Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves

A timeless tale of wisdom, courage, and justice from the One Thousand and One Nights collection. Discover the story of a humble woodcutter who stumbles upon a magical cave and the adventures that follow.

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Plot Summary

Discovery of the Cave

Ali Baba, a poor woodcutter, discovers the secret cave of forty thieves while collecting wood in the forest. He witnesses them using the magical phrase 'Open Sesame' to access their treasure trove, and later uses this knowledge to take some of the riches for himself.

Cassim's Fate

Ali Baba's wealthy brother Cassim learns of the cave and, driven by greed, attempts to steal from it. However, he forgets the magical phrase to exit and is discovered by the thieves, who kill him and quarter his body as a warning to others.

Morgiana's Cleverness

Morgiana, a clever slave girl, plays a crucial role in saving Ali Baba's life multiple times. She outsmarts the thieves who try to kill Ali Baba by hiding in oil jars, killing them with boiling oil. She later kills their leader who infiltrates Ali Baba's household disguised as a merchant.

Main Characters

Ali Baba

A poor but honest woodcutter who discovers the thieves' cave. Despite his newfound wealth, he remains humble and generous, eventually rewarding Morgiana with freedom and his son's hand in marriage.

Cassim

Ali Baba's wealthy and greedy brother whose avarice leads to his tragic demise in the thieves' cave.

Morgiana

A highly intelligent and loyal slave girl whose quick thinking and bravery save Ali Baba's life multiple times. Her cleverness and dedication earn her freedom and marriage into Ali Baba's family.

The Forty Thieves

A formidable band of ruthless thieves led by their cunning captain. They guard their treasure zealously and seek revenge against those who discover their secret.

Historical Context

The tale was added to the One Thousand and One Nights by Antoine Galland in the 18th century, though he likely heard it from a Syrian storyteller named Hanna Diyab. While not part of the original Arabic text, it has become one of the most familiar tales from that collection. The story reflects themes of medieval Islamic society, including the importance of loyalty, the dangers of greed, and the triumph of wit over brute force.

Key Story Elements

'Open Sesame'

The magical phrase that opens the cave, believed to have been chosen because sesame seeds were precious in ancient times and the seeds' oil was known to have almost magical properties.

The Cave

A hidden treasury in the forest, magically sealed and containing stolen riches accumulated by the forty thieves over years of plunder.

The Oil Jars

Large jars used by the thieves to hide themselves in their plot to kill Ali Baba, ultimately leading to their downfall through Morgiana's cleverness.

The Marking

The chalk mark placed on Ali Baba's door by the thieves to identify his house, which Morgiana cleverly copies onto other houses to confuse them.

Notable Adaptations

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves

1944
Film

Universal Pictures adaptation starring Maria Montez and Jon Hall, featuring a romantic subplot and elaborate sets.

Ali Baba Bujang Lapok

1960
Film

A Malaysian comedy film adaptation by P. Ramlee that localizes the story with cultural elements.

Ali Baba Aur 40 Chor

1980
Film

An Indian-Soviet film adaptation featuring an international cast and elaborate musical numbers.

Themes

  • Wisdom vs. Greed: Contrasting Ali Baba's modest wisdom with Cassim's fatal greed
  • Loyalty and Betrayal: Exemplified through Morgiana's devotion and the thieves' treachery
  • Cleverness and Quick Thinking: Shown primarily through Morgiana's ingenious solutions
  • Justice and Revenge: The cycle of vengeance and its ultimate resolution
  • Fortune and Fate: The role of destiny in Ali Baba's discovery and survival
  • Class and Social Mobility: Ali Baba's rise from poverty and Morgiana's elevation in status