Aladdin now began to go about among the merchants of the city and talk with them, and before long he learned to his surprise that the fruits he had brought with him from the garden were not glass at all, but jewels, and jewels so rare and magnificent that they were not to be equaled anywhere.
Now the Sultan of that country had one daughter, the Princess Buddir al Baddoor, and she was the most beautiful princess in the world.
No man was ever allowed to see her face. When she rode through the city to the public baths the Sultan commanded that all the houses should be closed and that the people should stay indoors and not look out, upon pain of death.
Now Aladdin was very curious, as well as bold. One day when the Princess was to pass through the city he hid himself near the door of the baths without anyone knowing it.
The Princess came riding down the street with all her guards and ladies-in-waiting about her, and just as she reached the door near which Aladdin was hiding she dropped her veil, and he saw her face. At once he was filled with a violent love for her. It seemed to him he could not live unless he could have the Princess for a wife.
When he returned home his mother noticed that he was very thoughtful. She did not know what had happened to him. At last she asked, “My son, what ails you? Why are you so thoughtful and silent.”
“My mother,” answered Aladdin, “I have seen the Princess Buddir al Baddoor, and unless I can marry her I no longer wish to live.”
When the widow heard these words she thought her son must be crazy.
“How can you think of such a thing?” she cried. “Have you forgotten that your father was nothing but a tailor? How can a tailor’s son hope to marry a princess?”
“Nevertheless that is what I intend to do,” said Aladdin. He then urged and entreated his mother to go to the palace and ask the Sultan to give the Princess to him. The widow was very loth to do this, but she loved her son so tenderly that at last she consented.