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Stories in English easy can help you learn English in a fun and simple way. One of the stories you can read here is Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. It is a famous story about a poor woodcutter, a secret cave, gold, and forty thieves.
Ali Baba is a poor man who lives with his wife. He works as a woodcutter and goes to the forest every day. One day, he sees forty thieves near a large rock. The thieves say the magic words “Open, Sesame!” and a door opens in the rock.
Ali Baba is surprised. He waits until the thieves leave and then says the same words. The door opens, and he goes inside the cave. There he sees a lot of gold, silver, beautiful things, and other treasures. Ali Baba takes some gold home, but he knows that he must keep the cave a secret.
But his brother Cassim soon learns about the treasure. Cassim is rich, but he wants more money. He goes to the cave because he wants to take the treasure for himself. However, he forgets the magic words and cannot open the door again. When the thieves return, Cassim is in great danger.
After this, the thieves try to find Ali Baba. They want to know who has found their secret cave. They make several plans to find his house. But Morgiana, a clever and brave woman in Ali Baba’s home, sees the danger. She uses her quick thinking to save Ali Baba and his family.
The story becomes even more exciting when the leader of the thieves comes to Ali Baba’s house. He does not come as a thief. He dresses as a merchant and makes a secret plan. But Morgiana watches him carefully and discovers the truth.
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves is a good story for A2 English learners because it has simple sentences, useful words, and an exciting story. While reading, you can learn English words about people, money, family, danger, and everyday actions.
This version is divided into four parts. You can read one part at a time and check your understanding after each part. You do not need to understand every word. Try to understand the main idea first, and then learn the new words from the story.
If you are looking for easy English stories, this story is a great choice. Read the story, learn new words, and enjoy Ali Baba’s exciting journey.
This story was rewritten by LearnEnglish-new.com for English learners. The story is in the public domain, so it is free from copyright. Enjoy reading and improve your English skills!
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves
by Arabian Nights
Contents
Chapter One: Ali Baba Finds the Cave
Chapter Two: Cassim and the Forty Thieves
Chapter Three: Morgiana Saves Ali Baba
Chapter Four: The End of the Forty Thieves
Chapter One
Ali Baba Finds the Cave
Long ago, in Persia, there lived two brothers named Ali Baba and Cassim.
Their father left them a small amount of money. The two brothers received equal parts. But their lives became very different.
Cassim married a rich woman and became a rich merchant. Ali Baba married a poor woman and stayed poor. He worked as a woodcutter. Every day, he went into the forest with three donkeys. He cut wood and sold it in the town.
One day, Ali Baba was cutting wood in the forest. Suddenly, he saw a large cloud of dust in the distance.
He looked carefully. The cloud was coming closer.
Soon, he saw forty men on horses. They were carrying swords and large bags. Ali Baba understood that they were thieves.
He quickly took his donkeys and hid them behind some trees. Then he climbed a tall tree and hid among the branches.
The forty thieves stopped near a large rock. Their leader got off his horse and walked toward the rock.
He stood in front of the rock and said:
“Open, Sesame!”
Suddenly, a door opened in the rock.
The thieves went inside the cave. Then the leader said:
“Shut, Sesame!”
The door closed.
Ali Baba stayed in the tree. He was afraid, but he was also very curious.
After some time, the door opened again. The thieves came out of the cave. The leader said:
“Shut, Sesame!”
The door closed again, and the thieves rode away.
Ali Baba waited for a long time. When he was sure that the thieves were gone, he went to the rock.
He stood in front of the door and said:
“Open, Sesame!”
The door opened!
Ali Baba walked inside.
He expected to see a dark and empty cave. But he was very surprised.
The cave was large and bright. There were beautiful carpets, clothes, food, gold, silver, and many bags of money.
Ali Baba understood that the thieves had brought all these things there.
He did not take everything. He took some bags of gold. He put the bags on his donkeys and covered them with wood.
