Excerpts from The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S.

Lewis
1. The Magicians Nephew
Page 116
We must go back a bit and explain what the whole scene had looked like from Uncle Andrews point of view. It had not
made at all the same impression on him as on the Cabby and the children. For what you see and hear depends a good
deal on where you are standing: it also depends on what sort of person you are.
Page 126-127
Evil will come of that evil, but it is still a long way off, and I will see to it that the worst falls upon myself. In the
meantime, let us take such order that for many hundreds of years yet this shall be a merry land in a merry world. And as
Adams race has done the harm, Adams race shall help to heal it. Draw near, you other two.
The last words were spoken to Polly and the Cabby who had now arrived. Polly, all eyes and mouth, was staring at
Aslan and holding the Cabbys hand rather tightly. The Cabby gave one glance at the Lion, and took off his bowler hat:
no one had yet seen him without it. When it was off, he looked younger and nicer, and more like a countryman and less
like a London cabman.
Son, said Aslan to the Cabby. I have known you long. Do you know me?
Well, no, sir, said the Cabby. Leastways, not in an ordinary manner of speaking. Yet I feel somehow, if I may make
so free, as ow weve met before.
It is well, said the Lion. You know better than you think you know, and you shall live to know me better yet. How
does this land please you?
Its a fair treat, sir, said the Cabby.
Would you like to live here always?
Well you see sir, Im a married man, said the Cabby. If my wife was here neither of us would ever want to go back
to London, I reckon. Were both country folks really.
Aslan threw up his shaggy head, opened his mouth, and uttered a long, single note; not very loud, but full of power.
Pollys heart jumped in her body when she heard it. She felt sure that it was a call, and that anyone who heard that call
would want to obey it and (whats more) would be able to obey it, however many worlds and ages lay between. And so,
though she was filled with wonder, she was not really astonished or shocked when all of a sudden a young woman, with
a kind, honest face stepped out of nowhere and stood beside her.
Page 139
Polly and Digory stared at one another is dismay.
Well, I do think someone might have arranged about our meals, said Digory.
Im sure Aslan would have, if youd asked him, said Fledge.
Wouldnt he know without being asked? said Polly.
Ive no doubt he would, said the Horse (Still with his mouth full). But Ive a sort of idea he likes to be asked.
Page 158
He thinks great folly, child, said Aslan. This world is bursting with life for these few days because the song with
which I called it into life still hangs in the air and rumbles in the ground. It will not be so for long. But I cannot tell that
to this old sinner, and I cannot comfort him either; he has made himself unable to hear my voice. If I spoke to him, he
would hear only growlings and roarings. Oh Adams sons, how cleverly you defend yourselves against all that might do
you good! But I will give him the only gift he is able to receive.
He bowed his great head rather sadly, and breathed into the Magicians terrified face. Sleep, he said. Sleep and be
separated for some few hours from all the torments you have devised for yourself.
Page 162
That is what happens to those who pluck and eat fruits at the wrong time and in the wrong way. The fruit is good, but
they loathe it forever after.
Oh I see, said Polly. And I suppose because she took it in the wrong way it wont work for her. I mean it wont make
her always young and all that?
Alas, said Aslan, shaking his head. It will. Things always work according to their nature. She has won her hearts
desire; she has unwearying strength and endless days like a goddess. But length of days with an evil heart is only length
of misery and already she begins to know it. All get what they want; they do not always like it.
Page 165
Both children were looking up into the Lions face as he spoke these words. And all at once (they never knew exactly
how it happened) the face seemed to be a sea of tossing gold in which they were floating, and such a sweetness and
power rolled about them and over them and entered them that they felt that they had never really been happy or wise or
good, or even alive and awake, before. And the memory of that moment stayed with them always, so that as long as
they both lived, if ever they were sad or afraid or angry, the thought of all that golden goodness, and the feeling that it
was still there, quite close, just round some corner or just behind some door, would come back and make them sure,
deep down inside, that all was well.

2. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Page 46-47
How do you know, he asked, that your sisters story is not true?
Oh, but began Susan, and then stopped. Anyone could see from the old mans face that he was perfectly serious.
Then Susan pulled herself together and said, But Edmund said they had only been pretending.
That is a point, said the Professor, which certainly deserves consideration; very careful consideration. For instance
if you will excuse me for asking the question does your experience lead you to regard your brother or your sister as
the more reliable? I mean, which is the more truthful?
Thats just the funny thing about it, sir, said Peter, Up till now, Id have said Lucy every time.
And what do you think my dear? said the professor, turning to Susan.
Well, said Susan, in general, Id say the same as Peter, but this couldnt be true all this about the wood and the
Faun.
That is more than I know, said the Professor, and a charge of lying against someone whom you have always found to
be truthful is a very serious thing; a very serious thing indeed.
We were afraid it mightnt even be lying, said Susan; we thought there might be something wrong with Lucy.
Madness, you mean? said the professor quite coolly. Oh, you can make your minds easy about that. One has only to
look at her and talk to her to see that she is not mad.
But then, said Susan, and stopped. She had never dreamed that a grown-up would talk like the Professor and didnt
know what to think.
