"I wish," said Jon, "that whenever I tell someone that I have a wishing stone, they will immediately believe it and not think it's unusual, but nobody will try to steal the stone, force me to use the stone, or do anything to take it or make me use it aside from asking me nicely without being annoying. I also wish that nobody who finds out that I have a wishing stone will tell anyone else about it."
It was a good wish, thought Jon. It didn't force him to do anything at all, but if he did want to be nice and give someone a free wish, it made it a lot safer--he wouldn't be in danger, and since nobody could tell anyone else, he wouldn't get mobbed by a few hundred people making polite requests all at the same time.
He got up and went downstairs to eat breakfast. His sister Zoe was already there in her black pajamas, pouring herself some orange juice.
"Say, Zoe" he said to test his wish, "did you know I inherited a wishing stone from Grandpa the other day?"
"Oh, that's so cool" said Zoe.
"I'm not going to be selfish about it, Zoe" said Jon. "Is there anything you'd like me to wish for?"
"Well, of course there is. I know this'll sound really weird, but could you please do it for me? Just use your wish to...."
