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Chapter Text

As we begin our story, we see a small peddler riding on top of a camel through a scorching desert, surrounded by sand dunes and mesas. This is Arabia, the land of the Middle East. Unique stories and tales came from this world, filled with untold riches and desire. This is also a land of bandits and thieves, where they ambush unwary caravans and travelers. As we follow the peddler along the desert sands, he was singing a song.

Peddler: Oh, I come from a land

From a faraway place

Where the caravan camels roam

Where it’s flat and immense

And the heat is intense

It’s barbaric, but hey--it’s home!

When the wind’s in the east

And the sun’s from the west

And the sand in the glass is right

Come on down,

Stop on by

Hop a carpet and fly

To another Arabian night!

As the sun sets behind him, the peddler arrives at the marvelous city of Agrabah. A massive palace looms over its equally massive city as the people hung their clothes and a performer breathed fire. The peddler proceeds into the city, as he continues to sing.

Peddler: Arabian nights

Like Arabian days

More often than not

Are hotter than hot

In a lot of good ways

Arabian nights

‘Neath Arabian moons

A fool off his guard

Could fall and fall hard

Out there on the dunes

He stops into a nearby alleyway for the night, as his camel breathes deeply in exhaustion. So worn out and tired in fact, the camel collapses to the ground. The small peddler slides off from the hump and onto the ground. After his feet touched the ground, he appears to have noticed a traveler, probably a foreign tourist, passing him by in the street.

Peddler: Ah, Salaam and good evening to you, worthy friend.

The traveler stops, looks around to see if the peddler was calling out to someone else. Seeing that no one else was out at this time of night, he looks at the peddler and points at himself if he was the one being called.

Peddler: Yes, you. Please, please, come closer.

The traveler walks up to the peddler, unaware as to why he, a stranger in a foreign land, was called on.

Traveler: You asked for me?

Peddler: Yes, I take it that you’re a traveler and as such are new here, are you not?

Traveler: Why… as a matter of fact I am. If you’re trying to pass yourself off as a fortune teller, that’s as much as you’ll get from me.

Peddler: No, no, my friend! I meant no offense. I couldn’t help but notice you wandering through the streets at this time of night.

Traveler: Well, I have been wandering for some time; I only found this place by chance and I’ve never seen a city like this.

Peddler: Ah, then you’re in luck, weary traveler! Welcome to Agrabah. City of mystery, of enchantment, and the finest merchandise this side of the river Jordan, on sale today, come on down! Heh, heh, Heh!

He rolls out a bag, and a stand “magically” appears, already built and ready for business. The traveler was a bit annoyed that he was roped into a sale pitch, but he decided to humor the peddler, to see if his wares were any good. The peddler went behind the stand and took out what appears to be an urn. But it is actually an odd contraption with a hose sticking out at one end.

Traveler: So, peddler… what is that?

Peddler: You like? Yes! Combination hookah and coffee maker--also makes Julienne fries.

The peddler demonstrates the last part by putting a potato under the device, pressing down on it and the potato becomes a pile of Julienne fries. The peddler hands some of the fries to the traveler to eat, which he did and liked.

Traveler: You almost lost me with the hookah and I never drink coffee, but these fries hooked me back. How durable is it?

Peddler: Highly durable, my friend. Will not break… it will not…

He taps it on the stand to prove his point, but before he could finish the contraption broke with just two taps. Both the peddler and the traveler exchange a deadpan look to each other.

Peddler/Traveler: ...it broke.

The peddler throws it away with one hand backwards. Then something else catches his eyes with interest.

Peddler: Ooohhh! Look at this!

He reaches under the stand and pulls out what appears to be a plain white box. The traveler seemed a bit puzzled about the box, but more about what’s in it.

Peddler: I have never seen one of these intact before.

Traveler: What is it?

Peddler: This is the famous Dead Sea Tupperware. Listen…

The peddler pries it open slightly and blows a raspberry. Then he gives a satisfied smile to the traveler, who was less than amused.

Peddler: Ah, still good.

Traveler: Look, if you’re trying to sell me cheap merchandise and crack jokes, I can find that at any tourist trap. So, if you don’t have anything else of decent value, I’ll be on my way.

The traveler moves away from the stand and starts to leave. But the peddler hurries to catch him.

Peddler: Wait, don’t go!

Traveler: What?

Peddler: I can see that you’re only interested in the exceptionally rare. I think then, you would be most rewarded to consider… THIS!

He then pulls out what appears to be a brass lamp from out of his sleeve, and shows it to the traveler. The traveler looked at the lamp with some confusion, the peddler mentioned exceptionally rare; he didn’t mean some old lamp.

Peddler: Do not be fooled by its commonplace appearance. Like so many things, it is not what is outside, but what is inside that counts.

Traveler: Look, it’s a lovely lamp, charming at least, but I have no interest in an ordinary—

Peddler: This is no ordinary lamp! It once changed the course of a young man’s life. A young man who, like this lamp, was more than what he seemed…

Then the peddler’s eyes dart right and left, making sure no one is nearby or eavesdropping. He then leans in close to the traveler with a smile.

Peddler: A—

The traveler put his finger to the peddler’s mouth, stopping him.

Traveler: Let me guess, “A Diamond in the Rough”, right?

Peddler: Eeh?

Traveler: Do you really take me for a sap? I know the story; about a poor beggar boy, living on the streets until he discovers a lamp containing a powerful genie. A genie, who helps the boy win the heart of a princess while dealing with an evil vizier who wanted to use the lamp to take over the kingdom. Trust me, I heard it told in so many ways and in so many versions that no two are alike. So, believe me when I say that nothing you say will convince me into buying that lamp.

So with that, the traveler walked away, the peddler was stuttering, attempting to think of something to convince the traveler to stay. Just then, the peddler remembered something that would help him.