Logic! said the Professor half to himself. Why dont they teach logic at these schools? There are only three
possibilities. Either your sister is telling lies, or she is mad, or she is telling the truth. You know she doesnt tell lies and
it is obvious that she is not mad. For the moment then and unless any further evidence turns up, we must assume that
she is telling the truth.
Susan looked at him very hard and was quite sure from the expression on his face that he was not making fun of them.
But how could it be true, sir? said Peter.
Why do you say that? asked the Professor.
Well, for one thing, said Peter, If it was real why doesnt everyone find this country every time they go to the
wardrobe? I mean, there was nothing there when we looked; even Lucy didnt pretend there was.
What has that to do with it? said the Professor.
Well, sir, if things are real, theyre there all the time.
Are they? said the Professor; and Peter did not know quite what to say.
But there was no time, said Susan. Lucy had had no time to have gone anywhere, even if there was such a place. She
came running after us the very moment we were out of the room. It was less than a minute, and she pretended to have
been away for hours.
That is the very thing that makes her story so likely to be true, said the Professor, If there really is a door in this
house that leads to some other world (and I should warn you that this is a very strange house, and even I know very
little about it) if, I say, she had got into another world, I should not be at all surprised to find that the other world had a
separate time of its own; so that however long you stayed there it would never take up any of our time. On the other
hand, I dont think many girls of her age would invent that idea for themselves. If she had been pretending, she would
have hidden for a reasonable time before coming out and telling her story.
But do you really mean, sir, said Peter, that there could be other worlds all over the place, just round the corner
like that?
Nothing is more probable, said the Professor, taking off his spectacles and beginning to polish them, while he
muttered to himself, I wonder what they do teach at these schools.
But what are we to do? said Susan. She felt that the conversation was beginning to get off the point.
My dear young lady, said the professor, suddenly looking up with a very sharp expression at both of them, there is
one plan which no one has yet suggested and which is well worth trying.
Whats that? said Susan.
We might all try minding our own business, said he. And that was the end of that conversation.
Page 75-76
if theres anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, theyre either braver than most or else
just silly.
Then he isnt safe? said Lucy.
Safe? said Mr Beaver; dont you hear what Mrs Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? Course he isnt
safe. But hes good. Hes the King, I tell you.
Im longing to see him, said Peter, even if I do feel frightened when it comes to the point.
Thats right, Son of Adam, said Mr Beaver, bringing his paw down on the table with a crash that made all the cups
and saucers rattle.
Page 148
It means, said Aslan, that though the Witch knew the Deep Magic, there is a magic deeper still which she did not
know. Her knowledge goes back only to the dawn of time. But if she could have looked a little further back, into the

stillness and the darkness before Time dawned, she would have read there a different incantation. She would have
known that when a willing victim who had committed no treachery was killed in a traitors stead, the Table would crack
and Death itself would start working backwards.
Page 165
Once a king or queen in Narnia, always a king or queen. Bear it well, Sons of Adam! Bear it well, Daughters of Eve!
said Aslan.
Page 166
At first much of their time was spent in seeking out the remnants of the White Witchs army and destroying them, and
indeed for a long time there would be news of evil things lurking in the wilder parts of the forest a haunting here and a
killing there, a glimpse of a werewolf one month and a rumour of a hag the next. But in the end all that foul brood was
stamped out. And they made good laws and kept the peace and saved good trees from being unnecessarily cut down,
and liberated young dwarfs and young satyrs from being sent to school, and generally stopped busybodies and
interferers and encouraged ordinary people who wanted to live and let live.
3. The Horse and His Boy
Page 129-130
I do not call you unfortunate, said the Large Voice.
Dont you think it was bad luck to meet so many lions? said Shasta.
There was only one lion, said the Voice.
What on earth do you mean? Ive just told you there were at least two the first night, and
There was only one: but he was swift of foot.
How do you know?
I was the lion. And as Shasta gaped with open mouth and said nothing, the Voice continued, I was the lion who
forced you to join with Aravis. I was the cat who comforted you among the houses of the dead. I was the lion who
drove the jackals from you while you slept. I was the lion who gave the Horses the new strength of fear for the last mile
so that you should reach King Lune in time. And I was the lion you do not remember who pushed the boat in which you
lay, a child near death, so that it came to shore where a man sat, wakeful at midnight, to receive you.
Then it was you who wounded Aravis?
It was I.
But for what?
Child, said the Voice, I am telling you your story, not hers. I tell no one any story but his own.
Who are you? asked Shasta.
Myself, said the Voice, very deep and low so that the earth shook: and again Myself, load and clear and gay: and
then the third time Myself. Whispered so softly you could hardly hear it, and yet it seemed to come from all round
you as it the leaves rustled with it.
Page 144
The Hillside path which they were following became narrower all the time and the drop on their right hand became
steeper. At last they were going single file along the edge of a precipice and Shasta shuddered to think that he has done
the same last night without knowing it. But of course, he thought, I was quite safe. That is why the Lion kept on my
left. He was between me and the edge all the time.
Page 157-158
There was about a second of intense silence.
