Magrib paced back and forth in the hot sun.
He did not hear Aladdin's call for help.
He was thinking about the lamp and making big plans.
"Soon I will be richer than any king!" he said with an evil grin.
"I will be the most powerful man on earth!"
Magrib laughed and did a merry little dance.
Then he stopped and frowned.
"Where is that boy?
He has been gone too long."
Suddenly Magrib touched his ear.
Had he heard something?
"Uncle! I am back!
Can you hear me?"
It was Aladdin calling again.
Magrib ran to the opening in the earth and looked over the edge.
"What are you doing, boy?
Come up right now!"
"Uncle, I cannot," answered Aladdin.
"I am too heavy to climb this last step.
My pockets are full and my jacket is bulging.
I am carrying many pieces of glass fruit from the garden.
Please help me up!"
"Just give me the lamp, boy," snapped Magrib.
"It is the lamp that weighs you down.
Give me the lamp and your load will be lighter."
"The lamp? Oh yes, the lamp.
I have it here someplace.
But, Uncle, it is not the lamp that weighs me down.
The lamp is not heavy."
"Where is the lamp?" asked Magrib eagerly.
"What have you done with it?"
"It's wrapped in my sash in my back pocket," said Aladdin.
"I will gladly give it to you when I get up there.
Please give me a hand!"
"Just give me the lamp, boy!" the magician shouted angrily.
"I cannot reach the lamp," said Aladdin. "See?"
He stretched his arm toward his back.
"I am loaded with glass fruit.
They are for my mother."
He reached into a pocket.
"Here is a sparkling red one.
You may have it!"
"No!" screamed Magrib.
"I don't want any jewels!
I want only the lamp!
Give it to me now! NOW!"
"I will, Uncle, I promise," said Aladdin firmly.
"But I cannot give it to you yet."
Magrib leaned down so that Aladdin could see his angry face.
His cheeks were a terrible shade of red.
"You refuse to obey me?" hissed the magician.
"I cannot obey you," said Aladdin. "I―"
Magrib threw back his head and screamed, "You cannot obey?"
The magician stomped his feet until dust flew up around him.
He pounded his head with his fists.
"Cannot obey me?" he screamed.
He pulled the silver box from his sleeve.
"Will not obey ME?"
Magrib grabbed a handful of the powder and muttered some magic words.
"You will be sorry, you worthless boy!"
"What are you doing, Uncle?" cried Aladdin. "Help me!"
Magrib threw the powder onto the glowing ashes of the fire.
Flames shot into the air, higher than his head.
"No, my boy, now you will never get out!" he screamed.
"Uncle!" Once again, the ground shook.
From the stone steps, Aladdin saw the marble door start to close over his head.
The door to the enchanted treasury fell back into place.
Then rocks and dirt rolled down and covered it completely.
Magrib shook his fists at the sky and twisted his body in fury.
"Aaaaargh!" he groaned. "Everything is ruined!"
"Uncle!" Aladdin shouted into the darkness. "UNCLE!"
No one heard him.
No one answered.