ALI BABA AND THE 40 THIEVES

SCENE 1

A fair maiden, Scheherazade

Captured by brutal king shahryar
Every night a story she told them
For thousand and one nights
On one night she told a story of dreams
Ali Baba and the forty thieves
Of bandits and merchants and gold in heaps
Tonight, the story told to king shahryar
Comes alive in front of us
So come one and all!
And see a bandit king rise and fall
Travel with the words of Ali
It starts from the very same woods where he goes daily
So come and join us
On this brilliant adventure
And watch it unfold in front of you
once upon a time there were two brothers named cassim and ali baba, who lived in a
city in Persia when their father died, they both inherited a generous sum of money

but soon cassim lost ali of his wealth after he lost all his wealth he started
spending alis wealth ali being a simple and generous man graciously gave his brother
money, convinced that cassim would repay him after some time
but gradually for ali money become scarce cassim claimed that he did not have any
money to give him either soon all of alis money was gone and ali was forced to
become a woodcutter to earn money he married a poor but needy woman and
because of his wifes constant demands he was always short of money
Cassim meanwhile married a girl from a well-to-do family and lived a very lavish and
comfortable life
one day when ali was at work loading dry wood onto the backs of the mules to carry
them back to sell in town he saw a huge cloud of dust heading his way worried that
he would be trampled by the hooves of horses he quickly moved the mules into the
bushes nearby and swiftly climbed up the tree as the group of riders neared the
tree ali was hiding in he suddenly wondered what they were going to do as far as he
could see there was nothing ahead of him except a large mountainside curiosity got
hold of him and he stayed to look without climbing down the tree he had a feeling
that if the men saw him they would kill him right there
The men halted to a stop in front of the mountain face and descended from their
horses the man at the head the leader of the group walked forward towards the
mountain face then stopped and shouted open sesame
To Alis great surprise a boulder just rolled of the mountain face and revealed the
entrance to a cave the leader then shouted ahead men! Enter the cave in pleasure
and place in your stolen treasure! We shall then head to town with many drinks to
go round
Ali had figured that this was the thieves that everyone trembled at the name of
but this thought was pushed aside as he thought of all the riches that lay inside
the cave he was waiting eagerly for the thieves to leave so that he could explore
the cave
About an hour later the thieves came back out the leader shouted, close sesame!
and they all left for town to celebrate their latest loot
After he was sure that the thieves could not see the cave he came down the tree
and moved towards the cave he was sure that he had seen about 40 thieves in a
group as he reached the cave he repeated the words he had heard the leader
speaking and headed inside
when ali walked into the cave he could not believe his eyes there was treasure
everywhere he could see gold silver and rubys and diamonds and every precious
object in the cave he quickly ran out of the cave walked over to the bushes where
the donkey was hidden and retreated the back in which he had stuffed the fire

wood the emptied them and returned to the cave inside he stuffed the bags full of
gold coins and then hurried out he quickly closed the cave and headed home eagerly
to his waiting wife he could not imagine the look on her face when she saw the bags
full of gold
but when he reached home he was attacked with a volley of questions and
accusations
Wife: where have you been I thought you were dead!
How would I get the money to buy new clothes if you died? It is so late what were
you doing to reach home this late
Ali just chuckled slightly to himself and then said
Ali: my dear wife you need not worry anymore about money for what I hide in these
bags shall buy us more riches, no more rags! Take a peek inside these bags no
longer would I have to bear with your nags
Confused his wife looked into the bag and almost fainted with shock
Wife: how in the world you came across these riches? Have you been trapping men
in ditches there is no way that you could have earned all this in a day!
Ali: oh does stop with your nagging! I got you this gold; now dont give me a
wallowing!
Wife: how much does it weigh? It seems so heavy how did you lug this around all
day? Let me just borrow the scales from cassims house
Ali: You know with this wealth we might even buy a new house!
Ali: yes! Now go get the scales quickly just looking at this gold is making me quite
jumpy!

scene 2
Narrators line (are the ones written in the brackets)
Ali Baba wife: lets first measure the treasure you have got!
Ali Baba: ok.let goes to cassias house and gets the scales from his spouse.
(At cassims place!)
Cassims wife: (wondering) why is she here at this time?
Ali baba wife: sorry for coming so late but can you lend me your scales?
Cassims wife: yes sure! Why not?
(she goes in and pulls some blob of wax in the scales to find out what ali is going to
measure?

