A certain man received a most wonderful gift.  The gift, which was delivered unboxed and unwrapped, was a genuine Aladdin’s Lamp complete with genuine lamp spirit. Moreover, the spirit was prepared to grant all the man’s good and unselfish wishes.  The man was overcome with joy and for many months used his lamp, freely and spontaneously, to meet many of the pressing needs of his household and his community.  Consequently, the man and his beautiful lamp were a great source of joy to all, and many were those who were helped, blessed, and encouraged by the spirit of the lamp.  Often the word “miracle” was heard in reference to the man and his lamp.

One day the man heard about about, and then joined, the Association of Aladdin.  He was amazed to learn that there were so many lamps, each complete with a genuine lamp spirit, in his community.  How could they have remained so unknown? Obviously, there was much he did not know about proper lamp protocol.  This realization dampened his joy, somewhat.  However, he listened carefully and was eager to do the right thing, so he learned quickly.

Time passed and the membership of the Association grew.  The needs of the community were overwhelming and every lamp, complete with genuine spirit, was needed for service.  However, it would not be wise to have everyone running around using their lamps indiscriminately, so lamp protocol was always a topic of discussion.  It was finally decided, by majority present, that lamp usage should be encouraged.  However, because the lamps, complete with their genuine spirits, were so valuable each should be boxed and reside within the Association Hall.  It was thought that this would also protect against breakage.  Each member would then present, to the Association’s duly elected officials, the need he wished to meet with his lamp.  The boxed lamp, complete with genuine spirit, was then issued to the member to use, and return.  Each need required a separate request as this provided a great way to keep track of lamp usage. The plan was implemented and even thought, by some, to be brilliant.  However, the plan left no room for spontaneity and the result was that many lamps remained in their boxes and many lamp spirits remained in the lamps.

The man? He thought often of the “good old days” but was committed to the Association of Aladdin.  The genuine spirit of the man’s genuine Aladdin lamp remained in his lamp and soon the community, though always in need of the genuine spirit, forgot about the lamp.