Aladdin

When I was a child, the story of Aladdin had three things in common with the Disney movie:  Aladdin's name, the magic lamp, and he lived happily ever after.  The only thing I added was a love interest for Aladdin.

-1-

Gold paint lined the street from the city gates to the palace, and beautifully perfect palm trees lined the wide walkways in front of the expensive shops that filled the eyes of visitors upon their arrival.  And visitors always filled the streets, whether in caravans or individuals, the city overflowed with people.

Hidden from the view of many visitors, the part of the city that housed the poor also overflowed with people.  Run-down streets with missing cobblestones and crumbling houses were the norm rather than the exception.  The hungry and the ragged were the majority and those who were fortunate enough to have steady work did more than expected to keep their positions.

Aladdin was one of the unfortunates.  His father had been a successful merchant, but when he died, his assets were seized by unscrupulous partners, and Aladdin and his mother were left penniless and in squalor.  Their salvation came from a woman that his mother had once been kind to.  Aladdin and his mother lived in a small lean-to shed just off a side-street too narrow for any cart to pass.  

His mother slept on a small cot, and Aladdin slept on the floor.  His mother worked two days a week in a laundry and spent the two coins she made on food.  Aladdin found work whenever he could.  The week before, he worked three days cleaning animal droppings from the street when someone else was too sick to work.  He worked wherever and whenever he could find work, regardless of the danger.

One mid-afternoon in the fall of the year, Aladdin cleared the weeds that had started growing in the cracks between the wall and the street of the home to which his shed was attached.  He watched the time carefully, for he knew the sultan was expected to arrive back from a trip with his sons and daughters.  He wanted to watch them as they entered the city and rode to their palace home.  Truthfully, it wasn’t a ‘them’ he wanted to watch; it was a certain ‘he’.  The sultan’s oldest son, Ahmad, was whom he wanted to see.

With dark hair that stopped at his shoulders and dark, gleaming eyes, Ahmad made Aladdin’s heart beat faster anytime his thoughts traveled to the young man.  Even though he knew that Ahmad was destined to marry a princess from another kingdom, Aladdin dreamed of touching the tanned skin and hairy chest of the future sultan.  Aladdin would often close his eyes and dream of kissing those full lips.  Aladdin also dreamed of other things that could end in death if anyone found out.  He realized that he could never be with Ahmad in the ways he imagined, but he still took every opportunity to gaze upon the man.

Ahmad, son of Alim al-Nizim, rode on his personal white horse behind his father.  An anger burned inside him.  He was being forced to marry the eldest daughter of a nearby kingdom to forge an alliance for his father.  Roxelana was ten years his senior and had one eye smaller than the other.  He had an immediate distaste for her.  An older uncle had told him to cease his complaints, marry the woman, and then find someone else with whom to share his bed.  If only his uncle had known how he longed to share his bed with another man.  He had longed to look at other men since he was a younger man.  When alone, he would imagine the things he would do if he ever found a man who thought the way he did.  Such things were forbidden and could lead to death, but they couldn’t stop Ahmad from thinking about them.

Aladdin had kept track of time and disappeared from the wall of his home in time to run to the main street.  People cheered loudly, and he feared he had missed the procession.  He worked his way to the edge of the street.  He hadn’t missed it.  In the distance, he saw Sultan Alim al-Nizim in this royal carriage and behind him, on a white steed was Ahmad.  Aladdin took a long gaze.  Was it possible that he was more handsome than the last time he had a chance to gaze upon the man who quickened his heart?  As they drew closer, Aladdin locked eyes with him.  Was Ahmad really looking at him and not just the people in the crowd?  Aladdin burned the face of his desire into his memory.  Suddenly, he felt a shove; he was losing his balance.  He tried to grab onto something; he couldn’t enter the street in the presence of the Sultan, for it was punishable by life in prison.

Ahmad was bored following his father.  The cheering crowds that lined the streets were not for him.  He glanced at the faces, at least those he could see clearly.  His eyes stopped scanning when they fell upon a man in worn clothes with the face of an angel.  Who could this man be?  In an instant, he imagined himself alone with this man, and the man was looking right at him.  He saw a hand come from within the crowd and push the man.  The man’s hands struggled for balance before tumbling into the street.

