Omo Kibish, Ethiopia
300,000 years ago
The first wish, for some reason, was always the same. The Incubator had seen it in hundreds of planets, in hundreds of primitive tongues. Not that he minded; annoyance was not a possibility for his psyche. He just found it mildly worth of notice every time he reported back.
"Are you sure this is what you wish?"
"If you can grant it, yes."
This human's name was Afa. She had scars from previous hunting expeditions and was visibly tired of the danger and the hunger. It made sense that she had only one wish in her mind.
"Very well. Stand by while I complete the thermodynamic inversion."
"What is th—" Afa fell unconscious as a bright greenish light enveloped her. Night had already fallen when she woke up, holding a carved stone in her hand. She looked around for the white-furred creature that had called itself the Incubator, but it was gone.
She stood up and the first thing she noticed was the new coat of lion skin that she was wearing. Had she killed it? She didn't remember. By her side she could also see a beautifully carved spear, of a hard wood that she didn't recognize. It occurred to her it might have been the spear that had killed the lion, but no matter how much she tried to remember, she couldn't be sure of having done it.
She walked down the mountains, back to her tribe, carrying the good news.
For the rest of their lives, Afa's family never failed to kill a beast. They had plenty of meat as often as they wanted. Her wish had come true.
And still, something worried her. With the passage of years, the pretty green stone had been gradually dimming. After a long time, she figured that the stone grew darker every time she threw the mortal blow that brought down a beast. She no longer felt so confident in the aim of her arm. She was as accurate with the spear as ever, but somehow she didn't believe it as strongly as she used to. Everything was so easy. Now that the threat of hunger was forgotten, she found herself wondering what purpose she could give to her life.
And she found none.
The second wish, for some reason, was always the same. The Incubator could see the words coming every time. Not that he minded; it was part of the plan. He just found it mildly amusing.
"Are you sure this is what you wish?"
"Yes. I can't wait anymore. My mother has been missing for weeks already, and there's this constant roaring I hear at night. I'm sure a huge animal is keeping her. I want the strength to defeat it."
"Very well. Stand by."
When Afa's daughter woke up, she discovered she could make fire.