Stanley and the Magic Lamp - Jeff Brown [4]
“Thank you very much,” said the genie, and he helped Stanley and Arthur set up the cot.
The Liophant was already asleep, and Mrs. Lambchop picked up his bowl. “Gracious! Three pounds of the best hamburger, and he ate every bit.” She put out the light. “Good night to you all.”
It was quite dark in the bedroom, but some moonlight shone through the window. From their beds, Stanley and Arthur could see that Prince Haraz was still sitting up in his cot. For a moment all was silence except for the gentle snoring of the Liophant, and then the genie said, “Sorry about the snoring. It’s having all that nose, probably.”
“It’s okay,” Arthur said sleepily. “Do genies snore?”
“We don’t even sleep,” said Prince Haraz. “Your mother was so kind, I didn’t want to tell her. She might have felt bad.”
“I’ll try to stay awake, if you want to talk,” Stanley said.
“No thanks,” said the genie. “I’ll be fine. After all those years alone in the lamp, it’s nice just having company.”
3
In the Park
Everyone slept late and enjoyed a large breakfast, particularly the Liophant, who ate two more pounds of hamburger, five bananas, and three loaves of bread.
Then, since all the Lambchops enjoyed tennis, they set out with their rackets for the courts in the big park close by. Aware that his genie clothes would puzzle people, Prince Haraz borrowed slacks and a shirt from Stanley, and came along.
In the street, they met Ralph Jones, an old college friend of Mr. Lambchop’s, whom they had not seen for quite some time.
“Nice running into you, George, and you too, Mrs. Lambchop,” said Mr. Jones. “Hello, Arthur. Hello, Stanley. Aren’t you the one who was flat? Rounded out nicely, I see.”
“You always did have a fine memory, Ralph,” Mr. Lambchop said. “Let me introduce our houseguest, Prince Haraz. He is a foreign student, here to study our ways.”
“How do you do?” said the genie. “I am Fawzi Mustafa Aslan Mirza Melek Namerd Haraz.”
“How do you do?” Mr. Jones said. “Well, I must be off. Good-bye, Lambchops. Nice to have met you, Prince Fawzi Mustafa Aslan Mirza Melek Namerd Haraz.”
“He does have a wonderful memory,” Mrs. Lambchop said as Mr. Jones walked away.
They set out for the park again.
“How it would surprise Mr. Jones to learn that Prince Haraz is a genie,” Mrs. Lambchop remarked. “The whole world would be amazed. Gracious! We’d all be famous, I’m sure.”
“I was famous once, when I was flat,” Stanley said. “I didn’t like it after a while.”
“I remember,” said Mrs. Lambchop. “Nevertheless, I wish I knew myself what being famous feels like.”
Prince Haraz looked at Stanley in a questioning way, and Stanley gave a little nod. The genie smiled and nodded back.
They were just passing the Famous Museum of Art, one of the city ‘s most important buildings. A tour bus, filled with visitors from foreign countries, had stopped before the museum, and a guide was lecturing the passengers through a megaphone.
“Over where those trees are, that’s our great City Park!” he announced. “Here, on the right, is the Famous Museum of Art, full of great paintings and statues and— Oh, what a surprise! We’re in luck today, folks ! That’s Mrs. George Lambchop, coming right toward us! Harriet Lambchop herself, in person! Right there, with the tennis racket!”
The tourists cried out in pleased astonishment, turning in their seats to stare where the guide was pointing.
“What—? He means you, Harriet!” said Mr. Lambchop.
“I think so,” said Mrs. Lambchop. “Oh, my goodness! They’re coming!”
The tourists were rushing from the bus. A Japanese family reached Mrs. Lambchop first, all with cameras.
“Please, Lampchop lady,” said the husband, bowing politely. “Honor to take picture, yes?”
“Of course,” said Mrs. Lambchop. “I hope you are enjoying our country. But why my picture? I’m not—”
“No, no! Famous, famous! Famous Lambchop lady!” cried the Japanese family, taking pictures as fast as they could.
Mrs. Lambchop understood suddenly that her wish had been granted. “Thank you, Prince