The Story of Aladdin follows an idle young boy in China who is tricked by an African magician posing as his uncle. The sorcerer sends Aladdin into a magical underground cave to retrieve a seemingly ordinary oil lamp, but when the boy refuses to hand it over before climbing out, the magician seals him inside. Aladdin escapes using a magic ring and later discovers that rubbing the lamp summons a powerful genie who can grant any wish. With the genie's help, Aladdin rises from poverty to marry Princess Buddir al Buddoor, builds a magnificent palace, and ultimately defeats both the magician and his

Our free The Story of Aladdin; or, The Wonderful Lamp study guide includes comprehension questions, vocabulary review, and discussion prompts to help with homework, prepare for quizzes, and deepen your understanding of the story.

The "new lamps for old" scene is one of the story's most famous episodes and a turning point in the plot. After his initial defeat, the African magician returns to the city disguised as a lamp merchant, walking the streets crying, "Who will change old lamps for new ones?" The townspeople think he is mad and mock him, but his real target is the magic lamp in Aladdin's palace. While Aladdin is away hunting, Princess Buddir al Buddoor unknowingly trades the magic lamp for a shiny new one, not realizing its significance. The magician immediately uses the lamp's genie to transport the entire palace