Under the old mulberry tree, where the sun barely managed to filter through the branches, the children of the village gathered every afternoon to listen to Uncle Augustine’s stories. There he was, with his straight-brimmed hat, a wheat straw between his lips and that yellow mustache that everyone thought time had painted.

That afternoon, the windmill in the orchard began to spin faster than usual. The children looked at it with curiosity, and it was Luisito, the most mischievous, who ran to Uncle Augustine.

«Uncle Augustine, the windmill is spinning like crazy! It’s going to take off!» shouted Luisito.

Uncle Augustine giggled and said:

«It won’t take off, Luisito. But if the north wind blows, it could be that the windmill has awakened its magic.»

«Magic? What kind of magic?»

«The magic of small wishes,» said Uncle Augustine. But only if they know how to wish responsibly.

The excited children began to approach the windmill. Anita, the first, whispered:

—I would like a bunch of flowers for my mother.

The windmill turned gently, and a small bouquet of daisies appeared at her feet. Then it was Tomasito, who asked for a red apple because he was hungry, and the windmill gave him a shiny, juicy apple. The children shouted excitedly.

But Luisito, with a mischievous smile, shouted:

—I want a mountain of candy!

The windmill began to turn faster than ever, until a mountain of candy appeared in front of them. At first, everyone celebrated, but soon things got out of control. Luisito slipped trying to climb, the children fought over the candy, and the garden was left messy and sticky.

Uncle Agustín stood up and walked toward the windmill.

—Stop, stop! —he said calmly. Wishes are like seeds: if you plant too many, the earth will not be able to sustain them.

The children looked at him attentively.

—A small wish can gladden the heart, but asking for too much can become a problem.

Luisito, with candy stuck in his hair, lowered his head in shame.

—I’m sorry, Uncle Augustine.

Uncle Augustine smiled.

—The magic is in enjoying just what is necessary, not in having everything.

The children cleaned the garden and Luisito shared the candy. When the sun went down, they sat again under the mulberry tree while the windmill slept peacefully, satisfied of having taught an important lesson.

The moral of the story is that we must be responsible with our wishes. Wishing to have more than we need can bring us problems.