The guards protecting the procession were immediately upon Aladdin.  They grabbed him and pulled him to his feet.  Ahmad saw his worn sandals struggling to gain footing and stand.

“Do not harm him,” ordered Ahmad.

The guards straightened but maintained their grip on Aladdin.

“A thousand pardons,” claimed Aladdin as he looked down at the feet of Ahmad’s horse.

“I saw what happened,” Ahmad continued.  “I saw the hand that pushed you.  I pardon you.”  Ahmad turned toward the procession.  “Continue on; I will catch up.”  He turned back to Aladdin.  “Do you give me your word that you will not run?”

Aladdin knew that he needed to look into Ahmad’s eyes to make the promise.  He looked up, and blood began to flow to his groin.  “I could never run from you, my prince.  You have my word.”

“Release him.  What is your name?”

“I am Aladdin, sir, son of Noor.”

“Are you from the city?” asked Ahmad.

“Yes.  I was born here.”

“Were you injured?”

“I don’t think so,” replied Aladdin.

“I am not so certain,” announced Ahmad.  He looked over Dawoud, the chief guard who was watching Aladdin closely and waiting for him to make any move so that he could pounce on him.  “Bring him to the palace physician for an evaluation.  We cannot walk away from an injured citizen who obviously loves and reveres our Sultan.  Stay with him, and I will personally check on him later.”

Most of the caravan had passed when Ahmad rode his horse to find his spot.  The guards brought Aladdin to a place in front of the camels carrying the belongings for Mephisto, the palace magician.  Mephisto had watched with a keen eye the happenings at the side of the street.  He had seen Aladdin a few times when he walked the city in disguise.  Aladdin was young and strong, just the kind of man he needed for his plans.  Now the young man was on his way to the palace.  He needed to get more information about the man before putting his plan into action.  Finally, he thought, I’ll soon be able to live my life with the riches I deserve.  I just need to exercise a little patience.  An evil smirk crossed his lips.  

-2-

Aladdin lay naked on a flat cold marble bed while the physician ran his hands over every part of his body.  Aladdin wondered whether the physician spent more time than needed while examining his personal parts, and he certainly took a long time spreading apart his butt cheeks and staring at his hole.  The physician announced that Aladdin was in good health except for a bit of malnutrition.  Aladdin was told to wait for the prince.  When Aladdin asked about his clothing, the physician replied that his clothing was deemed to be too thin and worn to be of further use.

Aladdin was left alone on the marble slab.  He resisted the urge to get up and examine the room.  He did not want to be accused of thievery.  So, he waited.

Having changed out of his riding attire, Prince Ahmad was on his way to the physician’s chambers when he was greeted by Mephisto.  “Greetings, My Prince.  May it please you that I have a word with you?”

Ahmad did not like Mephisto; although he wasn’t sure why.  The Sultan liked Mephisto and his tricks, so Ahmad tolerated him.  “What is it, Mephisto?”

“The young man whom you rescued, the one who tumbled into the street.  I have heard his name is Aladdin.”

“That’s correct.  What of it?”

“Oh, Prince, I believe him to be my nephew whom I have never seen.  He looks just like my brother.  My brother and I argued about our father’s business when we were young, and we went our separate ways.  I had heard that Massoud had a son named Aladdin, but he died soon after.  I was never able to find him when I returned to the City.”

“That is interesting, Mephisto.  You saw the way the man was dressed.  He is most likely one of the poor in our City.  Would your nephew be among the poor?”

“When Massoud died, our father’s business was taken away from his wife.  That is one of the reasons that I have searched for him all these years.”

“Then it is fortunate for him that you have found him.  Will you bring him into your home?” asked Ahmad.

“Most certainly, Prince.”

“And his mother?”

“If she still lives, her as well,”  Mephisto said with confidence.

“I am on my way to see him.  You may join me and share your good news with him.”  Ahmad turned and continued to the room where Aladdin sat quietly waiting.  As he walked into the room, Ahmad’s heart began to beat more rapidly.  Aladdin stood up and lowered his eyes.  He was embarrassed to stand naked before the prince, the man who had stolen his heart.

