The Junior Classics, Volume 5: Stories that never grow old
General
The Junior Classics, Volume 5: Stories that never grow old
Children's literature
As soon as Aladdin found that their provisions were again
expended, he took one of the dishes, and went to look for his Jew
chapman; but passing by a goldsmith's shop, the goldsmith
perceiving him called to him and said, "My lad, I imagine that you
have something to sell to the Jew, whom I often see you visit; but
perhaps you do not know that he is the greatest rogue even among
the Jews.
I will give you the full worth of what you have to sell, or I will
direct you to other merchants who will not cheat you."
This offer induced Aladdin to pull his plate from under his vest
and show it to the goldsmith, who at first sight saw that it was
made of the finest silver, and asked him if he had sold such as
that to the Jew; when Aladdin told him that he had sold him twelve
such, for a piece of gold each. "What a villain!" cried the
goldsmith. "But," added he, "my son, what is past cannot be
recalled. By showing you the value of this plate, which is of the
finest silver we use in our shops, I will let you see how much the
Jew has cheated you."
The goldsmith took a pair of scales, weighed the dish, and assured
him that his plate would fetch by weight sixty pieces of gold,
which he offered to pay down immediately.
Aladdin thanked him for his fair dealing, and never after went to
any other person.
Though Aladdin and his mother had an inexhaustible treasure in
their lamp, and might have had whatever they wished for, yet they
lived with the same frugality as before, and it may easily be
supposed that the money for which Aladdin had sold the dishes and
tray was sufficient to maintain them some time.
During this interval, Aladdin frequented the shops of the
principal merchants, where they sold cloth of gold and silver,
linens, silk stuffs, and jewelry, and oftentimes joining in their
conversation, acquired a knowledge of the world and a desire to
improve himself. By his acquaintance among the jewellers he came
to know that the fruits which he had gathered when he took the
lamp were, instead of colored glass, stones of inestimable value;
but he had the prudence not to mention this to anyone, not even to
his mother.
One day as Aladdin was walking about the town he heard an order
proclaimed commanding the people to shut up their shops and
houses, and keep within doors while the Princess Buddir al
Buddoor, the sultan's daughter, went to the bath and returned.
This proclamation inspired Aladdin with an eager desire to see
the princess's face, which he determined to gratify by placing
himself behind the door of the bath, so that he could not fail to
see her face.
Aladdin had not long concealed himself before the princess came.
She was attended by a great crowd of ladies, slaves, and mutes,
who walked on each side and behind her. When she came within three
or four paces of the door of the bath, she took off her veil, and
gave Aladdin an opportunity of a full view of her face.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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