Then Hwin, though shaking all over, gave a strange little neigh, and trotted across to the lion.
Please, she said, youre so beautiful. You may eat me if you like. Id sooner be eaten by you than fed by anyone
else.
Dearest daughter, said Aslan, planting a lions kiss on her twitching, velvet nose, I knew you would not be long in
coming to me. Joy shall be yours.
Then he lifted his head and spoke in a louder voice.
Now, Bree, he said, you poor, proud frightened Horse, draw near. Nearer still, my son. Do not dare not to dare.
Touch me. Smell me. Here are my paws, here is my tail, these are my whiskers. I am a true Beast.
Aslan, said Bree in a shaken voice, Im afraid I must be rather a fool.
Happy the Horse who knows that while he is still young. Or the Human either. Draw near, Aravis my daughter. See!
My paws are velveted. You will not be torn this time.
This time, sir? said Aravis.
It was I who wounded you, said Aslan. I am the only lion you met in all your journeyings. Do you know why I tore
you?
No, sir5.
The scratches on your back, tear for tear, throb for throb, blood for blood, were equal to the stripes laid in the back of
your stepmothers slave because of the drugged sleep you cast upon her. You needed to know what it felt like.

Yes, sir. Please

Ask on, my dear, said Aslan.
Will any more harm come to her by what I did?
Child, said the Lion, I am telling you your story, not hers. No one is told any story but their own. Then he shook his
head and spoke in a lighter voice.
Be merry, little ones, he said.
Page 170
Rabadash, said Aslan. Take heed. Your doom is very near, but you may still avoid it. Forget your pride (what have
you to be proud of?) and your anger (Who has done you wrong?) and accept the mercy of these good kings.
Then Rabadash rolled his eyes and spread out his mouth into a horrible, long mirthless grin like a shark, and wagged his
ears up and down (anyone can learn how to do this id they take the trouble). He had always found this very effective in
Calormen. The bravest had trembled when he made these faces, and ordinary people had fallen to the floor, and
sensitive people had often fainted. But what Rabadash hadnt realised is that it is very easy to frighten people who know
you can have them boiled alive the moment you give the word. The grimaces didnt look at all alarming in Archenland;
indeed Lucy only thought he was going to be sick.
4. Prince Caspian
Page 56-57
Everyone except your majesty knows that Miraz is a usurper. When he first began to rule he did not even pretend to be
the King: he called himself Lord protector. But then your royal mother died, the good queen and the only Telmarine
who was ever kind to me. And then, one by one, all the great lords, who had known your father, died or disappeared.
Not by accident, either. Miraz weeded them out. Belisar and Uvilas were shot with arrows on a hunting party: by
chance, it was pretended. All the great house of the Passarids he sent to fight giants on the northern frontier till one by
one they fell. Arlian and Erimon and a dozen more he executed for treason on a false charge. The two brothers of
Beaversdam he shut up as madmen. And finally he persuaded the seven noble lords, who alone among the Telmarines
did not fear the sea, to sail away and look for new lands beyond the Eastern ocean, and, as he intended, they never came
back. And when there was no one left who could speak a word for you, then his flatterers (as he had instructed them)
begged him to become King. And of course he did.
Page 112
Well, theres just this, said Edmund, speaking quickly and turning a little red. When we first discovered Narnia a
year ago or a thousand years ago, whichever it is it was Lucy who discovered it first and none of us would believe
her. I was the worst of the lot, I know. Yet she was right after all. Wouldnt it be fair to believe her this time? I vote for
going up.
Oh Ed! said Lucy and seized his hand.
Page 124
Aslan, said Lucy, youre bigger.
That is because you are older, little one, answered he,
Not because you are?
I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.
Page 125
Please, Aslan! Am I not to know?
To know what would have happened, child? said Aslan. No. Nobody is ever told that.
Oh dear, said Lucy.
But anyone can find out what will happen, said Aslan.
Page 132
Lucy, said Susan in a very small voice.
Yes? said Lucy.
I see him now. Im sorry.
Thats all right.
But Ive been far worse than you know. I really believed it was him he, I mean yesterday. When he warned us not
to go down to the fir wood. And I really believed it was him tonight, when you woke us up. I mean, deep down inside.
Or I could have, if Id let myself. But I just wanted to get out of the woods and and oh, I dont know. And whatever
am I to say to him?
Perhaps you wont need to say much, suggested Lucy.
Page 133
Then he turned and welcomed Edmund. Well done, were his words.

Then, after an awful pause, the deep voice said, Susan. Susan made no answer but the others thought she was crying.
You have listened to fears, child, said Aslan. Come, let me breathe on you. Forget them. Are you brave again?
A little, Aslan, said Susan.
Page 155-156
Well, this is to no purpose, said Miraz, but as touching the challenge, I suppose there is only one opinion between
us?
I suppose so, indeed, Sire, said Glozelle.
And what is that? asked the King.
Most infallibly to refuse it, said Glozelle. For though I have never been called a coward, I must plainly say that to
meet that young man in battle is more than my heart would serve me for. And if (as is likely) his brother, the High King,
is more dangerous than he why, on your life, my Lord king, have nothing to do with him.