Then he stood at the door and said:
“Shut, Sesame!”
The door closed.
Ali Baba returned home with his donkeys.
When he arrived, he showed the gold to his wife.
They were very happy.
But Ali Baba said:
“We must keep this a secret. Nobody must know about the gold.”
His wife agreed.
They decided to find out how much gold they had. She went to Cassim’s house and asked Cassim’s wife to lend her a small measure.
Cassim’s wife was curious. She put a little soft fat under the measure.
Ali Baba’s wife used the measure to measure the gold. Later, when she returned it, a small gold coin was still stuck to the bottom.
Cassim’s wife saw the coin.
She was shocked.
She told Cassim that Ali Baba had a lot of gold.
Cassim became jealous.
The next morning, he went to Ali Baba and demanded to know where the gold came from.
Ali Baba understood that his secret was no longer safe.
He told Cassim about the cave and the magic words.
Cassim wanted to see the treasure for himself.
He was thinking only about money.
He did not think about the danger.
Chapter 1 – Vocabulary
- Woodcutter /ˈwʊdˌkʌtər/ — a person who cuts wood
Example: Ali Baba worked as a woodcutter. - Forest /ˈfɔːrɪst/ — a large area with many trees
Example: Every day, he went into the forest with three donkeys. - Thief /θiːf/ — a person who steals things
Example: Ali Baba understood that they were thieves. - Cave /keɪv/ — a large hole inside a mountain or rock
Example: Ali Baba went inside the cave.
- Treasure /ˈtreʒər/ — valuable things such as gold, silver, and jewels
Example: He found a large amount of treasure in the cave. - Secret /ˈsiːkrət/ — something that you do not tell other people
Example: “We must keep this a secret,” Ali Baba said. - Jealous /ˈdʒeləs/ — unhappy because someone has something you want
Example: Cassim became jealous. - Measure /ˈmeʒər/ — a tool used to find the amount or size of something
Example: She used the measure to measure the gold.
Chapter 1 – Comprehension Questions
1. How were Ali Baba and Cassim’s lives different after they received their father’s inheritance?
2. Why did Ali Baba go to the forest every day?
3. What made Ali Baba believe that the forty men were thieves?
4. Why did Ali Baba hide in a tree when he saw the thieves?
5. What words did the leader of the thieves use to open and close the cave?
6. What did Ali Baba find inside the cave when he entered it?
7. Why did Ali Baba cover the bags of gold with wood before returning home?
8. How did Cassim’s wife discover that Ali Baba had a large amount of gold?
Chapter 1 – Grammar Exercises
1. Ali Baba ___ as a woodcutter and sold wood in the town.
A) work
B) works
C) worked
D) working
2. Cassim ___ a rich merchant after he married a wealthy woman.
A) became
B) become
C) becomes
D) becoming
3. Ali Baba was cutting wood when he ___ the forty thieves.
A) sees
B) saw
C) was seeing
D) has seen
4. While Ali Baba ___ in the tree, the thieves entered the cave.
A) hid
B) was hiding
C) hides
D) has hidden
5. The leader said, “Open, Sesame!” and the door ___ immediately.
A) opens
B) opened
C) was opening
D) has opened
6. Ali Baba ___ the gold with wood because he did not want anyone to see it.
A) covers
B) covering
C) covered
D) has covered
7. Ali Baba told his wife that they ___ keep the treasure a secret.
A) must
B) can
C) might
D) would
8. Cassim became ___ when he learned that Ali Baba had a lot of gold.
A) jealousy
B) jealous
C) jealousing
D) jealously
Answer Key:
C) worked | 2. A) became | 3. B) saw | 4. B) was hiding | 5. B) opened | 6. C) covered | 7. A) must | 8. B) jealous
Chapter Two
Cassim and the Forty Thieves
The next morning, Cassim went to the forest with several large bags and many donkeys.
