"Aauuuugh!" The boy's scream split the air as he saw and felt a hundred snakes of different sizes and colors entwined around him. The sound was cut off as a thick python pushed out of his mouth and slithered out, joined by smaller serpents that oozed from the terrified boy's ears and nose. There was a fresh odor of urine.
Curses. Alibaba chastised himself for falling back into his old patterns. It was so easy to inflict pain and fear. This time was supposed to be DIFFERENT. The djinn sighed and gestured, and the snakes vanished. Leon's clothing was clean again, but the boy remained pale and shaking against the wall. Alibaba said "Sorry about that." He glanced around the room, trying to find inspiration for something nice. There were posters of sports teams, mostly the game where tall humans tossed balls through hoops. "Maybe this will make up for it." He gestured again and the sparkles reappeared. Leon cried out and tried to run, but tripped over his own feet and fell with a grunt to the carpeted floor. He scrambled up, wide-eyed and batting at himself for a moment before realizing there were no snakes this time. It took another few seconds before he realized that his arms and legs looked different.
Spinning, Leon looked in the mirror on his dresser - and then stooped to see his face. It was the same teenager's head, but his body was stretched out to well over 6 feet. His clothing had adjusted, with 15EEE athletic shoes and an extra-long T-shirt that bagged slightly on his slender body. "What did you do to me?"
"Prepared you to be a star in the sports you like." Alibaba leaned back on the bed, propping himself up with his arms. "You will be the best athlete in the sport. You are one of the tallest boy your age in the country, and will be 7 feet tall when you are fully grown. He gestured to the bookcase, which had previously had only magazines and books on it. The top was now crowded with basketball trophies and plaques, with more on the floor. Framed articles had appeared on the wall, including a Sports Illustrated cover that showed Leon making a basket and the caption 'Superstars of the Future.'
Leon blinked, then sat down hard on the bed next to Alibaba. He stared at the awards and articles. "But... I didn't wish for anything."
Alibaba shrugged. "Consider this an apology for scaring you. Twice."
"If this is real..." There was hope mixed with the confusion in Leon's voice.
"Oh, this is very real." Alibaba gestured towards the door. "Go on. You'll find that everyone knows you are a basketball star. There are three full scholarships to major universities on the table, and you are just 16."
The boy got up and headed for the door, stopping to shift his shorts a bit. He stopped and looked down.
Alibaba chuckled. "There are certain expectations for someone as tall as you are. I made sure no one will be disappointed."
Leon flushed and continued into the living room, having to duck to keep from scraping his head. There were more trophies out here. A pleasant-looking woman was in the kitchen. "If you're going out, be back in time for dinner." She peered around the corner and grinned. "And that agent called again this morning. The Harlem Globetrotters are still begging to get you signed up." Then she looked behind him and smiled. "Oh, hello Ali! I didn't know you were here. Want to stay for supper?"
Alibaba blinked, not expecting that. Apparently the magic he was working had decided to include him in this new reality. "Uh, no thanks. I have to get home."
"OK. You know you are always welcome."
The familiar affection in her voice was very strange - Alibaba could not remember ever having someone speak to him in that manner. He considered turning her into a hen for the insult, but then decided the intended kindness might not be intolerable.
"OK." Leon looked a little flustered by her acceptance of his new size. "We're just gonna go shoot some hoops at school. Be back soon." He hurried out, forcing Alibaba to run to catch up. The boy slowed when they got tot he street, though his long legs made walking hard to keep up with. After a few hundred feet, Alibaba stretched himself up to be a boy of similar size. Leon stared and then grinned. "This is awesome! I feel incredible!"
The djinn allowed himself to enjoy his own body. Human physical forms were incredibly limited in ability, but they did offer a feast for the senses.
They jogged along together towards the school for a couple of blocks before Leon finally said "So. How does this wish thing work? I don't want to make some stupid comment that you interpret as a wish and get a pack of French Fries."
Alibaba chuckled. Another movie misrepresentation. "I will only count wishes that you specifically direct to me as a wish, not random statements." What he did not say was that he was likely to grant random statements and thoughts that appealed to him anyway.
"How many do I get?"
The djinn shrugged. "We'll see. How about the standard three? After that I'll see how generous I feel."