“Mephisto,” the prince commanded.  “Get this man some clothing.  We are close to the same height; ask my valet to bring down the clothing I usually wear for walking in the garden.”

“Yes, sir,” replied Mephisto.  “Right away.”

Ahmad turned to face Aladdin, whose sun-kissed skin and toned stomach excited him.  He tried not to be obvious as he viewed the plump penis that seemed to be expanding even as he tried to look away.  The foreskin barely covered the head.  ‘Just like mine,’ thought Ahmad, who felt himself growing under his clothing.  ‘Could this man be like me?  Could he be drawn to me as I am drawn to him?’  

Before Ahmad had a chance to say anything else to Aladdin, Mephisto returned.  “It is as you command, my prince.”

“I think it is best that you wait outside the room until the clothing arrives.”

“As you command,” nodded Mephisto, and he left the room but stood nearby.

“Aladdin,” said Ahmad in a very low voice.  “You are an attractive man.  Your manhood tells me that you believe that about me as well.”

“That would be wrong,” Aladdin whispered back.

“Then perhaps we are both wrong.”

Aladdin looked up into the eyes of the prince.  “I have thought it of you since first gazing my eyes upon you.”

Prince Ahmed smiled.  “I am not alone then.  But here is not the time to discuss it.  First, we must cover your beautiful body, and then Mephisto has news to share with you.  I will arrange for us to have a meal together during this next week.”  He looked at Aladdin for approval.

Aladdin shook his head slightly.

“You disagree, my dear Aladdin?”

“Far be it from me to disagree with you, my prince.  But it does not seem fitting that a man like me wear the clothing of a prince and dine at the prince’s table.”

“That is for me to decide.  Do you not wish to share these things with me?  Have I misunderstood your manhood?”

“Of course I wish to share these things and more with you.  I will give you all of me if you would have me.  But it is so little that I have to offer you.”

“What you have is not little at all,” the prince glanced down at Aladdin’s erect member.  “And I deem myself fortunate that the doctor took away your garments so that I might know your true feelings.”

“My prince.”  Aladdin lowered his eyes again.  He had heard the arrival of the valet with the prince’s clothing.

Ahmad turned and hid Aladdin’s nudity from view.  “Place the clothing there.  The man will dress himself.”  The valet placed the clothing on a bureau and left the room.  “Bid me enter the room when you are clothed,” said Ahmad in a loud voice.  “I shall wait outside with Mephisto.”

Ahmad joined Mephisto in the hall.  Mephisto had tried to eavesdrop but was unable to hear anything worthwhile from the lowered voices.  

Aladdin could not believe the soft, delicate, silk that now covered his legs.  The blouse he wore caressed his skin, and the shoes on his feet were of the finest leather.  He was torn inside.  The reality of things was that he would never be able to be with the prince; although, he longed to feel his touch.  He was sure the prince would soon forget him.  As for the clothes, the sale of the clothes would supply his mother and him with enough food for months.

“I am clothed,” Aladdin announced.

Ahmad returned to the room with Mephisto a few feet behind him.  “Aladdin, this man is called Mephisto, and he has news for you.”

“My boy!”  Mephisto moved close to him.  “I cannot believe that I have found you.  I am your uncle, your father’s brother.”

“I know of no uncle,” said Aladdin.  “My mother has never spoken of any brother.”

Ahmad turned and looked at Mephisto with a scowl.

“Your father and I had a falling out before you were born.  Friends told me of his marriage and of your birth while I lived in Thrace.  Since I returned to the City, I have been looking for you.  You are the image of my brother Noor.”

“My mother says the same thing, sir.”

“Please, call me uncle.  Your mother, is she living?”

“Yes, uncle, she is.

“That is wonderful news, Mephisto.  Shall I send agents of the palace to bring her to your home?”

Mephisto ground his teeth.  “Of course, Prince Ahmad.  That would be wonderful.  Aladdin and I can get to know one another while we wait for her arrival.”

“What is her name?” asked Ahmad.

“Najma,” replied Aladdin.

Ahmad hid his annoyance; he had hoped the Mephisto would answer as he still did not trust him.  Mephisto had no family resemblance to Aladdin, and Ahmad had hoped to trap him.  “I will send the agents right away.  Where does she live, Aladdin?”