She wonders what are they going to measure)

Cassims wife: here are the scales
Please give them before 8!
Ali babas wife: apparently! Thank you!
(she returns back to her house and shows the scales to ali baba!)
Ali babas wife: hurry! Measure the gold in haste as she wants the scales back by
eight and we have no time to waste.
Ali baba: yes let me just place the gold. I do hope that the scales hold so much gold
(ali weighs the gold and soon the scales were returned back to cassims wife)
Ali babas wife: thank you for lending me your scales
Cassims wife: you are welcome.
(When Ali Babas wife goes then cassims wife notices a gold coin stuck on the
scales because of the wax she put on them!)
Cassims wife to Cassim: You know what your brother has got? Gold and treasure
for which his wife asked are scales to measure. I saw a gold coin stuck on them.
Cassim: Tomorrow morning, I will go to his place and ask him why he needed the
scales, to measure the treasure or something else?
(Next morning at Ali Babas place!)
(He asks him that why did he had asked for the scales?)
Cassim: Where did you get this treasure from Ali? The scales you borrowed had a
coin stuck to it.
(Ali Baba told Cassim the whole story about the cave in the woods and the treasure
in the cave!)
(Cassim thought to go the cave.)
Cassim: You are very lucky brother that you got this gold.)
(Cassim leaves)
(Next day Cassim goes to the cave and takes 10 donkeys with him!)
(He leaves the donkey outside and goes into the cave)
Cassim: Open Sesame! (The magical words for opening the cave.)
(He enters the cave and sees a lot of gold over there he fills his bag with gold
and heads towards the cave but in his excitement he forgot the magical words to
open cave and is stuck in there)
(the thieves come there and see the donkeys outside the cave)
Leader: I think someone else except us is also aware of the cave and the treasure!
We will not let him have the pleasure
One of the thieves: I think we should go and check if someone is inside we will
break his neck
Leader: lets go

(the leader says the magical words) open sesame! (and the door opens)
(inside the cave they see cassim)
Leader: (orders) kill him!!!
Cassim: no...please dont kill me... I wont tell anyone about this cave and the
treasure!
(they all dont listen to him and kill cassim... they cut his body into pieces and leave
it inside the cave)
(that night when cassim didnt return his wife goes to ali babas place next morning)
Cassims wife: ali...do you know where cassim is? He didnt return last night!
Ali Baba: I dont have any idea of where he could be....maybe he is in the market
Cassims wife: thank you!
(ali baba leaves he doesnt find cassim anywhere)
(he tells about this to cassims wife)
Cassims wife: (cries) where could my husband be? Someone please help me!
Ali Baba: maybe cassim is in the cave I wonder is he that brave)
(The next day Ali Baba goes to the cave and find 10 donkeys out there)
Ali baba: open sesame
(the door opens....and ali baba sees cassims dead body!)
Ali baba: oh my god!!!cassim!!!
Ali Baba: he should not have been so greedy...greediness brought him death!
(He puts Casim's dead body in bag and takes it back)

SCENE 3
(Ali baba sees Casims body in pieces in the cave and is in shock. So as he doesnt
want to get in trouble, he packs the body in his bag and starts going his way)
Ali Baba (To him): I should have known all this could have happened. How couldnt I
ever think of it? Now I need to get myself out of this problem otherwise Ill also
be the one stuck in it.
(Hes in a very deep thought about Cassim and is still walking)
Ali baba (to himself): Keeping all this stuff to myself, I think is the best, no one
even getting suspicious about it, (for now) is the best way for me to rest.
(Hes too much indulged in Casims thoughts that he doesnt even realise that he
reaches his brothers house.)
Ali baba (to himself): Ohh! I was in such deep thoughts about Cassim, I really
just didn't know. I anyways need to hide this bag; I guess Ill figure out something
inside that Im sure. So I shouldnt waste any more time, and In should I go.

(As soon as he is about to enter, he looks through the window and sees a slave girl
who he coincidently knows, Morgiana, who is doing something mischievous. A
thought strikes him that he does need someone to help him. Someone clever enough
to hide the truth, until and unless they find a way out. He makes up his mind and
goes to her.)
Ali Baba (to Morgiana): Oh young lady. I do hope you remember me. I, surely do.
Morgiana (doing some work): Yes, young man! Ohh! You are Ali Baba! My masters
brother. How can I help you sir?
Ali Baba; I am in trouble, I hope you understand. I need a favour from you I am
sure you wont refuse (to lend a) helping hand.
Morgiana; I am sure whether Ill accept it not. If it has to do something risky with
my master, I dont think I can help you my lord.
Ali Baba: Im afraid to say, yes it is! Something horrified just took place miss.
Morgiana- I cant wait to know. Tell me fast.
(Morgiana comes out of Cassims bedroom .She very deep in thought when an idea
strikes her.)
Morgiana (to her): what should I do what should I say?
I can just tell everyone that hes sick and having a bad day.
(Morgiana keeps walking on, then she sees Cassims wife and stops and bows in
respect.)
Cassims wife: My stomach hurts quite badly and I have a wedding to attend.
9Morgiana looks very co0nfused.)
Cassims wife: Medicine get some medicine, dont you comprehend?
Morgiana: Ofcourse, mylady, at once I will. (Cassims wife nods and heads towards
Cassims room)
Morgiana: from his orders, dont enter, for he is ill!
(cassims wife looks bewildered)
Cassims wife: well, that certainly comes as a surprise to me, but if thats the case,
then I shall let him be. So hurry and get me my remedy while I get dressed, oh,
and dont get me anything except for the best
(cassims wife goes to get ready for the wedding that she has to go to morgiana
makes her way to the apothecary to buy the medicine she also buys the medicine
for cassim to keep up the pretense of him being sick)
Morgiana: oh lady give me herbs to rectify a stomach ache, also your strongest
medicine the most capable the no piece of cake
Apothecary keeper: of course honey just let me grab it for you
(she goes returns a jiffy later)
Apothecary keeper: you are lucky this just came in the balsam of Peru

