Morning finally came, and Aladdin was waiting in his grand, new clothes.
When Magrib arrived, they both hurried down the street of crooked houses.
"Where are we going today, Uncle?" asked Aladdin.
"What will I see that I have never seen before?"
"Ah, my boy, you must be patient," answered Magrib.
"We will see wonderful things! Amazing treasures!"
The magician had never been so happy.
This was the day he had waited for!
He laughed and embraced Aladdin—just like an uncle would.
A very old and very high wall stood around the city.
When the two travelers came to the wall, Aladdin stopped.
"I have never gone beyond the wall," he said quietly.
"It’s only one step farther for you to see a new world,"
said Magrib as he took Aladdin’s hand.
They walked through the gate and left the city behind.
"Now we will stroll in the most beautiful gardens," said Magrib.
Everywhere, they saw roses, fragrant herbs, fruit trees, and flowering vines.
Sparkling water bubbled from brass fountains shaped like lions.
"Do these sights please you?" asked Magrib.
"I have never seen such things before!" said Aladdin.
"Everything pleases me!"
Now, my young friends, Aladdin was very happy.
But he was very hungry too.
Walking with his uncle had made his stomach growl.
Zeba hadn't packed any food for his trip, and he wondered what he would eat.
He shouldn't have worried.
Magrib reached into the sleeve of his robe and pulled out a sesame cookie and a handful of figs.
They ate under a big tree, and Magrib told Aladdin stories about his life in Egypt.
Some of the stories were true, and some were not.
But in a short time, the magician was eager to travel farther.
"Hurry now," he said. "The best is yet to come!"
And so they walked on—from garden to garden—until there were no more gardens.
Aladdin saw that the land was no longer fresh and green.
The ground was baked brown by the sun.
Magrib walked faster and faster.
Aladdin had to run to keep up, and he stumbled on the hot stones.
"I am so tired, Uncle!
May I please rest?" he said.
"No!" answered the magician.
"This is the way. Walk quickly!"
"But where are we going, Uncle?
There are no more gardens, only bare hills.
If it is far, I cannot go on, and we must turn back."
"It is not too far," answered Magrib.
"And soon, I will show you the most beautiful garden you can imagine!"
But they did not come to a garden.
They came to the bottom of a high, rocky hill.
"Now, Aladdin, you may sit," said the magician, his eyes glowing.
"We have reached the place I was seeking."
Aladdin was glad to rest, but he was excited too.
"Collect some dry sticks for a fire," ordered Magrib.
"Yes, Uncle," said Aladdin as he jumped up and gathered some twigs into a pile.
When the fire was burning brightly, Magrib pulled a silver box from his sleeve.
He opened it and took out a pinch of some sweet-smelling powder.
He spoke strange words that Aladdin did not understand.
"Magic words?" Aladdin wondered.
Then Magrib tossed the powder into the fire.
Within moments, the sky turned dark and roared with thunder.
The ground shook, and rocks tumbled around Aladdin's head.
Suddenly, the earth split open right in front of him!
Aladdin screamed.