Plague on you! cried Miraz. It was not that sort of council I wanted. Do you think I am asking you if I should be
afraid to meet this Peter (if there is such a man)? Do you think I fear him? I wanted your counsel on the policy of the
matter; whether we, having the advantage, should hazard it on a wager of battle.
To which I can only answer, your Majesty, said Glozelle, that for all reasons the challenge should be refused. There
is death in the strange knights face.
There you are again! said Miraz, now thoroughly angry. Are you trying to make it appear that I am as great a coward
as your Lordship?
Your Majesty may say your pleasure, said Glozelle sulkily.
You talk like an old woman, Glozelle, said the King. What say you, my Lord Sopespian?
Do not touch it, Sire, was the reply. And what your Majesty says of the policy of the thing comes in very happily. It
gives your Majesty excellent grounds for a refusal without any cause for questioning your Majestys honour or
courage.
Great Heaven! exclaimed Miraz, jumping to his feet. Are you also bewitched today? Do you think I am looking for
grounds to refuse it? You might as well call me coward to my face.
The conversation was going exactly as the two lords wished, so they said nothing.
I see what it is, said Miraz, after staring at them as if his eyes would start out of his head, you are as lily-livered as
hares yourselves and have the effrontery to imagine my heart after the likeness of yours! Grounds for a refusal, indeed!
Excuses for not fighting! Are you soldiers? Are you Telmarines? Are you men? And if I do refuse it (as all good
reasons of captaincy and martial policy urge me to do) you will think, and teach others to think, I was afraid. Is it not
so?
No man of your Majestys age, said Glozelle, would be called coward by any wise soldier for refusing the combat
with a great warrior in the flower of his youth.
So Im to be a dotard with one foot in the grave, as well as a dastard, roared Miraz. Ill tell you what it is, my Lords.
With your womanish counsels (ever shying from the true point, which is one of policy) you have done the very opposite
of your intent. I had meant to refuse it. But Ill accept it. Do you hear, accept it! Ill not be shamed because some
witchcraft or treason has frozen both your bloods.
We beseech your Majesty said Glozelle, but Miraz had flung out of the tent and they could hear him bawling out
his acceptance to Edmund.
The two lords looked at one another and chuckled quietly.
I knew hed do it if he were properly chafed, said Glozelle.
Page 175
At the sight of Aslan the cheeks of the Telmarine soldiers became the colour of cold gravy, their knees knocked
together, and many fell on their faces. They had not believed in lions and this made their fear greater. Even the Red
Dwarfs, who knew that he came as a friend, stood with open mouths and could not speak. Some of the Black Dwarfs,
who had been of Nikabriks party, began to edge away. But all the Talking Beasts surged round the Lion, with purrs and
grunts and squeaks and whinneys of delight, fawning on him with their tails, rubbing against him, touching him
reverently with their noses and going to and fro under his body and between his legs. If you have ever seen a little cat
loving a big dog whom it knows and trusts, you will have a pretty good picture of their behaviour. Then Peter, leading
Caspian, forced his way through the crowd of animals.
This is Caspian, Sir, he said. And Caspian knelt and kissed the Lions paw.
Welcome, Prince, said Aslan. Do you feel yourself sufficient to take up the Kingship of Narnia?
I I dont think I do, Sir, said Caspian. Im only a kid.
Good, said Aslan. If you had felt yourself sufficient, it would have been a proof that you were not.
Page 178
Why have your followers all drawn their swords, may I ask? said Aslan.
May it please your High Majesty, said the second mouse, whose name was Peepiceek, we are all waiting to cut off
our own tails if our Chief must go without his. We will not bear the shame of wearing an honour which is denied to the
High Mouse.

Ah! roared Aslan. You have conquered me. You have great hearts. Not for the sake of your dignity, Reepicheep, but
for the love that is between you and your people you shall have your tail again.
Page 185
I do indeed, Sir, said Caspian. I was wishing that I came of a more honourable lineage.
You come of the Lord Adam and the Lady Eve, said Aslan. And that is both honour enough to erect the head of the
poorest beggar, and shame enough to bow the shoulders of the greatest emperor on earth. Be content.
Caspian bowed.
5. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Page 73-74
In spite of the pain, his first feeling was one of relief. There was nothing to be afraid of any more. He was a terror
himself and nothing in the world but a knight (and not all of those) would dare to attack him. He could get even with
Caspian and Edmund now
But the moment he thought this he realised that he didnt want to. He wanted to be friends. He wanted to get back
among humans and talk and laugh and share things. He realised that he was a monster cut off from the whole human
race. An appalling loneliness came over him. He began to see that the others had not really been fiends at all. He began
to wonder if he himself had been such a nice person as he had always supposed. He longed for their voices. He would
have been grateful for a kind word even from Reepicheep.
When he thought of this the poor dragon that had been Eustace lifted up his voice and wept. A powerful dragon crying
its eyes out under the moon in a deserted valley is a sight and sound hardly to be imagined.
