Come again

A FLIGHT TO AGRABAN

 

Little Aladdi's head lies easily in his mother's lap. As they rest together under a tall, shady palm tree his eyes are closed. In the distance the Mediterranean glimmers in the sun. Boats are rowed by almost invisible crews of strong, young men. Lovely Cleora, Aladdi's mother, enjoys just digging in the cool sand, making holes, always hoping to find a single golden ring or a dangling earring. Occasionally she has found a worthless chipped glass bauble and buried it deeper than it was. Once  a child's silver spoon  bent in half broke when she tried to straighten it. Aladdi has a perfect spoon so she buried the bent one.

 

So far this afternoon Cleora has no idea of what is ahead for her and Aladdi this lovely day. Her fingers touch something metallic. It is long, solid and surely must be heavy.  She has to change her relaxed position. As soon as she wiggles, Aladdi stirs, sits up and rubs his eyes.
'Maut, may I help you dig?' he asks. 'Of course, my son. Let us each dig a hole and then connect the two. I will show you where to start.'
And so they dig, stop to drink water from the lotus leaves, then dig again. 'Let us each pull together and raise the thing in the earth. Ready?'

 

Damp sand is inside of the large gray thing. Cleora shakes it and shakes it, uses her sleeve to wipe it off. 'This looks like silver, Aladdi. Why is it here? Who lost it?' 'Do you know what I think this is, Son? I think it is an old lamp from the time when King Ahmese reigned. That was long, long ago. Even I was not yet born.' As she talks, she rubs the silver lantern until together Cleora and Aladdi hear lyre strings and a lovely lady rises from the lantern.

 

'Come, come with me. I shall take you to AGRABAN where it is always beautiful. We will fly on my silk carpet and soar to the clouds.' Two butterflies as big as stallions guide the carpet over the Nile, high, higher than Cleora or Alladi have ever been. Down below is a market. Women carry their bundles on their shoulders while the men do nothing but stay home and weave.' Do not get dizzy, Alladi but if you look carefully you will see the Temple of Mut and Rasmussan. See how the white marble shines!' The carpet moves in waves like the Nile. 'There, look carefully but swiftly as we fly over King Seti stables. He has one thousand pure white stallions who are on parade as we watch from Cloud ZX42. Aha, Seti has a guest, King Ahmose. He is king of all of Upper Egypt. Cleora would you like some nectar from the rose bushes or a cup of red pomegranate? Aladdi, you are young but you may have a taste of pure boysenberry wine. We must descend soon as our brightest star is rising.'

 

'Mut, Mut, must we go back so soon?' 'Yes, Child, Amenhotep has blessed us, allowed us this beautiful day together. It is time we return to see the men bring their boats to shore. Perhaps one or two will have captured a crocodile that will make a fine soup.'

 

The silk carpet glides softly, easily to earth. Cleora tries to hide the magic lantern under her dress but is caught. The Genie gives her and Alladi a big smile, a wink, and dissolves into the empty sand-filled lantern.