This book contains the following story:
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves
"Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves" is another famous tale from the collection of "One Thousand and One Nights" or "Arabian Nights." The story revolves around Ali Baba, a poor woodcutter who stumbles upon a band of forty thieves and discovers their hidden treasure. Here is a summary of the traditional tale:
Plot Summary:
Act 1: Ali Baba and the Secret of the Cave Ali Baba, a poor woodcutter, overhears the secret password "Open Sesame" as he wanders in the forest. Curious, he follows the thieves to their secret hideout—a cave filled with treasures beyond imagination. He learns that the band of forty thieves is led by a cunning and ruthless captain.
Act 2: The Stolen Treasure and Morgiana Ali Baba decides to take some of the treasure for himself. With the help of his loyal and intelligent slave-girl, Morgiana, he carries some gold coins back home. Ali Baba keeps the discovery a secret from his brother, Kasim.
Act 3: Kasim's Greed and the Thieves' Discovery Kasim, Ali Baba's wealthy but greedy brother, becomes suspicious of Ali Baba's newfound wealth. Ali Baba reluctantly reveals the secret of the cave and gives the password to Kasim. Greed overcomes Kasim, and he rushes to the cave with the intention of taking more treasure.
Act 4: Kasim's Death and Morgiana's Cunning Kasim's greed proves to be his downfall, as he forgets the password to leave the cave. He is discovered and killed by the thieves. When the thieves realize that the dead man was Ali Baba's brother, they plot revenge.
Act 5: Morgiana's Clever Plan Morgiana discovers Kasim's body and cleverly deduces the thieves' plan. She disguises herself as a wise woman and manages to pour boiling oil into the jars that the thieves planned to hide inside. The thieves are killed, except for their leader.
Act 6: The Thieves' Leader Seeks Revenge The leader of the thieves realizes that Ali Baba is responsible for their defeat and plots to kill him. He disguises himself as a merchant and gains entry to Ali Baba's home, but Morgiana is quick-witted and kills him before he can harm Ali Baba.
Act 7: Triumph and the Thieves' Demise With the leader of the thieves dead, Ali Baba and Morgiana triumph over their enemies. Ali Baba becomes wealthy, and his secret is well-protected with Morgiana's loyalty and intelligence.
"Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves" is a captivating tale that highlights themes of greed, cunning, and loyalty. It celebrates the triumph of the clever and virtuous over the wicked and deceitful, making it a timeless and cherished part of the Arabian Nights folklore.