“Our home is in the shed behind the home of Ben-Ramzi, four blocks east of the old market on Rashir.”

“Come, Aladdin.  My home is inside the palace walls on the west side of the grand parapet.”

-3-

Aladdin and his mother had been staying in Mephisto’s home for three days when he began to wonder whether he would see the prince again.  He knew from the beginning that the prince would likely lose interest in him, but he had hoped to meet with him at least once before that happened.

His mother had expressed her doubts about Mephisto.  She was certain that Aladdin’s father Noor would have told her about a brother.  Aladdin was unsure of what to do.  He was also getting bored.  While his mother fussed with the cooks in Mephisto’s kitchen, Aladdin had little to do.  He was used to trying to get a little work for some bread or vegetables.  Here, everything was provided for him.  He did little things, such as making his bed, remaking his bed, arranging pillows, untangling curtains.  He tried sweeping, but he was soon told that he was taking away the job of the man who swept.

Aladdin had decided to speak to Mephisto about getting some ordinary clothes so he could move among the people he knew in the City.  Thus, he was happy when, over dinner, Mephisto told Aladdin that he needed help with something.

Mephisto brought Aladdin into a room with a secret entrance.  Aladdin was amazed at the way a portion of the wall moved to provide an opening.  Upon seeing his amazement, Mephisto reminded the young man that he was a magician.  “It was a wall.  Once we are inside, it will again be a wall.”

Aladdin followed him into the room.  Lamps on the walls suddenly lit themselves, and Mephisto bade him sit on one of the large pillows.

“My boy, even though you may think, compared to your previous situation, that you are in the lap of luxury and riches, such things can be fleeting.  I am at the mercy of the Sultan, and as such, I want to find a way to provide for myself.  And you and your mother, as well.  Your father would have wanted that.”

Aladdin continued to listen intently.

“I have discovered, in my travels, the existence of a very valuable lamp that is filled with diamonds and rubies.  It is buried in a hidden cave not too far from the City.  Alas, the description of the entrance to the cave has proven to be too steep for an old man like me.  It requires the sturdy bones of someone like my nephew.”  Mephisto smiled.

“To prove my honesty in this endeavor, I have this special ring for you.  I discovered it in a shop in Damascus.  It provides safety and good luck.”  Actually, Mephisto had purchased the ring understanding that it had magical powers, but he was unable to get the ring to work for him.  Deciding that it was just cheap tin, he tossed it in a box of junk.  This was a perfect opportunity to use it to gain the confidence of the young man he had lied to.

Aladdin took the ring and examined it.  Simple in appearance, he was sure the ring was too large, but he slid it onto the little finger of his left hand.  It was a perfect fit.  Aladdin smiled; he was sure his luck had changed.  He looked up at Mephisto.  “Thank you, Uncle.  I shall wear it always.”

“Good.  Now, my boy, I want you to accompany me to the cave tomorrow night.  We will leave right after dinner.  There is a secret exit through the outside wall of the palace grounds that lead to a tunnel running under the city.  It will take us several hours to get to the cave, but once you retrieve the lamp, we will be set for life.  You are with me on this?”

“Yes, Uncle.  Of course.”

“Go back out the same way you came in.  I have work to do and will not see you until dinner tomorrow.”

Aladdin took leave of Mephisto.  He went to tell his mother of the plans to leave the next evening with his uncle, but a knock at the door drew his attention.  He went to the door and found a young man about fifteen years of age standing there.

“I have a message for Aladdin from Prince Ahmad.”

“I am Aladdin.”

“The Prince wishes you to join him tomorrow for breakfast in the East Rooftop Garden.  A sentry will lead you there at sunup.”

“I’ll be ready,” said Aladdin.  The young man turned and left.  Aladdin went to his chambers and prepared a bath.  He hated when the young women hired by Mephisto prepared his bath.  They stayed in the room and stared at him.  Sometimes he wanted to feel himself as he thought about the Prince, and their presence prevented it.  Tonight he wanted to soak in private; he didn’t want oils and perfumes.  He planned to lay in his bed naked and allow the breeze to caress his skin.  Tomorrow, he would wear new clothes to meet his prince.

