Hahaha! Gather 'round, my friends, and listen closely, for the tale I bring today is one of wonder, danger, and hidden treasure. It has traveled through deserts and sailed across seas, told by firelight in quiet villages and busy cities alike. This is a story from a time when words could open mountains and clever minds could change fate. It is the tale of a poor woodcutter, a secret cave, and forty fearsome thieves. So still your tongues and sharpen your ears—for this is the legend of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.
CEFR A2+ Level
Understand simple texts and stories that deal with common topics of interest.
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves
A long time ago, in a small village, there lived a poor woodcutter named Ali Baba. Every day, he went to the forest to cut wood and sell it in the market. One day, while he was working, he heard a strange noise. He quickly hid behind a tree.
Ali Baba saw 40 men on horses. They stopped in front of a big rock. The leader shouted, “Open Sesame!” Suddenly, the rock opened like a door. The men went inside and the door closed behind them.
Ali Baba waited. After some time, the door opened again. The thieves came out, and the leader said, “Close Sesame!” The door closed, and they rode away.
When the place was quiet, Ali Baba walked to the rock and said, “Open Sesame!” The rock opened. Inside, he saw gold, silver, jewels, and many treasures. He took a few bags of gold coins and went home.
Ali Baba told his wife. She was very happy, but she wanted to count the gold. She borrowed a scale from their rich brother, Kasim, but didn’t tell him why. Kasim became suspicious. He put honey on the bottom of the scale. When the scale came back, a gold coin was stuck to it.
The next day, Kasim asked Ali Baba, “Where did you get the gold?” Ali Baba told him the truth but warned him to be careful. Kasim went to the cave and said, “Open Sesame!” The door opened, and he went inside. He was amazed by all the treasure.
But when he wanted to leave, he forgot the magic words. He shouted, “Open Barley! Open Wheat!”—but nothing worked. The thieves returned and found him inside. They were angry and killed him.
Ali Baba was sad, but he brought his brother’s body home and gave him a proper burial. He told Morjana, his smart wife, everything.
The thieves found out someone else knew their secret. They planned to kill Ali Baba. The leader put oil jars in a cart—one full of oil, and the other 39 with thieves hiding inside. They came to Ali Baba’s house, pretending to be merchants.
Morjana saw the jars and heard whispers. She understood the plan. She boiled oil and poured it into the jars, killing the thieves. Only the leader was left.
Later, he came back in disguise to try again, but Morjana recognized him. During dinner, she hid a dagger under her arm and stabbed the thief while she was serving the food. She saved Ali Baba again.
Ali Baba was so grateful that he said, “Morjana, my beautiful and wise wife; you are my true treasure.”
Ali Baba never told anyone else about the cave. He lived a happy life and used the treasure to help others.
Moral of the Story:
The story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves teaches us that greed never wins. The thieves were greedy and wanted to keep the stolen treasure for themselves, but in the end, they lost everything because of their bad actions. Ali Baba’s brother, Kassim, was also greedy and dishonest. And his greed cost him his life. The story shows us that greed leads to danger and loss, but honesty, kindness, and wisdom bring us lasting peace and safety.
Hahaha! My story is finished now. But I won’t let you leave with nothing. I have a special gift for you — a beautiful song about Ali Baba and Morjana. Their story is famous all around the world. Listen and enjoy!
Open Sesame
Lyrics by Imed Sdiri
[INTRO]
Today... we share a beautiful tale.
A tale of a man…
And a secret that changed his life.
A secret that still echoes in the wind...
From Baghdad to Damascus,
From Tunis to Tokyo,
From Belfast to Paris
From Granada to Manama
From Algiers to Cairo
We all chase the truth.
And truth…
Truth is the lantern that lights our path.
Even in the darkest night.
[VERSE 1]
Ali Baba, poor and plain,
Swingin’ his axe through sun and rain.
Dusty boots and empty plate,
Chasin’ hope, but starin’ at fate.
Then one day, he heard the sound,
Horses runnin’ on silent ground.
Cloaks of black, eyes like fire,
They stopped by the stone with strange desire.
One word they spoke, the rock obeyed...
And that secret still walks with us today.
[REFRAIN]
From Baghdad to Damascus,
From Tunis to Tokyo,
From Belfast to Paris
From Granada to Manama
From Algiers to Cairo
Truth finds its road, and stories grow.
[CHORUS]
Open Sesame! – the mountain cried,
Gold and pearls shined deep inside.
A hidden world, wide and grand,
Opened by a poor man’s hand.
Open Sesame! – and so it starts,
But danger plays with greedy hearts.
In lands of shadow, fame, and flame,
One little word can change the game.
[REFRAIN]
From Baghdad to Damascus,
From Tunis to Tokyo,
From Belfast to Paris
From Granada to Manama
From Algiers to Cairo
Truth finds its road, and stories grow.
[VERSE 2]
His brother came, eyes full of greed,
Chasin’ coins, ready for any deed.
He found the cave, he knew the rock,
But lost the key, forgot the talk.
“Open Wheat”? “Open Rye”?
But the cave just watched him cry.
Too late to learn, too proud to see—
He lost the word… it was honesty.
[REFRAIN]
From Baghdad to Damascus,
From Tunis to Tokyo,
From Belfast to Paris
From Granada to Manama
From Algiers to Cairo
Truth finds its road, and stories grow.
[VERSE 3]
Then came Morjana, brave and wise,
Saw the fire behind their eyes.
She knew the trap, she felt the heat,
So she boiled the oil and faced deceit.
A woman’s will, a lion’s grace,
She saved them all, she held her place.
It takes a heart, not just a name,
To play the truth, not play the game.
[FINAL CHORUS]
Open Sesame! – the tale lives on,
Through ancient nights and modern dawn.
No gate too locked, no path too steep,
For those who walk with souls that keep.
Open Sesame! – the spell we say,
With every step, along the way
Ali Baba, Morjana, you and me
Let’s shout it strong: Open Sesame