He found the rock and stood in front of the door.
He said:
“Open, Sesame!”
The door opened.
Cassim entered the cave.
He could not believe his eyes. There was more gold than he had ever imagined. He quickly filled his bags with gold.
Then he wanted to leave. But suddenly, he could not remember the magic words.
“Open, Barley!” he shouted.
Nothing happened.
“Open, Wheat!”
The door stayed closed.
Cassim tried many other words. But he could not remember “Sesame.”
He became very afraid. He walked around the cave and tried to remember the words.
At about noon, the forty thieves returned to the cave. They saw Cassim’s donkeys outside. The thieves knew that someone had found their secret cave.
Their leader said:
“Someone is inside!”
They went to the door.
The leader said:
“Open, Sesame!”
The door opened. Cassim tried to run out, but the thieves caught him. They killed him. Then they left his body inside the cave as a warning to other people.
That evening, Cassim’s wife became very worried. Her husband had not returned.
She went to Ali Baba and told him about Cassim.
Ali Baba immediately understood that something terrible had happened.
He went to the cave.
Inside, he found his brother’s body.
Ali Baba was very sad.
He took Cassim’s body home secretly.
He also took some gold.
But he needed to make everyone believe that Cassim had died a natural death.
This was where Morgiana, Cassim’s clever servant, helped them.
Morgiana was very intelligent.
First, she went to a medicine seller. She bought medicine and told people that Cassim was very sick.
The next day, she went to an old shoemaker named Baba Mustapha.
She gave him some money and asked him to sew Cassim’s body.
But she did not want him to know where the body was.
So she covered his eyes with a cloth and took him to Cassim’s house.
Baba Mustapha repaired the body.
Then Morgiana covered his eyes again and took him home.
Nobody in the town knew what had really happened.
People believed that Cassim had died because he was sick.
Cassim was buried.
Ali Baba and Morgiana kept the secret.
But the forty thieves soon discovered that Cassim’s body was gone.
Their leader understood that another person knew about the cave.
He wanted to find that person.
Chapter 2 – Vocabulary
1. Inheritance /ɪnˈherɪtəns/ — money or property that you receive from a family member who has died
Example: Their father left them a small amount of money.
2. Wealthy /ˈwelθi/ — having a lot of money
Example: Cassim married a wealthy woman.
3. Poverty /ˈpɑːvərti/ — the state of being very poor
Example: Ali Baba lived in poverty with his wife.
4. Curious /ˈkjʊəriəs/ — wanting to know or learn something
Example: His wife was very curious about the gold.
5. Measure /ˈmeʒər/ — a tool used to find the amount of something
Example: She borrowed a small measure to find out how much gold they had.
6. Envy /ˈenvi/ — a feeling of wanting what another person has
Example: Cassim felt envy when he learned about Ali Baba’s treasure.
7. Treasure /ˈtreʒər/ — valuable things such as gold, silver, or jewels
Example: Cassim wanted to see the treasure for himself.
8. Danger /ˈdeɪndʒər/ — a situation in which someone may be hurt or killed
Example: Cassim did not think about the danger before entering the cave.
