Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp Chapter 19 20 Promises Kept The Royal Wedding Little Fox

The whole kingdom was talking about how the royal wedding had been called off. Everyone was shocked and wondered what was going to happen. So Aladdin sent his mother to the palace. That woman is back. The Grand Vizier said to the Sultan. Do you remember, my lord, how you joked that the princess would marry her son? The Vizier laughed. The Sultan looked at Ziba in her plain dress. I do remember. The Sultan seemed troubled. I made a promise. Bring the woman forward. Ziba bowed to the Sultan as before. Oh great Sultan, I have come to remind you of your promise. The Grand Vizier whispered into the Sultan's ear. My lord, see how poor she is. Princess Bhedra cannot marry her son. This problem is your fault. Your son is so unpleasant. The Sultan whispered back angrily. Nobody would want to marry him, especially my daughter. The advisor spoke into the Sultan's ear again. That's impossible, shouted the Sultan. But after thinking a moment, he smiled. Yes, it is impossible. The Sultan then turned to Ziba. Tell Aladdin that I remember my promise, he said. But first he must do something special to be worthy of the princess. Aladdin must send me twenty warriors carrying twenty bowls made of pure gold. Each bowl must be filled with sparkling jewels. When Aladdin has done this, Princess Bhedra will be his. The Sultan smiled at the Grand Vizier and Ziba frowned, bowed and left the hall. Aladdin's mother walked home shaking her head. How can my son do what the Sultan asks? Can he return to the enchanted treasury and pick more jewels? She sighed. And where will he find twenty warriors? I told you this wouldn't work, said Ziba when she got home. The son of a tailor cannot marry a Sultan's daughter. Then she told Aladdin everything that had happened in the Sultan's hall. It's all the fault of that Grand Vizier, she cried with a shake of her fist. Aladdin just laughed. Mother, he said, the Sultan thinks that he has asked for an impossible thing. But it's not impossible. It's not, replied Ziba. It's easy, said Aladdin. Go to the bazaar and buy us something special for our evening meal. While you are gone, I will take care of everything. Ziba did as he asked. When she returned, she found twenty warriors crowded into her little house. Each one held a bowl of pure gold, and each bowl was full of jewels. The genie did this, she cried. Thanks be to God for the wonderful lamp. Aladdin opened the door and sent the warriors out into the street. Now mother, said Aladdin, I want you to go to the palace one more time. Deliver these warriors to the Sultan. Ziba led the twenty warriors to the palace and into the Sultan's hall. They all bowed to the Sultan and set their bowls before him. And now what do you say, Grand Vizier? The Sultan asked. Is Aladdin worthy of my daughter? The Sultan's advisor was speechless. Hear me good woman, said the Sultan to Ziba. Aladdin will marry Princess Bhedra. Go and tell him this news. And tell him to come to me at once. I want to meet my future son-in-law. As Aladdin neared the main gate of the palace, he heard trumpets. The gate swung open and the Sultan greeted him. Two royal ministers and the Grand Vizier stood behind the Sultan. I am Aladdin, a tailor's son, said the young man bowing. But you have given me your daughter to wed. Thank you. I will treat her well. The Sultan was pleased with Aladdin and embraced him at once. Come, let us eat together and talk about the future. Drums sounded and the Sultan led the way into the dining hall. Everyone took his place at a table filled with food. A toast, said the Sultan raising his glass. To Aladdin! Aladdin! Everyone cheered. I hate Aladdin, grumbled the Grand Vizier to himself. Then Aladdin spoke to the Sultan and his men. Before I marry Princess Bhedra, I must build her a palace. Oh great Sultan, will you give me a place to build it? The Sultan got up and led Aladdin to a huge window. He pointed just beyond the palace gardens. If that land pleases you, he said, build there. After dinner with the Sultan, Aladdin returned home. He took the lamp from its hiding place and rubbed. I greet you, master, said the faithful genie. I am your slave, ready to serve you. Oh genie of the lamp, said Aladdin, I want a palace for my bride, grander than any other. The palace must almost reach the clouds, build it of white and red marble. Its many windows should be made of emeralds, rubies, and diamonds. And on every side, build courtyards with beautiful gardens. I will do it with speed and happiness, said the genie. Before dawn, the genie shook Aladdin awake. Everything is done, master. The outside of the palace was just as Aladdin had dreamed. Inside, cooks stirred pots and baked bread. Servants polished silver and crystal glasses. Outside, gardeners gathered roses. Genie, said Aladdin, My wife will often visit her father. When she goes to and fro, she must never step upon bare earth. So, the genie unrolled a red carpet that reached from one palace to the other. One last thing, said Aladdin. Bring my mother to me. We must get ready for my wedding. As the sun rose in the sky, the sultan leaned out of his window to greet the morning. What's this? he said, rubbing his eyes. Come look, grand vizier, he called over his shoulder. The sultan shook his head and looked again. Aladdin has built a palace right next to mine in one night. Come here. It is not possible, said his advisor, running to his side. It must be magic. You worry too much, shrugged the sultan. The city was decorated with flowers and ribbons. Music filled the air as singers and dancers joined the people in the streets. Aladdin stood at the door of his palace, wearing his wedding clothes. His jacket and wide pants were silk, trimmed with fur and tiny jewels. And Ziba stood smiling beside him, dressed like a queen. When the sultan and his daughter arrived, people cheered. Good luck and great happiness, they shouted. Aladdin ran to meet the princess as she walked to his palace door. My beautiful love, he whispered. Didn't I promise you this? Then he led his bride into a great hall lit by many candles. And there, Aladdin and Princess Bedra were married at last.