Arabs -- Folklore; Fairy tales; Fairy tales -- Arab countries; Folklore -- Arab countries; Tales -- Arab countries
After these words, Aladdin's mother burst into tears; and the magician
said: "This is not well, nephew; you must think of getting your
livelihood. There are many sorts of trades, consider if you have not an
inclination to some of them; perhaps you did not like your father's and
would prefer another; come, do not disguise your sentiments from me; I
will endeavour to help you." But finding that Aladdin returned no
answer, "If you have no mind," continued he, "to learn any handicraft, I
will take a shop for you, furnish it with all sorts of fine stuffs and
linens; and with the money you make of them lay in fresh goods, and then
you will live in an honourable way. Consult your inclination, and tell
me freely what you think of my proposal."
This plan greatly flattered Aladdin, who hated work but had sense enough
to know that such shops were much frequented and the owners respected.
He told the magician he had a greater inclination to that business than
to any other, and that he should be much obliged to him for his
kindness. "Since this profession is agreeable to you," said the African
magician, "I will carry you with me to-morrow, clothe you as handsomely
as the best merchants in the city, and afterward we will think of
opening a shop as I mentioned."
The widow, who never till then could believe that the magician was her
husband's brother, no longer doubted after his promises of kindness to
her son. She thanked him for his good intentions; and after having
exhorted Aladdin to render himself worthy of his uncle's favour by good
behaviour, served up supper, at which they talked of several indifferent
matters; and then the magician, who saw that the night was pretty far
advanced, took his leave, and retired.
He came again the next day, as he had promised, and took Aladdin with
him to a merchant, who sold all sorts of clothes for different ages and
ranks ready made, and a variety of fine stuffs. He asked to see some
that suited Aladdin in size; and Aladdin, charmed with the liberality of
his new uncle, made choice of one, and the magician immediately paid for
it.
When the boy found himself so handsomely equipped, he returned his uncle
thanks; who promised never to forsake him, but always to take him along
with him; which he did to the most frequented places in the city, and
particularly where the principal merchants kept their shops. When he
brought him into the street where they sold the richest stuffs and
finest linens, he said to Aladdin: "As you are soon to be a merchant, it
is proper you should frequent these shops, and be acquainted with them."
He then showed him the largest and finest mosques, carried him to the
khans or inns where the merchants and travellers lodged, and afterward
to the sultan's palace, where he had free access; and at last brought
him to his own khan, where, meeting with some merchants he had become
acquainted with since his arrival, he gave them a treat, to bring them
and his pretended nephew acquainted.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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