Aladdin & The Magic Lamp

A warm welcome to this sleepy bedtime audiobook. Tonight we will enjoy the story of ‘Aladdin & The Magic Lamp’, which has quite a few differences to the well-loved Disney classic. Nonetheless, I hope you enjoy this story, and use it to aid relaxation and sleep.

There are no added sounds or music in this reading, giving you the opportunity to choose your own background within the app.

Transcript

A warm welcome to this bedtime story.

Tonight we will enjoy the classic tale of Aladdin read in a calm and relaxed way to allow you to completely let go and drift into a deep sleep.

Before we begin let's take a moment to unwind.

We will do a short guided breathing pattern called 3-4-5.

This will allow you to slow down and relax preparing your body and your mind for a wonderful peaceful rest.

When you are ready breathe in through the nose for three,

Hold for four,

And breathe out for five.

Let all of it go now.

Again that's in for three,

Hold for four,

And release blowing away the thoughts of yesterday,

Today and tomorrow.

Again in for three,

Hold,

And let it go.

Continue to breathe in this way in your own time and with each breath out allow your body to sink just that bit deeper.

And now allow the breath to fall back into a natural rhythm.

Enjoy this new peace flowing through your body.

As you feel these new sensations and go deeper into a world of comfort you can allow your mind to soften and your imagination to unlock as we begin our story tonight,

Aladdin and the Magic Lamp.

There once lived a poor tailor who had a son called Aladdin,

A careless idle boy who would do nothing but play 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 ways.

One day when he was playing in the streets as usual a stranger came up and asked him his age and if he was not the son of Mustafar the tailor.

I am sir replied Aladdin but he died a long time ago.

On this the stranger who was a famous African magician fell on his knees 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 newly found uncle.

Indeed child she said your father had a brother but I always thought he was dead.

However she prepared supper and bade Aladdin to seek his uncle who came laden with wine and fruit.

He fell down and kissed the place where Mustafar used to sit bidding Aladdin's mother not to be surprised at not having seen him before as he had been 40 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.

The next day he bought Aladdin a fine suit of clothes and took him all over the city showing him the sights.

He brought him home at nightfall to his mother who was overjoyed to see her son looking so fine.

At sunrise 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.

Then they journeyed onwards 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 further said his uncle.

I will show you something wonderful only first 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 in front of them disclosing a square flat stone with a brass ring in the middle to raise it by.

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 precisely 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 up your gown and go through them without touching anything or you will die instantly.

These halls lead into a garden of fine fruit trees.

Walk on till 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 passion and throwing some more powder onto the fire he said something and the stone rolled back into its place.

The man left the country which plainly showed that he was no uncle of Aladdin's but a cunning magician who had read in his magic books of a wonderful lamp 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 out the foolish Aladdin for this purpose intending to get the lamp and to 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 back.

Immediately an enormous and frightful genie rose out of the earth declaring 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 in a flash and he found himself outside.

As soon as his eyes could bear the light he trekked home but he fainted just on the threshold.

When he came to he told his mother what had passed and showed her the lamp and the fruits he had gathered in the garden which were in reality precious stones.

Then he asked for food.

Alas child,

She said,

I have nothing in the house but I have spun a little cotton and will go sell it.

Aladdin bade her keep the cotton for he would sell the lamp instead.

As it was very dirty she began to rub it in the hopes it might fetch a higher price.

Instantly a hideous genie appeared and asked what she would have.

His mother fainted but Aladdin snatched the lamp and said boldly,

Fetch me something to eat.

The genie returned with a silver ball,

Twelve silver plates containing rich meats,

Two silver cups and two bottles of wine.

Aladdin's mother when she came to herself said,

Whence comes this splendid feast?

Ask 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 to have nothing to do with devils.

No,

Said Aladdin,

Since chance hath made us aware of its virtues we will use it and 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 an order from the Sultan proclaimed across the land.

Everyone was to stay at home and close their shutters while the princess,

His daughter,

Went to and from the bath.

Aladdin was seized by the 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 crack.

The princess lifted her veil as she went in and looked so beautiful that Aladdin fell in love with her at first sight.

He went home so changed that his mother was frightened.

He told her he loved the princess so deeply and intended to ask her father for her hand in marriage.

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 garden which sparkled and shone like the most beautiful jewels.

She took these with her to please the Sultan and set out trusting in the lamp.

The Grand Vizier and the Lords of Council had just gone in 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 the Sultan said to his vizier,

I see a certain woman in the audience chamber every day carrying something in a napkin.

Call her next time that I may find out what she wants.

Next day at a sign from the vizier she went up to the foot of the throne and remained kneeling until the Sultan said to her,

Rise good woman and tell me what you want.

