EP 3

In this episode of "Chai with a Tongue," the story of Aladdin is shared. Aladdin is a careless and idle boy who plays all day. One day, a stranger claiming to be his uncle arrives and takes Aladdin and his mother to a beautiful garden. The stranger tricks Aladdin into entering a cave to retrieve a lamp, but Aladdin refuses to give it to him until he is outside. Aladdin discovers a genie in the lamp and uses it to his advantage. Eventually, Aladdin falls in love with the princess and asks for her hand in marriage. His mother presents jewels to the Sultan, who agrees to the marriage but delays it. Aladdin uses the genie to bring the princess and her intended groom to his chamber on the wedding night, causing confusion. Hello and welcome to the 3rd episode of the 5 episode series called Chai with a Tongue. In this episode we will be reading the story of Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp or in modern day it is just called Aladdin. There once lived a poor tailor who had a son called Aladdin, a careless, idle boy who would do nothing but play ball all day long in the streets with little idle boys like himself. This so grieved the father that he died, yet in spite of his mother's tears and prayers Aladdin did not mend his way. One day when he was playing in the streets as usual, a stranger asked him his age if he was the son of Mustafa the tailor. I am sir replied Aladdin, but he died a long time ago. On this the stranger, who was a famous magician, fell on his neck and kissed him, saying I am your uncle and knew you from your likeness to my brother, go to your mother and tell her I am coming. Aladdin ran home and told his mother of his new found uncle, indeed child, she said. Your father had a brother, but I always thought he was dead. However she prepared supper and begged Aladdin to seek his uncle, who came laden with wine and fruit. He presently fell down and kissed the place where Mustafa used to sit, bidding Aladdin's mother not to be surprised at not having seen him before, as he had been forty years out of the country. He then turned to Aladdin and asked him his trade, at which the boy hung his head, while his mother burst into tears on learning that Aladdin was idle and would learn no trade. He offered to take a shop for him and stock it with merchandise. Next day he bought Aladdin a fine suit of clothes and took him all over the city, showing him sights and brought him home at nightfall to his mother, who was overjoyed to see her son so fine. The next day the magician led Aladdin into some beautiful gardens a long way outside the city gates. They sat down by a fountain and the magician pulled a cake from his girdle, which he divided between them. They then journeyed onward till they almost reached the mountains. Aladdin was so tired that he begged to go back, but the magician beguiled him with pleasant stories and led him on in spite of himself. At last they came to two mountains divided by a narrow valley. We will go no farther, said the false uncle. I will show you something wonderful. Only do you gather up sticks while I kindle a fire. When it was lit, the magician threw on it a powder he had about him. At the same time saying some magical words, the earth trembled a little and opened in front of them, disclosing a square flat stone with a brass ring in the middle to raise it. Aladdin tried to run away, but the magician caught him and gave him a blow that knocked him down. What have I done, uncle? he said piteously, whereupon the magician said more kindly, fear nothing but obey me. Beneath this stone lies a treasure which is to be yours and no one else may touch it. So you must do exactly as I tell you. At the word treasure, Aladdin forgot his fears and grasped the ring as he was told, saying the names of his father and grandfather. The stone came up quite easily and some steps appeared. Go down, said the magician. At the foot of those steps, you will find an open door leading into three large halls. Tuck your gown, go through them without touching anything, or you will die instantly. These halls lead into a garden of fine fruit trees. Walk on until you come to a niche in a terrace where stands a lighted lamp. Pour out the oil it contains and bring it to me. He drew a ring from his finger and gave it to Aladdin, bidding him prosper. Aladdin found everything, as the magician had said, gathered some fruit off the trees, and having got the lamp, arrived at the mouth of the cave. The magician cried out in a great hurry, make haste and give me the lamp. This Aladdin refused to do until he was out of the cave. The magician flew into a terrible person, throwing some more powder onto the fire, he said, something, and the stone rolled back into its place. The magician left Persia forever, which plainly showed that he was no uncle of Aladdin's, but a cunning magician who had read in his magic books of wonderful lamps, which would make him the most powerful man in the world. Though he alone knew