Peddler: WAIT! Yes! The story of the lamp is what you say, but this particular lamp’s tale is more than that. And yet, it also tells a tale of a special friend the young man made, a young and talented sorcerer, who helped him not only win the heart of the princess, but a whole group of other women and as well as a few charming young men, and most of them weren’t just regular ordinary men and women, but monsters…

The traveler stopped dead in his tracks when he heard the words “sorcerer and monsters”. Now he had heard almost every story about the boy and the magic lamp, but a version that involves a sorcerer and a group of human and monster men and women as lovers along with the princess is one he hadn’t heard of. The peddler could see the conflict on the traveler’s face as he fought between not believing in the peddler and the curiosity of his story. Curiosity always wins.

Traveler: What kind of sorcerer and monsters?

Peddler: Ah, interested I see. Well, this sorcerer wasn’t your typical kind of sorcerer. This sorcerer was from an island kingdom out in the middle of the sea and was at the top of his class in magic school. And the men and women, both human and monster, he met them all in a few different places. For the first few, he met them way before he found this lamp. Perhaps you would like to hear the tale?

The traveler said nothing but nodded yes. Once he approved, the peddler poured shiny blue sand from the spout of the lamp and into his hand, and then he threw the sand into the sky, where it formed a starry landscape.

Peddler: It begins on a dark night, where a dark man waits, with a dark purpose…

As the peddler’s story starts, we see a ragged thief named Gazeem, riding on his horse to the top of a sand dune, to meet who hired him. He made it to the top and hops off his horse.

The man was vizier to the Sultan of Agrabah named Jafar. He was a tall, slender man with a twisted, black goatee and a faint mustache, as well as gray eyeliner. Wearing a black robe that reaches the ground over top a red garment with bell sleeves. Underneath this second garment, Jafar wears yet another shirt, this one black with very close-fitting sleeves that reach his wrists. The shoulders of his outer robe are pointed and connect to a long, billowing black cape with red interior. His shoes are copper and the tips curl inward. A maroon sash is tied around his waist. He also wears an odd, peach garment that covers his neck, the back of his head, and his chest. He sports a distinctive black headdress, seemingly a type of mitre, with a thin, yellow pattern wrapping around the middle, what seems to be a ruby set in the front, and a red feather placed just above it. More maroon cloth hangs from the mitre, draping over Jafar’s shoulders. And he was carrying a gold, ruby-eyed, cobra headed staff, he gives off a sinister personality.

Although he serves the Sultan, Jafar plots to overthrow the Sultan and claim the throne for himself. And tonight, could be the opportunity he’s been looking for.

Jafar glared at Gazeem with irritation as he approached Jafar.

Jafar: You… are late.

Gazeem: A thousand apologies, O’ patient one.

Jafar: Do you have it then?

Gazeem: I had to slit a few throats… but I got it!

Gazeem pulls out what appears to be half of a golden scarab medallion, showing it to Jafar.

Jafar reached out to take the scarab piece, but Gazeem yanked it back.

Gazeem: Ah, ah, ahhh! The treasure!

Gazeem held out his hand for his payment. Then, Jafar’s parrot, with red feathers on his body, blue feathers on his wings, and purple feathers on his tail, Iago, squawks as he flies by and snatches the medallion from Gazeem’s hand. Then he flies back to Jafar and drops it into the palm of his hand.

Jafar: Trust me, my pungent friend. You’ll get what’s coming to you.

Iago: What’s coming to you! Awk!

Then Jafar pulls out the second half of the scarab medallion. He slowly connects them together, and the insect medallion becomes alive and glows. Finally, it flies out of Jafar’s hand, scaring the horses, and is off towards the dunes, leaving a sparkling trail behind it.

Jafar: Quickly! Follow the trail!

Both men rode on horseback, chasing after the glowing speck of light, making sure they didn’t lose it.

Jafar: FASTER!

The glowing golden scarab medallion continues to fly, until it reaches a large dune. It separates into two and the halves plunge into the dune. And all that remains are two glowing points of light on the dune. The men arrived where the medallion stopped, just before the ground started shaking violently. Then the dune began to rise up from the Earth, transforming into a giant tiger’s head, with the glowing points serving as the eyes. Its mouth opens to reveal the entrance to a deep cavern.

Jafar: At last, after all my years of searching, the Cave of Wonders!

Iago: Awk! Cave of Wonders!

Gazeem: By Allah…

Gazeem stares at the cave entrance in awe. Then Jafar grabs him by the collar and pulls him up close to his face, with a serious look.

Jafar: Now, remember! Bring me the lamp. The rest of the treasure is yours, but the lamp is mine!

Jafar lets Gazeem go and Gazeem proceeds towards the cave, chuckling with greed as he goes.

Iago: Awk, the lamp! Awk, the lamp!

And then, now that they’re alone, and far from Gazeem’s hearing, Iago opens up in normal English, in which he normally talks.

Iago: Jeez, where’d ya dig this bozo up?

Jafar puts his finger to his lips and shushes him. Gazeem reaches the mouth of the cave and looks down. A stairway then formed, reaching down into the deep depths of the cave. Before he plants his foot inside, he was suddenly blown away by the roar of the cave itself.

Cave: Who disturbs my slumber?

Gazeem: I-It is I, Gazeem, a humble thief.

Gazeem nervously bows to it, in hope of appeasing it.

Cave: Know this. Only one may enter here. One whose worth lies far within. (Jafar and Iago looked at each other with questioning looks) A Diamond in the Rough.

Gazeem then turns back to Jafar with a questioning look.

Jafar: What are you waiting for? Go on!

