The sun rose slowly, its light creeping out over the horizon and across the dunes of sand until, at last, it touched the great walls of the city of Agrabah and the brilliant blue sea beyond. Awash in the morning light, the city appeared to glow gold, its fabled bazaars and streets coming to life. The scents of cardamom and other exotic spices filled the air, giving the area a rich perfume all its own. Down at the docks, ships sailed in, their hulls full of treasures from the far reaches of the world. Captains shouted orders to the sailors as they prepared the boats going out to sea, carrying with them all the riches Agrabah had to offer. Above, seabirds circled, their calls as constant as the water lapping on the shore.

It wasn't an easy place to make a living. Not for those who called the streets their home. While the palace of Agrabah reflected the region's riches, its streets reflected its reality. To make it, you had to be quick — on your feet and with your wit.

Aladdin stared out at the marketplace. It was quickly growing busy as servants and merchants and townsfolk began to go about their daily business, haggling over prices, looking for the freshest fruit or a special silk. Half a dozen different languages filtered through the air, creating a symphony of sound that was oddly soothing. For Aladdin, the sounds, the people, and the hubbub of the marketplace were as familiar as the back of his own hand. Agrabah had been his home for every day of his twenty years. Born a street rat, he had remained a street rat; the corridors and stalls and alleyways had been his playground, his school. The market was where he had honed his skills at “borrowing” what he needed, when he needed it. He knew that most of those who lived like him had given up hope long ago. They resigned to a life of just getting by. But not Aladdin. Lifting his eyes to the palace beyond, he felt the same familiar rush he felt every time he took in its towers and caught a hint of the lush gardens beyond. He knew — or rather, he believed — there was more to life. He was going to be somebody — even if that meant just being the best street rat in Agrabah.

Shaking his head, Aladdin began to move through the market. Now was not the time to get lost in daydreams. He had more pressing and real issues — like finding breakfast. As his growling stomach was now reminding him, it had been a day since he had eaten anything and he was in the mood for something sweet. A pomegranate, or maybe a spiced bun from Saja's stall. She always made the best pastries. Just thinking about it made his mouth water. Heading in that direction, he continued planning his day. One thing his less-than-ordinary life required was a plan — and a backup plan to that plan. That morning, he would head to the docks to spot what new goods had arrived in Agrabah with the dawn tide. They would end up in the market the following day, and any street rat worth his salt knew it was best to know what to go after — before anyone else got their hands on it.

On his shoulder, his best friend, a monkey named Abu, chattered away. Nodding absently in reply as the monkey let out a particularly shrill set of screeches, Aladdin nearly bumped into a woman. Startled, he took a step back. But then a large smile spread across his face as he took in the brilliant — and clearly very expensive — jewel at her throat.

“What's your monkey's name?” the woman asked. “Abu,” Aladdin said. In response, Abu tipped the small fez he wore on his head and scampered from Aladdin's shoulder to the woman's arm.

The woman let out a delighted laugh. “He's a lovely monkey,” she said, cooing to Abu as he weaved around her shoulders.

Aladdin shot the monkey a look. Abu nodded and continued to scamper, faster and faster. Then, turning his attention back to the woman, Aladdin nodded at her neck. “And that's a lovely necklace,” he pointed out.

Reaching a hand to her throat, the woman touched the bright jewel hanging off the thick chain around her neck. Aladdin's eyes followed her fingers, but his ears stayed tuned to the noises around him. He had been on the streets long enough to know when he was being conned. And beautiful, beguiling women didn't just walk up to young street rats without some intention — and it was usually not a good intention. Sure enough, he heard a rustle and then felt the slightest of tugs on the bag he carried over his shoulder.

Quick as a wink, Aladdin reached over his shoulder, grabbing a thin, smooth hand just as it reached into his bag. Pulling the hand forward, he found himself face-to-face with another young woman, clearly the accomplice. He knew this routine. Distract and snatch. “Hello,” he said, flashing one of his most charming smiles, which lit up his face and made him still more handsome. “I think that belongs to me. Should've gone for the pocket, but you had to go for the bag. Greed ... it'll get you every time.”

The woman who had initially caught Aladdin's attention shrugged. “Didn't have anything worth stealing anyway,” she said. Turning, the two slunk off into the crowds of the market. Aladdin could hear them grumbling and knew they were already looking for their next mark.

After all, that was what he would have been doing.

Quickly, Aladdin shimmied up the rough wall of a nearby building. Jumping over onto the roof, he waited for Abu to join him. “How'd we do?” he asked the monkey. In answer, Abu ran up onto Aladdin's shoulder and held out his tiny hand. Clutched in it was the necklace the woman had been wearing. “Good monkey,” Aladdin said, pleased. He knew that he looked the part of an easy con. He was anything but. Lifting the necklace so it caught the sun and sparkled enticingly, Aladdin smiled more broadly. And now he was a street rat who was that much richer. HQgn9eEqr7ZcGuiLjUi7lObNWTkipQfXfwqDv4SJxHcogZW6mccm+fihOuoDjem5