When Alaeddin heard these words of his uncle the Maugrabin, to wit, that it was his intent to make him a merchant, [FN#191] a trader, [FN#192] he rejoiced exceedingly, well knowing that all merchants’ apparel is neat and elegant; [FN#193] so he looked at the Maugrabin and smiled and bowed his head, as who should say, “I am content.”  The [FN#194] magician, seeing him smile, knew that he was content to be a merchant and said to him, “Since thou art content that I should make thee a merchant and open thee a shop, be a man, O son of my brother, and to-morrow, God willing, I will take thee first to the market and let cut thee an elegant suit of clothes such as merchants wear; and after that I will look thee out a shop and perform my promise to thee.”  Now Alaeddin’s mother was in some little doubt as to the Maugrabin; but, when she heard his promise to her son that he would open him a shop as a merchant with stuffs and capital and what not else, she concluded that he was in very deed her brother-in-law, inasmuch as a stranger would not do thus with her son.  So she fell to admonishing her son and exhorting him to put away ignorance and folly from his head and be a man, and bade him still yield obedience to his uncle, as he were his father, and apply himself to make up the time which he had wasted in idleness [with] those who were like him, after which she arose and laying the table, spread the evening-meal and they all sat down and fell to eating and drinking, whilst the Maugrabin talked with Alaeddin upon matters of merchandry and the like.  Then, when he saw that the night was far spent, [FN#195] he arose and went to his lodging, promising to return in the morning and take Alaeddin, so he might let cut him a merchant’s suit.

Alaeddin slept not that night for joy and when it was morning, behold, the Maugrabin knocked at the door.  The lad’s mother arose and opened to him; however, he would not enter, but sought Alaeddin, that he might take him with him to the market.  So Alaeddin went out to him and gave him good-morning and kissed his hand; whereupon the Maugrabin took him by the hand and going with him to the market, entered the shop of a seller of all manner of clothes and demanded a suit of costly stuffs.  The merchant brought him what he sought, all sewn and ready, and the Maugrabin said to Alaeddin, “Choose that which pleaseth thee, O my son.”  Alaeddin rejoiced exceedingly, when he saw that his uncle gave him his choice, and chose clothes to his mind, such as pleased him.  The Maugrabin at once paid the merchant their price and going out, carried Alaeddin to the bath, where they bathed and came forth and drank wine. [FN#196] Then Alaeddin arose and donned the new suit; whereat he rejoiced and was glad and coming up to his uncle, kissed his hand and thanked him for his bounties.  After [FN#197] this the Maugrabin carried him to the bazaar of the merchants and showed him the market and the selling and buying and said to him, " O my son, it behoveth thee consort with the folk, especially with the merchants, so thou mayst learn of them merchandry, since this is become thy craft.”