The ground was moving, and Aladdin started to run for his life!
"Stay!" shouted Magrib and he grabbed Aladdin by the collar of his new jacket.
Then Magrib raised his hand and struck the boy across the face.
Aladdin's cap went flying, and his teeth rattled in his head.
He fell to the ground, weeping with pain and fear.
"Uncle!" he cried.
"What did I do?
Why did you strike me?"
"I'm sorry, but I was angered by your fear," said Magrib.
"I am your uncle, and you must always obey me.
You must not be afraid.
You must not run away."
Magrib set Aladdin's cap back on his head and brushed the dust from his clothes.
"I will try to be brave, Uncle," said Aladdin.
"Be calm, my boy," said Magrib.
"Come and see how my magic has opened the earth."
"Magic?" breathed Aladdin.
Magrib stretched out his arm and pointed with his finger.
Where the earth had split, Aladdin saw a thick piece of marble with a big brass ring on top.
"What is this?" Aladdin asked.
"It is a special door," answered the magician. "Listen closely.
Do exactly as I say and you will be mightier and richer than any king."
"Tell me what to do!" cried Aladdin.
"I will obey every word!"
"Under this marble door is a treasure," said Magrib.
"It is for you alone.
No one but you may claim it."
"How do I get to the treasure?" asked Aladdin.
"Grab the brass ring and lift the stone," said the magician.
"What?" gasped Aladdin.
He looked down at the marble.
"Oh, Uncle," he said.
"It is huge—it must be so heavy.
I am not strong enough to lift it by myself.
You must help me!"
"I cannot help you," said Magrib.
"No one but you has the power to lift it.
No one but you may touch it!"
"But, Uncle!" cried Aladdin.
"Reach out your hand, grab the ring, and pull," ordered Magrib.
"Then say your name and command the stone to rise.
It will obey you.
I promise it will not be heavy."
"But how can that be?"
"Open the door," said Magrib.
Unsure, the boy looked down at the marble.
"I cannot do it," he said to himself.
"Open the door!" shouted Magrib.
Aladdin repeated the command to himself softly.
"My name is Aladdin," he said.
"I command you to rise."
Then he repeated it louder.
"My name is Aladdin.
I command you to rise."
"Do it, boy," hissed Magrib.
Aladdin rubbed his hands together and took a deep breath.
He reached out his hand, grabbed the brass ring, and pulled.
"My name is Aladdin!" he shouted.
"I command you to rise!"
As the boy pulled, the stone rose.
Aladdin was amazed.
Within moments, he had removed the door and tossed it aside!
He now saw a deep, dark hole where the marble had been.
Magrib leaned over and looked into the opening.
They could both see a steep stone stairway disappearing down into the shadows.
Aladdin looked up at Magrib.
"Where is the treasure?" he asked.
"It is down there," said the magician.
"Let's go!" shouted Aladdin.
"Let's go and get it right now!"
"No one can enter the enchanted treasury but you," said Magrib.
"You must go alone."