where to find it, he could only receive it from the hand of another. He had picked up the foolish Aladdin for this purpose, intending to get the lamp and kill him afterwards. For two days, Aladdin remained in the dark, crying and lamenting. At last, he clasped his hands in prayer, and in doing so, rubbed the ring, which the magician had forgotten to take from him. Immediately, an enormous and frightful genie rose out of the earth, saying, What wouldst thou with me? I am the slave of the ring, and will obey thee in all things. Aladdin fearlessly replied, Deliver me from this place, whereupon the earth opened, and he found himself outside. As soon as his eyes could bear the light, he went home, but fainted on the threshold. When he came to himself, he told his mother what had passed, and showed the lamp and the fruits he had gathered in the garden, which were in reality precious stones. He then asked for some food. Alas, child, I have nothing in the house, but I have spun a little cotton, and will go sell it. Aladdin bade her keep cotton, for he would sell the lamp instead, as it was very dirty. She began to rub it, that it might fetch a higher price. Instantly, a hideous genie appeared, and asked what she would have. She fainted away, but Aladdin, snatching the lamp, fetched me something to eat. The genie returned with a silver bowl, twelve silver plates containing rich meats, two silver cups, two bottles of wine. Aladdin's mother, when she came to herself, said, Whence comes this splendid feast? asked not. But eat, replied Aladdin. So they sat at breakfast till it was dinnertime, and Aladdin told his mother about the lamp. She begged him to sell it, and she would have nothing to do with devils. No, said Aladdin. Since chance hath made us aware of its virtues, we will use it in the ring likewise, which I shall always wear on my finger. When they had eaten all the genie had brought, Aladdin sold one of the silver plates, and so on, until none were left. He then had recourse to the genie, who gave him another set of plates, and thus they lived for many years. One day, Aladdin heard from an order from the Sultan, proclaiming that everyone was to stay at home, and close his shutters while the princess, his daughter, went to and from the bath. Aladdin was seized by a desire to see her face, which was very difficult, as she always went veiled. He hid himself behind the door of the bath, and peeped through a chink. The princess lifted her veil as she went in, and looked so beautiful that Aladdin fell in love with her at first sight. He then went home so changed that his mother was frightened. He told her that he loved the princess so deeply that he could not live without her, and meant to ask her in marriage of her father. His mother, on hearing this, burst out laughing, but Aladdin at last prevailed upon her to go before the Sultan and carry his request. She fetched a napkin and laid in it the magic fruits from the enchanted grave, which sparkled and shone like the most beautiful jewels. She took these without her to please the Sultan, and set out trusting the lamp, the grand vizier, and the lords of the council had just gone as she entered the hall and placed herself in front of the Sultan. He however took no notice of her. She went every day for a week and stood in the same place. When the council broke up on the sixth day of the Sultan said to his vizier, I see a certain woman in the audience chamber every day carrying a napkin, something in a napkin. Call her next time that I may find out what she wants. Next day a sign from the vizier, she went up to the foot of the throne and remained kneeling till the Sultan said to her, rise good woman and tell me what do you want. She hesitated. So the Sultan sent away all but the vizier and bade her speak frankly, promising to forgive her beforehand for anything she might say. She then told him of her son's violent love for the princess. I prayed for him to forget her, she said, but in vain. He threatened to do some desperate deed if I refused to go and ask your majesty for the hand of the princess. Now I pray you to forgive not me alone, but my son Aladdin. The Sultan asked her kindly what she had in the napkin, whereupon she unfolded the jewels and presented them. He was thunderstruck and turning to the vizier said, what sayest thou, ought I not to bestow the princess on one who values her at such a price. The vizier who wanted her for his own son begged the Sultan to withhold her for three months in the course of which he hoped his son would contrive to make him a richer president. The Sultan granted this and told Aladdin's mother that though he consented to the marriage, she must not appear him again for three months. Aladdin waited patiently for nearly three months, but after two had elapsed, his mother going into the city to buy oil found everyone rejoicing and asked, what was going on, do you not know, was the answer that the son of the grand vizier is to marry the Sultan's daughter