A FEW YEARS AGO

As Marie and Celeste watched TV diligently, as a 5 and 7 year old do, there was a knock at the door. As their parents got up to go inspect who the visitor was, Celeste followed. Marie, being the youngest of the two and wanting to do everything her older sister did, followed. An elderly man stood at the door, a smile on his face.

"Hello, sir," The man tipped his hat in greeting, "I'm here to make any wish you have come true. It's free, ask away."

Their dad looked skeptical, but their mother was intrigued.

Smiling, their mother said "I'd like to wish that the world always provides for our children, and the two always stay together."

"Ah, a noble wish." The man said, and with a snap of his fingers, the wish came true.