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TALES FROM THE ARABIAN NIGHTS

ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES

(Told by Polly)

The Robber Chief once again disguised himself: this time as a seller of carpets. Taking a shop in the town, he began to trade under he false name of Cogia Houssain. Now the shop that he had taken was next door to one kept by Ali Baba’s son, and he had chosen it for the sole purpose of becoming friendly wjth the young man. For he had made up his mind to use him in carrying out his plans to destroy Ali Baba. All day long he sat in his store and spon became friendly with all the people around him, especially with Ali Baba’s son, ~, iq j>i lufl l.jf jfj fU

Having become friendly vdth AW son, he was careful to treat h’rc most kindly. Nearly every day tl.-ev m, and the Robber Chief told the young man stories that made him fee: v lucky he was to have such a fin-' fellow keeping a store next t.o hhu. T, i e did he realise that his newfound, friend was the man who had made up his mind to destroy his father and all his household. The Robber Chief continued to act in a very cunning fashion, loaded the young man with presents, and insisted that he should dine with him on many occasions.

At last the Robber Chief’s scheme began to prosper. Ali Baba’s son felt; that he could not continue to accept Cogia Houssain’s hospitality without showing him some return. He. spoke to his father, Ali Baba, about it, saying he would like to invite Cogia Houscain to dine with him, but that his own house was not large enough to entertain such a guest in the way he wished.. Of course, Ali Baba said he would be only too pleased to meet his son’s friend, and entertain him. And so it came about that the Robber Chief once again gained entrance to the home of Ali Baba.'

Now the custom of Ali Baba’s land ordained that if you ate salt in a friend’s house you must not do him any harm, and the Robber was very ob-, servant of this custom. Consequently he told Ali Baba that he would be pleased to dine, but, owing to ill-health, he would have to go without salt.: Ali Baba accordingly told Morgiana that she must not put any salt in the guest’s food. That a guest should not eat salt in a friend’s house made Morgiana very curious, and she peeped round the curtain to see what manner of man he was. She was not very astonished when, despite his disguise, she recognised the Robber Chief. At once she formed a plan to destroy the Robber before he could destroy them. ,

It was usual for Morgiana, who was a fine dancer, to amuse the guests after dinner by dancing for them, and that evening she said she would give them a special treat. She dressed herself very prettily, and round her waist she wore a silver girdle, into which she had thrust a scimitar. She began her dance to the time of the music, whirling faster and faster. Suddenly drawing the scimitar from her girdle, she held it high over her head, and went through many wild manoeuvres.' -Then, before the Robber Chief could move, she plunged it into his heart, and the peril of Ali Baba from the forty thieves was over for ever. ..

No sooner was the Robber Chief dead than Richard, Gwendoline and I, found ourselves at home, and there was our little Genie, climbing back into his jar. “That was a jolly good tale," I cried. “Hear! Hear!” said Richard. “Yes!" growled Gwen, “but you haven't said what became of Ali-Baba and Morgiana afterwards?” “Oh! that’s simple,” cried the Genie, “Ali Baba lived happily ever after, and had all the Robber Chief’s treasure.”. “And Morgiana?” enquired Gwen persistently. “Ali Baba was so pleased with her,” said the Genie, “that he married her to his son and she became a great lady.” “She deserved it,” said Gwen.

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NEM19280714.2.65.4

Bibliographic details

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 14 July 1928, Page 9

Word Count
685

TALES FROM THE ARABIAN NIGHTS Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 14 July 1928, Page 9

TALES FROM THE ARABIAN NIGHTS Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 14 July 1928, Page 9

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