The Wishing Well

[shanmonster]

I remember walking through a department store when I was about five years old. I discovered a little water fountain for sale. I saw a couple of nickels and pennies in it, so was in the process of reaching in when a lady stopped me.

"Don't do that," she said.

"Why?" I asked.

"That's a wishing well," she said. "People make wishes, and throw the money in. If you take the money out, their wishes won't come true."

I stared up at her. She seemed sincere enough, so I turned and walked away, astonished a grown-up could believe such a ridiculous story. A few minutes later, when I was sure she was gone, I went back to the fountain. All the coins were gone.

I might have only been five, but I knew I'd been snookered.