In a dry land of sand and olive trees lived a humble man named Ali Baba. Each morning he led his small donkey into the forest, cut firewood, and sold it in the market. He was poor but honest, while his wealthy brother Kassim often mocked him and shared nothing.

One afternoon, while resting under a cliff, Ali Baba heard thunderous hooves. He quickly hid behind a large rock as forty thieves rode into view, their horses laden with treasure. Their leader shouted, “Open Sesame!” and a secret cave appeared.

When the robbers left, Ali Baba stepped forward and whispered, “Open Sesame.” The rocks slid apart again, revealing a magnificent sight. Piles of gold, silk, and glittering gems filled the cavern like sunlight on water! He took a few bags of coins—no more than his donkey could carry—and whispered, “Close Sesame.” The mountain sealed behind him. He hurried home, trembling with wonder.

Ali Baba’s wife rejoiced at their sudden fortune, but word soon reached his greedy brother, Kassim. Kassim stormed into Ali Baba’s house and demanded to know where the gold came from. Ali Baba, ashamed but honest, told him everything. Kassim’s eyes burned with envy.

At dawn, Kassim rode secretly to the forest, repeating the words he had learned. The cave opened, and he rushed inside, laughing at the mountain of gold. He loaded his bags until they overflowed. But when he tried to leave, greed clouded his mind—he forgot the words. He shouted, “Open Barley! Open Wheat!” Nothing happened. When the thieves returned, torches blazing, they found him trembling in the dark. The leader roared, “Someone else knows our secret!” They struck Kassim down and, to warn others, cut his body into pieces and hung them inside the cave.

When Kassim never returned, Ali Baba went to look for him. He found the cave, whispered “Open Sesame,” and entered. Inside he gasped at the terrible sight. With grief and courage, Ali Baba carried the pieces home. To keep the death a secret, his clever servant Morgiana found a blind tailor. She led him through the streets blindfolded, and he stitched Kassim’s body together, as if sewing a torn garment. Kassim was buried quietly before dawn.

When the thieves returned to the cave and found the body gone, they knew another had entered. Their leader sent one of them to trace the burial. He followed the tailor by counting his steps, marking Ali Baba’s door with white chalk. But Morgiana saw the mark and cleverly painted every house on the street the same. The thief returned confused; the leader struck him down. Then the leader himself came, marking the right house again—but Morgiana noticed and erased it once more. The robbers had failed twice to find Ali Baba’s home.

At last, the leader disguised himself as a merchant and arrived at Ali Baba’s house with forty great jars. He claimed to bring oil for sale and asked to rest in the courtyard. Ali Baba kindly welcomed him. But only one jar held oil; the other thirty-nine hid thieves, each waiting silently for nightfall.

When Morgiana went to fetch a lamp, she heard faint breathing from one jar. She listened again—another whisper, another breath! Her heart raced, but she stayed calm. Without a sound, Morgiana carried a kettle of boiling oil. Under the moonlight she lifted each lid and poured the scalding oil inside. One by one, the thieves perished in silence. When she reached the last jar, she found only oil—the leader had gone to sleep inside the house, waiting to strike.

At supper, the disguised leader sat beside Ali Baba, a dagger hidden under his robe. Morgiana entered, dressed as a dancer, carrying a gleaming dagger of her own. She danced in circles around the table, spinning faster and faster until—she plunged her blade into the false merchant’s heart. The king of thieves fell dead, and the danger was over. Ali Baba learned the truth that night. He thanked Morgiana for her bravery, freed her from service, and welcomed her as family. He visited the treasure cave only when needed, never forgetting how greed destroyed his brother. And so, with wisdom and courage, Ali Baba lived a long and peaceful life.