Page 85-87
I knew it was a well because you could see the water bubbling up from the bottom of it: but it was a lot bigger than
most wells like a very big, round bath with marble steps going down into it. The water was as clear as anything and I
thought if I could get in there and bathe it would ease the pain in my leg. But the lion told me I must undress first. Mind
you, I dont know if he said any words out loud or not.
I was just going to say that I couldnt undress because I hadnt any clothes on when I suddenly thought that dragons
are snaky sort of things and snakes can cast their skins. Oh, of course, thought I, thats what the lion means. So I started
scratching myself and my scales began coming off all over the place. And then I scratched a little deeper and, instead of
just scales coming off here and there, my whole skin started peeling off beautifully, like it does after an illness, or as if I
was a banana. In a minute or two I just stepped out of it. I could see it lying there beside me, looking rather nasty. It was
a most lovely feeling. So I started to go down into the well for my bathe.
But just as I was going to put my feet into the water I looked down and saw that they were all hard and rough and
wrinkled and scaly just as they had been before. Oh, thats all right, said I, it only means I had another smaller suit on
underneath the first one, and Ill have to get out of it too. So I scratched and tore again and this underskin peeled off
beautifully and out I stepped and left it lying beside the other one and went down to the well for my bathe.
Well, exactly the same thing happened again. And I thought to myself, oh dear, how ever many skins have I got to take
off? For I was longing to bathe my leg. So I scratched away for the third time and got off a third skin, just like the two
others, and stepped out of it. But as soon as I looked at myself in the water I knew it had been no good.
Then the lion said but I dont know if it spoke You will have to let me undress you. I was afraid of his claws, I
can tell you, but I was pretty nearly desperate now. So I just lay flat down on my back to let him do it.
The very first tear he made was so deep that I thought it had gone right into my heart. And when he began pulling the
skin off, it hurt worse than anything Ive ever felt. The only thing that made me able to bear it was just the pleasure of
feeling the stuff peel off. You know if youve ever picked the scab off a sore place. It hurts like billy-oh but it is such
fun to see it coming away.
I know exactly what you mean, said Edmund.
Well, he peeled the beastly stuff right off just as I thought Id done it myself the other three times, only they hadnt
hurt and there it was lying on the grass: only ever so much thicker, and darker, and more knobbly-looking than the
others had been. And there was I as smooth and soft as a peeled switch and smaller than I had been. Then he caught
hold of me I didnt like that much for I was very tender underneath now that Id no skin on and threw me into the
water. It smarted like anything but only for a moment. After that it became perfectly delicious and as soon as I started
swimming and splashing I found that all the pain had gone from my arm. And then I saw why. Id turned into a boy
again.
Page 111-112
Look here, Lu, said Edmund. We really cant let you do a thing like this. Ask Reep, Im sure hell say just the
same.
But its to save my own life as well as yours, said Lucy. I dont want to be cut to bits with invisible swords any more
than anyone else.
Her majesty is in the right, said Reepicheep. If we had any assurance of saving her by battle, our duty would be very
plain. It appears to me that we have none. And the service they ask of her is in no way contrary to her Majestys honour,
but a noble and heroical act. If the Queens heart moves her to risk the magician, I will not speak against it.

As no one had ever known Reepicheep to be afraid of anything, he could say this without feeling at all awkward. But
the boys, who had all been afraid quite often, grew very red.
Page 158-159
Golly, said Edmund under his breath. Hes a retired star.
Arent you a star any longer? asked Lucy.
I am a star at rest, my daughter, answered Ramandu.
When I set for the last time, decrepit and old beyond all that you can reckon, I was carried to this island. I am not so
old now as I was then. Every morning a bird brings me a fire-berry from the valleys in the Sun, and each fire-berry
takes away a little of my age. And when I have become as young as the child that was born yesterday, then I shall take
my rising again (for we are at earths eastern rim) and once more tread the great dance.
In our world, said Eustace, a star is a huge ball of flaming gas.
Even in your world, my son, that is not what a star is but only what it is made of.
Page 174
That is what it is, said Reepicheep. Drinkable light. We must be very near the end of the world now.
There was a moments silence and then Lucy knelt down on the deck and drank from the bucket.
Its the loveliest thing I have ever tasted, she said with a kind of gasp. But oh its strong. We shant need to eat
anything now.
And one by one everybody on board drank. And for a long time they were all silent. They felt almost too well and
strong to bear it; and presently they began to notice another result. As I have said before, there had been too much light
ever since they left the island of Ramandu the sun too large (though not too hot), the sea too bright, the air too
shining. Now, the light grew no less if anything, it increased but they could bear it. They could look straight up at
the sun without blinking. They could see more light than they had ever seen before. And the deck and the sail and their
own faces and bodies became brighter and brighter and every rope shone. And next morning, when the sun rose, now
five or six times its old size, they stared hard into it and could see the very feathers of the birds that came flying from it.
Page 188
Dearest, said Aslan very gently, you and your brother will never come back to Narnia.
Oh, Aslan!! said Edmund and Lucy both together in despairing voices.
You are too old, children, said Aslan, and you must begin to come close to your own world now.
It isnt Narnia, you know, sobbed Lucy. Its you. We shant meet you there. And how can we live, never meeting
you?
But you shall meet me, dear one, said Aslan.
