Page 189 - Purple Butterfly Book 2

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The Magician stood at the top of the steps as Aladdin began to climb upward. “Give the lamp to me,” he cried, holding out his hand.
“Wait until I reach the top of the steps,” Aladdin answered.
“Hand the lamp to me at once!” screamed the Magician.
“Not until I am safely out,” replied Aladdin.
Then in a rage the Magician rushed to the fire. He threw more of the curious powder upon the fire and muttered the same strange words as before.
Instantly the stone slipped back into its place. The earth closed over it, and Aladdin was left in darkness.
The Magician at once left Persia and went to Africa.
Poor Aladdin! He groped his way back through the halls to the beautiful garden of shining fruits, but he could find no way of escape. For two days, he cried and shouted for help. At last, as he clasped his hands in despair, he happened to rub the magic ring, which the Magician had placed on his finger.
Instantly a Genie rose out of the earth and stood before him.
“What is thy will, my master?” asked the Genie. “I am the Slave of the Ring. I serve the one who
wears it.”
“Deliver me from this place!” cried Aladdin.
Scarcely had he spoken these words when the earth opened. Aladdin found himself at his mother’s door. He showed his mother the lamp and the colored fruit, which he still carried in his pockets.
“I will tell you all that has happened,” he said, “but first give me something to eat, for I am very hungry.”
“Alas!” said the mother. “I have neither money nor food.”
“Sell the old lamp that I brought back with me,” said Aladdin.
“The lamp would bring a higher price if it were clean and bright,” replied his mother, and she began to rub the lamp.
No sooner had she given the first rub than a great Genie appeared.
“What is thy will?” asked the Genie. “I am the Slave of the Lamp. I serve the one who holds the
lamp.”
Aladdin’s mother was so terrified that she dropped the lamp. Aladdin managed to grasp it, and say, “Bring me something to eat.”
The Slave of the Lamp disappeared. He returned, bringing a dainty breakfast served upon plates of pure gold.
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