at night. Breathless she went and told Aladdin, who was overwhelmed at first, but presently bethought him of the lamp. He rubbed it and Genie appeared saying, what is thy will, Aladdin replied. The Sultan, as though knowest, has broken his promise to me and the vizier's son is to have the princess. My command is that tonight you bring hither and bride, hither the bride and the bridegroom. Master I obey, said the Genie, Aladdin then went to his chamber where sure enough at midnight The Genie transported the bed containing the vizier's son and the princess. Take this new married man, he said, and put him outside in the cold and returning at daybreak. Whereupon the Genie took the vizier's son out of bed, leaving Aladdin with the princess. Fear nothing, Aladdin said to her, you are my wife, promised to me by your unjust father and no harm shall come to you. The princess was too frightened to speak and passed the most miserable night of her life. While Aladdin lay down beside her and slept soundly, at the appointed hour, the Genie fetched him into the living room, laid him in his place and transported the bed back to the palace. Presently the Sultan came to wish his daughter good morning. The unhappy vizier's son jumped up and hit himself while the princess would not say a word and was very sorrowful. The Sultan sent her mother to her, who said, how comes it, child, that you will not speak to your father? What has happened? The princess sighed deeply and at last told her mother how during the night the bed had carried into some stranger's house and what passed there. Her mother did not believe in her the least, but bade her consider it an idle dream. The following night exactly the same thing happened and the next morning, on the princess's refusal to speak, the Sultan threatened to cut off her head. She then confessed all, bidding him to ask the vizier's son if her or not so. The Sultan told the vizier to ask his son, who owned the truth, adding that, dearly as you love the princess, he had rather die than go through another such fearful night and wish to be separated from her. Her wish was granted and there was an end to feasting and rejoicing. When the three months were over, Aladdin sent to his mother to remind the Sultan of his promise. She stood in the same palace as before and the Sultan, who had forgotten Aladdin, now at once remembered him, and she sent for her. On seeing her poverty, the Sultan felt less inclined than ever to keep his word and asked the vizier's advice, who counseled him to set so high a value on the princess that no man living could come up to him. The Sultan then had turned to Aladdin's mother, saying, good woman, the Sultan must remember to carry his promises, and I will remember mine, but your son must first send me forty basins of gold brimed full of jewels, carried by forty black slaves, led by as many white ones, splendid dressed. Tell him that I await his answer. The mother of Aladdin bowed low and went home, thinking all was lost. She gave Aladdin the message, adding, he may wait long enough for your answer. Not so long, mother, as you think, her son replied. I would do a great deal more than that for the princess. He summoned the genie in a few moments. The eighty slaves arrived and filled up the small house and garden. Aladdin made them set out to the palace, two and two, followed by his mother. They were so richly dressed, with such splendid jewels in the girdles, that everyone crowded to see them, and the basins of gold they carried on their heads. They entered the palace, and after kneeling before the Sultan, stood in a half circle round the throne with their arms crossed, while Aladdin's mother presented them to the Sultan. He hesitated no longer, but said, good woman, and return and tell your son that I wait for him with open arms. She lost no time in telling Aladdin, baiting him to make haste, but Aladdin first called the genie. I went to scented bath, he said, a richly embroidered habit worth surrounding the Sultans, and twenty slaves to attend me. Besides this, six slaves beautifully dressed to wait on my mother, and lastly ten thousand pieces of gold and ten purses. No sooner than done, Aladdin mounted his horse and passed through the streets. The slaves were skewing gold as they wanted. Those who had played with him in his childhood knew him not, he had grown so handsome. When the Sultan saw him, he came down from his throne and embraced him and led him into a hall, where a feast was spread, intending to marry him to the princess that very day. But Aladdin refused, saying, I must build a palace fit for her, and took his leave. Once home, he said to the genie, build me a palace with the finest marble, set with jasper, agate, and other precious stones. In the middle, you shall build me a large hall with a dome. It's four walls of massy gold and silver, each having six windows, whose lattices, all except the one which is to be left unfinished, must be set with diamonds and