-4-

The sky had barely begun to lighten when Aladdin awoke.  The stiffness between his legs, resulting from a dream of chasing Prince Ahmad through a field of yellow flowers, was difficult to calm.  He relieved himself and cleaned his rod with cold water.  He slipped into the clothes he had chosen the night before and walked to the entrance of the house.  A sentry stood guard at the door.

“Good morning,” announced Aladdin.

“Good morning,” the sentry responded back.  “I am to take you to the East Rooftop Garden.  Please follow me.”

The man walked briskly and with purpose, but Aladdin had no problems keeping up with him.  The walk into the palace and up several flights of stairs caused Aladdin to wonder how many people lived in the palace and why so much space was needed.  Even Mephisto’s house was larger than needed for the people who lived there.  If the prince wanted to see him again, he would ask.  Also, the guilt of living in sumptuous surroundings when so many slept on the streets had begun to bother him.  He wondered whether the prince realized how many citizens had no shelter and went hungry at night.  Surely, some of the City’s wealth could be used to provide basic shelter.

The sentry stopped.  “The East Rooftop Garden, sir.”

Aladdin walked outside.  He saw small date trees as well as other fruits.  Flowers grew in vases and long rectangular boxes.  He stood in amazement at the beauty of it all.  He walked to the edge of the rooftop and saw the light from the sun as it spread out over the City.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it.”

Aladdin turned to see Ahmad only steps from him.  “Yes, you are.”

Ahmad turned red.  “I meant the City.”

“That, too.”

Ahmad smiled.  “There’s breakfast for us on the table near the center of the garden.  We must still be careful, but after we eat, I will take you to a special observation room where we will truly be alone.”

Aladdin smiled back.  He brought his outer robe forward to hide his excitement.  The two men sat and enjoyed some bread, fruit, and hot tea.  “I was worried that…”

“I had forgotten about you?  That isn’t possible.  You fill my every thought.  I was just unable to get away.  Are you enjoying life at Mephisto’s home?”

“It is too fancy, and I have nothing to do all day.  There is no work, and I worry about those who go hungry and have no shelter.”

“Hungry?” asked Ahmad.  “No one in the City goes hungry.”

“My sweet prince, there are many who go hungry.  And there are many who have no shelter.  During the rainy season, they huddle in doorways and under carts to try to stay dry.”

“I cannot believe this, Aladdin, and yet I know you would not lie to me.”

“I will show you; we can go out in disguise, and you will see.  Perhaps we can find a plan to help them,” Aladdin took his last bite of bread.

“There is no perhaps.  I will not allow anyone to go without food or shelter.  I promise.  I have a lunch meeting with my father today, I will broach the subject with him.  This afternoon, I must meet visitors from another area.  Tomorrow, I will come down to Mephisto’s house, and we will go into the city.  I will bring us clothing and worn shoes so that no one will know us.  But, today is for you and me.  Let me show you something splendid.”

“Alright.  Lead on.”

The two men got up and entered the palace.  Ahmed led him through several hallways and up several flights of stairs.  Pushing a door up, they crawled through a space to another staircase.  “Up here,” said Ahmad, “is an absolute marvel.”

The dark stairway led to a room filled with light from windows on all sides.  Ahmad took Aladdin by the arm and led him to one set.  “The City is so beautiful from up here.  We are in one of the spires of the palace.”

“It’s incredible,” said Aladdin.  He gazed out over the buildings and streets in a way that was not possible anywhere else.  When he had taken his fill, he turned to Ahmad.  Their eyes locked together.  

Ahmad looked down at Aladdin’s mouth and then back to his eyes.  My name is Ahmad.” He moved his head closer to Aladdin, and their lips touched.

Aladdin found his heart beating faster.  He pushed his lips into Ahmad’s with more pressure.  With his teeth, he gently chewed on Ahmad’s lower lip, and Ahmad moaned in delight.

Ahmad’s hand reached under Aladdin’s outer robe and pressed into his chest.   He pushed his tongue into Aladdin’s mouth, and Aladdin’s tongue pushed back.  “I like the way that feels and the way it makes me feel.’

