"Is the shape natural ?" "No; it was wished on me," replied Tommy, with a sigh.

"I used to be very active and loved to run errands for anyone who needed my services.
That was how I got my name of Tommy Kwikstep.

I could run an errand more quickly than any other boy, and so I was very proud of myself.

One day, however, I met an old lady who was a fairy, or a witch, or something of the sort, and she said if I would run an errand for her--to carry some magic medicine to another old woman--she would grant me just one Wish, whatever the Wish happened to be.

Of course I consented and, taking the medicine, I hurried away.