rubies. There must be stables and horses, and grooms and slaves. Go and see about it. The palace was finished by the next day, and the genie carried him there and showed him All orders faithfully carried out, even laying a velvet carpet from Aladdin's palace to the Sultan's. Aladdin's mother then dressed herself carefully and walked to the palace with her slaves. While he followed her on the horseback, the Sultan sent musicians with trumpets and cymbals to meet them, so that the air resounded with music and cheers. She was then taken to the princess, who saluted and treated her with great honor. At night, the princess said goodbye to her father and set out on the carpet for Aladdin's palace with his mother at her side, and followed by the hundred slaves. She was charmed at the sight of Aladdin, who ran to receive her. Princess, he said, blame your beauty for my boldness, if I have displeased you. She told him that, having seen him, she willingly obeyed her father in this matter. After the wedding had taken place, Aladdin led her mother into the hall, where a feast was spread and she supped with him, after which they danced till midnight. Next day, Aladdin invited the Sultan to see the palace. Upon entering the hall with the four and twenty windows with their rubies and diamonds and emeralds, it is a world's wonder there is only one thing that surprised me. Was it by accident that one window was left unfinished? No, sir, by design, returned Aladdin. I wished your majesty to have the glory of finish in this place. The Sultan was pleased and sent for the best jewelers in the city. He showed them the unfinished window and bade them fit up like the others. Sir, replied to this spokesman, we cannot find jewels enough. The Sultan had his own fetch, which they soon used, but to no purpose, for in a month's time, the work was not half done. Aladdin, knowing that their task was vain, bade them to undo their work and carry the jewels back. And the genie finished the window at his command. The Sultan was surprised to receive his jewels again and visited Aladdin who showed him the window finished. The Sultan embraced him, the envious Vizier, meanwhile, hinting that it was the work of an enchantment. Aladdin had won the hearts of the people by his gentle bearing. He was made a captain of the Sultan's army and won several battles from him, but remained modest and courteous as before, and lived thus in peace and content for several years. But far away in Africa, the magician remembered Aladdin, and by his magic arts discovered that Aladdin, instead of perishing miserably in the cave, had escaped and had married a princess with whom he was living in great honor and wealth. He knew that the poor tailor's son could only have accomplished this by the means of a lamp, and traveled night and day until he reached the Kabul of China, bent on Aladdin's ruin. As he passed through the town, he heard people talking everywhere about a marvelous place. Forgive me of my ignorance, he asked, what is this palace you speak of? Have you not heard of Prince Aladdin's palace, was the reply, the greatest wonder of the world? I will direct you if you have a mind to see it. The magician thanked him, who spoke, and having seen the palace, knew that it had been razed by the genie of the lamp, and became half-mad with rage. He determined to get hold of the lamp again, and again plunge Aladdin into the deepest poverty. Unluckily, Aladdin had gone hunting for eight days, which gave the magician plenty of time. He bought a dozen copper lamps and put them in a basket, and went to the palace, crying, new lamps for the old, followed by a jeering crowd, the princess sitting in the hall of four and twenty windows, sent a slave to find out what the noise was about, who came back laughing, so the princess scolded her, madam, replied the slave, who can help laughing to see an old fool offering to exchange fine new lamps for old ones? Another slave, hearing this, said, there is an old one on the cornice there which he can have. Now this was the magic lamp which Aladdin had left there, as he could not take it out hunting with them. The princess knew, knowing his value, laughingly bade the slave take it and make the exchange. She went and said to the magician, give me a new lamp for this. He snatched it and bade the slave take her choice. Amid the jeers of the crowd, little he cared, but left off crying his lamps. He went out of the city gates to a lonely place where he remained till nightfall, when he pulled out the lamp and rubbed it. The genie appeared and at the magician's command carried him, together with the palace and the princess next into it, to a lonely place in Africa. Next morning the sultana looked out the window towards Aladdin's palace and rubbed his eyes, for it was gone. He sent the vizier and asked what had happened, what had become of this palace. The vizier looked out too, and was lost in astonishment. He again put it down to a chamber, and this time the