Gazeem then began to shake in fear, wondering what would happen if he wasn’t “worthy” enough. Cautiously, he moves one foot onto the first step inside the cave. With great apprehension, he plants his foot down, and braces for the worst. But surprisingly, nothing happened. Relieved, he begins his trek again. But then, an Earth-trembling roar came. Gazeem screams as he turns back to leave, but the tiger’s mouth slammed shut on him, creating a blast of wind and sand.

Jafar: NOO!

The cave entrance then collapses back into a normal sand dune, leaving Jafar, Iago, and the two separated halves of the medallion… with their opportunity now ruined.

Cave: Seek thee out, the Diamond in the Rough…

The cave’s voice echoes its last words before disappearing. Iago then unburies himself from the sand, coughing as he does so.

Iago: I can’t believe it. I just don’t believe it. (taps his head a few times to get the sand out of his left ear) We’re never gonna get a hold of that stupid lamp! Just forget it!

Iago angrily gathers the halves of the medallion, noticing that some of his feathers were starting to fall off his body.

Iago: Look at this. Look at this. (pulls off molting feathers) I’m so ticked off that I’m molting!

He then flies up to Jafar’s shoulder and gives the halves to him.

Jafar: Patience, Iago. Patience. Gazeem was obviously less than worthy.

Iago: Oh, there’s a big surprise. That’s an incredi--I think I’m gonna have a heart attack and die from that surprise! What are we gonna do? We got a big problem here, a big—

Jafar pinches Iago’s beak shut to stop his sarcastic ranting.

Jafar: Yes. Only one may enter. I must find this one, this… Diamond in the Rough.

Chapter Text

Back in Agrabah on a rooftop, a young man with light tanned skin, black hair, and brown eyes wearing a red fez hat, a purple vest, baggy white or cream dhoti pants with a yellow patch covering a hole, a brownish-orange sash around his waist, and was barefoot, stopped at the edge of a high building, with a loaf of bread in his hands. This is the local street rat, Aladdin. And today he’s doing one of his daily routines, getting chased across the rooftops by the guards.

Captain: STOP THIEF! (Aladdin looks behind him and sees the guards) I’ll have your hands for a trophy, street rat!

Aladdin: (looks back down, then at the bread) All this for a loaf of bread?

Taking a deep breath, he then jumps off. Landing on two ropes strung between buildings, with drying clothes on them. He skis down them, hissing at the rope burn. While unwillingly collecting bits and pieces of clothing on him as he goes. Nearing the end of the rope, at a window, a woman reaches out in surprise. Slamming the shutters closed. Aladdin slams into the shutters and falls to the street, his fall being cushioned by numerous awnings and the pile of clothes around him. Buried in piles of clothes, he pulls his arm out to catch the bread he had. He pulled off the top layer of clothes and smiled seeing his bread was alright when…

Guard 1: There he is!

He looks up to see the guards looking down at him from the rooftop he jumped off from.

Guard 2: You won’t get away so easy!

Aladdin: You think that was easy?

He then looks over, hearing laughter from three ladies. Letting out a gasp hearing the guards a little down the street.

Captain: You two, over that way! And you, follow me! We’ll find him!

Aladdin quickly pulls a sheet over him, wrapping himself as a disguise. He rushed over to the women.

Aladdin: Morning, ladies.

Woman: Getting into trouble a little early today, aren’t we, Aladdin?

Aladdin: Trouble? Ha! No way. You’re only in trouble if you get caught—

Captain: GOTCHA!

The captain of the guards yanks him from behind and Aladdin’s disguise falls off.

Aladdin: I’m in trouble!

Captain: …and this time—

But then, there was a screeching sound. And the captain’s turban was pulled down over his eyes, blinding him. Aladdin looked to see a monkey, wearing a purple vest and purple fez hat, sitting on the captain’s head, laughing. This is Abu, Aladdin’s best friend and partner.

Aladdin: Perfect timing, Abu! As usual.

Abu: Hello!

Aladdin: Come on, let’s get outta here!

As he started to run, he was stopped by a large guard swinging a sword at him. He dodges as he starts to sing.

Aladdin: Gotta keep

One jump ahead of the breadline

One swing ahead of the sword

I steal only what I can’t afford

(That’s everything!)

Aladdin battles the guard wielding a sword. He swings at Aladdin, but he misses and instead, destroys a barrel of fish as they spill out. Abu blows raspberries at the guard, and quickly ducks as the sword was swung at him. Aladdin then pulls the guard’s belt causing his pants to fall down, revealing a pair of underwear and runs off with Abu. The guard pulls a large fish over his lower body as a pair of pants, and hops after them.

Aladdin: One jump ahead of the lawman

That’s all, and that’s no joke

These guys don’t appreciate I’m broke

Aladdin and Abu run into another guard, and he prepares to take a swing at him. But Aladdin dodges it again, and the blade gets stuck in a wooden pole. Then they scamper up a pile of barrels, kicking one down on top of another guard. The guards, covered in a sticky syrup, then shook their fists angrily at him.

Guards: Riffraff!

Street Rat!

Scoundrel!

Take that! (throws food at him, which Aladdin avoids)

Aladdin: Just a little snack, guys!

He quickly ducks behind a pole on the platform as weapons were thrown at him. The guards then shook the platform back and forth trying to shake him and Abu off.

Guards: Rip him open, take it back, guys!

Aladdin: I can take a hint, gotta face the facts

You’re my only friend, Abu!

Aladdin jumped off the platform to certain death, only to grab Abu’s hands like an acrobat. The pair swung through a window and into a room full of harem girls.

Harem Girls: Who?

Oh, it sad Aladdin’s hit the bottom

He’s become a one-man rise in crime

Abu finds a plate full of fruit and stuffs his mouth full like a chipmunk. One of the girls then swung Aladdin right into a larger woman.

