Rahul’s mother called in a little while. She said they were going to be late. She asked him to lock all the doors and windows and be careful.

Rahul was very happy and said to the genie, “My parents will be late tonight. We can begin our search right away if you want!”

The genie took out his list, “The first person on the list is a farmer. His name is Madhav Chandra. He is extremely honest and hardworking. He grows golden crops in his fields but is actually quite poor. Let’s go there now. Close your eyes!” the genie said while putting the lamp in a bag.

Rahul closed his eyes. When he opened them again at the genie’s prompt they were standing in the middle of a field of lush green crops. The green fields, the blue skies and the gently blowing breeze made Rahul feel at peace.

“This is such a beautiful place isn’t it?” he said to the genie.

“Yes, it is, but we have no time to stand and stare. We have work to do. Madhav will go home in a little while and go to bed as dusk dawns. That’s because he has to get up very early to come to the fields.”

They saw Madhav kneeling on the ground and doing something. He turned and looked at them when the genie cleared his throat rather loudly.

His eyes scanned them from head to toe as he said, “Who are you? What do you want? Are you Bhairav’s men?”

Rahul and the genie exchanged glances, “Who is Bhairav? We don’t know him.”

“It’s all right then. Bhairav is the local strongman and wrestler. He is really wicked. Doesn’t do any work himself but whenever we get a field of crops he’ll come and demand his share! He threatens to set the field on fire if we do not comply! Anyway, what do you want?”

Rahul had to poke the genie because the latter was not saying anything, “Come on, say your piece!”

“Oh yes! Err…Mr. Madhav I had a proposition for you. Let’s say if you get something that can instantly fulfill all your wishes, how will you feel then?”

“Are you joking with me? Listen, I’ve had a really hard day and I’m in no mood for tomfoolery right now!”

“No, I mean it is the truth! Have you heard of Aladdin’s lamp? You get whatever you wish for…” and with that the genie took the lamp out from the bag.

“A lamp, just like this one, if you rub on it and ask for something you get it instantaneously!”

Madhav Chandra looked at the lamp with disinterest and then said, “That lamp can give me whatever I want? I can go wherever I want? Do whatever I want?”

“Yes, of course!”

A smile lit up Madhav’s face. With great delight he took the lamp, rubbed it and said, “Ok, Take me to Bhairav’s place then!”

In the wink of an eye all the three of them were at Bhairav’s house. They found Bhairav outside his home doing exercises and lifting weights.

He saw them and said to Madhav, “Hello uncle did you bring my share of the crops? It is almost time, you know! You will not like it if your golden crop burns down will you and I’m sure neither will your sons!”

Madhav grabbed the lamp and said while rubbing it, “Give the scoundrel Bhairav a good thrashing, the kind that he will remember all his life!”

The genie immediately tore off all the buttons from his clothes and assumed a huge form. He then proceeded to give Bhairav the much deserved thrashing. Bhairav screamed on the top of his of his voice, “Help, the huge demon is killing me!”

“Will you ever again demand for crops from the farmers?”

‘No, never again!”

“You have to return the crops you have taken or the money you have earned by selling them. If you don’t I will break your hands and legs and leave you in such a state that you will not be able to get up from your bed!” the genie threatened and he tossed Bhairav in both his hands.

“Oh my god! Help me! I will never do it again. I will return everything right away!”

The genie set Bhairav down, “Do not forget!”

Bhairav’s face was all red. The genie repeated his warning of ‘do not forget’ one more time. Then he waved his hands and the entire wrestling arena was covered with green trees.

“Don’t ever cut trees down. Wrestle inside your home if you have to!”

Bhairav nodded in agreement from his position on the ground.

“I’ll be back in a minute!” the genie said and disappeared. He came back soon.

As they all returned to Madhav’s place he said, “I hope Bhairav will not die from all that beating! I don’t want any trouble with the police!”

“Definitely not! He just has a couple of broken ribs, that’s all. And he will never dare to go to the police since he is a thief himself!” the genie grinned.

“Thank you very much! You have done us a great favour. All the farmers will be able to live in peace now!”

“How do you like the lamp? You will take it won’t you?”

“Sorry, but no! I have got what I wanted. That was the only thing I couldn’t do because I am old and don’t have the strength anymore. My sons are cowards. They are terrified of Bhairav. I knew they will not be able to do anything. However, if I take the lamp the genie will do everything and I will become lazy! If I don’t work all day I will never be able to sleep at night. I have brought up my sons with a lot of hardships. Now if they get the lamp they will become useless and forget the value of hard work. If I had gotten the lamp when I was young I might have attempted to do some good for the world but now it is too late. I am old now. So thank you, but no thank you, I do not want the lamp. But I, along with all the other farmers here, will never forget what you have done for us.”