Story Hour Readers Part 21

Scarcely had he spoken these words when the earth opened. Aladdin found himself at his mother's door. He showed his mother the lamp and the colored fruit, which he still carried in his pockets.

"I will tell you all that has happened," he said, "but first give me something to eat, for I am very hungry."

"Alas!" said the mother. "I have neither money nor food."

"Sell the old lamp that I brought back with me," said Aladdin.

"The lamp would bring a higher price if it were clean and bright,"

replied his mother, and she began to rub the lamp.

No sooner had she given the first rub than a great Genie appeared.

"What is thy will?" asked the Genie. "I am the Slave of the Lamp. I serve the one who holds the lamp."

Aladdin's mother was so terrified that she dropped the lamp. Aladdin managed to grasp it, and say, "Bring me something to eat."

The Slave of the Lamp disappeared. He returned, bringing a dainty breakfast served upon plates of pure gold.

Aladdin now knew what use to make of the magic ring and the wonderful lamp. His mother and he lived happily for years.

One day the Sultan ordered all of the people to stay at home and close their shutters, while his daughter, the Princess, pa.s.sed by on her way to the bath.

Aladdin had heard how beautiful the Princess was, and he greatly desired to see her face. This seemed impossible, for the Princess never went out without a veil which covered her entirely.

He peeped through the shutters as she pa.s.sed by. The Princess happened to raise her veil, and Aladdin saw her face.

The moment Aladdin's eyes rested upon the Princess, he loved her with all his heart.

"Mother," he cried, "I have seen the Princess, and I have made up my mind to marry her. Go at once to the Sultan and beg him to give his daughter to me."

Aladdin's mother laughed at the idea. The next day, however, she went to the palace, carrying the magic fruit as a gift. No one paid any attention to her.

She went every day for a week, before the Sultan noticed that she was there.

"Who is the poor woman who comes here every day?" he asked. "Bring her forward. I wish to speak to her."

Aladdin's mother knelt before the throne and told the Sultan of her son's love for the Princess. "He sends you this gift," she continued, presenting the magic fruit.

The Sultan was astonished at the gift. He exclaimed, "Here indeed is a gift worthy of my daughter! Shall I not give her to the one who sends it?"

Then the Sultan told Aladdin's mother to return in three months' time, and he would give the Princess to her son in marriage.

When the time had pa.s.sed, Aladdin again sent his mother to the Sultan.

"I shall abide by my word," said the Sultan, "but he who marries my daughter must first send me forty golden basins filled to the brim with precious stones.

"These basins must be carried by forty black slaves led by forty white ones, all of them dressed in rich attire."

Aladdin's mother returned home.

"Your hopes are ended," she cried.

"Not so, mother," answered Aladdin.

Then he rubbed the Magician's lamp. When the Genie appeared, Aladdin told him to provide the forty golden basins filled with jewels, and the eighty slaves.

When the procession reached the palace, the slaves presented the jewels to the Sultan.

He was so delighted with the gift that he was willing to have Aladdin marry the Princess without delay.

"Go and tell your son that he may wed my daughter this very day," he said to Aladdin's mother.

Aladdin was delighted to hear the news. He ordered the Genie to bring a rich purple robe for him to wear; a beautiful white horse to ride upon; twenty slaves to attend him; six slaves to attend his mother; and ten thousand gold pieces to give to the people.

At last everything was ready. Aladdin, dressed in his royal robe, started for the palace. As he rode on the beautiful white horse, he scattered the gold coins among the people. They shouted with joy as they followed the procession.

At the palace the Sultan greeted Aladdin joyfully and ordered the wedding feast to be prepared at once.

But Aladdin said, "Not so, your Majesty. I will not marry the Princess until I have built her a palace."

Then he returned home and once more summoned the Slave of the Lamp.

"Build the finest palace in the world," ordered Aladdin. "Let the walls be of marble set with precious stones. In the center build a great hall whose walls shall be of silver and gold, lighted by great windows on each side. These windows are to be set with diamonds and rubies. Depart!

Lose no time in obeying my commands!"

When Aladdin looked out of the window the next morning, there stood the most beautiful palace in the world.

Then Aladdin and his mother returned to the Sultan's palace, and the wedding took place amid great rejoicing.

Aladdin was gentle and kind to all. He became a great favorite at the court, and the people loved him well.

For a time, Aladdin and his bride lived happily.

But there was trouble coming. Far away in Africa, the Magician who had pretended to be Aladdin's uncle learned of his escape with the magic lamp.

The Magician traveled from Africa to Persia, disguised as a merchant.

He carried some copper lamps and went through the streets of the city crying, "New lamps for old!"

Now it happened that Aladdin had gone hunting, and the Princess sat alone near an open window.

She saw the merchant and sent a slave to find out what the man called.

The slave came back laughing.

He told the Princess that the merchant offered to give new lamps for old ones.

The Princess laughed, too. Then she pointed to the old lamp that stood in a niche of the wall.

"There is an old lamp," she said. "Take it and see if the man really will exchange it for a new one."