Does anyone know the answer to this or what they are meaning by this question? select either "the magic prison" or "the three brass pennies." identify one symbol in the story and explain how that symbol develop the story's universal theme.

Here is the correct answer with EVIDENCE! I turned it in in my unit test and got 100%%%  

I chose three brass pennies!!!

Happiness comes within yourself and not from magic wishes. The symbol in “The Three Brass Pennies” is probably the penny. I think it’s the pennies because it shows the powers that Ah Fo had and show why the universal theme is correct. The pennies help develop the story’s universal theme because it every time Ah Fo uses one penny, he always regrets asking for that certain power. For example, on page 21 it says, ‘“This reading of other people’s minds certainly had its inconveniences!” That was when he touched the third penny accidentally and thought that it was very inconvenient. And then, on page 20 it says, ‘“This power may prove to be very useful later,” he mused, “but it has taken all the joy from studying for me at the present time.”’ That means he doesn’t like the second penny taking all of his joy from studying. At last, when he finally figures out that he doesn’t like powers and he would like to live as himself he says, When the magician saw him, he said that he could ask for another 3 wishes and that he could replace the pennies for him. But Ah Fo said, ‘“No, no, no!” cried Ah Fo, wildly. “With all gratitude to you, I desire none of these things—less now than ever. If you would grant me three wishes, let them, I pray you, be these. Allow me to forget all that I have learned through the agency of these terrible pennies; give me a contented mind; and lastly, allow me to return to my studies with a new zest and the determination to rise by my own honest effort above all obstacles. It is all that I would ask!”’ He finally learns that he is happy by himself without any superpowers. I think each time he doesn’t like the use of one penny, it builds the theme of the story up. He has wished for too much power and therefore, he regrets asking for each power. You should always be happy with yourself, and not want more things that you don't need.