Large Woman: I’d blame parents except he hasn’t got ‘em!

She swings a broom at him, but Aladdin dodges it.

Aladdin: Gotta eat to live, gotta steal to eat

Tell you all about it when I got the time!

Then one of the girls pushed Aladdin and Abu out of the window, and the duo landed on an awning. Next, Aladdin and Abu hid behind a muscle man flexing to a small crowd, trying to match his moves, just as the guards ran past.

Aladdin: One jump ahead of the slowpokes

One skip ahead of my doom

Until, they made a mistake and tried to sneak away. But they were already discovered by the captain.

Aladdin: Next time gonna use a nom de plume

Captain: There he is!

The guards skidded to a stop and went after them. Aladddin jumped over flocks of sheep and got to the other side. He looked back to see the guards trying to move past them, as they threw some sheep aside.

Aladdin: One jump ahead of the hitmen

One hit ahead of the flock

I think I’ll take a stroll around the block

Then he jumped over a man sleeping on a bed of nails. The guards jumped over him too. But one extremely large guard couldn’t jump far, and he landed on the man, who screamed in pain. Abu, disguising himself with jewelry, and admiring himself. But a shopkeeper discovers him.

Man: Stop, thief!

Shopkeeper: Vandel!

Aladdin: Abu!

Woman: Scandal!

The guards then surrounded Aladdin in front of a door.

Aladdin: Let’s not be too hasty

The door opens and a large, ugly lady with a high-pitched voice comes out and yanks Aladdin into her arms.

Ugly Lady: Still I think he’s rather tasty

Disgusted, Aladdin tumbles away from her, then puts his arm around a guard, acting like they’re all chums.

Aladdin: Gotta eat to live, gotta steal to eat

Otherwise we’d get along

Guards: WRONG!

They all leaped at him and fought in a cloud of dust. But when the dust cleared, Aladdin and Abu were gone. But the captain sees them trying to sneak away in urns.

Captain: GET HIM!

The duo ran towards a flaming pit where there was a man walking on it. Aladdin used the man as a springboard to leap over the pit. But the guards, being rather stupid for not thinking, ran across the pit, which they hopped up and down, yelping in pain from the hot coals on their feet. But after they got across, they resumed chasing them. They run past a sword swallower, then Abu goes back, pulls the sword right out of the swallower’s mouth. Abu advances on the guards, who retreat in fear, wielding the sword menacingly.

Guard: He’s got a sword!

Captain: Why you idiots-(draws his sword)-we’ve ALL got swords!

The other guards, realizing they got the monkey outnumbered, drew their swords as well. Abu sets the sword down gently, then takes off in a zip back to Aladdin. They got blocked from the front and back by guards with no way out. Aladdin acts fast, jumping and climbing a rope trick being done behind him, as the guards all crash into each other. After clearing the building, they run into more guards.

Aladdin: One jump ahead of the hoofbeats

Guards: (Vandel!)

Aladdin: One hop ahead of the hump

Guards: (Street rat!)

With all the pathways blocked off, the group went up the staircase. With Abu up ahead, the guards jumped out in front of him, scaring the daylights out of Abu.

Aladdin: One trick ahead of disaster

Guards: (Scoundrel!)

Aladdin: They’re quick, but I’m much faster

Guards: (Take that!)

Aladdin grabs Abu and ducks into a window, just before the guards swung their swords where Abu was at. Aladdin runs towards a window and grabs a carpet.

Aladdin: Here goes, better throw my hand in

Wish me happy landin’

All I gotta do is jump!

Then Aladdin and Abu jumped right out of the window, and the guards leaped after them. But the guards fell straight down and landed in a smelly pile of manure, compliments of “Crazy Hakim’s Discount Fertilizer”. Aladdin uses the carpet as a makeshift parachute to land safely in an alleyway and out of danger. After landing, Aladdin and Abu high-five each other for a job well done.

Aladdin: And now, esteemed effendi, we feast! All right!

Aladdin breaks the bread in two and gives half to Abu, who begins to eat. Before Aladdin can take a bite, he notices two homeless children, a girl and boy, rummaging through the trash, looking for food to eat. The girl sees Aladdin, then drops her find and tries to hide with her little brother. Aladdin looks at them, then the bread, then at Abu.

Abu already doesn’t like what he’s thinking, and glares at him. Then he takes a bite from the bread and chews, giving him the look. Aladdin then looks back at his bread again. He went through all this trouble to get a simple meal. But these kids seemed hungrier than he is, and they’re orphans from the look of it. They actually reminded him of himself when he was young. So why should he let them starve? Smiling, Aladdin gets up and heads over to them. The girl pulls her brother back to defend him, but Aladdin smiles at her and holds his bread out to her.

Aladdin: Here, go on--take it.

Now smiling, the girl takes it and giggles as Aladdin pats her on the head.

As Aladdin walked by, Abu tried to swallow his bite, but felt guilty after what he saw what Aladdin did. So, doing the right thing, he went over to the children and offered his bread to them. The boy takes it with a smile and the children pet him on the head. Abu giggles, but then he sees Aladdin walking into the daylight, where there seems to be a small parade going on.

Aladdin peers over the shoulders of the people in front of him. He sees a slender man, with a curled black mustache, wearing a maroon tunic, cloak and turban with three black feathers, named Prince Achmed riding on a fancy white horse.

Bystander 1: On his way to the palace, I suppose.

Bystander 2: Another suitor for the princess.

Aladdin is then startled as the two children come running out from the alley. The boy runs out in front of the prince’s horse, scaring it. Enraging the prince.

Achmed: Out of my way, you filthy brats!

Prince Achmed brings out his whip to attack the children. The girl shields her brother, but Aladdin jumps in front of them and catches the whip with his arm. It stung his arm but as long as the kids were ok, it was nothing, The kids ran back into the crowd. He yanks the whip away from the royal then roughly tosses it back.

