--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We’re playing Three Wishes,” she told her…" description: "\"“We’re playing Three Wishes,” she told her friend. “Cake, hot bath, soft bed. How about you?” “World peace,” said Karou. Zuzana rolled her eyes. “Yes, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e8/laini-taylor-258_friendship_we-re-playing-three-wishes-she-told-her_2836785.png" --- # We’re playing Three Wishes,” she told her friend. “Cake… ![“We’re playing Three Wishes,” she told her friend. “Cake, hot bath, soft bed. How about you?” “World peace,” said Karou. Zuzana rolled her eyes. “Yes, Saint Karou.” “Cure for cancer,” Karou went on. “And unicorns for all.” “Bluh. Nothing ruins Three Wishes like altruism. It has to be something for…” quote by Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e8/laini-taylor-258_friendship_we-re-playing-three-wishes-she-told-her_2836785.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e8/laini-taylor-258_friendship_we-re-playing-three-wishes-she-told-her_2836785.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e8/laini-taylor-258_friendship_we-re-playing-three-wishes-she-told-her_2836785.png) > ““We’re playing Three Wishes,” she told her friend. “Cake, hot bath, soft bed. How about you?” “World peace,” said Karou. Zuzana rolled her eyes. “Yes, Saint Karou.” “Cure for cancer,” Karou went on. “And unicorns for all.” “Bluh. Nothing ruins Three Wishes like altruism. It has to be something for yourself, and if it doesn’t include food, it’s a lie.” “I did include food. I said unicorns, didn’t I?” “Mmm. You’re craving unicorn, are you?” Zuzana’s brow furrowed. “Wait. Do they have those here?” “Alas, no.” “They did,” said Mik. “But Karou ate them all.” “I am a voracious unicorn predator.”” [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Karou’s wishes reveal that self‑centered desires can undermine altruistic goals. **In simple terms:** Self‑interest can spoil pure intentions. Key Takeaway Balance personal needs with genuine altruism. Themes desire altruism fantasy self‑awareness conflict Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - personal growth - storytelling - character analysis - creative writing Key Concepts wish fulfillment moral paradox inner conflict Questions to Reflect On - What do your wishes reveal about you? - Can self‑interest coexist with generosity? A Different Perspective Altruism may be compromised by hidden motives. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Karou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/karou/) [Three wishes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/three-wishes/) [Unicorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unicorn/) [Unicorns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unicorns/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) [World peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-peace/) [Zuzana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/zuzana/) ## Related quotes > [“World peace for dinner," mused Mik, scratching his beard stubble. "Does that come with fries?" "It freaking better," said Zuzana. "Or I will send…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/world-peace-for-dinner-mused-mik-scratching-his-beard-stubble-does/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [“Scientist and smart fellow learner-of-stuff, want to do samurai-monster training with us? We intend to become dangerous.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/scientist-and-smart-fellow-learner-of-stuff-want-to-do-samurai/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [“The humans were sitting cross-legged on the floor in a circle of soldiers, pointing at things and learning more Chimaera words: salt, rat, eat,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/the-humans-were-sitting-cross-legged-on-the-floor-in-a-circle-of/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [“When he started to renew his protest, she held up a hand. "What are you more afraid of: them or me with low blood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/when-he-started-to-renew-his-protest-she-held-up-a-hand-what-are-you/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [“There was, between her and Mik, a fairy-tale promise: that when he had performed three heroic tasks, he could ask for her hand. She’d…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/there-was-between-her-and-mik-a-fairy-tale-promise-that-when-he-had/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [“Be a Samurai. Because you just never know what's behind the freaking sky.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/be-a-samurai-because-you-just-never-know-what-s-behind-the-freaking/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [“Me, sweep him off his feet? I know. The laws of the jungle and romance novels would have it the other way around, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/me-sweep-him-off-his-feet-i-know-the-laws-of-the-jungle-and-romance/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [“Let me tell you something about me. I love vengeance like normal people love sunsets and long walks on the beach. I eat vengeance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/let-me-tell-you-something-about-me-i-love-vengeance-like-normal/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [“...You are not just going to vanish like this, Karou. This isn't some goddamn Narnia book.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/you-are-not-just-going-to-vanish-like-this-karou-this-isn-t-some/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [“It had worked. She understood. Things can kill you. All kinds of things, like toys, or older brothers. And as she'd grown up, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/it-had-worked-she-understood-things-can-kill-you-all-kinds-of-things/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [“I’m lucky I’m even alive,” she announced. “When I was little, I sucked on duck eyeballs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/i-m-lucky-i-m-even-alive-she-announced-when-i-was-little-i-sucked-on/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [“All of this cuteness, it was one of nature's great bait and switches, because... that wasn't all there was to Zuzana Nováková. Not even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/all-of-this-cuteness-it-was-one-of-nature-s-great-bait-and-switches/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [“You are a conniving, deceitful hussy. I stand in awe." "You're sitting." "I sit in awe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/you-are-a-conniving-deceitful-hussy-i-stand-in-awe-you-re-sitting-i/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [“Cake for later, cake as a way of life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/cake-for-later-cake-as-a-way-of-life/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) ## More by Laini Taylor > [“Word spread quickly: The visitor wished to address the scholars. 'What can he want?' they wondered, streaming into the Royal Theater. Attendance was voluntary,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/word-spread-quickly-the-visitor-wished-to-address-the-scholars-what/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [“The past and the future were just blinders we wore so that infinity wouldn’t drive us mad.