Arabs -- Folklore; Fairy tales; Fairy tales -- Arab countries; Folklore -- Arab countries; Tales -- Arab countries
Aladdin, who had not closed his eyes while he was in the subterranean
abode, slept very soundly till late the next morning; when the first
thing he said to his mother was, that he wanted something to eat, and
that she could not do him a greater kindness than to give him his
breakfast. "Alas! child," said she, "I have not a bit of bread to give
you, you ate up all the provisions I had in the house yesterday; but
have a little patience, and it shall not be long before I will bring you
some: I have a little cotton, which I have spun; I will go and sell it,
buy bread, and something for our dinner." "Mother," replied Aladdin,
"keep your cotton for another time, and give me the lamp I brought home
with me yesterday; I will go and sell it, and the money I shall get for
it will serve both for breakfast and dinner, and perhaps supper too."
Aladdin's mother took the lamp, and said to her son: "Here it is, but it
is very dirty; if it was a little cleaner I believe it would bring
something more." She took some fine sand and water to clean it; but had
no sooner begun to rub it, than in an instant a hideous genie of
gigantic size appeared before her, and said to her in a voice like
thunder: "What wouldst thou have? I am ready to obey thee as thy slave,
and the slave of all those who have that lamp in their hands; I and the
other slaves of the lamp."
Aladdin's mother, terrified at the sight of the genie, fainted; when the
lad, who had seen such another phantom in the cavern, snatched the lamp
out of his mother's hand, and said to the genie boldly: "I am hungry,
bring me something to eat." The genie disappeared immediately, and in an
instant returned with a large silver tray, holding twelve covered dishes
of the same metal, which contained the most delicious viands; six large
white bread-cakes on two plates, two flagons of wine, and two silver
cups. All these he placed upon a carpet, and disappeared: this was done
before Aladdin's mother recovered from her swoon.
Aladdin fetched some water, and sprinkled it in her face, to recover
her: whether that or the smell of the meat brought her to life again, it
was not long before she came to herself. "Mother," said Aladdin, "do not
mind this; here is what will put you in heart, and at the same time
satisfy my extreme hunger: do not let such delicious meat get cold."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account