Aladdin: Hey! If I were as rich as you, I could afford some manners.

Achmed: Oh! I’ll teach you some manners!

The prince kicks Aladdin into a mud puddle. The crowd laughed at him. Aladdin grunts then gives him a dirty look followed by a smirk.

Aladdin: Look at that, Abu. It’s not every day you see a horse with two rear ends!

Then the prince stopped all of a sudden when he heard that insult and turned back to Aladdin.

Achmed: Ha! You are a worthless street rat! You were born a street rat, you’ll die a street rat, and only your fleas will mourn you!

After hearing that insult, Aladdin gritted his teeth in anger and rushed at the prince, but the palace gates slammed shut in his face. He looks up, and he sees there’s no way over that wall.

Aladdin: I’m not worthless. And I don’t have fleas. (scratched his head then stopped) (sighs) Come on, Abu. Let’s go home.

Aladdin walks away and towards their home. As they walk down an old abandoned street, Aladdin sings in a gentle yet upset tune.

Aladdin: Riffraff, street rat

I don’t buy that

Aladdin makes the climb to his home with a view. Abu riding on his back.

If only they’d look closer

They enter their “home” and look around at it. Their home was a wreck. The fabrics were torn, the carpet is extremely dirty, and the curtain is worn out.

Would they see a poor boy? No, siree

Abu climbs down from Aladdin’s back, then Aladdin tucks Abu in for the night.

They’d find out

There’s so much more to me

Aladdin walks over to the window and pulls back the curtain, revealing the beautiful palace. Then Aladdin sighs, and starts to smile.

Aladdin: Someday, Abu, things are gonna change. (Abu was already fast asleep) We’ll be rich, live in a palace, and never have any problems at all. And, who knows, maybe even make some new friends.

Just then, Aladdin heard something he wasn’t expecting to hear.

Male Voice: That’s keeping your chin up, Aladdin.

Aladdin (surprised): Who said that?

Male Voice: Do you want a friend?

Aladdin (looking around): Yes, I want a friend, but I want a better life for Abu and myself, too.

Male Voice: Well, chin up. I’ll be your friend, and I’ll try to help you and Abu live a much better and happier life. I’ve been watching you, and I like you.

Aladdin: I can’t see you. What do you mean, chin up?

Male Voice: Now go to sleep. You’ll see me in the morning, and I’ll explain everything then.

Aladdin did what the voice said, and went to bed. Aladdin’s stomach was empty and his mind was full. When your stomach is empty and your mind is full, it’s always hard to sleep, but sleep and Aladdin finally found each other.

Chapter Text

The next morning, Aladdin and Abu were sleeping peacefully. They woke up when they heard singing. Aladdin looked everywhere to find the source of the voice.

Male Voice: Chin up, chin up

Everybody loves a happy face

Wear it, share it

It’ll brighten up the darkest place

Twinkle, sparkle

Let a little sunshine in

You’ll be on the right side

Looking at the bright side

Up with your chinny chin chin

Aladdin and Abu made their way to the marketplace to ask anyone who may know who spoke to Aladdin last night.

Aladdin: Ahem. Attention, please. Will the party who addressed me last night kindly come out of hiding?

All the people who were out on the street looked at Aladdin with questioning looks on their faces. Then one of the male merchants behind his stall spoke.

Merchant (annoyed): If you do have a friend, you’re probably disturbing him with your yelling.

Aladdin: Oh. I beg everyone’s pardon. I didn’t mean to be objectionable.

Then Aladdin and Abu heard the singing again, but not just them, the people in the market heard it too. Aladdin started looking around for the voice’s source once again.

Male Voice: Chin up, chin up

Put a little laughter in your eyes

Brave it, save it

Even though you’re feeling otherwise

Rise up, wise up

Make a little smile begin

You’ll be happy hearted

Once you get it started

Up with your chinny chin chin!

Male Voice: Salutations, Aladdin!

Aladdin: Huh? Salu-what?

Male Voice: Sal-u-tations!

Aladdin: What are they, and where are you?

Male Voice: Salutations are greetings. It’s my fancy way of saying hello. Look up here in the sky behind you.

Aladdin looked behind him, up in the sky, above the marketplace, facing towards the palace, he saw a spiraling cloud of royal blue mist, starting small and growing bigger. Inside the mist cloud, something looked like it was taking shape. Taking the shape of what looked like a person.

Male & Female Chorus: Chin up, chin up

Everybody loves a happy face

Wear it, share it

It’ll brighten up the darkest place

Twinkle, sparkle

Let a little sunshine in

You’ll be on the right side

Looking at the bright side

Up with your chinny chin chin

Then the shape that came out of the mist was indeed a person, a young man to be exact, who appeared to be around Aladdin’s age. He had light skin, long brownish-blonde hair tied in a braid, blue eyes, and he was wearing baggy blue dhoti pants, a purple sash around his waist, a long sleeveless coat, made of sky blue silk with a lilac trim, a gold armlet on his left arm, a pair of yellow-orange shoes, and he held a long platinum cane-shaped staff in his right hand.

As the mist disappeared, the young man held his staff in between his legs, flying on it, like a witch on a broom, while singing.

Young Man: Chin down

You can’t come frowning

Turn around

Starting, clowning

Think sad

Your troubles double

Think glad

They burst like bubbles

As the young man sang, Aladdin and Abu smiled and started dancing. They even tried to get the other people in the market to dance.

Young Man: Chin up, chin up

Every little time your spirits wilt

Chin up, chin up

Give your attitude an upward tilt

Twinkle, sparkle

Make a little fun begin

You’ll be on the right side

Looking at the bright side

Up with your chinny chin

Chin up!