Chapter 2 – Comprehension Questions
1. Why did Cassim decide to visit the secret cave after learning about Ali Baba’s treasure?
2. What mistake did Cassim make when he tried to leave the cave?
3. Why did Cassim become more confused when he tried to remember the magic words?
4. What did the forty thieves do when they found Cassim inside the cave?
5. Why did Ali Baba become worried when he saw blood near the entrance of the cave?
6. How did Ali Baba secretly take Cassim’s body out of the cave?
7. Why did Morgiana need to find a way to make people believe that Cassim had died naturally?
8. How did Morgiana and Baba Mustapha help Ali Baba’s family keep Cassim’s death a secret?
Chapter 2 – Grammar Exercises
1. Cassim ___ to the forest early in the morning to find the cave.
A) go
B) went
C) goes
D) going
2. When Cassim entered the cave, the door ___ behind him.
A) closes
B) has closed
C) closed
D) was closing
3. Cassim was carrying the bags of gold when he suddenly ___ that he could not remember the magic words.
A) realizes
B) realized
C) was realizing
D) has realized
4. While Cassim ___ around the cave, the thieves were coming back.
A) walked
B) walks
C) was walking
D) has walked
5. Cassim could not leave the cave because he ___ the magic words.
A) forgot
B) had forgotten
C) forgets
D) was forgetting
6. Ali Baba ___ to the cave after Cassim’s wife told him that her husband had not returned.
A) went
B) goes
C) was going
D) has gone
7. Morgiana needed to act quickly because Cassim’s family ___ to keep his death a secret.
A) has
B) had
C) have
D) having
8. Baba Mustapha agreed ___ Cassim’s body after Morgiana offered him some money.
A) sew
B) sewing
C) to sew
D) sewed
Answer Key:
B) went | 2. C) closed | 3. B) realized | 4. C) was walking | 5. B) had forgotten | 6. A) went | 7. B) had | 8. C) to sew
Chapter Three
Morgiana Saves Ali Baba
The leader sent one of the thieves to the town.
The thief disguised himself as a traveler. He wanted to discover where Cassim lived.
One morning, he met Baba Mustapha.
The thief talked to the old shoemaker and learned that Baba Mustapha had sewn a dead man’s body.
The thief wanted to know where the house was.
He gave Baba Mustapha some money.
Baba Mustapha agreed to help him.
The thief covered Baba Mustapha’s eyes and followed him through the streets.
At last, Baba Mustapha stopped near Ali Baba’s house.
The thief looked carefully at the house.
He secretly put a small mark on the door. Then he returned to the forest. But Morgiana saw the mark. She was very clever.
She understood that someone wanted to find her master’s house.
So she put the same mark on several other houses in the street.
Later, the thief returned with the other thieves.
But they could not find the correct house.
The captain was angry.
The first thief was punished.
Another thief tried the same plan.
This time, he put a different mark on Ali Baba’s house.
But Morgiana saw this mark too.
She put the same mark on other houses.
Again, the thieves could not find Ali Baba’s house.
The captain decided to do the job himself.
He carefully looked at Ali Baba’s house and remembered it.
Then he made a new plan.
The thieves bought nineteen donkeys and many large jars.
They put one thief inside each jar. One jar was full of oil.
The captain dressed like an oil merchant.
In the evening, he went to Ali Baba’s house with the donkeys.
He said:
“I am an oil merchant. It is very late, and I have nowhere to sleep. Can I stay at your house tonight?”
Ali Baba did not know that the man was the captain of the thieves.
He welcomed him into his home.
The jars were placed in the yard.
The captain secretly told the thieves inside the jars:
“When I give you a signal, come out and attack Ali Baba.”
Later, Ali Baba went to bed.
Morgiana was preparing food in the kitchen.
Suddenly, the lamp went out.
There was no oil in the house.
Abdalla, another servant, said:
“Take some oil from one of the jars.”
Morgiana went into the yard.
She walked to the first jar.
Then she heard a quiet voice:
“Is it time?”
Morgiana was surprised.
There was a man inside the jar!
She understood the danger immediately.
But she did not shout.
She answered calmly:
“Not yet.”
She went to every jar.
Each time, she heard a man inside.
Morgiana discovered the thieves’ plan.
She knew she had to protect Ali Baba and his family.
She took the large oil jar and heated the oil.
When the oil was very hot, she poured it into the jars with the thieves.
The thieves could not escape.
Morgiana saved Ali Baba and his family.
Only the captain survived.
When he discovered what had happened, he escaped from the house.
The next morning, Ali Baba learned the truth.
He was amazed by Morgiana’s courage and intelligence.
He said:
“Morgiana, you saved my life. From today, you are free.”
