Kind Hearts and Selfish Minds

He was not what I expected a genie to look like. Rather than being big and blue like the one from Aladdin, or dark and mysterious like the ones in horror movies, this genie looked...normal. Sure, he flew from the golden lamp through a puff of purple smoke, but he was just your average Joe. Literally, his name was Joe. Tall, lean but muscular, dark hair, dark eyes; I thought he was hot, but that's a bridge I don't think I'll ever cross. While my eyes were hopelessly gazing into his, he forced me to focus on his deep voice as he spoke. Thankfully, the puff of smoke startled me off of the crowded city sidewalk, and into the confines of the small, vacant lobby of my apartment complex. I don't know if anyone saw him appear, but judging by the lack of phones pressed up against the windows, he seemed to have appeared unseen.

"Like the passing of time, my presence is quick and fleeting. You must make a wish, or lose the opportunity to the uncontrollable confines of time,"

"Can I wish for anything?" I asked, my voice trembling from what could have been excitement or fear, for I could not tell the difference.

"I may only solve problems, so please be wise." He replied, his eyes soft and earnest, as though he had witnessed many before me wish for fame, fortune, love; the selfishness of humanity. I could imagine it: person after person rubbing the lamp to find a genie who could solve any problem in the universe, and all they could think up was the petty problems in their own lives. He would appear in warzones with generals wishing for their 'problem' of an enemy to vanish, a victory, or more bloodshed while he glanced out at the young children who would have wished for the fighting to end. I knew he wasn't immune to the problems in the world, he just needed someone to see it as clearly as he, and wish for it to be fixed. It was the selfishness of humanity, and the look in his eyes, which brought my decision to light.

"I wish for..." I hesitated, for phrasing was vital. What did I want? World peace? That's too general. Biting my lip, I looked down, attempting to work through the words and phrases in my mind, hoping that I wouldn't throw away this opportunity because of my incessant overthinking.

"I wish that everyone in the world would act in accordance with the kindness in their hearts, rather than the selfishness within their minds." I finally concluded, looking back to the handsome genie with a smile. I found him returning my smile, his eyes bright with hope as he nodded his head and raised his hand.

"Thank you." He snapped his fingers and vanished along with his lamp into thin air.

"You're welcome," I replied to the empty silence.