Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves - Middle Eastern

My name is Morgiana, and long ago, I was a servant in a house where everything was about to change. I lived in a bustling city in Persia, where the markets buzzed with the sweet scent of spices and the streets were a flowing river of colorful silks and noisy crowds. My master was a wealthy merchant named Cassim, who was quite stern, but it was his kind, poor brother, a woodcutter named Ali Baba, whose life would become tangled with mine in the most unbelievable way. Our story, the one people now call Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, began not with riches or magic lamps, but with a simple trip to the forest and a secret that was never, ever meant to be heard. It was a secret that would bring great danger, but also show that courage can be found in the most unexpected places.

One sweltering afternoon, Ali Baba was in the forest gathering wood when he heard the thunder of hooves. He scrambled up a tall, leafy tree just as forty fearsome-looking men on horseback rode into the clearing. They stopped before a giant, smooth rock that looked like it had been there for a thousand years. Their leader, a man with a booming voice, stood before it and shouted, “Open, Sesame!” Can you imagine Ali Baba’s shock when a hidden door in the rock slid open, revealing a dark, mysterious cave? The thieves carried heavy sacks inside and came out empty-handed. Then their leader sealed the entrance by commanding, “Close, Sesame!” Once they were gone, Ali Baba, trembling with a mix of fear and curiosity, crept down and whispered the magic words himself. The sight inside made his jaw drop. There were mountains of gold coins, chests overflowing with sparkling jewels, and stacks of shimmering silks. Being a humble man, he took just one small bag of gold, enough to help his family, and hurried home. He shared his secret with Cassim, but his brother’s heart was filled with an insatiable greed. Cassim rushed to the cave, but once inside, surrounded by immense wealth, his excitement made him completely forget the magic words to get out. The thieves found him there, and his greed led to his terrible downfall.

When Cassim didn't return, a heavy silence fell over our house. Ali Baba, full of sorrow, bravely went to the cave and brought his brother back so we could give him a proper burial. I helped him keep the secret, making it seem as though Cassim had died from a sudden illness, because I knew the thieves would seek revenge if they found out someone else knew about their treasure. And I was right. The thieves soon realized that their secret was out. Their captain sent one of them into the city to find the culprit. The thief was clever and eventually found our house. To mark it, he drew a small white chalk cross on the door so he could lead the entire gang back that night. But I have sharp eyes, and I saw the mark. I knew instantly what it meant. Thinking faster than I ever had before, I grabbed a piece of chalk and made the exact same mark on every single door in our neighborhood! When the thieves arrived in the dead of night, they were completely bewildered. “Which house is it?” they whispered angrily. They couldn't tell one from the other and had to retreat, their plan ruined.

The captain of the thieves was furious, but he was also very cunning. He decided to handle the matter himself. He disguised himself as an oil merchant and came to our house late one evening, politely asking Ali Baba for a place to stay the night. He brought with him a long line of mules, each carrying two enormous oil jars. He told my kind master that the thirty-nine jars were full of his finest olive oil. Ali Baba, always generous, welcomed him in. But something about the merchant felt wrong to me; a shiver of suspicion ran down my spine. That night, as I went into the courtyard to get some oil for our lamps, I decided to take a little from one of the guest’s jars. As I got close to the first one, I heard a man’s voice whisper from inside, “Is it time yet?” My heart nearly leaped out of my chest! I realized with a jolt of terror that thirty-seven jars held thieves, waiting for their captain's signal. I had to act immediately to save everyone. I quietly went to the kitchen, boiled a large cauldron of oil, and poured a small amount into each jar, which trapped the thieves and made them unable to attack. Later, when the captain joined Ali Baba for dinner, I offered to perform a dance. As I swirled and spun to the music, I revealed a dagger hidden in my sash and, in one swift move, disarmed and captured the captain before he could harm anyone.

For my quick thinking and unwavering loyalty, Ali Baba was overjoyed and immensely grateful. He gave me my freedom and asked me to become a cherished member of his family. The story of our adventure has been told for hundreds and hundreds of years, passed down through generations in the famous collection of tales called One Thousand and One Nights. It serves as a powerful reminder that true treasure isn’t found in piles of gold or sparkling jewels, but in the courage, cleverness, and loyalty of good people. The magic words “Open, Sesame!” have become a famous phrase for unlocking secrets all over the world. My story shows that even a person who seems quiet or unimportant can be the greatest hero of all. This tale continues to inspire movies, books, and dreams of adventure, proving that a sharp mind and a brave heart are the most powerful kinds of magic in the world.