Ali Baba was very grateful to her.
But the danger was not finished.
The captain of the thieves was still alive.
He wanted revenge.
Chapter 3 – Vocabulary
1. Disguise /dɪsˈɡaɪz/ — clothes or a look that helps hide who you are
Example: The thief disguised himself as a traveler.
2. Mark /mɑːrk/ — a small sign or line used to show a place
Example: The thief put a small mark on Ali Baba’s door.
3. Clever /ˈklevər/ — good at thinking and solving problems
Example: But Morgiana was very clever.
4. Protect /prəˈtekt/ — to keep someone safe from danger
Example: She wanted to protect Ali Baba and his family.
5. Jar /dʒɑːr/ — a large container, usually made of glass or clay
Example: They put one thief inside each jar.
6. Oil /ɔɪl/ — a thick liquid used for cooking or other purposes
Example: One jar was full of oil.
7. Signal /ˈsɪɡnəl/ — a sign or action that tells someone what to do
Example: The captain secretly told the thieves to wait for his signal.
8. Escape /ɪˈskeɪp/ — to get away from a dangerous place or person
Example: When the captain discovered what had happened, he escaped from the house.
Chapter 3 – Comprehension Questions
1. Why did the first thief go to the town disguised as a traveler?
2. How did the thief learn about the dead man from Baba Mustapha?
3. Why was the thief unable to identify Ali Baba’s house after Morgiana marked the other houses?
4. How did the second thief try to mark Ali Baba’s house, and what did Morgiana do?
5. Why did the captain of the thieves decide to find Ali Baba’s house himself?
6. What plan did the captain make after he discovered where Ali Baba lived?
7. Why did the captain and the thieves use large jars and nineteen mules?
8. How did Morgiana discover that the jars contained thieves instead of oil?
Chapter 3 – Grammar Exercises
1. Cassim ___ to the forest early in the morning.
A) go
B) goes
C) went
D) going
2. He ___ the cave with several large bags.
A) enter
B) entered
C) enters
D) entering
3. Cassim ___ remember the magic words.
A) could not
B) cannot
C) does not
D) is not
4. While Cassim ___ around the cave, the thieves returned.
A) walk
B) walked
C) was walking
D) walks
5. Ali Baba ___ to the cave after Cassim’s wife asked for help.
A) go
B) went
C) goes
D) going
6. Morgiana ___ very clever and brave.
A) was
B) were
C) is
D) be
7. She ___ Baba Mustapha to help her.
A) ask
B) asks
C) asked
D) asking
8. Ali Baba and Morgiana ___ the secret from the people in the town.
A) keep
B) kept
C) keeps
D) keeping
Answer Key:
1. C) went | 2. B) entered | 3. A) could not | 4. C) was walking | 5. B) went | 6. A) was | 7. C) asked | 8. B) kept
Chapter Four
The End of the Forty Thieves
The captain returned to the town.
He changed his clothes and used a new name: Cogia Houssain.
He pretended to be a rich merchant. He opened a shop near Ali Baba’s son’s shop. He was very friendly to Ali Baba’s son. He gave him gifts and invited him to his home. But he had a secret plan.
He wanted to become friends with Ali Baba’s family so that he could kill Ali Baba.
One day, Ali Baba’s son invited Cogia Houssain to his father’s house for dinner.
The captain was very happy.
Now he could enter Ali Baba’s house.
When he arrived, Ali Baba welcomed him.
They talked together.
Then Ali Baba invited him to stay for dinner.
But Cogia Houssain said:
“I cannot eat food with salt.”
Ali Baba told Morgiana to prepare food without salt.
Morgiana thought this was strange.
She wanted to see the new guest.
When she saw him, she immediately recognized him.
She knew that Cogia Houssain was the captain of the thieves.
She also saw a dagger under his clothes.
Morgiana understood that Ali Baba was in great danger.
