Tales from Arabian Nights, Aladdin, Told by Richard.

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6616, 22 May 1928, Page 10

Tales from Arabian Nights, Aladdin, Told by Richard.

Aladdin -waited until the three months for'which the Sultan had asked wcr« up, and then sent his mother once more to the Palace to ask again for the Princess’s hand in marriage. The Sultan at onco recognised the widow and listened quietly to what she had to say. But the Grand Vizier again advised him to take time, and so ho told her that Aladdin should marry his daughter only on condition that the boy sent him forty golden basins full of priceless jewels, carried by forty black slaves, all richly dressed. Aladdin’s mother was upset, because she thought the request was quite impossible “Myl” said Gwendoline, “isn’t he a greedy old man.’’

Aladdin's mother went sadly Lome, feeling sure that her son would now have to give up all idea of marrying the Princess, since he would never be able to send such a present to the Sultan. She found Aladdin in the garden. “It’s no use,” she said, “you’ll have to give up the idea.” And she told him of the Sultan’s demands. She did not know that Aladdin could get all these wonderful things by rubbing the lamp. Being nervous of it, she had hidden it away in a cupboard after the appearance of the lirst genie. As soon as she had gone out Aladdin rushed and got the lamp.

Aladdin quickly explained to the Genie what he wanted as_ a gift for the Sultan, and in a very short time the Genie returned with forty gorgeously attired slaves, bearing upon their heads solid golden basins full of diamonds, pearls, rubies, emeralds, and other precious stones. The slaves quite filled th/ little garden. Aladdin was, of course, delighted, and immediately sent t y slaves to the palace, persuading his mothcr'to follow in their train and pi sent them to the Sultan.

When the slaves arrived at the palace, they caused a great sensation, j.or none of the lords or ladies had ever beheld such magniliccnt servants: and when the Sultan saw the basins of sparkling gems which they offered him, he hardly knew how to express his satisfaction. He was a greedy old man. but he never dreamt that any one on earth could produce such wonderful jewels. Highly delighted, he felt sure that he would never be able to get a richer suitor t'or his daughter. So ho told Aladdin’s mother her son could now marry the Princess, and the sooner he came along and settled in the palace the better ho would like it. Aladdin's mother rushed home with the glad news.

As soon as Aladdin heard the good news, he again called up the Genie and asked for rich clothes and a splendid horse, and for slaves to follow him. Then, gaily attired, he rode to the Palace, distributing showers of gold pieces among the people as ho passed. The Sultan would have had Aladdin marry his daughter immediately, but Aladdin first caused the Genie to build him a magnificent palace decorated with gems of all descriptions, which pleased the Sultan more than ever. And then, amidst rejoicings, the Princess were married. ‘I suppose now he’ll live ‘happy ever after, said uwcndn line. But Aladdin had not finished his adventures.

Havin'' <mincd his heart’s desire, and living the life of a Prince in a splendid palace, with his beautiful Princess, Aladdin was perfectly happy. But trouble was even then hovering near him. The wicked Magician, who had imprisoned Aladdin in the cave, heard that he had escaped and that he possessed the wonderful lamp. This made him awfully angry, and he decided to try once again lo got the lam]) for himself and destroy Aladdin’s happiness. Bo he set off and in time arrived in the City where Aladdin lived. There ho soon learned of the great power Aladdin held in the land. Little did poor Aladdin dream of the misery that was in store for him.