Reading Notes: Arabian Nights, Part B

 Part B of Arabian Nights is all about Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp. 

Aladdin's father dies at the beginning of the story out of grievance for his son's idleness. Then, one day Aladdin runs into someone in the street claiming to be his late father's brother. Aladdin's mom believed him to be dead, but did not seem to find it peculiar that he reappeared - in fact she was joyous when the uncle offered Aladdin work. However, we quickly learn that this guy is actually a magician who tries to trick Aladdin into getting the genie lamp for him. Aladdin doesn't completely fall for the trick, so he ends up trapped alone in the dark with the lamp for days until he rubs it and the genie finally appears.

Image Source. Aladdin fell in love
with the princess upon first sight

Aladdin uses the genie to escape, and continues using it to his benefit for many years. He wants to marry the Sultan's daughter and nearly gets permission, but the grand-vizier's son marries her instead. So, Aladdin uses the genie to spend a night with the princess anyway (who is distraught) immediately after she marries the other man, kicking him out of bed and into the cold. This happens another night, and the vizier's son is so freaked out that he wants out of the marriage.

Next, Aladdin uses the genie to impress the Sultan and princess with the most lavish, luxurious displays of riches including a huge palace all whipped up in a day by the genie. The grand-vizier suspects "enchantment," but Aladdin lives happily for years to come. That is, until, the magician hears word of Aladdin's riches, and then comes up with a. scheme to get the lamp from him. With this, Aladdin loses both the palace and his wife. The Sultan agrees to give him 40 days to bring the princess back or else be executed.

Image Source. A palace

Aladdin finds the magician and his wife, gets her to slip something deadly into his drink, and gets the lamp, the princess, and the palace back. All is well! BUT, he must overcome one more challenge first. The magician's evil, younger brother disguises himself and sneaks into the castle to avenge his brother's death. He seemingly has a plan to get the lamp from Aladdin, but the genie warns Aladdin about the brother. Aladdin then kills the evil brother, and now he can live happily ever after, succeeding the Sultan and leaving behind many future generations of kings.