Chapter 2

In the morning, the magician led Aladdin out of the city, across the countryside, and into the mountains.Eventually they came to a ledge on the edge of a cliff.

“Uncle, where is my shop? Why are we out here?” Aladdin asked.“Gather some firewood, boy, and you'll be thankful you're here.” So Aladdin gathered wood and built a small fire. The magician sprinkled incense over the flames, waved his hands, and murmured mysterious words. Before Aladdin's eyes, the earth opened up, revealing a stone with a brass ring attached.“Take hold of the ring and lift the stone!” ordered the magician.

Aladdin was quite afraid, for he was sure this was no ordinary uncle. He lifted the stone and saw a passageway leading down stone stairs into the darkness.

“Now, Nephew, you must do exactly as I say. Go down the stairs and into a golden hall, but do not touch the walls! Even brushing your sleeve against the gold will kill you instantly. At the end of the hall, you will come to a fruit orchard with a path leading to a small lamp sitting on a stone. Blow out the flame, empty the oil, and bring the lamp to me. I'll give you my ring, which will keep you from harm as long as you obey me.”

Aladdin took the ring and went down the stairs, careful not to touch the golden walls of the beautiful hall. At the end of the hall, he entered a bright orchard with fruit trees bearing the most colorful, delicious fruit Aladdin had ever seen.

He could not resist plucking a bright red apple. As soon as he took it from the tree, the apple changed into a solid ruby!At the next tree, he plucked a bunch of golden grapes, which changed to a cluster of pearls. Lemons turned to diamonds, and limes to emeralds.

Aladdin gathered as much fruit as he could before following the path to the lamp. He piled the lamp on top of the treasure in his arms and returned to the stairs where his uncle waited.

“Uncle, my load is heavy; help me up,” he said.

“First give me the lamp!” demanded the magician.

“I told you, Uncle, my hands are full. I cannot give you anything until you help me.”

“Foolish boy! Give me the lamp or stay down there forever!” The magician knew the lamp's magic would not work if he took it from someone by force.

“But Uncle!”protested Aladdin. Before he could finish, the magician muttered more magic words, and SLAM! the stone flew shut, locking Aladdin inside the cavern.

Aladdin called and called, but his uncle would not answer. Finally he decided to pray, but when he put his hands together, he accidentally rubbed the magician's ring. Instantly, a frightful genie stood before him. “What would you have? I am the slave of whoever wears the ring.”

Aladdin was terrified, but he immediately replied, “Bring me home!” In no time, he stood at his front door, his worried mother weeping with joy to see him. Aladdin was starving, and he begged his mother to sell one of the treasures—the dusty lamp, perhaps—for food.

His mother began to polish the lamp with an old rag, and another enormous genie appeared.“What would you have?I am the slave of whoever owns the lamp.”

His mother was terrified, but Aladdin knew what to do. “Bring us a satisfying feast!” he shouted. In an instant, the genie brought dozens of solid silver trays overflowing with food. Buttery rolls,delectable pastries, and steaming roasts filled their table. When Aladdin and his mother finished, enough food still remained for many days. They would never be hungry again. When the food ran out, they sold a piece of beautiful silverware or one of the trays for more.