She hesitated so the Sultan sent away all but the vizier and bade her speak freely promising to forgive her beforehand for anything she might say.

She then told him of her son's love for the princess.

I prayed 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 could contrive to make him a richer present.

The Sultan granted this and told Aladdin's mother that though he consented to the marriage she must not appear before 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 she 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 tonight.

Breathless she ran and told Aladdin who was overwhelmed at first but presently bethought him of the lamp.

He rubbed it and the genie appeared saying,

What is thy will?

Aladdin replied,

The Sultan as thou 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 the bride and 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 return 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 will come to you.

The princess was too frightened to speak and so passed the most miserable night of her life.

At the appointed hour the genie fetched in the shivering bridegroom,

Laid him in his place and transported the bed back to the palace.

Presently the Sultan came to wish his daughter good morning.

The vizier's unhappy son jumped up and hid himself while the princess would not say a word and was very sorrowful.

The Sultan then 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 been carried into some strange house and what had passed there.

Her mother did not believe her in the least but bade her rise and 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.

Then she confessed all bidding him to ask the vizier's son if it were not so.

The Sultan told the vizier to ask his son who owned the truth adding that dearly as he loved the princess he had rather die than go through another such fearful night and wished to be separated from her.

His wish was granted and there was the end of feasting and rejoicing.

When the three months were over Aladdin sent his mother to remind the Sultan of his promise.

She stood in the same place as before and the Sultan who had forgotten Aladdin at once remembered him and sent for her.

On seeing her poverty the Sultan felt less inclined than ever to keep his word and so asked his vizier's advice who counseled him to set so high a value on the princess that no man alive would come up to it.

The Sultan turned to Aladdin's mother saying good woman a Sultan must remember his promises and I will remember mine but your son must first send me 40 basins of gold brimful of jewels carried by 80 slaves splendidly 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 and in a few moments the 80 slaves arrived and filled up the small house and garden.

Aladdin made them to set out to the palace two by two followed by his mother.

They were so richly dressed with such splendid jewels 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 return and tell your son that I wait for him with open arms.

She lost no time in telling Aladdin bidding him make haste but Aladdin first called the genie.

I want a scented bath he said a richly embroidered habit a horse surpassing the Sultan's and 20 slaves to attend me.

Besides this six slaves beautifully dressed to wait on my mother and lastly ten thousand pieces of gold in ten purses.

No sooner said than done.

Aladdin mounted his horse and passed through the streets the slaves strewing gold as they went.

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 embraced him and led him into the 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 of the finest marble set with diamond emerald and other precious stones.

In the middle you shall build a large hall with a dome it's four walls of massy gold and silver each side having six windows whose lattices all except one which is to be left unfinished must be set with sapphire and rubies.

There must be stables and horses and grooms and slaves go and see about it.

The palace was finished the next day and the genie carried him there and showed him all his orders faithfully carried out even to the laying of 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 horseback.

The Sultan sent musicians with trumpets and cymbals to meet them so that the air resounded with music and cheer.

She was taken to the princess who saluted her and treated her with great honor.

That night the princess said goodbye to her father and set out on the carpet to Aladdin's palace with his mother at her side.

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 into the hall where a feast was spread and she supped with him after which they danced until midnight.

The next day Aladdin invited the Sultan to see the palace.

On entering the hall with the four and twenty windows with their rubies,

Diamonds and sapphires he cried it is a world's wonder.

There is only one thing that surprises 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 finishing this palace.

The Sultan was pleased and sent for the best jewelers in the city.

He showed them the unfinished window and made them fit it up like the others.

Sir replied their spokesman we cannot find enough jewels.

The Sultan had his own fetched 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 in vain bade them 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 enchantment.

Aladdin had won the hearts of the people by his gentle bearing.

He was made captain of the Sultan's armies and won several battles for him but remained as courteous as ever and lived thus in peace and content for several years.

But far away in Africa the magician remembered Aladdin and through his magic discovered that he instead of perishing miserably in the cave had escaped and had married a princess with whom he was now living in great honor and wealth.

He knew that the poor tailor's son could only have accomplished this by means of the lamp and he traveled night and day until he reached the capital of China hell-bent on Aladdin's ruin.

As he passed through the town he heard people talking everywhere about a marvelous palace.

Forgive 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 in the world.

I will take you there if you have a mind to see it.

The magician thanked he who spoke and having seen the palace at last he knew it had been raised by the genie of the lamp and he became half mad with rage.

He determined to get hold of the lamp 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 lamps,

Put them in a basket and went to the palace crying,

New lamps for old,

New lamps for 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.

Madam,

Said the slave,

There is 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 as he could not take it out hunting with him.

The princess not knowing its value laughingly bade the slave take it and make the exchange.