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/the-past-and-the-future-were-just-blinders-we-wore-so-that-infinity/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [“I love books. Not just for what they contain. I love them as objects too, as ever-present reminders of what they contain, and because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/i-love-books-not-just-for-what-they-contain-i-love-them-as-objects/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [“To the naked eye, he’s decent kissing height if I wear platforms, though of course a live test will be required before official certification…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/to-the-naked-eye-he-s-decent-kissing-height-if-i-wear-platforms/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [You almost hold up your piece of paper and say, ‘The girl I like just gave me a treasure map to herself.’ But you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/you-almost-hold-up-your-piece-of-paper-and-say-the-girl-i-like-just/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [“...You are not just going to vanish like this, Karou. This isn't some goddamn Narnia book.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/you-are-not-just-going-to-vanish-like-this-karou-this-isn-t-some/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [Have you ever asked yourself, do monsters make war, or does war make monsters?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/have-you-ever-asked-yourself-do-monsters-make-war-or-does-war-make/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [“She told Mik, "You have perfect violin-playing muscles." "And you, with your mighty puppeteer arms. We put the chimaera to shame." She stopped fanning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/she-told-mik-you-have-perfect-violin-playing-muscles-and-you-with/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [As far back as she could remember, a phantom life had mocked her with its impenetrable “something else,” but now it was the opposite.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/as-far-back-as-she-could-remember-a-phantom-life-had-mocked-her-with/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [“By the time the plan's wheels touched down on a desolate stretch of desert runway, the sun had cleared a ridge of mountains and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/by-the-time-the-plan-s-wheels-touched-down-on-a-desolate-stretch-of/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [“It was hard to imagine feeling that magical tingling sensation in the pit of her belly anytime soon. Best not to worry about it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/it-was-hard-to-imagine-feeling-that-magical-tingling-sensation-in-the/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [Staring at her face, she began to fancy her outer layer had begun to melt away while she wasn't paying attention, and something --…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/staring-at-her-face-she-began-to-fancy-her-outer-layer-had-begun-to/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [“He listened like a cactus drinks the rain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/he-listened-like-a-cactus-drinks-the-rain/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [Around Mik, my powers desert me. I lose basic motor function, like my brain focuses all neural activity on my lips and shifts into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/around-mik-my-powers-desert-me-i-lose-basic-motor-function-like-my/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [Everything lined up. It has been easy, as if it were meant-" "Meant!" she said, amazed. She spun to face him, which, in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/everything-lined-up-it-has-been-easy-as-if-it-were-meant-meant-she/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) [Explore all 715 Laini Taylor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) ## More Friendship quotes > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I never believed in trying to do anything. Whatever I set out to do I found I had already accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/i-never-believed-in-trying-to-do-anything-whatever-i-set-out-to-do-i/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [“ever day Maureen is Selfish To her friend and Family One she get mad at her friend and family and She need to Grad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-andeson/ever-day-maureen-is-selfish-to-her-friend-and-family-one-she-get-mad/) Maureen Andeson > [I'm trying to write a film with my friend. I'd love to get the thrill of speaking actors making my work even funnier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-howard/i-m-trying-to-write-a-film-with-my-friend-i-d-love-to-get-the-thrill/) [Russell Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-howard/) > [I gave my archive to Emory University because there's a really dear friend who teaches there, Rudolph Byrd, and he's the editor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-walker/i-gave-my-archive-to-emory-university-because-there-s-a-really-dear/) [Alice Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-walker/) > [Friends are like stars you can't always see them, but you know they're there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unknwon/friends-are-like-stars-you-can-t-always-see-them-but-you-know-they-re/) Unknwon > [I've been writing songs since I was 10 years old and always had a penchant for rhyming. I started listening to hip hop through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hoodie-allen/i-ve-been-writing-songs-since-i-was-10-years-old-and-always-had-a/) [Hoodie Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hoodie-allen/) > [If you love some one for who they are not for there body or how many friend so when you say I love you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unknow/if-you-love-some-one-for-who-they-are-not-for-there-body-or-how-many/) Unknow > [“But my best friend from college was silent for a long time. She, of all of my friends, had seen the parade of sad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-groff/but-my-best-friend-from-college-was-silent-for-a-long-time-she-of-all/) [Lauren Groff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-groff/) > [You smile upon your friend to-day, To-day his ills are over; You hearken to the lover's say, And happy is the lover. 'Tis late…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-smile-upon-your-friend-to-day-to-day-his-ills-are-over-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“way. A true friend isn't the one that agrees with everything you say or do. 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How about you?” “World peace,” said Karou. Zuzana rolled her eyes. “Yes, Saint Karou.” “Cure for cancer,” Karou went on. “And unicorns for all.” “Bluh. Nothing ruins Three Wishes like altruism. It has to be something for yourself, and if it doesn’t include food, it’s a lie.” “I did include food. I said unicorns, didn’t I?” “Mmm. You’re craving unicorn, are you?” Zuzana’s brow furrowed. “Wait. Do they have those here?” “Alas, no.” “They did,” said Mik. “But Karou ate them all.” “I am a voracious unicorn predator.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Laini Taylor" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/we-re-playing-three-wishes-she-told-her-friend-cake-hot-bath-soft-bed/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Friendship" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/we-re-playing-three-wishes-she-told-her-friend-cake-hot-bath-soft-bed/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e8/laini-taylor-258_friendship_we-re-playing-three-wishes-she-told-her_2836785.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e8/laini-taylor-258_friendship_we-re-playing-three-wishes-she-told-her_2836785.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e8/laini-taylor-258_friendship_we-re-playing-three-wishes-she-told-her_2836785.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We’re playing Three Wishes,” she told her friend. “Cake, hot bath, soft bed. 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