The Chronicles of Narnia, #1
The Magician's Nephew
by C. S. Lewis
Contents
EIGHT: THE FIGHT AT THE LAMP-POST
Overview
In a chaotic street fight, Queen Jadis wields a lamp-post bar and fells policemen until Digory seizes her heel and Polly transports the whole group away. They pass through the Wood and arrive in a dark, empty world where a majestic Song brings stars, sunrise, and a Lion. Jadis senses a stronger Magic and panics, while Digory uses the rings to deter both her and Uncle Andrew. Creation has begun, shifting their adventure into a new, perilous realm.
Summary
In London, onlookers mock Queen Jadis until she tears a cross-bar from a lamp-post and attacks, knocking down policemen. Digory rushes in, aiming to grab her heel for transport, while Polly arrives to help. Amid rising chaos, stones fly and the brave Cabby tries to calm Strawberry the horse.
After two failed attempts, Digory catches Jadis’s heel and shouts to Polly. The street vanishes as Polly uses the yellow ring, and they emerge in the Wood between the Worlds—unexpectedly bringing Uncle Andrew, the Cabby, and Strawberry as well. Seeing Strawberry step into a pool, Polly switches to green rings, plunging them into a different world.
They arrive in perfect darkness on a flat, cold surface. The Witch declares it an empty world; Uncle Andrew panics, and the Cabby steadies everyone with a hymn. When Uncle Andrew tries to slip away with Digory, Jadis warns she can hear thoughts. Then a distant, beautiful Voice begins to sing.
As the Song swells, countless higher voices join and, suddenly, stars blaze into being overhead. Dawn grows in the east; a fresh wind rises. The children and the Cabby are awed; Uncle Andrew cowers; Jadis clenches with hatred, sensing a Magic stronger than her own.
With a triumphant rise of the Song, a young, laughing sun appears, revealing a bare valley of rock, river, and hills. A great Lion stands singing. Jadis urges flight; Uncle Andrew schemes to escape using the children’s rings. Digory seizes Polly and warns that he can vanish with her, leaving the others, which checks both Jadis and Uncle Andrew as the Song changes and creation continues.
Who Appears
- Digory KirkeDetermined to stop Jadis; grabs her heel and coordinates ring travel; asserts control with the rings.
- Polly PlummerArrives to help; manages the yellow and green rings, moving the group between worlds.
- Queen Jadis (the Witch)Wrenches a lamp-post bar, attacks police; in the new world fears and hates the stronger Magic.
- The CabbyBravely tries to calm Strawberry; steadies the group with common sense and a hymn; listens in awe.
- Uncle Andrew KetterleyTerrified and scheming; tries to flee with Digory using the rings; cowed by the singing creation.
- StrawberryThe cab-horse; calms in the Wood, nearly drinks from a pool; reacts joyfully to the Song.
- The LionSings the world into being; its Song brings stars, sunrise, and awe to the listeners.