Opie makes three wishes on a "magic lamp" Barney bought. When one of his wishes doesn't come true, Barney dismisses the whole thing. Opie learns there are many different ways for a wish to be granted.

Barney feels he's become "hexed" after Andy persuades him to throw away a chain letter. Now with the annual law-enforcement officers' pistol-shooting qualifications coming up, Andy has to soothe Barney's nerves or he may lose his job.

Andy is offered a job in Minnesota so Barney decides to run for sheriff in the upcoming election. But when Andy's job offer falls through, he returns to Mayberry to find Barney with a case of campaign fever, aiming to unseat Andy.

After arresting a couple of "fun girls" from Mount Pilot, Andy and Barney need to postpone their big date with Helen and Thelma Lou. Not wanting their dates to worry, Andy describes their prisoners as hard-bitten criminals. The ploy works, until Helen and Thelma Lou decide to make a surprise visit to the courthouse.