ed
Aladdin. "Let it be built of marble and jasper and precious stones. In
the midst I would have a great hall, whose walls shall be of gold and
silver, lighted by four-and-twenty windows. These windows shall all be
set with diamonds, rubies, and other precious stones, and one only
shall be left unfinished. There must also be stables with horses, and
slaves to serve in the palace. Begone, and do thy work quickly."

And lo! in the morning when Aladdin looked out, there stood the most
wonderful palace that ever was built. Its marble walls were flushed a
delicate pink in the morning light, and the jewels flashed from every
window.

Then Aladdin and his mother set off for the Sultan's palace, and the
wedding took place that day. The Princess loved Aladdin as soon as she
saw him, and great were the rejoicings throughout the city.

The next day Aladdin invited the Sultan to visit the new palace, and
when he entered the great hall, whose walls were of gold and silver
and whose windows were set with jewels, he was filled with admiration
and astonishment.

"It is the wonder of the world," he cried. "Never before have mortal
eyes beheld such a beautiful palace. One thing alone surprises me. Why
is there one window left unfinished?"

"Your Majesty," answered Aladdin, "this has been done with a purpose,
for I wished that thine own royal hand should have the honor of
putting the finishing touch to my palace."

The Sultan was so pleased when he heard this, that he sent at once for
all the court jewelers and ordered them to finish the window like the
rest.

The court jewelers worked for many days, and then sent to tell the
Sultan that they had used up all the jewels they possessed, and still
the window was not half finished. The Sultan commanded that his own
jewels should be given to complete the work; even when these were used
the window was not finished.

Then Aladdin ordered the jewelers to stop their work, and to take back
all the Sultan's jewels as well as their own. And that night he called
up the Slave of the Lamp once more, and bade him finish the window.
This was done before the morning, and great was the surprise of the
Sultan and all his workmen.

Now Aladdin did not grow proud of his great riches but was gentle and
courteous to all, and kind to the poor, so that the people all loved
him dearly. He fought and won many battles for the Sultan, and was the
greatest favorite in the land.

But far away in Africa the