Reading Notes: Arabian Nights, Part B

Arabian Nights retold by Andrew Lang

The second part of the Arabian Nights was the entire story of Aladdin and the Lamp told by Scheherazade to the Sultan. It was very different from the Disney version. Aladdin retrieves the lamp, however, he has another genie in a ring given to him by a magician. He then competes with the Vizir's son for the Sultan's daughter. He wins and builds her a palace, however, the magician from the beginning comes back and steals her, the genie of the lamp, and the palace away.

Aladdin has to find her and with her help, he tricks the magician and kills him. He and his wife return to her father's land but the magician's younger brother comes to avenge the first magician's death. Aladdin defeats him and lives happily ever after.

I can see where Disney got their story from but it certainly is different. And of course, all of this is a story told by Scheherazade as well. It was difficult to remember that at first, however, there were common elements in this story and the ones from before. Again, we have the theme of the genies and the threat of death. When the magician steals the Sultan's daughter, he threatens to kill Aladdin if he does not get his daughter back.

Photo Credits: pixabay

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