elf what he would wish for and the elf would let him see some of the consequences of that wish. But there was only one preview as there was only one wish.

Jack knew what he would wish for. So he told the elf that if he wished he would wish that he had never jumped over that darn candle.

Suddenly he could see himself coming out of his room. There was the lit candle and the candlestick. But instead of jumping over it he bumped into it. It fell over and caught the curtain on fire, then his nightshirt. Jack ran screaming into the street. The house burned and the entire town of North Creake with it. Jack’s parents perished in the blazre. Jack was burned badly but survived but his face was disfigured. He was horrible to look at. Out of the incident came a new poem.

Jack wasn’t nimble

Jack wasn’t quick

Jack didn’t jump over he candlestick.

He burned his gown

He burned the town

Nobody wants Jack around.

Suddenly Jack saw that jumping over the candlestick was a good thing , not a bad one. He would not wish to change it. But he still had the wish and no more previews. So he told the elf he woud have to think about it. The elf gave him the usual whistle and a certificate good for one wish. Jack bought a small wooden box and locked the certificate and the whistle in it. He hung the key on a chain around his neck and hid the box.

When people ask about the key he tells them it is to remind them that sometimes the life they have is much better than they think.