To be honest, I've never done anything in my life. I had no particular activity, I just lazed around in my corner. I wasn't a genius, but my grades were barely acceptable. Every hour, every day of the year, I lived in a monotonous routine that, over time, became an integral part of my identity.
And once again, I was spending another boring day. But on my way home, I noticed that a shop was about to open. Naturally, my curiosity was piqued, and I went to take a look inside.
The shop was anything but ordinary. There were things completely unknown to me, things I could never describe. The only object whose nature or at least its shape I could somewhat distinguish was a shining sphere.
Its color was mesmerizing, as if the starry sky had been trapped inside. Though it was small, about the size of a marble but slightly larger, I couldn't take my eyes off it.
In my astonishment, someone called out to me from behind.
It was an old lady who barely reached my shoulder. At first glance, she looked about ninety years old, yet she still managed to stand without a cane it was incredible. She was dressed in a black robe and covered in jewelry all over her body. Thank God there was no sun, or I would have gone blind.
She began to speak to me:
"Young man, I see the Sphere of Destiny interests you."
"Haha!! What kind of name is that, straight out of an anime?"
"Don't mock it!! This object can perform a miracle, but only for the one it chooses."
"I see it hasn't even acknowledged you."
"You insolent boy!! You see this sphere… no one else but you and I can see it."
I burst out laughing at her words. It was surreal how could that even be possible?
"Old lady!! I get that we're talking marketing, but you're good at this."
"You don't believe me? Then ask anyone else, you'll see their answer."
She was visibly upset, crossing her arms and staring at me with a piercing gaze. I didn't want to provoke her further, so I picked up the glowing sphere, played along, and called out to a passerby:
"Hey, tell me! Can you describe what I'm holding in my hand?"
The passerby looked at me as if I were treating him like an idiot.
"Listen, I don't know if this is some hidden camera prank, but I don't have time for nonsense…"
He turned on his heels and left. The old lady, meanwhile, looked at me with satisfaction. I couldn't believe it. Maybe I was the victim of a hidden camera prank, but I had a strange feeling she wasn't lying.
So I stopped another passerby and asked him the same question.
"What exactly do you want me to describe?! Your hands… oh yes, they're very beautiful."
Aside from that odd remark, it seemed real. What did it mean? I thought… maybe they were her accomplices trying to push me into buying. But now the mystery was too heavy I wanted to be sure for myself.
"Okay, old lady!! You win, I believe you. I'll buy it. How much is it?"
Her satisfaction was obvious from miles away it was clear she was just taunting me.
"So, now you believe me?"
I could only look away in shame and resentment.
"I still don't believe it. I'll show it to people I know, for more authenticity… So how much does it cost?"
She smiled slightly and gestured for me to take it with me.
"It's a gift! You're my first customer! It's a privilege, you know."
"You can't be serious?"
"Go on before I change my mind."
I was about to leave when a question came to mind.
"So, assuming it works, how do you make a wish?"
"It won't give you what you want, but what you need… But there is a price to pay."
"A price! What kind of price?!"
"You'll find out soon enough!"
"I don't really trust this, you know!"
But I didn't worry too much. I turned around and went home.