The Hindu Business Line : Genie in flesh and blood greets ailing kids

DREAM COME TRUE: Ailing children pose with the comic character Genie at an event organised by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Walt Disney and Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad on Wednesday. - Mohammed Yousuf

Hyderabad May 2 The genie, the popular all-powerful slave-monster from the Arabian Nights, made an appearance at Apollo Hospitals and granted wishes to the children fighting life-threatening diseases.

About 100 odd children couldn't believe their eyes when their favourite comic figure appeared in flesh and blood. About 100 odd children couldn't believe their eyes, seeing their favourite comic figure in flesh and blood interrupting an Aladdin movie. This is not all. Not hiding his antics, the genie then jumped down from the dais to shake hands with children.

Granting Wishes

Those who still did not believe this had more surprise in store. The giant monster then started granting wishes — not three as the poor Aladdin would have got. He showered grants for all the kids present there. Four-year-old Sindhu wanted the genie to give her a doll set - she got it! Suresh, a seven-year-old boy, spelled out his wish to get a toy car. The genie granted it. The 11-year-old Anusha wanted a `Punjabi dress' and the genie didn't mind fulfilling her wish too.

These were just a few of the many ailing children that received gifts. There were other children who didn't receive gifts. Though puzzled initially, they soon realised why the genie selected only a few among them. They didn't mind because their dream of seeing the genie was already fulfilled. No wonder, Atul, 6, wanted to take the genie home along with him so that he could get his wishes granted everyday! Another kid noticed the absence of Aladdin and lago — the sharp-tongued parrot pal of genie! Perhaps, Make-a-Wish Foundation would get them one day.

"After Mumbai and Hyderabad, we will take the genie to Delhi, Ahmedabad and Goa," Mr K. Seshasaye of Walt Disney India told Business Line.

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Genie in flesh and blood greets ailing kids