Imagine asking the universe for something, and then watching it immediately appear before you.

"End tables."

"Rabbit-ear antenna."

"Bird cage"

"Dresden Voyager hatch door."

Now, imagine it could actually work that way. Fifty percent of the time, maybe. Or depending on what you ask for, even 99.

"I went on and said I wanted or needed a fish tank setup and someone, within a couple of weeks, ended up getting it to me," said Aericka Darling, 25, of Lewiston. She's one of nearly 2,600 locals who belong to the L-A chapter of The Freecycle Network. The non-profit group uses simple message-board software to connect stuff that one person has and doesn't want with people who want it.

All for free.

"I just recently got two very nice hardwood cutting boards, a jar of fresh basil, and I'm supposed to be getting a new wok," Darling said, of the things that have come her way via Freecycle. "I'd say (I've saved) somewhere between $100 and $150," she added. "I do it more for financial reasons."

The network was started in Tucson, Ariz., by a man named Deron Beal, who was working with a small nonprofit that provided recycling services in the area. "As the team recycled, rather than watching perfectly good items being thrown away, they found themselves calling or driving around to see if various local nonprofits could use them," says the group's Web site. "Thinking there had to be an easier way, Beal set up that first Freecycle e-mail group in a way that permitted everyone in Tucson to give and to get. Freecycle was off and running."

Local people use it for a variety of reasons - from getting rid of clutter, to acquiring needed things for free, to slowing the flow of trash to the dump. "The purpose is to try to keep things out of the landfill," said Marlene Aguilar, of Lewiston. "I have recycled everything from video tapes ... to clothing, books and I don't think I've ever offered something that wasn't taken."

Heather Cunningham uses the group to both recycle her two young boys' clothing and toys and to pick things up she couldn't afford otherwise on a nursing student's budget. "This is a great way to help both economically and environmentally," Cunningham said. "One of the best things I did get from this group is a little while ago my uncle passed away and I put in a request for extra copies of his obit. I had so many people respond that I was able to get enough for any family member who wanted them, even those out of state. It was great and heartwarming."

"People ask for everything from prayers to birthday cards to real material objects," Aguilar said.

"You do see the people who try and take advantage of the group and make up a 'wish-list'of ridiculous things that they think they might get for free," said freecycler Katrina Johndro. "But for the most part the people who are involved with freecycle know what it's truly meant for."

"I've posted a few things that I wanted to get rid of such as skis, clothes, coupons, a swing set and even a shed," Johndro said. "I've received some wonderful things too, like a Jumperoo for my son, learning toys for my daughter, a doll house for my daughter, diapers, a birdcage and a patio umbrella. Most of these things people have posted that they no longer wanted but some of these things I've posted as a want ad."

"Personally, I know that if I wasn't able to give these things away, they would have gone in the trash," Johndro said.

An e-mail sent by the group's moderator says Freecyclers keep 300 tons a day out of landfills.

How it works

Using the site is simple. Go to www.freecycle.org and find the L-A chapter (under Browse Groups/Maine). Click on it, and join.

After that, all you really need to do is wait for the emails to start arriving.

"wanted in Lewiston area: verizon cell phone."

"offer: paint/dvd rack/random nicknacks (auburn)."

"WANTED: treadmill or stair climber in LEWISTON."

"Wanted: Dresden-Voyager hatch door."

"OFFER in Gardiner: Female Money Cat."

If you see something you want, be quick. Usually, the posted item goes to the first person who responds, via email. "I think the most difficult thing is when you post something and then you have six people who really want it," Aguilar said.

If you want something, follow the group's posting rules (clearly label the post, don't send your phone number or address until you've gotten a positive response, keep posts "all ages" appropriate) and put up a request.

You just might get it. Johndro recently put in a request for a VCR, and within a few weeks she had gotten a positive response.

Generally, the person who claims the item goes to pick it up, after working out a time and place with the item's owner.

"I've had lots of people come to my house to pick up things," Aguilar said. Has she ever felt unsafe? "No, not really - I haven't felt that problem at all."

Aside from safety and general rules about politeness, the group's major precept is simple: the item has to be free.