sultana believed him, and sent thirty men on horseback to fetch Aladdin's chains. They met him riding home, bound him, and forced him to go with them in foot. The people, however, who loved him, followed armed to see that he came to no harm. He was carried by the sultana, who ordered the executioner to cut off his head. The executioner made Aladdin kneel down, bandaged his eyes, and raised his scimitar to strike. At that instant the vizier, who saw that the crowded had forced their way into the courtyard, and were scaling the walls to rescue Aladdin, called to the executioner to stay his hand. The people indeed looked so threatening that Aladdin gave away, and ordered Aladdin to be unbound, and pardoned him in the sight of the crowd. Aladdin now begged to know what he had done. False wretch, said the sultana, come thither, and showed him from the window the place where his palace had stood. Aladdin was so amazed that he could not say a word. Where is my palace and my daughter? demanded the sultana. For the first, I am not so deeply concerned, but my daughter I must have, and you must find her, or lose your head. Aladdin begged for forty days in which to find her, promising, if he failed, to return and suffer death at the sultana's pleasure. His prayer was granted, and he went forth sadly from the sultana's presence. For three days he wandered about like a madman, asking everyone what had become of his palace, but they only laughed and pitted him. He came to the banks of a river, and knelt down to say his prayer before throwing himself in. In doing so, he rubbed the magic ring he still wore. The genie had seen in my cave had appeared, and asked his will. Save my life, genie, said Aladdin. Bring my palace back. That is not in my power, said the genie. I am only the slave of the ring. You must ask him of the lamp. Even so, said Aladdin, but thou canst not take me to the palace and set me down under my dear wife's window. He at once found himself in Africa, under the window of the princess, and fell asleep out of sheer weariness. He was awakened by the singing of the birds, and his heart was lighter. He saw plainly that all his much fortunes were owing to the loss of the lamp, and vainly wondered who had robbed it of him. That morning, the princess rose earlier than she had done before, since she had been carried into Africa by the magician, whose company she was forced to endure once a day. She however treated him so harshly that he dared not live there altogether. As she was dressing, one of her women looked out and saw Aladdin. The princess ran and opened the window, and at the noise she made, Aladdin looked up. She called to him to come over her. Great was the joy of these lovers at seeing each other again. After he had kissed her, Aladdin said, I beg of you, princess in God's name, before we speak of anything else, for your own sake and mine. Tell me what has become of an old lamp that I left in the cornice, in the hall of four and twenty windows, when I went hunting. Alas, she said, I am an innocent cause of our sorrows, and she told him of the stains for a lamp. Now I know, cried Aladdin, that we have to thank the African magician for this. Where is the lamp? He carried it out about with him, said the princess. I know, for he pulled it out of his breast to show me. He wishes me to break my faith with you and marry him. Saying that you were beheaded by my father's command, he is forever speaking ill of you. But I only reply by my tears. If I persist, I doubt not he will use violence. Aladdin comforted her and left her for a while. He changed clothes with the first person he met in town, and having bought a certain powder, returned to the princess, who let him in by a little side door. Put on your most beautiful dress, he said to her, and received the magician with smiles, leading him to believe that you have forgotten me. Invite him to sup with you, and say you wish to taste the wine of his country. He will go for some, and while he is gone, I will tell you what to do. She listened carefully to Aladdin, and when he has left to read herself gaily for the first time since she left China. She put on her girdle and headdress of diamonds, and seeing in a glass that she was more beautiful than ever, received the magician, saying to his great amazement, I have made up my mind that Aladdin is dead, and that all my tears will not bring him back to me, so I am resolved to mourn no more, and have therefore invited you to sup with me, but I am tired of the wines in China, and would fain taste those of Africa. The magician flew to his cellar, and the princess put the powder Aladdin had given her in this cup. When he returned, she asked him to drink her health in the wines of Africa, handing him her cup in exchange for his, as a sign she was reconciled to him. Before drinking, the magician made her a speech in praise of her beauty, but the princess cut him short, saying, Let us drink first, and you shall say what you will afterward. She