“Come here, my Ahmad,” commanded Aladdin, pulling Ahmad to the cushions in the center of the room and up against himself.  Aladdin whispered in his ear.  “Ahmad, you excite me so.”  He felt Ahmad’s hand move down to his stiffness.  Fingers wrapped around the shaft.  “Oh, I’ve done that to myself, but when you do it, it feels so much better.”

“I want to see your manhood, Aladdin.  I want to see it up close.  Lie down.”  With Aladdin on his back on the large cushion and his shoulders against a smaller cushion, Ahmad pulled down on the waistband of Aladdin’s pants, exposing his rigid penis.  The foreskin had pulled back behind the head.  Ahmad leaned forward; he noticed the slightly musky smell.  A small drop of wetness formed at the slit.  He stretched his tongue to taste it.

“The clear drop that forms once the penis is hard has a slightly sweet taste.  Sweeter than mine,” acknowledged Ahmad before covering the head with his mouth.

Aladdin stared in disbelief as the man he had loved from afar for years, the man who filled his fantasies, the same man he had only met in person a few days before, took his erection, his entire erection.  Moans emanated from Ahmad as he moved up and down.  

Aladdin began to moan as well;  he felt the urge build within him.  He was at a loss as to what his next move should be.  His breathing had become more rapid.  He wanted to grab Ahmad’s head and thrust himself into his mouth with more force.  “It’s going to happen,” he said.  “I’m about to release my seed.”

With no further warning, Aladdin ejaculated into Ahmad’s mouth.  Ahmad seemed to accept what was happening with no qualms, and Aladdin fell back into the cushion after his release.

Ahmad sat up and smiled.  He swallowed the seed that Aladdin had given him, and then he laid next to Aladdin.  “That was wonderful,” said Ahmad, but you seem to have been taken by surprise by what happened.”

“I’ve never been with anyone before,” admitted Aladdin.

“Nor have I,” Ahmad told him, “but I have received instruction.”

“Yes.  I’ve been told that on one of the trips with my father, I can expect to have a woman sent in to keep me warm.  I will be expected to allow the woman to fondle my penis.  I am expected to touch her as well.  She is expected to ‘go down on me’ which is another way of saying oral sex.  It’s what I did with you just now.  My penis may also be called a cock or a dick, or any number of other terms; although, those are the most common.  An erect manhood is also known as a hardon or boner.  But these words are only used in private.

Also, when you are ready to ejaculate, which is the proper term, you should say, I’m getting close or I’m coming.”

“It would make more sense to say it’s leaving, wouldn’t it?” asked Aladdin.

“Perhaps, but I didn’t make up the rules.  There’s more; when a man is married, he is expected to come inside a woman, in the part called a pussy.  That’s the way a woman gets a child.  When a man, such as myself, is presented with a woman for warmth, it is dangerous to fuck her in the pussy.  Oh, that’s the word that’s used for putting the penis in her.  If you do, you need to pull the penis out before it comes and gets her pregnant.  Some women will let you put your penis in her ass.  She cannot get pregnant that way.”

Aladdin thought about that a moment.  He had often had the urge to push his fingers in his ass while he manipulated his penis.  “And when men are with men, do they use the ass?”

“I was told that they do, but it is considered wrong, just as what we have done is considered wrong.”

“But it’s not wrong.  I couldn’t feel this way about you, Ahmad, if it were wrong.”

“I agree with you, Aladdin.  I don’t believe it is wrong, but it is against the law, even for a Sultan.”

“Then it is hopeless.  What are we to do?”  Aladdin felt helpless.

“We will continue to meet one another and break the law.  Until we figure out how to start our own country with our own laws, we must do whatever it takes to remain hidden and still share our love.”  Ahmad sat up and smiled.  Tomorrow, we will go into the city in disguise, and when we get back, we will demonstrate our love for one another in this very room.

“Today, I have a meeting for lunch and must prepare.  I will take you down and allow a sentry to take you the rest of the way to the house.  I shall be there tomorrow after breakfast.

By the way, the sex lesson for Aladdin was not in the story I was told as a child.  I figured he had to learn the truth from someone.

The next installment:  Mephisto takes Aladdin to the secret cave where Aladdin searches for the lamp.