Yesterday we sat at the fountain and watched people and soaked up the beautiful scenery. A woman with two young girls was there. The girls was about 5 and 8 years old. She gave the girls a coin and suggested they make a wish before throwing the coin into the fountain. The older girl seemed to understand but the younger girl needed more explanation. "Make a wish," the woman suggested, "wish for a treat after supper or a bed time story." A treat or a bedtime story? What kind of household doesn't give every kid a treat and a bedtime story every night? She shouldn't have to wish for that. After dinner treats and bedtime stories should be standard operating procedures. The five year old girl did not look very impressed with these suggestions. Then the woman added, "Or you could wish for a kitty." The eyes on the little girl went wide. Excitement illuminated her little face. She mouthed the words - I am going to wish for a kitty and she threw her coin into the water. And she didn't fall in. Balancing on her knees as she was I was pretty sure this girl was going to go into the fountain. I've been throwing coins into the fountains at Como Conservatory for over 50 years now. So have a lot of other people. I wonder how the wishes break down? If the fountains could tell us the wishes, what would be the categories? Fame? Fortune? Happiness? Prosperity? Health? Love? Kitties? Ponies? New cars? Jobs? Success? How many wishes have been less than positive? Like revenge or retribution? There is no way of knowing the wishes made inside the Conservatory. Maybe the real truth would be less exciting than our imaginations.
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