All I Want Is A Day Of Rest

How I wish I had the magic lamp

And have the genie with me all the time!

Reading out fairy tales to kids at bedtime

I too dozed off and was soon in dreamland.

Yes I got hold of the magic lamp

And scrubbed it well and the genie appeared

I asked for my favourite sweets

And presto – it had appeared.

The kind genie gave me all I wished for

And more than satiated, I gave it a break.

Will call you when needed I said

And resumed my slumber but could only toss and turn

One last wish genie, I asked, give me a day’s rest

I should not be bothered by any calls, any work

I will not cook or do any work, I want complete rest.

The genie smiled and asked me to reconsider

But I had decided I would settle for nothing less.

Immediately I felt sick, my body ached

My eyes were bloody, my throat was sore

And I ran a high temperature too.

Soon, rashes showed up and it was confirmed

I had measles – my wish for rest was fulfilled.

Not one day, but one whole week, I was blissfully unaware

Of all that happened around me – I was rested, but did I need it?

I woke up with a start – thank God it was a dream

Never, never in my life will I again wish for a day of rest.