The well had been in the village for hundreds

of years. The sacred amenity is the heartbeat of all living things. An underground river feeds the well, and legend has it of an ancient god who pledged to feed the well for eternity. Village elders hold council there every evening after sunset.

The sun was at its highest point, beating down on the desert rooftops. The sound of dogs barking broke the silence as a vulture hovered high above the village.

The shepherd had finished his morning routine of tending to his flock. A vulture circled high above his head, searching for its next meal. The scavenger looked at ease riding the hot thermals.

A gust of wind blew dust off the sandy floor, causing the shepherd to adjust his keffiyeh. His aching bones warmed on the hot desert floor. Age was not on his side, and his attention turned to his parched throat. Holding his staff with a firm grip, the shepherd rose to his feet and headed towards the well.

Two children caught the shepherd’s eye, and he beckoned them over to share a cold pale of fresh drinking water.

The youngest child looked uncomfortable in the oppressive midday heat. The oldest child took a sip from the pale before handing it to his sibling.

Speaking with a soft authoritative tone, the shepherd told the children of the time he met a genie.

“Where was the genie from?” The oldest child asked?

“Well, he came from a land far away. He was sent by the ancient gods to help me when I became stranded in a desert storm.”

“What does the genie do?” Asked the youngest child.

The shepherd pulled back his shoulders and stood upright.

“He grants a wish.”

The oldest child looked inquisitive. Taking a step forward he spoke with excitement.

“What did you wish for?”

The shepherd leaned forward and paused for a moment.

“I asked the genie to send me to a frozen land” he laughed.

A voice called over from a near by house. It was the children’s mother. Scurrying home, the children left the shepherd standing alone by the well. The break was over, it was time for the shepherd to get back to his flock.