There lived a poor tailor in a small town in China. He had a son named Aladdin. After the tailor’s death, a stranger came to Aladdin's house and took him to the forest to show him some magic. The man sprinkled some water on the ground after muttering magical words. The earth trembled under their feet, the ground cracked leading to a deep dark case with a flight of stairs. The magician asked Aladdin to go to the bottom of the cave and collect gold, diamonds and money for himself and his mother, and get a simple old brass lamp for him. Aladdin was tempted to go as he and his mother were very poor, but he was scared. The magician gave him a magic ring and asked him to rub it against his cheek when he is in danger. Aladdin went in and collected all the wealth and the lamp.

When he was trying to come out, the wicked magician tried to push him. Aladdin rubbed the ring and a genie appeared. Aladdin asked the genie to help him out. Aladdin requested him to take him back to his mother. Now Aladdin and his mother lived happily with the help of the genie. The Sultan gave his daughter in marriage to Aladdin. The bigger genie of the lamp built a big palace for Aladdin and the princess.

Now, the wicked magician came in the disguise of a vendor of lamps. Aladdin's mother exchanged the old brass lamp for a new one. The magician ordered the genie to carry the palace to Africa when Aladdin was absent. When Aladdin came, he was stunned to find his palace missing. The genie of the ring told him that the genie of the lamp was more powerful, so he could only carry him there. On reaching there, Aladdin and the princess made a plan. The princess cleverly gave poison to the magician in a drink. The magician died. Aladdin requested the genie of the lamp to take the palace back to their country.

Back home, Aladdin live happily with his wife and mother. The Sultan made him the kind in due course of time. Aladdin ruled over the country efficiently with the help of the genie of the ring and the genie of the lamp.

This is a delightful tale with all the right ingredients. It has got magic, fantasy, values of courage and honesty, the triumph of truth over evil and lots more. With the twists and turns it makes for captivating reading. It is a must for the young and the young at heart.

October 7, 2007

Image under license with Gettyimages.com

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