Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

My mother and I were forced to move into a minute apartment due to money dilemmas. My first impression of the apartment was not a good on, it was an empty, white room, with shreds of carpet here and there, complete with an old, moth-eaten couch.

But wait! What was this? Hidden in a secluded corner was a cactus plant. As I wasn't a professional botanist, I was not certain of its species, but I knew it was a cactus. However, this was unlike any other cactus I had ever seen; much bigger, greener, more alive.

Over time, my mother and I settled into our apartment. Of course, we couldn't afford to live glamorously, but we did possess basic necessities. The cactus was still there; I watered it loyally every day. Life was good then, but I did have one worry–I feared I was becoming eccentric. Without even realizing it, I found myself talking to the cactus, as if drawn to it by an invisible force.

One night, I saw that my beloved cactus had three smaller baby cacti growing out of it. I was enthralled by this wondrous sight and was reaching for my camera to take a picture of it when suddenly, one of the baby cacti grew a face! I wanted to shout, but my tongue became as heavy as stone and disobeyed me. Then the baby cactus spoke. It said, 'I am a magic cactus. I can grant you any wish, any at all." Without thinking, I quickly said, "I wish for ten more wishes." The baby cactus' face screw up in rage and called me 'greedy' before disappearing.

The next night, I was staring at my cactus again. It had only two baby cacti left. I was hoping that I would be granted another wish, as I would be more careful this time. Abruptly, a baby cactus grew yet another face. I was elated and said, "I wish for a bigger house and my own theme park." I had unknowingly angered the cactus again. It accused me of trying to get two wishes instead of one and, like the first cactus, disappeared. I was overwhelmed with disappointment, but comforted myself with the fact that one baby cactus still remained.

The third night, the last baby cactus granted me another wish; a final wish. I knew I had to be careful. "I wish that more baby cacti will grow, one every week." The cactus smiled. “And will you promise to always water my mother?" I did, and now my mother and I live a rich and fulfilling life. My cactus has grown to the ceiling and has become too old to grow anymore, but that's alright, because I now have everything that I always wanted.