Magic 8-ball

It looked like crap. Cheap novelty plastic, thought John. However the earnestness with which the old gypsy pushed it into his hands after he caught her had given him pause. John had been out for a stroll when he saw the old crone standing on the edge of a bridge leaning way past her limits to get some strange looking berries. Seeing what was about to happen he accelerated sharply and got to her just as she started to go with arms flailing and a rising wail. Luckily she weighed not much more than a child although she appeared to be 100+ and John hauled her back safely.

The crone was fully aware that she had had a near miss though and she was keen to express her gratitude. Looking at John in bewilderment as if processing what had just happened, then with a resolute expression she jammed her hand into her clothing and said “Here! You must take this! You have saved my life. Its the most precious thing I can give you”, staring intently at him and forcing the 8-ball into his hands with a surprising amount of pressure. John seeing that the old lunatic was safely back on her feet took the trinket, made some excuses and headed on at full pace.

Now that he was home though, he looked at the little novelty gift, recalling her earnest expressions of gratitude and thought, well, I may as well give it a try. I could really use some extra luck. He took the ball in both hands and shook it well before looking to see the message it revealed.