Chapter 4
Aladdin and Abu sat upon the canvas stretched over the posts of a melon stand, whispering to each other so the proprietor below would not hear. The two were obviously formulating a plot to get their next meal. Aladdin quickly peeked over the canvas side and pronounced the coast clear.
"Okay, Abu go!" Aladdin didn't have to tell him twice. The monkey dove over the side, hanging upside down by his tail. He took the melons in with greedy little eyes. The fruit seller, not noticing the monkey yet, continued to advertise his product to the passing crowd.
"Try this, your taste buds will dance and sing." Abu took this chance to grab a large, ripe, melon. "Hey get your paws off that!" The merchant yelled outraged with the little thief.
"Blah blah blah!" Abu chirped tauntingly.
"Why, you! Get away from here, you filthy ape!" The proprietor snatched the melon away from Abu and carefully set it back down, while Aladdin dipped down behind him and took another from the stand.
"Bye, bye." The monkey waved his little hand and jumped back atop the canvas to join his friend.
"Nice goin' Abu. Breakfast is served."
Jasmine continued down the street trying to take in all the wonders of the market place in at once. 'It's such a different world out here.' She thought to herself as she readjusted her hood.
"Pretty lady, buy a pot. No finer pot in brass or silver." A merchant called as she walked by, bringing her out of her thoughts and back to the busy market.
Jasmine moved on to the next stall. "Sugar dates, sugar dates and figs! Sugar dates and pistachios." Another yelled.
"Would the lady like a necklace? A pretty necklace for a pretty lady." The shopkeeper from the adjacent stall asked. She was charmed by the action and about to thank him and politely refuse, but was startled by a fish thrust into her face.
"Fresh fish! We catch 'em, you buy 'em!"
"I don't think so," The runaway princess said shaking her head and backing away from the stands, only to bump into a fire breather. The performer then accidentally swallowed his flaming torch. "Oh, excuse me," She apologized "I'm really very sorry."
"It's alright, miss." The man stuttered and ran off for water.
Still perched upon the canvas, Aladdin and Abu were enjoying their lifted melons. He was about to take another bite, when Aladdin caught sight of the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. He watched her large curious eyes take in all around her as she gracefully sauntered down the street. The boy's mind was no longer in the market place, but miles away and only aware of the creature his eyes beheld.
"Wow." He breathed. The feasting monkey took notice of his best friend's state and jumped to his shoulder.
"Uh oh… Hello? Hello?" Abu chirped in Aladdin's ear.
Jasmine continued only to stop at a fruit stand where a young boy was pathetically reaching for an apple. He looked like he was no older then five and completely famished.
"Oh, you must be hungry. Here you go." She picked up a piece of fruit and handed it to the young boy. He stared at the food in his small hands then turned his wide eyes on the princess. He gave her an astonished look, as if he understood something she did not, and ran away.
"You better be able to pay for that." A voice growled at Jasmine from behind.
"Pay?" She asked, mystified, to a large man leaning over the apple stand.
"No one steals from my cart!" The proprietor declared coming around the pushcart.
"I'm… I'm sorry sir, I don't have any money." Jasmine said fearfully.
"Thief!" He accused coming toward her.
"Please, if you let me go to the palace, I can get some from the Sultan." She pleaded inching away from the stall.
"Do you know what the penalty is for stealing?" The merchant roared, grabbing Jasmine's arm and pinning it down to the cart top. He reached for a sword and lightly ran it across her upper wrist. She winced as the cold steel stung her and a thin line of crimson blood appeared. The man let out a sinister laugh as he raised the sword to do away with her hand. The sword dropped but a boy stopped his hand.
"Thank you, kind sir. I'm so glad you've found her!" He told the sword wielding man. "I've been looking all over for you." The boy said directing his attention to her.
"What are you doing?" Jasmine whispered confusedly into his ear.
"Just play along." He whispered back.
"You know this girl?" the owner asked.
"Sadly yes; she is my sister. She's a little crazy." He said circling his finger around his ear indicating her insanity. Jasmine's mouth dropped slightly. 'Crazy?' she thought to herself. She then quickly closed her mouth remembering to play along.
The merchant grabbed the boy who had come to her rescue by the vest and snarled, "She said she knows the Sultan."
"She thinks the monkey is the Sultan." The street boy explained, jabbing a thumb at Abu. The monkey, who was going through someone's pocket heard his friend and straightened up giving a shy wave to the crowd. Jasmine decided to play it out, kneeled and bowed to the thieving animal.
"Oh, wise Sultan how may I serve you?"
"Well, blah blah blah blah."
"Tragic isn't it?" The boy said grabbing another apple from behind the man's back and handing it to him. "But, no harm done." He walked over to Jasmine and pulled her up by the arm. "Now come along sis, time to see the doctor.
"Hello doctor." She said stupidly, walking up to a near by camel. "How are you?"
"No, no, no. Not that one." The boy told her leading her away. "Come on, Sultan." He called to his furry friend. Pockets bulging, Abu bowed to the crowd and everything he'd taken from the cart fell out.
"Huh? What is this?" The merchant asked. Abu gathered up what he could carry and the trio ran off. "Come back here you little thieves!" The man yelled in a feeble attempt to get back what was stolen.