A Centaurian, a Martian and an Earthman crash landed on a distant uninhabitated planet, far far away.
Cold, hungry and running out of air, the three searched the area desperately. They found a curious artifact, and took it back to the remains of their spacecraft.
The Martian prised open the lid of the artifact, and an alien creature slithered out.
"Thankyou for releasing me!" the small green creature exclaimed. "As reward, I can grant you one wish each!"
The Centaurian sighed. "I have been away from my home planet for many years. I would love to see the mountains of my youth again. Can you send me home?"
"Done!" the creature said. The Centaurian vanished.
"I would love to see my wives and children again!" the Martian said. "Can you send me back to Mars?"
"Done!" the creature said. The Martian vanished.
The Earthman looked around. The snow was hitting the window of the wrecked spacecraft. Outside it looked very bleak. He turned back to the funny little alien creature.
"I say," he said, "it's a bit lonely here without them. Can you bring those two guys back?"