A little girl crawled onto her grandfathers lap, wanting to hear a story from long ago.  "Please Grandfather, tell me that story about the little boy who made wishes come true."  As the Grandfather settled her into his lap, he let out a soft chuckle.  "Come here, sweet one.  I will tell you what you wish."

He started telling her about the little boy whose wishes came true. When the boy wished, he made them of gold coins and food aplenty for all. When it came to the boy, his wishes were not intended for him. They were for those less fortunate than himself. Those ill, became well with a wish of good health. Those who needed to pay a debt, he wished they had no more debt. Grandfather paused for a breath...

There were so many people with so much need and so many wishes to handle, the little boy realized he was to need some help. He knew right where to go. You see, this little boy knew some "Little People" ( another name for the Leprechauns in Ireland). One in particular who had a kind heart but was inclined to get into mischief if he had too much time on his hands. This O'Reilly fella loved the idea, so the little boy decided to start him out easy.

Granting the wish for a little girl who wanted a kitten, fixing Granny Sullivan's stove, nothing too strenuous, you understand.

But O'Reilly felt in his heart, the little boy had a secret wish of his own. What a joy it would be to grant this wish as a reward because the little boy was always thinking of others. Hmmmm...what could this wish be???

O'Reilly knew he had to go about this very carefully. The little boy would never "just tell" him his wish, especially since he had made it his quest to do good only to others. So what was a Leprechaun to do to get the secret out of him? O'Reilly thought and thought....he thought so much that he forgot to make shoes....that's what Leprechauns do, you see. He also forgot to light his pipe, and his pipe he liked, that funny fella. Then he had an idea! Since he knew he couldn't just ask the boy, knowing fully he would never get an answer, he decided to get the answer out of the boy by playing a little trick on him.

"This should be easy", O'Reilly said to himself, nodding approvingly of his idea, "after all, they don't call me mischievous for nothing!" So again he sat down to think of a good prank that would get him the answer to the little boy's secret wish.

All that would come out is..."We'd better be gettin' home before your mother sends your Uncles looking for you."  Those uncles always have a way of intimidating me. I'm sure that's part of what's holding me tongue-tied, he thought.  He heard a rustling over yonder.  Is that O'Reilly?  I hope he was able to help Grandmother Carney. It was hard to concentrate on helping the village, when his thoughts were drawn back to his unspoken wish.  Maybe I should just give her....

Give her what? The little girl asked her Grandfather. Well, my sweet one, deep in their heart most young girls want nothing more than true love and a warm heart.  When a young man wants to declare his true love, he wants to give her a trinket, a symbol of his devotion.

"Ooooh," said the little girl, her eyes wide. Her Grandfather thought back. He went on with his tale: it was a simple locket that the young man had, and yet it had deep meaning for him. It had belonged to his dear mother, who had passed away when he was young. He had kept it safe all these years, intending to give it to the girl he hoped to one day to marry. He hoped that when he presented it to Leah, she would understand the depth of his feelings for her. He was so shy and words did not come easy to him. But would his family even think him worthy of their Leah? Perhaps he should approach her father first. Or would that be too bold? He was in such a quandary. If there were only someone who could advise him as to what to do, or someone who could help him out. He wondered, "Should I ask..." ?