Aladdin and the Magic Lamp from The Arabian Nights ~ Bedtime Stories Folk Tales for Kids

Adapted from the original story of “Aladdin" from The Arabian Nights, also known as One
Thousand and One Nights Folktales. Told with a Modern #MeToo twist.

Once upon a time, a young man’s father died. Aladdin, as that was the young man’s name, took
his father’s place in running the family store with his mother. One day, a stranger walked into
the store.
“I am your uncle,” said the stranger to Aladdin. “I have come to see you.” “But my father never
spoke of a brother,” said Aladdin.
Aladdin’s mother turned around. “My husband had no brother,” said she to the stranger,
narrowing her eyes.
“But my father never spoke of a brother,” said Aladdin.
“I assure you it is true,” said the stranger. “Years ago your husband and I agreed that if something
should happen to him, since I have been very fortunate in my life, I would help to bring the same
good fortune to your family.”
The mother was interested. “What do you have in mind?” she said.
“I know of a secret place that holds many riches,” said the stranger. “I will take your son. With
the wealth he will find there, you and he will be set for life.”
And so the mother agreed. The old man and the boy traveled for days throughout the desert. At
last they came to a cave. “You must know that I learned a bit of magic in my life,” said the old
man to Aladdin. “Don’t be surprised by anything you might see.”
“I know of a secret place that holds many riches,” said the stranger.
They stepped inside the cave. Pitch-black it was. The old man shook open his fist and a ball of
light suddenly appeared, brightening the cave. Under the light with one long finger, he drew the
shape of a circle over the ground. He pulled from his pocket some red dust and threw it over the
circle, and at the same time said some magic words. The earth trembled a little before them.
The floor of the cave cracked open, and the cracks grew wider and deeper. Then up from below
the ground rose a giant white quartz crystal and it filled the circle.
“Do not be alarmed,” said the magician. “Under this giant white crystal lies a treasure that is to
be yours.”
He chanted a few magic words and the giant crystal rose up several feet in the air, moved to the
side and landed. Aladdin peered into the hole. He saw steps that led down to a dark hole.
“Under this giant white crystal lies a treasure that is to be yours."
“Fear nothing,” said the magician to Aladdin. “But obey me. Go down, and at the foot of the
steps, follow a long hall. You will walk through a garden of fruit trees. You must touch nothing
of them. Walk on till you come to a large flat stone and on the stone will be a lighted lamp. Pour
out the oil in the lamp and bring it to me. Now go!”
Aladdin slowly stepped down the stairs. Through the garden of fruit trees and marvelous to
behold, the trees held fruits that sparkled and shone. He could not help but reach out and touch
one. Then – too late – he remembered what his uncle had said. But nothing terrible happened.
So he figured he might as well put the fine jewel-fruit in his vest pocket. Then he plucked another
and another jewel-fruit, till all his pockets were filled.
Aladdin came to the large flat stone, and on it was a lighted lamp, just as his uncle had said. He
poured out the oil and took it back to the opening of the cave.