The Chronicles of Narnia, #1
The Magician's Nephew
by C. S. Lewis
Contents
ELEVEN: DIGORY AND HIS UNCLE ARE BOTH IN TROUBLE
Overview
The Talking Beasts mistake Uncle Andrew for a tree, plant him, and accidentally revive him with water. Digory confesses to Aslan that he awakened Jadis and brought her to Narnia. Aslan pledges to bear the worst consequences, summons the Cabby’s wife, and appoints the couple as Narnia’s first King and Queen.
Summary
The newly awakened Beasts struggle to classify Uncle Andrew, who faints and cannot understand their speech. Mistaking him for a tree, they debate his orientation, plant him upright, and the She-Elephant douses him until he revives, leaving him to face his actions.
Meanwhile, Strawberry brings Digory to Aslan’s council. Digory asks for magic fruit to heal his mother, but Aslan first has Digory recount how Jadis entered Narnia. Digory admits waking the Witch in Charn and bringing her through the rings, acknowledging he acted out of curiosity, not enchantment.
Aslan tells the Beasts that evil has entered Narnia through Adam’s race, promises the worst will fall on himself, and declares that Adam’s race must help heal what was harmed. Polly and the Cabby arrive; Aslan speaks to the Cabby with recognition.
At Aslan’s call, the Cabby’s wife appears from London. Aslan names them the first King and Queen of Narnia and tests the Cabby’s fitness: working the land, ruling kindly and fairly, rejecting favoritism, and courage in war. The Cabby humbly accepts. Aslan confirms Polly has forgiven Digory for striking the bell in Charn and turns back to address Digory.
Who Appears
- AslanConfronts Digory’s guilt, vows to bear the worst, summons the Cabby’s wife, and appoints the first King and Queen.
- Digory KirkeSeeks fruit to heal his mother, confesses waking Jadis and bringing her to Narnia, and accepts responsibility.
- The Cabby (Frank)Humbly questioned by Aslan and chosen as Narnia’s first King for his fairness, courage, and steadiness.
- Cabby’s Wife (Nellie)Called from London by Aslan and named Narnia’s first Queen; arrives mid-washing, calm and shy.
- Polly PlummerArrives at the council, affirms forgiveness of Digory, witnesses the summoning and royal appointment.
- Uncle AndrewFaints before the Beasts; mistaken for a tree, planted and drenched until he revives, bewildered and guilty.
- She-ElephantLeads the animals’ assessment of Uncle Andrew, plants him, and revives him by carrying water.
- BulldogInsists Uncle Andrew is an animal by scent, objects to slighting noses, participates in the debate.
- JackdawExcitedly declares the “Third Joke” when a Bear falls; questions whether Uncle Andrew can talk.
- WarthogArgues Uncle Andrew is a tree and attributes his sounds to wind in branches.
- BearsDoubt Uncle Andrew is an animal; one demonstratively falls, sparking the “Third Joke.”
- BadgerSuggests Uncle Andrew tried to speak, countering the tree theory.
- MolesEfficiently dig the hole to plant Uncle Andrew upright.
- Strawberry the HorseCarries Digory to Aslan’s council and stands by as events unfold.