The young man stops flying around, hovers above the street, and looks down at Aladdin with a smile.

Young Man: See me now?

Aladdin: Oh, yes! Good morning! Salutations. If you please, could you come down? I’d like to meet you on the ground.

Then, the young man floats gently down to the ground in front of Aladdin, holding his staff in his right hand.

Young Man: Is that better?

Aladdin: Much better. Thank you.

Young Man: I promised I’d tell you about the words, chin up, and I did.

Aladdin: What is your name, please?

Young Man: My name is Matt. Matt Sahar the magician, at your service. (bows)

Aladdin: I think you’re amazing.

Matt: Thank you. Almost all magicians are incredible. I’m not as flashy as some, but I’ll do.

Aladdin: About helping me and Abu live a better life, do you really think you can?

Matt: Sure, I can.

Aladdin: How?

Matt (looking around): Not here, too many people. Know any place where we can speak in private?

Aladdin (looks around as well): Follow me.

Aladdin and Abu led Matt all the way back to their home.

Matt: You have a nice home.

Aladdin: Thanks. It may not look like much, but it’s home. And it’s got a great view.

Matt (looking at the view, chuckles): I’ll say.

Aladdin: Uh, you were going to tell me how you were going to help me and Abu live a better life.

Matt: Right, but wouldn’t you rather listen while you… eat?

Aladdin (with a questioning look): Did you say “eat”?

Just then, as Matt lifted his left arm to the right and slowly swung it back to the left, he made a small spread of food appear. There was a medium-sized blanket with a large bowl of fresh fruit, a basket of fresh bread, a silver platter with assorted cheeses, nuts, and dates, and a medium-sized silver tray with a silver pitcher and three cups. Both Aladdin and Abu were amazed.

Matt: Eat up, you two.

As Aladdin and Abu started eating, Matt picked up the pitcher and poured milk into the cups.

Matt (offering two cups): Care for some milk, boys?

Aladdin (took one of the cups): Yes, please. Thanks.

Abu took the other cup from Matt. And Matt took the third cup and began eating as well.

Aladdin (taking a bite out of an apple): So, Matt, you said you were a magician, but which kind are you exactly? A wizard, enchanter, sorcerer?

Matt: I’m a sorcerer. But I’ve never been much on fancy titles, I mean, witches, wizards, mages, enchanters, sorcerers, we’re all the same. We’re humans who have magic powers.

Aladdin: Makes sense. Anyhow, how exactly are you going to help me and Abu live the life we want?

Matt (eating a few grapes): Glad you asked. Tell me Aladdin, have you ever heard of the story of the Diamond in the Rough before?

Aladdin: No, I haven’t. Is this “Diamond in the Rough” supposed to be a treasure that will make anyone rich beyond their wildest dreams for the rest of their entire life?

Matt: Actually, Aladdin, the Diamond in the Rough isn’t a treasure, it’s a person.

Aladdin: I don’t get it. How can a person make anyone so rich, they can live in luxury for the rest of their lives?

Matt: It’s a long story, but I’ll tell you the whole thing soon enough.

Aladdin: Abu and I are glad you’re here, Matt. Will you stay with us for a long, long time?

Matt: A magician’s life is an uncertain thing, but I promise you I’ll stay as long as I can.

With those words, Aladdin, Abu, and Matt went back to eating.

Morning passed and afternoon came, within the palace, a door burst open with Prince Achmed angrily walking towards the main door out of the palace. The Sultan, ruler of Agrabah, sees Achmed storming away in a huff.

The Sultan is a short, obese, half bald man with both white hair and beard, medium skin, thick chocolate eyebrows and brown eyes. He wears a cream robe, pants, and turban with a teal feather up front, a gold and teal striped sash around his waist, and gold boots.

Achmed: I’ve never been so insulted!

Sultan: Oh, Prince Achmed. You’re not leaving so soon, are you?

Achmed: Good luck marrying her off!

As Achmed walked towards the main doors, the Sultan noticed that the rear end of his pants was missing, revealing his white undies with red hearts. The Sultan then becomes frustrated. There’s only one person in mind that would make this prince mad, his own daughter.

Sultan: Ohhh… Jasmine!

Then he went out into the garden looking for her. But he already sees her sitting at the fountain, picking petals off from a flower. This is Princess Jasmine, the daughter of the Sultan of Agrabah.

She’s a beautiful, slender young girl of average height with an hourglass figure. She has olive skin, high cheekbones, brown eyes with full eyelashes, and straight, lush hair reaching her thighs. Her outfit resembles that of Arabian Harem women. They were a sky blue crop top that revealed her midriff and navel with sewn-in off-the-shoulder straps, matching puffy legs with a light-blue V-shaped waistline, and gold curled shoes. Her hair was worn in a ponytail in two sections with matching teal bands and ending in a small swirl with this outfit. She wore a turquoise headband which is centered with a sapphire with a gold border adorned into it. She also dons two large golden earrings completely covering her ears and a matching necklace.

Sultan: Jasmine! Jasmine! Jasmine…

Before he could reach her, Rajah, Jasmine’s pet tiger, who was holding a piece of Prince Achmed’s pants in his mouth, blocked him off all the sudden. The Sultan had given Rajah to his daughter since he was a cub, in order to keep her company since she has been lonely all the time in the palace. But since then, Rajah has acted more of a bodyguard for Jasmine and was better at it than the palace guards. Rajah growls at the Sultan as he held the cloth in his mouth.

Sultan: Ohh! Confound it, Rajah!

The Sultan tries to pull the cloth from Rajah’s mouth, only to yank a piece of it off. Upon examining the cloth, the Sultan finally put the pieces together.

Sultan: So, this is why Prince Achmed stormed out!

