• Once, there was a town named Butter. Each year, every family in Butter competed for trophies. There was a lot of trophies, such as weight-lifting. There were two families that really competed for the weight-lifting trophy each year. They were the Wilsons and the Johnsons. The two families were quite obsessed.

    But each year, of course, there was only one family who won and that was the Johnsons. And, each year, the Wilsons would get very upset. They thought it was their youngest's, Billy, fault that they lost the last couple of years. Everyone else in the Wilsons family was strong, except for Billy. Ever since Billy was born and he started to lift weights in the contests, the Wilsons lost. Billy had to be the weakest kid in the whole town. It's not that Billy didn't want to win, he tried his best, he just could never be good enough.

    So, one day, Billy thought about how weak he was and decided to run away. He got up very early and started to run off into the woods. He ran deeper and deeper into the woods when he stumbled on something and fell on his face. He looked at what tripped him. It was an empty bottle. He picked it up and started to wipe it off because it was dirty and said, "I wish I was the strongest person in the world."

    All of a sudden, a puff of smoke came out of the bottle. Then it turned into a little man and he said, "Your wish is granted!"

    Billy did not know who the little man was or how he got stuck in the bottle. "Who are you and how did you get in there?"

    "My name is Genie and I was put in there by my old master. But you let me out and now you are my new master. So I granted your wish. Now you are the strongest person in the world." said Genie.

    "Oh, Genie, thank you!" Billy thanked him. Then Billy went over to a tree and pulled it right out of the ground! He was so thrilled. He grabbed Genie's bottle and ran home as fast as he could.

    Billy did not want anyone to know about his new strength or Genie so he hid him and the bottle and waited until the contest.

    Later, Billy and his family went to the contest. Billy was prancing around happily but the rest of his family slumped sadly. The Johnsons did an excellent jog and all the Wilsons, except Billy, thought that they would lose for sure.

    After the contest, the judges announced that the Wilsons won! Everyone was so happy and the whole town was crowded around Billy. Except the Johnsons, everyone was having a good time.

    But after a week or so, everyone stayed away from Billy, even his best friends. Only his family would talk to him. The rest of the town was afraid of him. He was so strong now, they were all scared that he would swoosh them.

    Billy was sad. All he wanted to do was be strong so his family would be proud of him. And now everyone was scared of him. Billy thought and thought. Then he remembered Genie! He could help! So Billy ran to where he hid Genie and rubbed the bottle again. But no one came out of it. Billy kept cleaning the bottle but still, no one came out!

    Oh no, Billy thought, what will I do? Will I be strong forever? Will everyone always be afraid of me like this?

    Then Billy started to cry. All of a sudden, Genie came out of the empty bottle! Then he asked Billy why he was crying and Billy explained everything to Genie. Genie felt very bad for Billy.

    "I'm sorry, Billy, but I can't take back a wish once it's granted." Genie said sadly.

    "But you've got to!" Billy began to cry once more.

    "I can't. I'm sorry." Genie said and bent his head down.

    "Oh, please take back my wish! I don't want to be the strongest person in the world anymore! I hate it! I'll do anything! Please!" Billy begged Genie. Then there was a moment of silence.
    "Genie, when we met, didn't you say I was your master?"

    "Yes, I did." Genie said. "But-"

    "Then you have to! You have to take back my wish! You have to do what I say." Billy interupped Genie. Then he waited a moment. "But what, Genie?"

    "If I take back your wish, you will not be able to stay my master. You must let me go and we will never see each other again." Genie said very sadly.

    Billy thought about that. "Can I make one more wish before you take my other wish back, Genie?"

    Genie thought a moment. "I suppose so..."

    "Then I wish that you can take back my wish and still be my genie!" Billy wished.

    "Your wish is granted!" yelled Genie with a big smile.

    Billy waited a moment. Then he ran over to another tree. He tried and tried but he could not lift it out of the ground. His strength was gone! And he still had Genie! Then Billy ran back to Butter with the bottle in his hand and Genie floating by his side.

    In the years that followed, Billy and his family were rich and famous. They won the weight-lifting contests every year. And even though he lost all of his magical strength, Billy seemed even more stronger than before.