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The area behind the stable got surprisingly busy after sunset. Aladdin brought Kallim and Mussif as well as Almudin, and the boy, Achmed, brought his older brother Hassir, too, and Hassir brought his friend Alkeem. Three fifteen year-olds, two twelve year olds and two eight year olds. Had any half-aware adult been there to see them, they would have been curious. But the south well was active only when caravans were coming and going, and none came or went on the new moon, even in summer time.
When all had assembled, Aladdin pulled out the lamp once more for all to see. Even in the fading light it was clearly not like any lamp they had seen.
"What does it do?" asked Achmed.
"It summons a genie," said Aladdin.
"A real, magic genie?" said Achmed.
"He said he was, but I didn't have time to find out." said Aladdin.
"Well... lets find out."
"Wait! I found the lamp. It's my genie!" said Almudin.
"Shuddup! You're too young!" said Aladdin without thinking, and regretted his words instantly. There was an uproar. Aladdin could see this would turn into a shouting, then pushing, then shoving, then grabbing-the-lamp-and-running-off drill, so he said, "OK... OK... You're right. But be really careful."
Almudin took the lamp and rubbed it. There were gasps all around as the genie came out, looked around for a second at the crowd, then saw Almudin had the lamp. He bowed to him and said, "Greetings new master, Almudin."
Almudin did not mince words.
"You're really a genie?"
"I am."
"I get three wishes?"
"You get wishes."
"I wish for a bag of gold."
The genie made an odd motion that partly concealed his hand, and in a moment there was a fist-sized leather bag in it. There were looks of amazement all around, but before anyone else could say a thing, Almudin said,
"Bigger."
There were even bigger looks of shock as the leather bag grew from the size of Almudin's fist to the size of the genie's fist.
"Bigger."
No change this time. The genie's look soured and he said, "You may want to try out what you have already. Gold is heavy."
He tossed the bag to Almudin, and Almudin, having no idea how heavy the bag would be, missed the catch. The leather bag fell to the ground and out spilled a few gold coins.
The bedlam followed immediately as ten hands hit the dirt and started grabbing coins. Almudin wailed, "They're MINE!", but the other boys paid no attention. The genie laughed for a moment, then vanished. Almudin looked at Aladdin.
Aladdin made a choice. He held out his hand for the lamp and said, "Get the bag." Almudin trusted his brother; he gave him the lamp, then dove into the circle to see if he could get the bag and it's remaining coins in his control. There were grunts and groans and loud whispers of, "It's mine!"
"SHADDUP OUT THERE!" It was a night watchman. The boys became instantly quiet and within ten seconds all the coins had found owners. The boys scattered into the night; Almudin had a quarter full bag of gold, and Aladdin had the lamp.
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