Ali Baba and The Forty Thieves

by Yogi P - October 31, 2023

Moral story: Ali Baba and The Forty Thieves

Once upon a time in a distant town, there lived a man named Ali Baba. He was a poor woodcutter struggling to make ends meet, while his elder brother, Cassim, was a wealthy merchant. Cassim lived in a grand house and had a successful business, but he was also greedy and envious of his brother’s contentment.

One day, while Ali Baba was deep in the forest cutting wood, he stumbled upon a group of thieves. He hid behind a tree and watched as they approached a massive rock. The leader of the thieves chanted, “Open Sesame!” And to Ali Baba’s astonishment, the rock magically split in two, revealing a hidden cave filled with unimaginable treasures.

Ali Baba and The Forty Thieves-2

After the thieves left, Ali Baba cautiously approached the cave and uttered the same magical words, “Open Sesame!” The cave’s entrance revealed itself, and Ali Baba entered, marveling at the heaps of gold, silver, jewels, and precious items within. Overwhelmed, he filled a sack with as much treasure as he could carry.

Ali Baba returned home and decided to keep his discovery a secret from everyone, especially his greedy brother Cassim. However, he shared the story with his loyal slave, Morgiana, who was clever and resourceful.

Cassim soon grew suspicious of Ali Baba’s sudden wealth and pried the truth out of him. Ignoring Ali Baba’s warnings, Cassim went to the cave with the intention of stealing more treasure. However, he forgot the magical words to open the cave, and the thieves discovered him.

The thieves killed Cassim and hung his body at the cave’s entrance as a warning to others. When Ali Baba found his brother’s body, he mourned his loss and realized he needed to be more cautious. He sought Morgiana’s help to ensure their safety and preserve their secret.

Morgiana’s wit and courage came to the rescue. She cleverly identified the thieves’ leader and his gang and hatched a plan. She disguised herself as a belly dancer and, with a jar of boiling oil, she executed the thieves, including their leader. She saved Ali Baba and his treasure.

Ali Baba and The Forty Thieves

The story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves teaches us several morals:

1. Greed can be destructive: Cassim’s greed ultimately led to his downfall. He ignored his brother’s warnings and paid the price for his avarice.
2. Loyalty and trust: Ali Baba’s loyal and trustworthy slave, Morgiana, played a crucial role in saving him and his treasure. The story emphasizes the value of faithful and resourceful companions.
3. Cunning and resourcefulness: Morgiana’s quick thinking and clever strategies were essential in overcoming adversity.
4. Good triumphs over evil: In the end, the thieves were defeated, and Ali Baba’s secret was preserved, illustrating that honesty and righteousness prevail over deceit and greed.

The tale of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves reminds us of the importance of honesty, loyalty, and the perils of greed, while also celebrating the power of wit and resourcefulness in the face of danger.