The following morning he came again, and asked Aladdin whether he would not like to take a walk in the country, as it was such a fine day.
Aladdin gladly agreed to this plan. It was pleasant to be with his new uncle, and to hear him talk of all the grand things he intended to do.
The magician led the boy out of the city, talking pleasantly all the while, and on and on into the country, so far that at last the lad began to grow weary and to wonder when they would turn back.
In time they came to a lonely valley shut in by high hills, and here the stranger stopped. “My dear nephew, I wish to show you something here that is very curious,” said the false uncle. “But first gather together a few dry sticks and build a little fire.”
This Aladdin did.
When the fire was burning brightly the magician drew from under his robe a small box. He opened it, and taking from it a pinch of powder he threw it into the fire, at the same time saying some magic words.
Immediately there was a loud noise like a clap of thunder, and the ground opened before them, showing a great stone in which was a brass ring.
Aladdin was so frightened by these happenings that he would have run away, but the stranger caught him roughly by the arm.
“Stay where you are,” he cried. “I have brought you here to do a special thing for me, and if you refuse you shall not escape alive. If, however, you are obedient I will make you rich for life.”
“What do you wish of me?” asked Aladdin in a trembling voice.