Jasmine: Oh, Father. Rajah was just playing with him. Weren’t you, Rajah?

Smiling, Rajah comes over and allows Jasmine to pet and hug him.

Jasmine: You were just playing with that overdressed, self-absorbed Prince Achmed, weren’t you?

She cuddles with Rajah, enjoying the moment as they chuckle, until she looks up at her angry father. Jasmine clears her throat, quickly changing the subject.

Sultan: Dearest, you’ve got to stop rejecting every suitor that comes to call.

Ignoring him, Jasmine gets up and walks over to the dove cage. And her father follows, stating his point.

Sultan: The law says…

Sultan/Jasmine: You must be married to a prince.

Sultan: By your next birthday.

Jasmine: The law is wrong.

Sultan: But you only got three more days!

Jasmine: Father, I hate being forced into this.

She takes out a little white dove from the cage and pets it. Then a soft smile appears on her lips.

Jasmine: If I do marry, I want it to be for love.

Sultan: Jasmine, it’s not only this law. I’m not going to be around forever, (he takes the dove from her hands, and puts it back in the cage) I just want to make sure you’re taken care of. Provided for.

Jasmine: Please, try to understand. I’ve never done a thing on my own. (she swirls her finger in the water of the fountain, petting the fish) I’ve never had any real friends. (Rajah looks up at her and growls) Except you, Rajah. (satisfied, he goes back to sleep) I’ve never even been outside the palace walls.

Sultan: But Jasmine, you’re a princess.

Jasmine: Then maybe I don’t want to be a princess anymore!

Sultan: Oooohhh! I-I-Allah forbid you should have any daughters!

Then Rajah looks up and thinks for a second, wondering what the Sultan meant. Jasmine just sits there, pouting about what her father wanted her to do. All her life, she was told what to do and what not to do. She always wanted the right to choose for herself, but her father wouldn’t let her. She ponders this, until she gets a splendid idea. She goes over to the dove cage and yanks open the door. The birds flew out and off into freedom. And Jasmine watches them go… wishing to fly free as well.

Inside the palace, in the Sultan’s chambers, where the Sultan just walked in. He slowly walks over to a large replica of the entire city of Agrabah. He fiddles around with it, with a sadden mind.

Sultan: I don’t know where she gets it from. Her mother wasn’t nearly so picky.

Then a shadow fell over him. He looks up, startled but relaxes when he sees that it was only Jafar, with Iago perched on his left shoulder.

Sultan: Ooh, oh. Ah, Jafar--my most trusted advisor. I am in desperate need of your wisdom.

Jafar (bows): My life is but to serve you, my lord.

Sultan: It’s this suitor business. Jasmine refuses to choose a husband. I’m at my wit’s-end.

Iago (in parrot voice): Awk! Wit’s-end!

Apparently, the Sultan doesn’t know that Iago can speak English, and Iago prefers to keep it that way. The Sultan chuckled at Iago’s response as he pulled a cracker out from his pocket. Iago then begins to look terrified.

Sultan: Oh, ha ha. Have a cracker, pretty polly!

Then, the Sultan stuffs the whole thing in Iago’s mouth. Iago grimaces as he tries to eat it. Jafar and the Sultan begin to laugh at Iago’s misfortune.

Jafar (laughs): Your majesty certainly has a way with dumb animals.

Iago, hearing Jafar’s comment, glares at him with his mouth still full.

Jafar: Ahem. Now then, perhaps I can divine a solution to this thorny problem.

Sultan: If anyone can help, it’s you.

Jafar: But it would require the use of a mystic blue diamond.

Jafar gestures towards the Sultan’s hand with a blue diamond ring on it, but the Sultan pulls his hand away.

Sultan: Uh, my ring? But it’s been in the family for years.

Jafar: It is necessary to find the princess a suitor.

He then turns his cobra-headed staff towards the Sultan. The eyes of the staff begin to glow blood red. The room darkens, Jafar’s voice slows down and deepens. Apparently, Jafar crafted this staff using dark magic, so he can use it on the Sultan, in case he doesn’t “cooperate”. The Sultan’s eyes get a hypnotized look as Jafar uses its power.

Jafar: Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.

Sultan (hypnotized): Everything… will be… fine.

Jafar: The diamond?

Sultan (hypnotized): Here, Jafar. Whatever you need will be fine.

He removes his ring and hands it to Jafar. Jafar takes it with a smile and pulls back the staff, causing the room to go back to normal.

Jafar: You are most gracious, my liege. Now run along and play with your little toys. Hmm?

Sultan (still hypnotized): Yes… that’ll be… pretty good.

After Jafar left the room, he groaned in annoyance. Then, Iago finally spits out the cracker from his mouth.

Iago: I can’t take it anymore! If I gotta choke down on one more of those moldy, disgusting crackers… BAM! WHACK!

Jafar then pulls on a rope, and a wall opens in front of them, revealing a hidden entrance to his chambers within the palace. Jafar entered the passageway and walked upstairs.

Jafar: Calm yourself, Iago.

Iago: And then I’d grab him around the head. WHACK! WHACK!

Jafar: Soon, I will be sultan, not that addlepated twit.

Iago (now on Jafar’s right shoulder): And then I stuff the crackers down his throat! Ha ha!

They passed through a door to the chamber and slammed it shut.

Later that same day in the city, Aladdin, Abu, and Matt were shopping for food. This made Aladdin feel odd, all his life he always had to steal food because he never had any money. Thankly, Matt had a big bag of money to buy plenty of food. They then decided to take a break and see how much food they had collected. So far, they managed to get three loaves of bread, a basket of fruit, and a bag of nuts.

Matt: We got quite a bit of food in just a short time. Still, it’s not much.

Aladdin: Are you kidding? This is more than what me and Abu scrape up in a day.

