"Children's Books - Adventures of Aladdin" - читать интересную книгу автора (Children's Books)

your wishes." And the genie bowed respectfully, awaiting Aladdin's orders. The
boy and his mother gaped wordlessly at this incredible apparition, then the
genie said with a hint of impatience in his voice.
"I'm here at your command. Tell me what you want. Anything you like!"
Aladdin gulped, then said:
"Bring us . . . bring . . ." His mother not having yet begun to cook the
dinner, went on to say: ". . . a lovely big meal."
From that day on, the widow and her son had everything they could wish for:
food, clothes and a fine home, for the genie of the lamp granted them
everything they asked him. Aladdin grew into a tall handsome young man and his
mother felt that he ought to find himself a wife, sooner or later.
One day, as he left the market, Aladdin happened to see the Sultan's
daughter Halima in her sedan chair being carried through the streets. He only
caught a fleeting glimpse of the princess, but it was enough for him to want
to marry her. Aladdin told his mother and she quickly said:
"I'll ask the Sultan for his daughter's hand. He'll never be able to
refuse. Wait and see!"
And indeed, the Sultan was easily persuaded by a casket full of big
diamonds to admit the widow to the palace. However, when he learned why she
had come, he told the widow that her son must bring proof of his power and
riches. This was mostly the Chamberlain's idea, for he himself was eager to
marry the beautiful black-eyed Sultan's daughter.
"If Aladdin wants to marry Halima,' said the Sultan, "he must send me forty
slaves tomorrow.Every slave must bring a box of precious stones. And forty
Arab warriors must escort the treasure."
Aladdin's mother went sadly home. The genie of the magic lamp had already
worked wonders, but nothing like this. Aladdin however,when he heard the news,
was not at all dismayed. He picked up the lamp, rubbed it harder than ever and
told the genie what he required. The genie simply clapped his hands three
times. Forty slaves magically appeared, carrying the gemstones, together with
their escort of forty Arab warriors. When he saw all thls the next day, the
Sultan was taken aback. He never imagined such wealth could exist. Just as he
was about to accept Aladdin as his daughter's bridegroom, the envious
Chamberlain broke in with a question.
"Where wlll they live?" he asked. The Sultan pondered for a moment, then
allowlng greed to get the better of hlm, he told Aladdin to build a great,
splendid palace for Halima. Aladdin went straight home and, in what was once a
wilderness, the genie built him a palace. The last obstacle had been overcome.
The wedding tbok place with great celebrations and the Sultan was especially
happy at finding such a rich and powerful son-in-law.
News of Aladdin's sudden fortune and wealth spread like wildfire, until....
one day, a strange merchant stopped beneath the palace window.
"Old lamps for new," he called to the princess, standing on the balcony.
Now, Aladdin had always kept his secret to himself. Only his mother knew it
and she had never told a soul. Halima, alas, had been kept in the dark. And
so, now, wanting to give Alladin a surprise as well as make a good bargain,
she fetched the old oil lamp she had seen Aladdin tuck away, and gave it to
the merchant in exchange for a new one. The merchant quickly began to rub
it . . . and the genie was now at the service of the wizard who had got his
magic lamp back.