"Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves" is one of the most familiar of the "Arabian Nights" tales, and has been widely retold and performed in many media, especially for children.

In the story, Ali Baba is a poor woodcutter who discovers the secret of a thieves' den, entered with the phrase "Open Sesame". The thieves learn this and try to kill Ali Baba, but Ali Baba's faithful slave-girl foils their plots.

Translated by Edward William Lane

Edward William Lane (17 September 1801 – 10 August 1876) was a British Orientalist, translator and lexicographer. He is known for his Arabic-English Lexicon and translation of One Thousand and One Nights.