Are are you there too, Sir? said Edmund.
I am, said Aslan. But there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason
why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there.
6. The Silver Chair
Page 25
But your task will be the harder because of what you have done.
Please, what task, Sir? said Jill.
The task for which I called you and him here out of your own world.
This puzzled Jill very much. Its mistaking me for someone else, she thought. She didnt dare to tell the Lion this,
though she felt things would get into a dreadful muddle unless she did.
Speak your thought, Human Child, said the Lion.
I was wondering I mean could there be some mistake? Because nobody called me and Scrubb, you know. It was
we who asked to come here. Scrubb said we were to call to to Somebody it was a name I wouldnt know and
perhaps the Somebody would let us in. And we did, and then we found the door open.
You would not have called to me unless I had been calling to you, said the Lion.
Then you are Somebody, Sir? said Jill.
I am. And now hear your task
Page 42
When they were dragging themselves upstairs to bed, yawning their heads off, Jill said, I bet we sleep well, tonight; for
it had been a full day. Which just shows how little anyone knows what is going to happen to them next.
Page 57
Eastward the flat marsh stretched to low sand-hills on the horizon, and you could tell by the salt tang in the wind which
blew from that direction that the sea lay over there. To the North there were low pale-coloured hills, in places bastioned
with rock. The rest was all flat marsh. It would have been a depressing place on a wet evening. Seen under a morning
sun, with a fresh wind blowing, and the air filled with the crying of birds, there was something fine and fresh and clean
about its loneliness. The children felt their spirits rise.

Page 99-100
We must put them off their guard, though, said Scrubb. We must pretend we love being here and are longing for this
Autumn Feast.
Thats tomorrow night, said Puddleglum. I heard one of them say so.
I see, said Jill. We must pretend to be awfully excited about it, and keep on asking questions. They think were
absolute infants anyway, which will make it easier.
Gay, said Puddleglum with a deep sigh. Thats what weve got to be. Gay. As if we hadnt a care in the world.
Frolicsome...
Page 123
I can hear no words against my Ladys honour. But of this you may be assured, that whatever she said to you, she
said of a good intent. You do not know her. She is a nosegay of all virtues, as truth, mercy, constancy, gentleness,
courage, and the rest. I say what I know. Her kindness to me alone, who can in no way reward her, would make an
admirable history. But you shall know and love her hereafter
Page 125
She is of divine race, and knows neither age nor death. I am the more thankful to her for all her infinite bounty to
such a poor mortal wretch as I. For you must know, Sirs, I am a man under most strange afflictions, and none but the
Queens grace would have had patience with me. Patience, said I? But it goes far beyond that. She has promised me a
great kingdom in Overland, and, when I am king, her own most gracious hand in marriage...
Page 138-140
Now the Witch said nothing at all, but moved gently across the room, always keeping her face and eyes very steadily
towards the Prince. When she had come to a little ark set in the wall not far from the fireplace, she opened it, and took
out first a handful of a green powder. This she threw on the fire. It did not blaze much, but a very sweet and drowsy
smell came from it. And all through the conversation which followed, that smell grew stronger, and filled the room, and
made it harder to think. Secondly, she took out a musical instrument rather like a mandolin. She began to play it with
her fingers a steady, monotonous thrumming that you didnt notice after a few minutes. But the less you noticed it,
the more it got into your brain and your blood. This also made it hard to think. After she had thrummed for a time (and
the sweet smell was now strong) she began speaking in a sweet, quiet voice.
Narnia? she said. Narnia? I have often heard your Lordship utter that name in your ravings. Dear Prince, you are
very sick. There is no land called Narnia.
Yes there is, though, Maam, said Puddleglum. You see, I happen to have lived there all my life.
Indeed, said the Witch. Tell me, I pray you, where that country is?
Up there, said Puddleglum, stoutly, pointing overhead. I I dont know exactly where.
How? said the Queen, with a kind, soft, musical laugh. Is there a country up among the stones and mortar of the
roof?
No, said Puddleglum, struggling a little to get his breath. Its in Overworld.
And what, or where, pray is this . . . how do you call it. .. Overworld?
Oh, dont be so silly, said Scrubb, who was fighting hard against the enchantment of the sweet smell and the
thrumming. As if you didnt know! Its up above, up where you can see the sky and the sun and the stars. Why, youve
been there yourself. We met you there.
I cry you mercy, little brother, laughed the Witch (you couldnt have heard a lovelier laugh). I have no memory of
that meeting. But we often meet our friends in strange places when we dream. And unless all dreamed alike, you must
not ask them to remember it.
Madam, said the Prince sternly, I have already told your Grace that I am the Kings son of Narnia.
And shalt be, dear friend, said the Witch in a soothing voice, as if she was humouring a child, shalt be king of many
imagined lands in thy fancies.
Weve been there, too, snapped Jill. She was very angry because she could feel enchantment getting hold of her every
moment. But of course the very fact that she could still feel it, showed that it had not yet fully worked.
And thou art Queen of Narnia too, I doubt not, pretty one, said the Witch in the same coaxing, half-mocking tone.
