Aladdin’s Genie and His Decline

Aladdin’s Genie and His Decline

The legendary lamp of Aladdin had been passed down through generations until it reached Aladdin VII, a simple and straightforward man. On the very day after his father’s death, Aladdin rubbed the lamp. Smoke filled the air, and from within it emerged the family’s ancient genie, known for his terrifying laughter. His arms stretched from the east to the west, and his height seemed to reach the sky. When the smoke cleared, the massive genie spoke in a voice that shook the surroundings:

“What is your command, my master?”

Aladdin VII glanced at him and said casually, “Run quickly to the pan shop and bring me a pan of betel leaves.”

The genie felt great embarrassment at such a trivial request from his new master, but he obeyed without argument and returned, bowing in submission. Seeing the genie ready to follow orders, Aladdin said, “I want to bathe. Take a bucket, fill it from the public tap, and place it in the courtyard.”

Though the genie felt humiliated again, he said respectfully, “As you command, my master,” and disappeared to carry out the task.

After finishing his bath, Aladdin rubbed the lamp once more. A rumbling sound came from within, followed by the terrifying laughter of the genie as he appeared again. Bowing low, he asked, “What is your command, my master?”

Aladdin said, “Go to the market, buy some vegetables, and prepare food for me quickly. I am very hungry.”

The genie’s embarrassment increased as he obediently headed toward the market. After bringing the food and serving it, Aladdin rubbed the lamp again. The genie reappeared, this time with a sheepish laugh, and stood with his hands folded. Aladdin commanded, “Go ask the neighbors for some tea leaves and prepare tea.”

Sweat appeared on the genie's brow, which he quickly wiped away before complying with the order. From that day onward, the genie remained constantly occupied in the service of Aladdin. He washed and ironed clothes, polished shoes, cleaned utensils, bought betel leaves and cigarettes from the pan shop, and then disappeared from view—all without complaint.

Over time, the genie began to change. His enormous physique shrank, his towering height gradually diminished, and the echo of his mighty laughter became quieter. When Aladdin rubbed the lamp, he now appeared with a handkerchief draped over his shoulder, saying, “What is your command, sir?” instead of the grand, booming, “What is your command, my master?” Slowly, he began to lose his identity and his former grandeur.

Eventually, his height decreased until it was roughly equal to Aladdin’s. His once vast arms no longer stretched across the horizons; they now shrank to the size of a regular human. He began to experience back pain and aching muscles, for which he started regularly taking “Serbex Tea.” Yet, he remained fully devoted to serving “Sir,” carrying out all tasks diligently.

The genie had transformed from a mighty, awe-inspiring being into a humble domestic helper. There was no longer any need to rub the lamp to summon him—he would sit in plain sight, handkerchief on his shoulder, dressed in a simple vest and dhoti. He had grown shorter than Aladdin himself. Whenever Aladdin needed him, he would call out, “Hey, little one! Come here!” and the genie would trudge along wearily from one table to another, performing his duties.

Sometimes, the genie remembered his past and tears filled his eyes. Once, he had been a mighty being whose arms spanned east and west, who could lift entire palaces of great kings in the palm of his hand, and whose laughter terrified the skies. Yet now, despite all his efforts to reclaim that former power, he only appeared as a weary figure with hands pressed against his aching back, puffing on a cigarette. In such moments, he would lower his head in shame and whisper softly, “I was once a great, powerful genie, but my masters have reduced me.” Then, suddenly frightened that someone might overhear, he would look around nervously, careful to hide the fact that he had once been a mighty and terrifying force of magic.