'I am called Aladdin,' said he.
'Well, Aladdin,' replied the magician, 'what business do you follow? Are you of any trade?'
At this question Aladdin hung down his head, and was not a little abashed when his mother made answer, 'Aladdin is an idle fellow; his father, when alive, strove all he could to teach him his trade, but could not succeed; and since his death, notwithstanding all I can say to him, he does nothing but idle away his time in the streets, as you saw him, without considering that he is no longer a child; and if you do not make him ashamed of it, and make him leave it off, I despair of his ever coming to any good. He knows that his father left him no fortune, and sees me endeavour to get bread by spinning cotton every day; for my part, I am resolved one of these days to turn him out of doors, and let him provide for himself.'
After these words, Aladdin's mother burst into tears; and the magician said, 'This is not well, nephew; you must think of helping yourself, and getting your livelihood. There are a great many sorts of trades; consider if you have not a liking for some of them; perhaps you did not like your father's trade, and would prefer another: come, do not disguise your feelings from me; I will endeavour to help you.' But finding that Aladdin returned no answer, 'If you have no mind,' continued he, 'to learn any trade and prove an honest man, I will take a shop for you, and furnish it with all sorts of fine stuffs and linens, and set you to trade with them; and the money you make off them lay out in fresh goods, and then you will live an honourable way. Tell me freely what you think of it: you shall always find me ready to keep my word.'
This proposal greatly flattered Aladdin, who mortally hated work, and had sense enough to know that such shops were very much esteemed and frequented, and the owners honoured and respected. He told the magician he had a greater liking for that business than for any other, and that he should be very much obliged to him all his life for his kindness. 'Since this profession is agreeable to you,' said the African magician, 'I will take you with me to-morrow, and clothe you as richly and hand-
