A Lamp in the Cave

Two enchanted objects change Aladdin’s life—and draw dangerous enemies to his door.

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Young Aladdin plays near his tailor father’s shop as his mother spins cotton

Page 1

Aladdin was the son of a poor tailor called Mustapha, but he preferred playing with other boys to learning his father’s work. His father hoped he would learn a trade.

Mustapha grew sorrowful and died; Aladdin then lived with his mother, who earned their living by spinning cotton. She worked hard to feed them both.

A magician pretending to be Aladdin’s uncle brings him clothes and promises a shop

Page 2

An African magician learned Mustapha’s name and falsely told Aladdin that he was his father’s brother. He said he had been away for forty years.

The false uncle brought food and new clothes and promised Aladdin a shop, winning the family’s trust. He spoke as though he wanted to help.

The magician leads Aladdin beyond gardens to a fire between two mountains

Page 3

The magician took Aladdin through beautiful gardens, then much farther away between two mountains. They stopped at a fountain to eat.

At the mountains, the magician lit a fire and threw powder into it, making the earth open above a hidden stone door. Smoke rose as he spoke strange words.

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