As soon as the sun rose, the magician went to Aladdin’s house. "Everything is going just as I planned," he said to himself. Eagerly, he rapped on the door with his knuckles.
The door flew open, and Aladdin jumped out. His mother was right behind him. When she saw Magrib, she cried, "Peace be with you! I hope you are well this morning."
"Peace be with you," replied Magrib.
"Good morning, Uncle!" said Aladdin. He bowed and kissed Magrib’s hand.
"Have a wonderful time," said Zeba as Magrib and her son set off toward the bazaar.
First, the magician led Aladdin to a clothing shop.
"Bring us your finest clothing," said Magrib. "My nephew needs to dress like the rich merchant he will be!"
The shopkeeper brought out pants, jackets, and vests. He tossed out sashes, shirts, and shoes. "Choose whatever pleases you," Magrib told Aladdin.
"I want these pants! This jacket!" cried Aladdin. He grabbed the pieces of clothing and put them over one arm. "And this too!" Aladdin said. He grabbed a cap and put it on his head.
Just as he had done the day before, Magrib pulled gold coins from his sleeve. He paid the merchant and then took off Aladdin’s cap.
"You are too dirty to wear this cap or these fine clothes!" said Magrib. Then he led Aladdin to the public bathhouse.
After a hot bath, they drank fruit juice and talked about the happy life of a merchant. Finally, Aladdin put on his new clothes.
"Look at me, Uncle!" he cried. He wore baggy, black pants, a bright sash, and a striped jacket. The cap sat on his head once more, and Aladdin danced with joy.
All afternoon, Magrib led Aladdin through the city. He showed Aladdin places the boy had only dreamed of visiting. They visited the sultan’s palace with its courtyards, fountains, and sunny plazas.
Then the magician led Aladdin through the bazaar. "Watch the merchants buy, sell, and trade," he instructed.
"I will learn everything quickly," said Aladdin. "Soon I will be a rich man!"
When Aladdin got hungry, they went to a food stall. There they ate sizzling kabobs and drank coffee with traders from many lands. "This is my nephew," said Magrib. "Aladdin is his name."
When the sky grew dark, Aladdin’s mother stood waiting in her doorway.
"Where is Aladdin?" she wondered. She stepped out of the house and looked down the crooked street. "What? Who is this walking along with Magrib?"
She did not recognize her son in his fine clothes. He already looked like a rich man!
"Oh, Magrib," she said, "I will thank you all the days of my life! I pray that you will live to an old age. And I hope this boy will always serve you and do everything you ask."
The magician smiled slyly. "I hope for the same thing," he said.
Then he spoke to Aladdin. "Tomorrow, I will come for you again. We will walk through the pretty gardens of the city. And then I will show you something that you have never seen before in your life!"
That night, Aladdin did not sleep a wink.