"I haven't lost my mind," said Aladdin to his mother.
"I have lost my heart to Princess Badra."
"What about the sultan?" Zeba asked.
"Why would he give his daughter to you?
Who would dare ask him?"
"You," answered Aladdin.
"You will ask the sultan."
"What?" Zeba shouted.
"Me? Do you think I have lost my mind too?"
"If you refuse, I will die," said Aladdin.
"And if I ask the sultan such a silly thing, we will both die!" cried Zeba.
"He will kill us for being too bold."
Aladdin thought a moment and then spoke.
"The sultan is a good man.
The people always come to him for help and favors.
This is well-known, Mother."
"You speak truly," she agreed.
"But the sultan expects a gift, a very nice gift, for his time and wisdom.
We have nothing fancy to present to the sultan."
"You are right," said Aladdin.
"We need a gift that he will notice."
His face lit up with a big smile.
"Mother," he said, "have you forgotten the jewels I took from the enchanted treasury?
Quick, bring our best serving bowl."
As Zeba ran into the kitchen, Aladdin walked over to a large pot on a shelf.
He took out a leather bag filled with jewels.
"Here you are, son," Zeba said, as she held out the bowl.
Aladdin poured the jewels into the bowl.
The beautiful stones sparkled so brightly that Zeba could not look at them.
"These are the biggest jewels in the world," said Aladdin.
"You must take them to the sultan.
Tell him your son wishes to marry his daughter."
"I will do what you want, my son," said Zeba.
She arrived at a large hall where many people had gathered to see the sultan.
Zeba was nervous.
The people waiting all looked very rich.
"They must be so important!" she thought.
Watching over everything was the sultan's most trusted adviser—the grand vizier.
He saw Zeba come into the hall and take a seat in a corner by the wall.
"Who is this woman and what is she carrying?" he wondered.
"What business does she have with the sultan?"
Trumpets blew as the sultan entered and sat on his throne.
As each person stepped before the sultan and asked for a favor, Zeba watched and listened.
But she was too afraid to speak to the sultan that day.
When the meeting was over, she returned home.
Every day, Zeba went to the hall and sat in the same spot.
Many days passed, but still she did not dare speak to the sultan about her son.
Each night, she returned home with the jewels.
One day, the sultan leaned close to the grand vizier.
"Who is that woman who comes each day?" he whispered.
"And what does she want?"
"She's nobody important," replied the grand vizier with a frown.
"She probably wants to complain about her neighbors."
The sultan was not satisfied with this answer.
"Tomorrow, bring her before me."
The next day, Zeba sat in her usual corner.
As she sat watching and waiting, she saw the grand vizier point to her.
"Stand," he commanded, "and be presented to the sultan!"