set her cups to her lips, and kept it there, while the magician drained his dregs and fell back lifeless. The princess opened the doors to Aladdin, and flung her arms around his neck, but Aladdin put her away, bidding her leave him, as he has more to do. He then went to the dead magician, and took the lamp out of his vest, and bade the genie carry the palace and all in it back to China. This was done, and the princess in her chamber only felt two little shocks, and little thought she was home again. The sultan, who was sitting in his closet, mourning for his lost daughter, happened to look up and rub for his eyes, for there stood the palace as before. He hastened thither, and Aladdin received him in the hall of the four and twenty windows, with the princess at his side. Aladdin told him what had happened, and showed him the dead body of the magician that he might believe. A ten days feast was proclaimed, and it seems as if Aladdin might now live the rest of his life in peace, but it was not to be. The African magician had a younger brother, who was, if possible, more wicked and cunning than himself. He traveled to China to avenge his brother's death, and went to visit a pious woman called Fatima, thinking she might be of use to him. He entered her cell, and clapped a dagger to her breast, telling her to rise, and do his bidding on the pain of his death. He chained clothes with her, to color his face like hers, put on her veil, and murdered her, that she might tell no tales. Then he went towards the palace of Aladdin, and all the people, thinking he was the holy woman, gathered around him, kissing his hands, and begging his blessings. When he got to the palace, there was such a noise going on around him, that the princess bade her slave out of the window, and asked what was the matter. The slave said it was the holy woman, curing people by the touch of her ailments, whereupon the princess, who had long desired to see Fatima, sent for her. On coming to the princess, the magician offered up a prayer for her health and prosperity. When he had done the princess made him sit by her, and begged him to stay with her always, the false Fatima, who wished for nothing better, consented, but kept his veil down for the fear of discovery. The princess showed him the hole, and asked him what he thought of it. It is truly beautiful, said the false Fatima. In my mind, it was once but one thing. And what is that? said the princess. If only a rock's egg, replied he, were hung up from the middle of this dome, it would be the wonder of the world. After this, the princess could think of nothing but the rock's egg, and when Aladdin returned from hunting, he found her in a very ill humor. He begged her to note what was amiss, and told him that all her pleasure was in the hall but spoiled for the want of a rock's egg hanging from the dome. If that is all, replied Aladdin, you shall soon be happy. He left her and rubbed a lamp, and when the genie appeared to bring a rock's egg, the genie gave a loud and terrible shriek that the hall shook. Wretch, he cried, is it not enough that I have done everything but for you? But you must command me to bring my master and hang him up in the midst of this dome. You and your wife's palace deserve to be burnt to ashes, but this request does not come from you, but the brother of the African magician whom you destroyed. He was now in your palace disguised as a holy woman whom he murdered. He it was who put that wish into your wife's head. Take care, for he means to kill you. So saying, the genie disappeared. Aladdin went back to the princess, saying his headache, and requesting that the holy Fatima should be fetched to lay her hands on it. But when the magician came near, Aladdin, seizing his dagger, pierced him to the heart. What have you done? cried the princess. You have killed the holy woman. Not so, replied Aladdin, but a wicked magician, and told her how she had been deceived. After this, Aladdin and his wife lived in peace. He succeeded the sultan when he died, and reigned for many years, leaving behind him a long line of kings. Now that we've read this story of Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp, we can make a connection as this, after reading this story, we can clearly tell that this is a fairy tale since it has all the elements of a fairy tale of magic, a supernatural creature, the genie, and the witches, which are another magical element. Comparing this to another fairy tale, such as Cinderella, it clearly matches it with all the magical elements, like the fairy godmother in Cinderella is compared to the genie in Aladdin. The Middle Eastern culture is also connected to this story since, as I said, Islam is connected to the Middle Eastern culture, and in the Middle Eastern culture, there are things called djinns, and you could say a genie could be something like that. There is a value of being clever and being brave is to not be greedy, and lastly, having the reward and punishment.