Several cultures engage in customs that entail wish-granting, such as
blowing out the candles on a birthday cake, praying, seeing a shooting
star at night, tossing a coin into a wishing well or fountain, breaking
the wishbone of a cooked turkey, blowing a dandelion, or writing wishes
on a ribbon or a sky lantern. Many believe such wishes can only come
true if they are kept a secret from other people. Others, on the other
hand, believe that wishes come true only if they are told to someone
else.
