Reading Notes: Arabian Nights, Part B

 

The Lamp
Source: Tumblr

Title: Arabian Nights
Author: Andrew Lang
Link: Here

Instead of a homeless orphan living on the streets, Aladdin instead is the unmotivated son of Mustapha, who caused his parents such grief due to his lack of ambition his father died and his mother suffers.

The magician wasn't really his uncle and Aladdin was left in the cave. This time the genie came from the ring. Then another genie from the lamp. Aladdin had two now! And there didn't seem to be a set number of wishes.

Also, Aladdin was a peeping tom. Fell in love at first sight!

The vizir wanted the princess for his own son, so he asked the sultan to wait for three months.

The father threatening to cut off his daughters head for not speaking is a bit excessive. He is a villain in the story himself for going back on the promise to Aladdin and this threat, though Aladdin isn't a saint himself.

Aladdin went over the top after three months with the demands from his genies. Slaves and treasures, even a palace. But it does seem in the end that he had a change of heart and personality.

And it would have been happily ever after if the magician has not heard of Aladdin's good fortune! New lamps for old, and the princess handed the genie of the lamp to the magician for trade. She was whisked away with the palace, and Aladdin had to find her. The lovers are reunited and they poison the magician through win and sleight of hand.

Then another magician! The younger brother of the first who tries to trick Aladdin to ask the genie for a wish that the creature would be unwilling to grant. But the genie explains the lie, Aladdin kills the imposter, and he and the princess live happily ever after.