebration of Wishes and the lessons it had taught.