She went out 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 and 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 in it to a lonely place in Africa.

Next morning the Sultan looked out of the window towards Aladdin's palace and rubbed his eyes for it was gone.

He sent for the vizier and asked what had become of the palace.

The vizier looked out too and was lost in astonishment.

He again put it down to enchantment and this time the Sultan believed him and sent 30 men on horseback to fetch Aladdin back in chains.

They met him riding home,

Bound him and forced him to go with them on foot.

The people however who loved Aladdin followed armed to see that he came to no harm.

He was carried before the Sultan 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 grand vizier who saw that the crowd had forced their way into the courtyard and was scaling the walls to rescue Aladdin called the executioner to stay his hand.

The people indeed looked so threatening that the Sultan gave way and ordered Aladdin to be unbound and pardoned him in sight of the crowd.

Aladdin now begged to know what he had done.

False wretch said the Sultan,

Come hither and he showed him from the window the place where his palace had stood.

Aladdin was so amazed he could not say a word.

Where is your palace and my daughter demanded the Sultan.

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 40 days in which to find her,

Promising if he failed to return to suffer death at the Sultan's pleasure.

His wish was granted and he went forth sadly from the Sultan's presence.

For three days he wandered about like a madman asking everyone what had become of his palace but they only laughed and pitied him.

He came to the banks of a river and knelt down to say his prayers before throwing himself in.

In doing so he rubbed the ring he still wore.

The genie from the cave appeared and asked his will.

Save my life genie said Aladdin and 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 but thou canst take me to the palace said Aladdin and set me down under my dear wife's window.

He had 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 birds and his heart was lighter.

He saw plainly that all his misfortunes were owning to the loss of the lamp and vainly he wondered who had robbed him of it.

That morning the princess rose earlier than usual since she had been carried to 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 for him to come to her and so 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 I left on the cornice in the hall of four and twenty windows when I went hunting.

Alas she said I am the innocent cause of our sorrows and told him of the exchange of the lamp.

Now I know that we have to thank the African magician for this.

Where is the lamp?

He carries it about with him said the princess.

I know for he pulled it out of his cloak to show me.

He wishes me to break my faith with you and to 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 that he will use violence.

Aladdin comforted her and left her for a while on a mission.

He changed clothes with the first person he met in the 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 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 left her arrayed herself gaily for the first time since she left China.

She put on a 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 of China and would feign taste those of Africa.

The magician flew to his cellar and the princess put the powder Aladdin had given her in her cup.

When he returned she asked him to drink her health in the wine 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 afterwards.

She set her cup to her lips and kept it there while the magician drained his to the dregs and instantly fell back lifeless.

The princess then opened the door to Aladdin and they shared an embrace.

Aladdin went over to the dead magician 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 felt only 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 rubbed his eyes for there stood the palace as before.

He hastened over and Aladdin received him in the hall of four and twenty windows with the princess by his side.

Aladdin told him what had happened and showed him the body of the magician so that he might believe.

A ten-day feast was proclaimed and it seemed as if Aladdin might now live the rest of his life in peace but it was not meant to be.

The African magician had a younger brother who was if possible more wicked and more 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 pain of death.

He changed clothes with her,

Made up 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 of the land thinking he was the holy woman gathered around him kissing his hands and begging his blessing.

When he got to the palace there was such a noise going on around him that the princess bade her slave look out the window and ask what was the matter.

The slave told her it was the holy woman curing people of their ailments by her touch whereupon the princess who had long desired to meet Fatima sent for her.

On coming to the princess the magician offered up a prayer for her health and prosperity.

When he had finished 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 fear of discovery.

The princess showed him in the hall and asked him what he thought of it.

It is truly beautiful said the false Fatima.

In my mind it wants but one thing and what is that said the princess.

If only a rock's egg replied he were hung 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 to know what was amiss and she told him that all her pleasure in the hall was spoiled for 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 the lamp and when the genie appeared commanded him to bring a rock's egg.

The genie gave such a loud and terrible shriek that the palace shook.

Wretch he cried is it not enough that I have done everything 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 and your palace deserve to be burned to ashes but that this request does not come from you but from the brother of the African magician whom you destroyed.

He is now in your palace disguised as the holy woman whom he murdered.

He it was who put that wish into the princess's head.

Take care of yourself for he means to kill you.

And so saying the genie disappeared.

Aladdin went back to the princess saying that his head ached and requesting that the holy Fatima should be fetched to lay her hands on it.

But as 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 he told her of 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.

Reviews

Great story to fall asleep to. My son found the voice soothing.

It’s quite a tale and well told, thank you! I did end up pairing it with some music, and it was excellent, thank you🙏🏼❤️