Im nothing of the sort, said Jill, stamping her foot. We come from another world.
Why, this is a prettier game than the other, said the Witch. Tell us, little maid, where is this other world? What ships
and chariots go between it and ours?
Of course a lot of things darted into Jills head at once:
Experiment House, Adela Pennyfather, her own home, radio-sets, cinemas, cars, aeroplanes, ration-books, queues. But
they seemed dim and far away. (Thrum thrum thrum went the strings of the Witchs instrument.) Jill couldnt
remember the names of the things in our world. And this time it didnt come into her head that she was being
enchanted, for now the magic was in its full strength; and of course, the more enchanted you get, the more certain you
feel that you are not enchanted at all. She found herself saying (and at the moment it was a relief to say):
No. I suppose that other world must be all a dream.
Yes. It is all a dream, said the Witch, always thrumming.

Yes, all a dream, said Jill.

There never was such a world, said the Witch.
No, said Jill and Scrubb, never was such a world.
There never was any world but mine, said the Witch.
There never was any world but yours, said they.
Page 142-145
Slowly and gravely the Witch repeated, There is no sun. And they all said nothing. She repeated, in a softer and
deeper voice. There is no sun. After a pause, and after a struggle in their minds, all four of them said together. You
are right. There is no sun. It was such a relief to give in and say it.
There never was a sun, said the Witch.
No. There never was a sun, said the Prince, and the Marsh-wiggle, and the children.
For the last few minutes Jill had been feeling that there was something she must remember at all costs. And now she
did. But it was dreadfully hard to say it. She felt as if huge weights were laid on her lips. At last, with an effort that
seemed to take all the good out of her, she said:
Theres Aslan.
Aslan? said the Witch, quickening ever so slightly the pace of her thrumming. What a pretty name! What does it
mean?
He is the great Lion who called us out of our own world, said Scrubb, and sent us into this to find Prince Rilian.
What is a lion? asked the Witch.
Oh, hang it all! said Scrubb. Dont you know? How can we describe it to her? Have you ever seen a cat?
Surely, said the Queen. I love cats.
Well, a lion is a little bit only a little bit, mind you like a huge cat with a mane. At least, its not like a horses
mane, you know, its more like a judges wig. And its yellow. And terrifically strong.
The Witch shook her head. I see, she said, that we should do no better with your lion, as you call it, than we did with
your sun. You have seen lamps, and so you imagined a bigger and better lamp and called it the sun. Youve seen cats,
and now you want a bigger and better cat, and its to be called a lion. Well, tis a pretty make- believe, though, to say
truth, it would suit you all better if you were younger. And look how you can put nothing into your make-believe
without copying it from the real world, this world of mine, which is the only world. But even you children are too old
for such play. As for you, my lord Prince, that art a man full grown, fie upon you! Are you not ashamed of such toys?
Come, all of you. Put away these childish tricks. I have work for you all in the real world. There is no Narnia, no
Overworld, no sky, no sun, no Aslan. And now, to bed all. And let us begin a wiser life tomorrow. But, first, to bed; to
sleep; deep sleep, soft pillows, sleep without foolish dreams.
The Prince and the two children were standing with their heads hung down, their cheeks flushed, their eyes half closed;
the strength all gone from them; the enchantment almost complete. But Puddleglum, desperately gathering all his
strength, walked over to the fire. Then he did a very brave thing. He knew it wouldnt hurt him quite as much as it
would hurt a human; for his feet (which were bare) were webbed and hard and coldblooded like a ducks. But he knew
it would hurt him badly enough; and so it did. With his bare foot he stamped on the fire, grinding a large part of it into
ashes on the flat hearth. And three things happened at once.
First, the sweet heavy smell grew very much less. For though the whole fire had not been put out, a good bit of it had,
and what remained smelled very largely of burnt Marsh-wiggle, which is not at all an enchanting smell. This instantly
made everyones brain far clearer. The Prince and the children held up their heads again and opened their eyes.
Secondly, the Witch, in a loud, terrible voice, utterly different from all the sweet tones she had been using up till now,
called out, What are you doing? Dare to touch my fire again, mud-filth, and Ill turn the blood to fire inside your
veins.
Thirdly, the pain itself made Puddleglums head for a moment perfectly clear and he knew exactly what he really
thought. There is nothing like a good shock of pain for dissolving certain kinds of magic.
One word, Maam, he said, coming back from the fire; limping, because of the pain. One word. All youve been
saying is quite right, I shouldnt wonder. Im a chap who always liked to know the worst and then put the best face I can
on it. So I wont deny any of what you said. But theres one thing more to be said, even so. Suppose we have only
dreamed, or made up, all those things trees and grass and sun and moon and stars and Aslan himself. Suppose we
have. Then all I can say is that, in that case, the made-up things seem a good deal more important than the real ones.
Suppose this black pit of a kingdom of yours is the only world. Well, it strikes me as a pretty poor one. And thats a
funny thing, when you come to think of it. Were just babies making up a game, if youre right. But four babies playing
a game can make a play- world which licks your real world hollow. Thats why Im going to stand by the play-world.
