As Aladdin neared the main gate of the palace, he heard trumpets.
The gate swung open, and the sultan greeted him.
Two royal ministers and the grand vizier stood behind the sultan.
"I am Aladdin, a tailor's son," said the young man, bowing.
"But you have given me your daughter to wed.
Thank you—I will treat her well."
The sultan was pleased with Aladdin and embraced him at once.
"Come! Let us eat together and talk about the future!"
Drums sounded, and the sultan led the way into the dining hall.
Everyone took his place at a table filled with food.
"A toast!" said the sultan, raising his glass. "To Aladdin!"
"Aladdin!" everyone cheered.
"I hate Aladdin," grumbled the grand vizier to himself.
Then Aladdin spoke to the sultan and his men.
"Before I marry Princess Badra, I must build her a palace.
Oh great sultan, will you give me a place to build it?"
The sultan got up and led Aladdin to a huge window.
He pointed just beyond the palace gardens.
"If that land pleases you," he said, "build there."
After dinner with the sultan, Aladdin returned home.
He took the lamp from its hiding place and rubbed.
"I greet you, master," said the faithful genie.
"I am your slave, ready to serve you!"
"Oh genie of the lamp," said Aladdin,
"I want a palace for my bride—grander than any other.
The palace must almost reach the clouds.
Build it of white and red marble.
Its many windows should be made of emeralds, rubies, and diamonds.
And on every side, build courtyards with beautiful gardens."
"I will do it with speed and happiness!" said the genie.
Before dawn, the genie shook Aladdin awake.
"Everything is done, master!"
The outside of the palace was just as Aladdin had dreamed.
Inside, cooks stirred pots and baked bread.
Servants polished silver and crystal glasses.
Outside, gardeners gathered roses.
"Genie," said Aladdin, "my wife will often visit her father.
When she goes to and fro, she must never step upon bare earth."
So the genie unrolled a red carpet that reached from one palace to the other!
"One last thing," said Aladdin.
"Bring my mother to me.
We must get ready for my wedding!"
As the sun rose in the sky, the sultan leaned out of his window to greet the morning.
"What's this?" he said, rubbing his eyes.
"Come look, Grand Vizier!" he called over his shoulder.
The sultan shook his head and looked again.
"Aladdin has built a palace right next to mine in one night! Come here!"
"It is not possible," said his adviser, running to his side.
"It must be magic."
"You worry too much," shrugged the sultan.
The city was decorated with flowers and ribbons.
Music filled the air as singers and dancers joined the people in the streets.
Aladdin stood at the door of his palace, wearing his wedding clothes.
His jacket and wide pants were silk, trimmed with fur and tiny jewels.
And Zeba stood smiling beside him, dressed like a queen.
When the sultan and his daughter arrived, people cheered.
"Good luck and great happiness!" they shouted.
Aladdin ran to meet the princess as she walked to his palace door.
"My beautiful love," he whispered.
"Didn't I promise you this?"
Then he led his bride into a great hall lit by many candles.
And there, Aladdin and Princess Badra were married at last.