The Wishing Stone Read Free

out he grabbed one of the stacks and studied it. The bills appeared genuine. Sally squealed again with joy.
    â€œI’m rich!” she said.
    â€œYou should have asked for hundred-dollar denominations,” Watch said. “You’re never going to be able to get all this stuff back to your house.”
    â€œEven if you could,” Cindy said, “you couldn’t fit it in your house.”
    Sally snickered. “You guys are just jealous! I’m a millionaire and you’re not.”
    â€œWell, maybe you could give us all loans,” Watch said.
    â€œI want some new clothes,” Cindy said suddenly.
    â€œWait a second,” Adam said. But no one was listening.
    â€œWhat do you want?” Sally asked Cindy.
    Cindy rubbed her hands together. “I’d love a black leather jacket and some black leather boots. Then I need some clothes for school. How about a Gap sweater and skirt? Light yellow to match my hair.”
    â€œYou need this to go to school in Spooksville?” Watch asked.
    Sally waved her hand. “It doesn’t matter. If she wants it she wants it.” Sally closed her eyes, then spoke out loud and wished for what Cindy had just requested.
    The clothes did not appear.
    Sally opened her eyes and studied the stone. “It can’t be worn out already. Watch?”
    â€œIt’s possible Cindy has to make her own wishes,” he said. “You don’t really want these clothes, not the way you wanted the million dollars. Give Cindy the stone and we’ll see.”
    â€œI’m not giving her the stone,” Sally said quickly.
    â€œI’ll give it back,” Cindy said.
    â€œHow do I know you will?” Sally asked suspiciously.
    Cindy was insulted. “When have I ever stolen anything of yours?”
    â€œWhen have I ever had a Wishing Stone before?” Sally asked.
    â€œThis is getting ridiculous,” Adam interrupted. “The stone is already causing problems. Let’s put it back.”
    â€œThere are a couple of things I would like,” Watch said.
    Adam was stunned. “But I thought you agreed with me?”
    Watch smiled. “I did until I saw the million dollars.”
    â€œI’ll give Watch the stone first,” Sally said. “As an experiment.”
    â€œWhat’s wrong with me?” Cindy complained.
    â€œNothing’s wrong with you,” Sally said impatiently. “But I’ve known Watch longer than you. I know for a fact he’ll give the stone back when I ask for it.” She went to hand the stone to Watch and then stopped. “You will give it back to me, won’t you?”
    Watch shrugged. “Sure.”
    â€œSwear on your life,” Sally ordered.
    â€œIt’s not good to swear,” Cindy said.
    â€œI swear to whatever you want me to swear to,” Watch said.
    â€œAll right.” Sally reluctantly handed over the stone. “Don’t break it.”
    Watch held the stone close to his heart and closed his eyes. For a moment he concentrated deeply. Then he spoke. “I wish for a six-inch refractor telescope with clock drive and computer-assisted star finder.”
    The telescope appeared just off the path.
    â€œCool,” Watch said.
    â€œLet me try!” Cindy exclaimed.
    â€œIt’s my turn,” Sally snapped. “Watch, give me the stone back.”
    â€œJust a moment,” Watch said, closing his eyes once more. “I wish for a laser pistol.”
    A black pistol-shaped device materialized at his feet.
    Watch knelt and picked it up. He pointed it at a nearby rock and pulled the trigger. There was a flash of red light. The rock exploded into a thousand pieces. The gang jumped, except for Watch. He studied the weapon closer.
    â€œIt’s interesting,” he muttered.
    â€œIt’s very powerful,” Adam gasped.
    â€œWhat I mean,” Watch continued, “is that the Wishing Stone was able to materialize