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She went every day for a week, before the Sultan noticed that she was there.

"Who is the poor woman who comes here every day?" he asked. "Bring her forward. I wish to speak to her.'

Aladdin's mother knelt before the throne and told the Sultan of her son's love for the Princess. He sends you this gift,"

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she continued, presenting the magic fruit. The Sultan was astonished at the gift. He exclaimed, Here indeed is a gift worthy

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of my daughter! Shall I not give her to the one who sends it?"

Then the Sultan told Aladdin's mother to return in three months' time, and he would give the Princess to her son in marriage.

When the time had passed, Aladdin again sent his mother to the Sultan.

"I shall abide by my word," said the Sultan, "but he who marries my daughter must first send me forty golden basins filled to the brim with precious stones.

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These basins must be carried by forty black slaves led by forty white ones, all of them dressed in rich attire."

Aladdin's mother returned home.
"Your hopes are ended," she cried.

"Not so, mother," answered Aladdin. Then he rubbed the Magician's lamp. When the Genie appeared, Aladdin told him to provide the forty golden basins filled with jewels, and the eighty slaves.

When the procession reached the palace, the slaves presented the jewels to the Sultan.

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He was so delighted with the gift that he was willing to have Aladdin marry the Princess without delay.

"Go and tell your son that he may wed my daughter this very day," he said to Aladdin's mother.

Aladdin was delighted to hear the news. He ordered the Genie to bring a rich purple robe for him to wear; a beautiful white horse to ride upon; twenty slaves to attend him; six slaves to attend his mother; and ten thousand gold pieces to give to the people.

At last everything was ready. Aladdin, dressed in his royal robe, started for the palace. As he rode on the beautiful white horse, he scattered the gold coins among the people. They shouted with joy as they followed the procession.

At the palace the Sultan greeted Aladdin joyfully and ordered the wedding feast to be prepared at once.

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But Aladdin said, "Not so, your Majesty. I will not marry the Princess until I have built her a palace."

Then he returned home and once more summoned the Slave of the Lamp.

"Build the finest palace in the world, ordered Aladdin. "Let the walls be of marble set with precious stones. In the center build a great hall whose walls shall be of silver and gold, lighted by great windows on each side. These windows are to be set with diamonds and rubies. Depart! Lose no time in obeying my commands!

When Aladdin looked out of the window the next morning, there stood the most beautiful palace in the world.

Then Aladdin and his mother returned to the Sultan's palace, and the wedding took place amid great rejoicing.

He

Aladdin was gentle and kind to all. became a great favorite at the court, and the people loved him well.

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