Chapter Five: Back Again

Jasmine looked up from where she had landed on the floor, only to see both of the animals staring back at her, surprised by her reaction. She placed her hand on her forehead, as if she had a headache, and shook her head in disbelief. Closing her eyes for a moment and reopening them soon thereafter, the view didn't change. Then she realized that this was for real.

"You...you can talk, Abu?" were the first words to escape from her mouth. She didn't know what else to say.

"Yes, Jasmine," was his simple reply.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner? So, you lied to me earlier?"

"I'm sorry..." Abu trailed off.

Jasmine was a bit annoyed by now and no longer in complete disbelief. "You thought covering up the situation would keep you from getting in trouble, did you? Well, look at where it's gotten you. All the trouble you two have caused around here these past couple of days has been beyond tolerable. What do you have to say for yourself now?"

"Ahem," Iago cleared his throat. "If I may intervene for one moment here..."

"Oh, what is it now, Iago?" Jasmine practically spat.

"As you may recall," his words were thick and heavy, "I tried to tell you yesterday that Abu could talk, but someone didn't believe me!"

Jasmine was caught off-guard for a second, and she realized that what the parrot was saying was true. She had been a bit too harsh with her accusations, so she mellowed a bit and continued on, "You're right, Iago. I'm sorry for not believing you, but why not tell me, Abu?"

"Because," he shook in fear, "I'm scared."

"Scared of what? Of me getting angry?"

"No...of...of dying," he whimpered.

"What?" Jasmine asked, completely confused. "I don't understand."

"Princess," explained Iago as calmly as he could, "that vial that Abu spilled on himself not only gave him the ability to talk, but it also stated that it would kill him in a week. But-"

"Oh, no!" Jasmine practically gasped. "Abu, I'm so sorry!"

"But wait a minute!" Iago exclaimed, trying to hold in the excitement. "Princess, I told you that I found the reversal spell, and that's the truth!"

"You did?!" Abu replied happily, bouncing up from the pillow he had been sitting on.

"Yes, I did. It took all night without sleep, lots of smelly books, and tons of cups of double espressos, but here it is," Iago prided himself. "Now who's gonna be mad at the bird?"

"Not me!" both Abu and Jasmine said at the same time.

"So, how does it work?" Jasmine asked.

"It's not too hard. It's actually just a spell you have to recite. We sure got off lucky this time."

"Well?" Abu pressed. "What are you waiting for?"

"Hey, don't rush me!" Iago yelled in his defense. "You don't know how lucky you are, Monkey!"

"Look, would you please just read the spell?" Jasmine asked, getting a little annoyed at the beginning of another argument between the two of them.

"Okay, okay," Iago replied. He then opened the book to the correct page and began reciting the spell that was to reverse the curse that had been placed on Abu. After he was finished, Abu tried to speak to see if the reserval spell had indeed worked.

His squeaky, monkey voice was back. He chattered happily and squeezed Iago with overwhelming glee, picking the bird right up off of the floor.

"Okay, Abu," Iago groaned. "Enough...can't breathe..."

Abu stopped hugging his friend, and Iago fell back on to the pillow. Jasmine couldn't help but to laugh.

"Well, it's good to see that things are back to normal." Then she thought for a moment. "I hope so anyway..."

"Everything's fine, Jasmine," Iago stated. "No more food fights...this week anyway."

"Good," Jasmine replying, standing up. She walked over to the doorway and said, "If you want to eat breakfast, it'll be ready shortly."

She left the two animals to themselves. Abu was still looking at Iago with great appreciation in his eyes. The sun was reflecting off the little monkey's pupils, making the glance look all the more sincere.

"What are you looking at me for?" Iago asked, a bit annoyed.

Abu smiled and chattered happily.

"Well, it's obvious you're happy...Oh, okay, I give up. You're welcome."

Abu went closer to Iago and tried to hug the parrot again, but Iago flapped up into the air a couple of feet. Abu looked a little saddened by Iago's persistance in preventing him from showing his appreciation.

"Fine," Iago groaned, "but if you dare tell anyone about this, you'll regret it."

Iago landed on the pillow, and this time he did the hugging. "You know, Abu, you're okay. Just don't get too sentimental on me."

Abu nodded in agreement, and they decided it was time to go to breakfast. Once they arrived at the dining hall, they were completely surprised to see Aladdin and Genie there.

"You're back early, Al," Iago remarked.

"Hello to you, too, Iago," Aladdin replied. "Yeah, we got finished up early, so we came back home."

"Hey, Birdman! Hey, Monkeyman!" cheered Genie. "Did ya miss me?"

"Yeah, like a rat misses poison," muttered Iago. "How refreshing to have the insanity back in the royal court," he added sarcastically.

"Breakfast time!" Jasmine smiled as the food was placed on the table.

"Awight!" Abu exclaimed, grabbing a banana.

Everyone laughed in unison, knowing that everything seemed good again. Aladdin didn't know about the incident involving Abu while he was gone, but what mattered now was the fact that everyone was getting along and enjoying the company of friends.

Later that day, Aladdin went to Jasmine's chambers to visit his princess. She greeted him with a kiss and escorted him to the balcony. They looked out over the city together, reflecting on how beautiful it appeared.

"Just think," mused Jasmine, "one day this will be your kingdom, Aladdin."

"As long as you're always by my side," he replied softly to his love. "Agrabah looks so peaceful right now."

"Yeah, it's hard to imagine that anything bad could ever happen in such a wonderful place as this."

"I missed you while I was gone," Aladdin admitted. "I missed Agrabah, too. My heart belongs right here."

"Aw, Aladdin, I missed you, too, but I don't think I was the only one who missed you."

"What do you mean?"

"It's a long story, but I'll tell you later. Let's just say that your little friends have learned their lesson."

"I hope so," Aladdin mumbled. "Iago still never apologized for what happened before I left."

"I think," Jasmine reflected, "he's already righted that wrong. Sometimes words don't have to spoken; sometimes it's the actions we take that really speak for us."

"I have a feeling," began Aladdin, "that this is indeed some story."

"It is," smiled Jasmine, kissing Aladdin on the lips tenderly. "You see, it began with..."

The whole story was revealed to Aladdin that day, and he listened closely to the words coming from his princess's mouth. As each syllable formed and fell from her lips, not only a story of two almost unlikely friends emerged, but a story deeper than they could perhaps comprehend was forming. It was the story that carried life's theme, that learning life's lesson is seldom easy. Letting go of selfishness and pride and looking straight into the inner essence of another soul means loving friendship. Friendship, indeed, is vital and the very essence of life, though learning how to fully understand its depth never ends. Agrabah had a bright future ahead of her, and it was to be fueled by friendship.

~The End~