Matt: Maybe, but I still think we should get a bit more. After all, if I’m going to help you two live a better life, I sure can’t do it if we’re stuck here.

Aladdin: You mean, we’re leaving Agrabah?

Matt: I know you probably don’t want to leave, Aladdin, but there’s no other way.

Aladdin: I understand, but if we are going to leave, why do we have to buy food, when you can make it appear using your magic?

Matt: Aladdin, let me tell you something my older sister told me. “Don’t go thinking that magic will solve all your problems, because it won’t.” Understand?

Aladdin: I understand. But, when will we be leaving?

Matt: As soon as I call for a friend of mine.

Aladdin: How can you call someone who isn’t even here.

Matt: Simple, I have a special whistle that he’ll be able to hear, even from many miles away from here. (pulls out a brass whistle, with a wolf’s head, from inside his coat) It really comes in handy when you’re really far away from each other or when you don’t know where they could be.

As the trio gathers up all the food they bought, Aladdin looks down the street and notices an angry Prince Achmed riding past crowds.

Aladdin: It’s that prince, Achmed, from yesterday.

Matt: I take it he was the one who was giving you a hard time?

Aladdin: Exactly.

Matt (smirks): Well, I think it’s time he needs to be taught a lesson.

Then the three of them huddled together, discussing a plan. When their planning was over, Matt motions Aladdin to follow him with Abu sneaking ahead, as part of their plan. Achmed was about ten steps from the main gate when Aladdin and Matt stepped in front of him, blocking his path. Achmed was less than pleased to see Aladdin again, and he couldn’t care less who his friend was.

Aladdin: Well, if it isn’t the great Prince Achmed. Leaving so soon?

Achmed: I have nothing to say to you, street rat.

Matt: I guess the princess dumped you, huh?

Achmed: My personal affairs are no concern of yours, peasant!

Matt looked over and noticed the seat of Achmed’s pants was missing.

Matt (smirks): Seems like she took a piece out of you. What happened? Did the door hit you on the way out?

Achmed: How dare you, you filthy peasant! You’re a wretched disgrace!

Aladdin: And what gives you the right to judge others?

Achmed: I am a PRINCE! It IS my right to judge others! Especially, lowly vermin, like you!

Aladdin: Why you—

Matt stopped Aladdin with his arm and walked up to Achmed with an annoyed grin.

Matt: You know something? You may be rich, you may be a prince, but you’re still a big jerk!

Achmed: WHAT?! You think you’re better than me?!

Matt: Buddy, I know we’re better than you. (notices Abu on one of the stalls, readying a small long tube by putting a pebble in it) And sooner or later, someone’s gonna knock you off your high horse.

Just then, Abu shot the pebble from the tube when he blew through it, striking Achmed’s horse on the flank. The impact caused it to rear up in fright, surprising Prince Achmed. He desperately tries to get control of his horse. Abu shot another pebble, this time hitting Achmed’s head, stunning him as he fell off his horse. As he fell off the saddle to the ground, his left leg got caught in the stirrup. Seeing an opportunity, Matt smacked the horse on the flank with his staff, causing it to run at full gallop and dragging Achmed across the ground as he screamed. The horse kept on galloping past the gate and out of the city until it and Achmed were out of sight.

Aladdin (laughs): Good riddance to bad rubbish.

Matt: Couldn’t have happened to a nicer prince.

Sometime later, night finally settled in Agrabah. The palace garden was as silent as the night, not a creature disturbing it. However, a cloaked figure walked through the garden. The figure looks around, making sure no one’s watching. The figure was Princess Jasmine, disguising herself as a peasant. She decided to run away from the palace, and go on with her own life, where she is free to choose what she wants to do. She approaches one of the walls and looks around for any way to scale it. Then she sees a tree, tall enough for her to climb over. She went over and started climbing, but then she felt a tug from behind. She looks back down and sees Rajah, with a sad face as he bites onto her cloak.

Jasmine: Oh, I’m sorry, Rajah. But I can’t stay here and have my life lived for me. I’ll miss you.

She climbs back down, and hugs her best friend, one last time. Then she starts climbing again. But this time, she was helped up by Rajah. By the time she got on top of the wall, she looked back at the tiger.

Jasmine: Goodbye.

She disappears over the wall and Rajah then begins to whine and whimper, hoping that she may return.

Meanwhile, back at Aladdin’s home, the boys and monkey had collected a large sum of food that was piled in the room to take on their journey out of Agrabah. Aladdin and Abu were getting ready for bed, but Matt looked like he was getting ready to do something or go somewhere. Once he had promised Aladdin that he was going to help him live a better life, Matt was determined to keep his promise.

Aladdin: Matt?

Matt: Yes, Aladdin?

Aladdin: Are you sure your friend will come when you call?

Matt: Chin up, Aladdin. Just stop worrying.

Aladdin: I’ll admit, I’m going to miss this place, Matt. It’s been our home for as long as I can remember.

Matt: Of course, you will. Everyone gets like that when they’re about to move away. After all, a home isn’t just a place to live, but also a place where memories are made.

Aladdin: Where are you going to meet your friend when he comes, Matt?

Matt: On one of the cliffs above the city. When he arrives, I’ll bring all the food we collected to where he is. I have to make sure he can carry some of it, while I carry the rest. And I’m not sure when he’ll arrive, so I probably won’t be here when you wake up, so you two may have to find your own breakfast in the morning. Now get some sleep, Aladdin.

Aladdin: Good night, Matt.

Matt: Pleasant dreams, Aladdin.

With that, Aladdin went to sleep, and Matt flew away on his staff. When he landed on one of the cliffs above the city, he took out the whistle from inside his coat, brought it to his lips, took a deep breath, and blew real hard into it, making a loud sound that sounded like a wolf howling.