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"Too bad for you," snapped the stranger, slamming down the manhole cover, never noticing that, as he did so, a ring slid off his finger.
A terrified Aladdin was left in pitch darkness, wondering what the wizard would do next. Then he trod on the ring. Aimlessly putting it on his finger, he twisted it round and round. Suddenly the room was flooded with a rosy light and a great genie with clasped hands appeared on a cloud.
"At your command, sire," said the genie.
Now astounded, Aladdin could only stammer: "I want to go home!" In a flash he was back in his own home, though the door was tightly shut.
"How did you get in?" called his mother from the kitchen stove, the minute she set eyes on him. Excitedly, her son told her of his adventures.
"Where's the silver coin?" his mother asked.
Aladdin clapped a hand to his brow. For all he had brought home was the old oil lamp. "Oh, mother! I'm so sorry. This is all I've got."
"Well, let's hope it works. It's so dirty …" and the widow began to rub the lamp. Suddenly out shot another genie, in a cloud of smoke.
"You've set me free, after centuries! I was a prisoner in the lamp, waiting to be freed by someone rubbing it. Now, I'm your obedient servant. Tell me your wishes." And the genie bowed respectfully, awaiting Aladdin's orders.
The boy and his mother gaped wordlessly at this incredible apparition, then the genie said with a hint of impatience in his voice. "I'm here at your command. Tell me what you want. Anything you like!"
Aladdin gulped, then said: "Bring us … bring …" His mother not having yet begun to cook the dinner, went on to say: "… a lovely big meal."
From that day on, the widow and her son had everything they could wish for: food, clothes and a fine home, for the genie of the lamp granted them everything they asked him.