(morgiana thanks the apothecary keeper pays her and goes on her way she is
moving merrily along when sees baba Mustafa working)
Morgiana (to herself): oh this is fantastic I should have thought of this before like
leather ill get this tailor to sew sir cassims body back together!
(she makes her way to baba Mustafa)
Morgiana: asking him to stitch the body back together I will pay you loads since I
have a request so strange a body back together I need you to arrange
Baba Mustafa: well I do need the money that this job will pay so alright with no
questions asked ill say okay
(morgiana smiles then ties a blindfold on his eyes and leads him to cassims house
when they reach there she sneakily takes baba Mustafa to cassims room where
the body is kept)
Morgiana: well get to work right away I need it done in less than a day in any case
do not get out of this place and stitch him up nice with perfection and grace
(morgiana comes out of cassims room and heads to cassims wife and gives her the
medicine)
Cassims wife: well what were you doing? how could it possibly take you so long?
Never mind just tell cassim that I will be staying the night there as soon as he is
strong
(morgiana nods and cassims wife takes off for the wedding morgiana goes back to
cassims room where he is doing the work and stays with him throughout the night
its morning now after the work is done she silently hands him the money and
escorts him back to his shop in the market she heads home pleased with herself
where she encounters ali baba there waiting for her
Ali baba: oh thank you morgiana there you are! Have you thought of a plan? Please
tell me you have for I am restless man
Morgiana: yes sir I have I have told everyone that he is not to be disturbed as he
is sick and then I hired a tailor to stitch his body each and every nick!
Ali Baba: very clever no one will suspect a thing from his illness we can claim he
died thank you morgiana for now all the worries I had I can push aside
Scene 4
Narrators: The thieves enter the cave and howl with rage.
One thief: The body is gone. This cant be true! (In exclamation)
Another thief: Since the day I was born, I have solved every clue. I suspect our
dead friend wasnt the only snoop who managed to learn about our secret cave.

Head thief: Then send shall I my mighty troop (all the thieves) to learn about and
burn the dead mans accomplice who must be either foolish or very brave to dare
enter my precious cave,
Narrators part to be extended: One of the thief travels to the town and comes
across Baba Mustafa.
Baba Mustafa: I am the greatest tailor alive and strive hard to fulfil the
expectations of life. In my long career I have stitched carpets, jackets and once a
dead mans body (Whisper)
One thief: For all I care your work is shoddy. Take me immediately to the place
where the dead mans body lies. (Threatening voice)
Baba Mustafa: But the people who made me stitch his body blindfolded my eyes.
One thief: Then your eyes will be covered again unless you want me to fry your
brain
Narrator: Baba is blindfolded and leads the thieves to Ali Babas house. The thief
marks the door of the house with a symbol. However Morgiana notices this.
Morgiana: This is suspicious, someone must have realised that cassim didnt die
naturally. It would be wise to mark all the other houses on this street similarly.
The thief soon goes to the head thief and tells him about Ali Babas house.
Thief: My Lord, I have traced the house of the man who knows about our
magnificent cave. He lives their along with his wife, son and a slave.
Head thief: Then tonight, he must be killed even the thought of it makes me
immensely thrilled.
Narrator: The thieves reach the street in which Ali Babas house is located.
Head thief: All the houses here are marked similarly you fool. Kill him (stupid
thief) slowly and painfully till nothing apart from the flood of his body is left. (The
head thief says this to the other thieves)
Narrator: Conclusion: The thief who marks the door of Ali Babas house with a
symbol is killed by the rest of the thieves under the head thiefs order
Scene 5