She made a plan.
After dinner, she dressed like a dancer.
She entered the room and began to dance.
The captain watched her.
He did not know what she was planning.
During the dance, Morgiana came close to him.
Then she suddenly took her dagger and killed him.
Ali Baba and his son were shocked.
Ali Baba asked:
“What have you done?”
Morgiana showed him the dagger under the man’s clothes.
She explained that the man was the captain of the thieves.
She had saved Ali Baba’s life again.
Ali Baba understood that Morgiana had protected his whole family.
He said:
“Morgiana, I gave you your freedom before. Now I want to give you even more. I want you to become part of my family.”
Ali Baba’s son agreed to marry Morgiana.
They were married, and the family lived happily.
The thieves were finally gone.
After one year, Ali Baba decided to visit the secret cave again.
He rode to the forest.
When he reached the rock, he said:
“Open, Sesame!”
The door opened.
Ali Baba went inside.
Nobody had entered the cave for a long time.
He saw the gold and other treasures.
He took some gold and returned home.
Later, he taught his son the secret words.
The family used the treasure carefully.
They did not become cruel or greedy.
They lived comfortable and happy lives.
And so, the secret of the cave was passed from one generation to another.
The End
Read the original story: americanliterature.com
Chapter 4 – Vocabulary
1. Merchant /ˈmɜːrtʃənt/ — a person who buys and sells things
Example: He pretended to be a rich merchant.
2. Revenge /rɪˈvendʒ/ — something you do to hurt someone because they hurt you
Example: The captain wanted revenge.
3. Invite /ɪnˈvaɪt/ — to ask someone to come to a place or event
Example: Ali Baba’s son invited Cogia Houssain to his father’s house.
4. Guest /ɡest/ — a person who is invited to someone’s home
Example: Ali Baba welcomed his guest.
5. Dagger /ˈdæɡər/ — a small knife used as a weapon
Example: Morgiana saw a dagger under his clothes.
6. Dance /dæns/ — to move your body to music
Example: Morgiana dressed like a dancer and began to dance.
7. Courage /ˈkʌrɪdʒ/ — the ability to do something difficult or dangerous
Example: Morgiana showed great courage when she saved Ali Baba.
8. Freedom /ˈfriːdəm/ — the state of being free
Example: Ali Baba gave Morgiana her freedom.
Chapter 4 – Comprehension Questions
1. Why did the captain of the thieves return to the town?
2. What name did the captain use when he pretended to be a merchant?
3. Why did the captain want to become friends with Ali Baba’s son?
4. Why did Cogia Houssain say that he could not eat food with salt?
5. How did Morgiana recognize the captain of the thieves?
6. What did Morgiana do during the dinner?
7. Why did Ali Baba understand that Morgiana had saved his life?
8. What did Ali Baba do after Morgiana saved him?
Chapter 4 – Grammar Exercises
1. The captain ___ to the town and used a new name.
A) return
B) returns
C) returned
D) returning
2. He ___ like a rich merchant.
A) dress
B) dressed
C) dresses
D) dressing
3. Ali Baba’s son ___ Cogia Houssain to dinner.
A) invite
B) invited
C) invites
D) inviting
4. Cogia Houssain said that he ___ eat food with salt.
A) can
B) could
C) is
D) was
5. Morgiana ___ the captain when she saw him.
A) recognize
B) recognized
C) recognizes
D) recognizing
6. She ___ a dagger under his clothes.
A) see
B) saw
C) sees
D) seeing
7. Morgiana ___ like a dancer during the dinner.
A) dressed
B) dress
C) dresses
D) dressing
8. Ali Baba ___ Morgiana her freedom after she saved his life.
A) give
B) gives
C) gave
D) giving
Answer Key:
C) returned | 2. B) dressed | 3. B) invited | 4. B) could | 5. B) recognized | 6. B) saw | 7. A) dressed | 8. C) gave
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