Annie Auerbach - One True Love

Copyright 2004 Disney Enterprises, Inc.

Written by Annie Auerbach, and illustrated by the Disney Storybook Artists. Based on characters from the movie Aladdin. Copyright 1992 Disney Enterprises, Inc.

All rights reserved. Published by Disney Press, an imprint of Disney Book Group. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher. For information address Disney Press, 114 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10011-5690.

ISBN 978-1-4231-6311-4

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A laddin, Princess Jasmine, and Jasmines tiger, Rajah, were relaxing in the palace courtyard when they heard a familiar voice.

Im baaack! the Genie yelled. Hows my favorite couple?

Weve missed you, Jasmine said. How was your trip around the world?

Fabulous! the Genie replied. I saw the pyramids in Egypt, went skiing in Sweden, and worked on my tan in the Caribbean. Im a nice shade of blue, dont you think?

A spark flew from the Genies finger, and soon Aladdin and Jasmine were surrounded by gifts from every country the Genie had visited! Hed brought a special surprise for Aladdin: a kangaroo from Australia!

Whoa, little guy, Aladdin said as the kangaroo bounced over his foot. But the animal didnt stopit kept hopping until it leaped over the palace wall. Hey, hold on! Aladdin yelled. He turned to Jasmine. Id better go catch it!

Be careful! the Genie yelled as Aladdin took off. Kangaroos know how to box!

Oh, Genie, its good to have you back in Agrabah, said Jasmine. Then she noticed that he looked a little sad. Whats the matter? she asked. You seem blue.

Ive always been blue, he said with a grin. Then he got serious. All that traveling was great, but I was a bit lonely, he said. I wish I could find another genie to share my life with.

Jasmine put her hand on the Genies shoulder. I know how you feel, she said. I went through a lot of suitors before I found my one true love.

The princess began to tell the Genie her story. I told my father that I wanted to marry for love, Jasmine explained. But the law said that I had to marry a prince. No matter what I said, my father wouldnt listen to me. He summoned every suitor he could find to come and court me.

Sounds like you were pretty popular, the Genie commented.

Popular? Yes, Jasmine replied. Happy? No!

At first, I tried to make the best of the situation, Jasmine said. I knew my father was counting on me. He had the seamstresses make brand-new outfits for me. It was fun in the beginning, trying on one beautiful outfit after another.

You must have looked gorgeous, dahling! interrupted the Genie.

And then, of course, there were the jewels. It all seemed too good to be true till I met the suitors, Jasmine said with a sigh. Then I wasnt so excited.

First there was Prince Achoo, or at least thats what I called him, Jasmine continued.

Princess Jasmine, he said. A-a-a-choo! Its soachoo! nice to meet you.

The Genie laughed. Was he allergic to you? he asked.

Not me, said Jasmine. Just my perfume, the throne room, and everything in the palace. I couldnt take it, so I sent him packing. He sneezed his way out the door.

As the days passed, each suitor seemed worse than the one before, Jasmine said. Next was the prince I called Prince Macho.

The princess I marry will do all the cooking and cleaning, and whatever other housework is needed, he told me. I was shocked. You want me to wait on you hand and foot? I asked.

It is important for me to relax, Prince Macho said.

Oh, really? I said. Its important to me that my husband isnt living in the Stone Age!

He stormed offI was happy that he left.

Wow, he sounds terrible, the Genie said. Im glad you got rid of him!

Next was Prince Wishy-Washy, said Jasmine. I asked him what he liked to do.

Whatever you like to do, Princess, he replied.

Sounds like a barrel of laughs, the Genie said.

Jasmine smiled. I asked him what he liked to eat.

Whatever you eat, Princess, he replied. So I decided to have a little fun. I told him we were having roasted ant pitas with rat hummus for lunch. He turned green and left the room.

Princess, Im shocked, the Genie said, laughing.

She smiled at him impishly. Well, at least he made up his mind about something. I was very happy with his decision!

Just when I had almost lost hope, I met Aladdin, Jasmine said. He rescued me from an angry street vendor after I took an apple for a hungry child. Then, with your help, Genie, he turned himself into a prince and came to my balcony.

Yeah, Al never looked better, the Genie said.

But it wasnt how he looked, Genie. It was what he said. He told me that he understood I wasnt a prize to be won, and that I should be able to decide who I wanted to marry. Then he took me on the most wonderful ride on the Magic Carpet. And true love blossomed.

Jasmine smiled happily, then looked over at the Genie. He was bawling like a baby! Genie? Genie! Whats wrong? the princess asked.

That was the sweetest story Ive ever heard! the Genie said between sobs.

Jasmine laughed and became a bit embarrassed. Genie, you can find the same happiness that Aladdin and I share. I just know your special genie is out there!

Really? asked the Genie.

Yes, really, Jasmine replied.

Just then, Aladdin showed up with the kangaroo. You were right, Genie. That kangaroo has a strong right punch, he said, holding his arm.

No time to talk, Al, said the Genie, rushing past. Ive got a genie to findand not a thing to wear!

Whats with him? Aladdin asked Jasmine.