Everyone has a wish of their own.
I wished I would grow sooner.
Grow sooner to open a toy shop.
Grow sooner to open a pizzeria
Grow sooner to open an amusement park.
One day I stood before the mirror and looked at myself.
I knew if closed my eyes and counted I would grow.
I said: From one to three…
I said: No, it’s too little.
I said: From one to seven…
I said: This is little too.
I said: From one to twelve…
I said: That’s good. Don’t bargain!
I closed my eyes, uttered my wish and counted:
One… two…three…four…five…six…seven…eight…nine…ten…eleven…twelve…
My body got burning hot.
There was a burning smell too.
Little by little trembling and fearful I opened my eyes.
Oh, no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
An old man was staring at me from inside the mirror frame.
An old man with white hair and beard.
He was so week as if it was time for him to die.
I was so astonished that smoke came out of my head.
Well, I think I have counted too much.
By: Farhad Hassanzadeh
Translated by: Fatemeh Abtahi