The next day another thief visits babe Mustafa

Baba Mustafa: you and your kind are a real pain
Thief: unless you want me to drown you in a drain now, you will lead me to the dead
mans accomplice house and then bow and retreat and I will wonder what to do with
my treat (smirk, referring to the deaths)
A dejected baba is forced to lead the thief to the house
The thief filled with visible glee chips out a chunk out of the stones step at ali
babas front door and then lets looses a joyous roar
Sadly for the thief, he is noticed by morgiana
Morgiana: now this is getting too far, I wish I could hurt some tar at the face of
that ignoble man (thief) he probably belongs to the same weird clan (tribe/group)
just to be on the safer side I will make similar chips on all the door steps so that I
can sleep in peace devoid of any fleece (referring to the man she noticed)
The second thief attempts to lead the rest of the thieves to ali babas house only
to notice that all houses have similar chips in their door steps
Head thief: you fool! you have enraged me, slice out his heart with your dart (he
says this to another thief who is presumably holding an arrow)
It is high time that I observe that house myself least some other fool (referring
to the dead thieves) wastes more time which is precious just as it may become
treacherous
Baba Mustafa is forced to lead the head thief to the house to help him kill ali baba
his son and his spouse the head thieves brings with him 38 oil jars 1 filled with oil
the rest with thieves
Head thief: dear sir I am in need of your hospitality, my mules are carrying heavy
jars of oil and I fear it will not be longer before they cant toil
Ali baba: worry not brother, you and your mules will get food of my house you can
rest and get dressed if it will enlighten you
Later, the head thief whispers to the oil jars (containing the rest of the thiefs)
Head thief: when the owner of this house is asleep I will rouse all of you and then
we will slay him looks like his beard will never get trimmed again (sarcastic laugh)
Unknown to the thief he is overheard my morgiana
Morgiana: this man (head thief) is really mad and his speech is as undignified as a
young lad I will pore oil all over the men hiding in the jars and leave them to rot and
boil
The head thief soon goes to rouse his men but is greeted with a terror and angst
of shock
Head thief: I will return to haunt this house the fool ali baba has made the
greatest and last mistake of his life

Conclusion: the head believes that ali baba is behind the death of his comrades
and he will return and kill ali baba

scene 6
(Someone passes)
Characters - leader of thieves (posed as merchant)
Ali Baba
Alis son
Morgiana
Alis wife
Some diners
Narrator: the leader of the thieves befriends Ali Babas son and manages to get him invited to dinner at his house, with a sinister plan in his
mind....!
Scene six: Ali Babas house (present on stage Ali Babas son). Entry from right, merchant.
Merchant: good evening, my friend. Im humbled by your invitation to your grand dwelling. It brings me immense please to be able to attend
this feat at your house and be able to dine with your family.
Son: no, no. the pleasure is all mine, that you were able to come and join me and my family. Come in, come in. we shall begin the feast now. We
were just awaiting you.
Son enters the house with the guest.
Some: father, come meet my good friend, jafar. He has been helping me a lot in the bazaar. It is thanks to him that our business has been
flourishing.
Ali Baba: come, come. Sit beside me. Any friend of my son's is a friend of mine. Make yourself comfortable. My son wont stop singing your
praises. I had to meet the man who seemed to be the reason behind the success we are having! Come, my friend. Come.
(A subtle evil grin appears on the merchant's face)
Ali Baba: tonight we have a special entertainment......morgiana; my maid servant has a special dance prepared.
(Morgiana enters and performs her dagger dance)
(Morgiana is in the process of dancing, brings out her dagger/s and slowly meanders towards jafar. while he is enraptured by her dance; she
stabs him in the chest) (He dies over dramatically)
(Alis wife screams!!! Ali goes to the wife; his son goes towards the corpse.)
Ali Baba: what have you done morgina?!? Explain yourself! You are not known for acting without reason.....!
Alis son: what triggered you to commit such a horrendous act?
(Wife still in shock, Ali comforting)
Morgiana: I have just reason to murder this fiend! This man who had befriended your son was actually the leader of the thieves after your
life! (Collective gasps, looks of surprise) I recognized him as soon as I set eyes on him. And just now I saw him slip something in your glass, and
acted before something grave occurred.
Son: I dont believe you! Thats impossible!
Morgiana: if you dont believe me, I will drink the glass and prove it to you.
Son: father, how can we be sure she is telling the truth?
Ali: no, I believe her. I believe you, morgiana. You have acted bravely, once again saving me family and me. It always takes me by surprise how
you always courageously intervene for the safety of my family. You have proven your loyalty. For this, I shall reward you. You no longer server
us, you are free, but it would give me immense pleasure if you marry my son!

Narrator: thus was arranged morgiana and Alis son's wedding. With the death of cassim, Ali Baba was the only one who knew the commands to
the cave and what treasure and fortunes it held. In the end, everything turned out to be fine......for everyone except cassim and the forty
thieves!