Brief Summary
This is a summary of the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. It begins with Ali Baba, a poor woodcutter, discovering a secret cave used by a band of forty thieves. After learning the magic words to open the cave, Ali Baba enters and takes some of the treasure. His greedy brother, Cassim, discovers the cave as well, but his greed leads to his demise. The thieves try to find Ali Baba, but a clever slave girl named Morgiana thwarts their plans, ultimately saving Ali Baba and his family.
- Ali Baba discovers a thieves' cave and becomes wealthy.
- Cassim's greed leads to his death in the cave.
- Morgiana, a clever slave, protects Ali Baba from the thieves.
Introduction
The story being told is "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves," a tale known worldwide. The story is set in a city in Persia, a place filled with colors and wonders, bustling with merchants trading silk and spices.
Ali Baba's Life
Ali Baba and his brother Cassim inherited a small fortune from their father, a modest merchant. Cassim became wealthy, living a life of luxury in the city, while Ali Baba remained poor, working as a woodcutter. Despite his poverty, Ali Baba lived contently in his small cottage, without envying his brother's wealth.
Discovery of the Secret Cave
One day, while gathering wood, Ali Baba ventured deeper into the forest than usual. He heard the thundering of hooves and hid behind a rock. He saw forty horsemen approach, dismount, and their leader spoke the words "Open Sesame," revealing a hidden cave entrance. The thieves entered the cave, and Ali Baba watched in fear and curiosity.
Ali Baba Enters the Cave
After the thieves left, Ali Baba, emboldened, approached the cave and spoke the magic words, "Open Sesame." The cave opened, revealing a treasure trove of gold, silver, jewels, and luxurious goods. Ali Baba cautiously entered and, realizing the treasure belonged to the thieves, decided to take some. He loaded three sacks of gold onto his donkeys and carefully concealed them with firewood.
Ali Baba and the Gold
Ali Baba returned home and shared his discovery with his wife, who initially disbelieved him. To count the gold coins, she went to Cassim's wife to borrow a scale. Cassim's wife, curious, put wax on the bottom of the scale to see what Ali Baba was measuring. A gold coin stuck to the wax, revealing Ali Baba's newfound wealth to Cassim.
Cassim's Greed and Death
Driven by greed and envy, Cassim confronted Ali Baba, who revealed the secret of the cave. The next morning, Cassim went to the cave with donkeys to take the treasure for himself. He entered the cave with the words "Open Sesame" but, overcome with greed, he forgot the magic words to exit. The thieves returned and, finding Cassim inside, killed him.
Morgiana's Plan
Cassim's wife, worried when he didn't return, went to Ali Baba, who discovered his brother's gruesome fate. He brought Cassim's body home, and Morgiana, a clever slave girl in Cassim's household, devised a plan to conceal his death. She sought the help of a skilled tailor named Mustafa, blindfolded him, and led him to Cassim's house to sew the body back together, ensuring no one suspected foul play.
The Thieves' Revenge
The thieves, upon returning to their cave, discovered Cassim's body was missing. Realizing someone else knew their secret, they set out to find the culprit. The leader of the thieves discovered Ali Baba's house and marked its door with a symbol. Morgiana, however, outsmarted them by marking all the other doors in the neighborhood with the same symbol.
The Oil Merchant
The thieves' leader returned disguised as an oil merchant with 39 jars, one filled with oil and the other 38 hiding his men. He sought shelter at Ali Baba's house for the night. Morgiana discovered the thieves hiding in the jars. She filled a large cauldron with oil and boiled it, then poured the boiling oil into each jar, killing the thieves.
Morgiana's Bravery
The leader of the thieves, waiting for his men to emerge, discovered their fate. He escaped, vowing revenge. The next morning, Ali Baba was surprised to find the oil merchant gone. Morgiana then revealed the truth about the oil merchant and the dead thieves in the jars.
The Final Thief
Some time passed, and the thief leader returned, disguised as a wealthy merchant named Khoja Hussein. He befriended Ali Baba's son and was invited to their home. Morgiana recognized him and, during a feast, performed a dance with a hidden dagger. She killed the thief leader, saving Ali Baba and his family once again.
Morgiana's Reward
Ali Baba, grateful for Morgiana's loyalty and bravery, gave her in marriage to his son. Morgiana became a respected member of the family, and Ali Baba continued to use his wealth wisely, becoming a respected and generous member of the community. The story concludes by reflecting on how greed led to Cassim's death, while wisdom and gratitude elevated Ali Baba.
