Classical children’s literature transcends all times and cultures. The reason for this endurance is the poignancy, joy, interest and fascination that classical stories produce in young readers.
Without doubt, one of the great treasures of this field is the book "Tales of a Thousand and One Nights." Frequently shortened to "A Thousand and One Arabian Nights," these stories have delighted children for decades. Originally, these 244 tales were published in English in the early 1700s. They come from older stories and folktales in Asia and the Middle East.
While it must have been difficult, Kate Wiggin has selected a number of the most famous tales in this beautifully illustrated book entitled "The Arabian Nights." Of these, the story of Aladdin has always held great interest for Americans.
Aladdin is a very poor boy with little virtue. His father has despaired of ever making anything out of his son, as laziness seems to be the chief trait of the young boy. Broken down by hard work as a tailor, the old man dies, leaving his impoverished wife and ne’er-do-well son. Quite by accident, Aladdin one day meets an African magician in the marketplace. The magician takes a keen interest in Aladdin and begins showering gifts on the destitute youth. Aladdin’s mother is quite suspect of the magician and discourages the boy from associating with the older man.
As usual, Aladdin pays no attention to his mother’s advice, and continues spending time with the magician. The man takes the boy outside of town and entices him to go into an enchanted, jewel-filled cave to get a magic lamp. Before entering, he puts a magic ring on the boy’s finger, and tells him it will provide protection. What Aladdin doesn’t know is that the magician plans to keep the lamp and then kill him. Having taken down the magic lamp, he fills his pockets with precious jewels as he leaves the cave. His coat is so full of emeralds and diamonds that he tells the magician to help him out of the cave and then he will give the magician the magic lamp. This throws the older man into a fury, and he casts a spell that entombs Aladdin in the magic cave.
Alone and fearful of dying, Aladdin rubs the magic ring and a genie suddenly appears. He is told that any wish of his can be granted. The boy asks to be returned home, which instantly happens. Now Aladdin stands in front of his astonished mother with a magic ring and lamp. A few days later an announcement is made that everyone should stay indoors as the sultan’s daughter is going to the baths. However, Aladdin catches a glimpse of her and falls immediately in love. But how can a poor boy ever hope to marry a sultan’s daughter? Puzzling over this, Aladdin looks at the magic lamp.
What happens to Aladdin? Does the magic lamp help him win over the heart of the sultan’s daughter? What happens to the magician because of his acts of hatred? Why is virtue better than vice? To find out, go to the library and check out "The Arabian Nights" by Kate Wiggin.
All the stories in Wiggin’s title or any of the other numerous editions of the Arabian Nights fire children’s imagination. They will be enthralled by the exploits of the characters in the tales. Sinbad the Sailor will become a real person, and Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves will delight the children. Please encourage young children you know to read these exciting stories. As they pick up the book be sure to say "Open Sesame!" These stories are great fun.