Im on Aslans side even if there isnt any Aslan to lead it. Im going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isnt
any Narnia. So, thanking you kindly for our supper, if these two gentlemen and the young lady are ready, were leaving
your court at once and setting out in the dark to spend our lives looking for Overland. Not that our lives will be very
long, I should think; but thats a small loss if the worlds as dull a place as you say.
Oh, hurrah! Good old Puddleglum! cried Scrubb and Jill.
7. The Last Battle
Page 7-8

There were very few Talking Beasts or Men or Dwarfs, or people of any sort, in that part of the wood, but Shift had one
friend and neighbour who was a donkey called Puzzle. At least they both said they were friends, but from the way
things went on you might have thought Puzzle was more like Shifts servant than his friend. He did all the work. When
they went together to the river, Shift filled the big skin bottles with water but it was Puzzle who carried them back.
When they wanted anything from the towns further down the river it was Puzzle who went down with empty panniers
on his back and came back with the panniers full and heavy. And all the nicest things that Puzzle brought back were
eaten by Shift; for as Shift said, You see, Puzzle, I cant eat grass and thistles like you, so its only fair I should make it
up in other ways. And Puzzle always said, Of course, Shift, of course. I see that. Puzzle never complained, because
he knew that Shift was far cleverer than himself and he thought it was very kind of Shift to be friends with him at all.
And if ever Puzzle did try to argue about anything, Shift would always say, Now, Puzzle, I understand what needs to
be done better than you. You know youre not clever, Puzzle. And Puzzle always said, No, Shift, Its quite true. Im
not clever. Then he would sigh and do whatever Shift had said.
Page 8-10
And as they looked at Caldron Pool Shift suddenly pointed with his dark, skinny finger and said,
Look! Whats that?
Whats what? said Puzzle.
That yellow thing thats just come down the waterfall. Look! There it is again, its floating. We must find out what it
is.
Must we? said Puzzle.
Of course we must, said Shift. It may be something useful. Just hop into the Pool like a good fellow and fish it out.
Then we can have a proper look at it.
Hop into the Pool? said Puzzle, twitching his long ears.
Well how are we to get it if you dont? said the Ape.
But but, said Puzzle, wouldnt it be better if you went in? Because, you see, its you who wants to know what it
is, and I dont much. And youve got hands, you see. Youre as good as a Man or a Dwarf when it comes to catching
hold of things. Ive only got hoofs.
Really, Puzzle, said Shift, I didnt think youd ever say a thing like that. I didnt think it of you, really.
Why, what have I said wrong? said the Ass, speaking in rather a humble voice, for he saw that Shift was very deeply
offended. All I meant was
Wanting me to go into the water, said the Ape. As if you didnt know perfectly well what weak chests Apes always
have and how easily they catch cold! Very well. I will go in. Im feeling cold enough already in this cruel wind. But Ill
go in. I shall probably die. Then youll be sorry. And Shifts voice sounded as if he was just going to burst into tears.
Please dont, please dont, please dont, said Puzzle, half braying, and half talking. I never meant anything of the
sort, Shift, really I didnt. You know how stupid I am and how I cant think of more than one thing at a time. Id
forgotten about your weak chest. Of course Ill go in. You mustnt think of doing it yourself. Promise me you wont,
Shift.
So Shift promised, and Puzzle went cloppety-clop on his four hoofs round the rocky edge of the Pool to find a place
where he could get in.
Page 11-12
Dont you start getting ideas into your head, Puzzle, said Shift. Because, you know, thinking isnt your strong point.
Well make this skin into a fine warm winter coat for you.
Oh, I dont think Id like that, said the Donkey. it would look I mean, the other Beasts might think that is to
say, I shouldnt feel
What are you talking about? said Shift, scratching himself the wrong way up as Apes do.
I dont think it would be respectful to the Great Lion, to Aslan himself, if an ass like me went about dressed up in a
lion-skin, said Puzzle.
Now dont stand arguing, please, said Shift. What does an ass like you know about things of that sort? You know
youre no good at thinking, Puzzle, so why dont you let me do your thinking for you? Why dont you treat me as I treat
you? I dont think I can do everything. I know youre better at some things than I am. Thats why I let you go into the
Pool; I knew youd do it better than me. But why cant I have my turn when it comes to something I can do and you
cant? Am I never to be allowed to do anything? Do be fair. Turn and turn about.
Oh, well, of course, if you put it that way, said Puzzle.
Page 144
The creatures came rushing on, their eyes brighter and brighter as they drew nearer and nearer to the standing Stars. But
as they came right up to Aslan one or other of two things happened to each of them. They all looked straight in his face,
I dont think they had any choice about that. And when some looked, the expression of their faces changed terribly it
was fear and hatred: except that, on the faces of Talking Bears, the fear and hatred lasted only for a fraction of a second.
You could see that they suddenly ceased to the Talking Beasts. They were just ordinary animals. And all the creatures
who looked at Aslan in that way swerved to their right, his left, and disappeared into his huge black shadow, which (as
you have heard) streamed away to the left of the doorway. The children never saw them again. I dont know what

became of them. But the others looked in the face of Aslan and loved him, though some of them were very frightened at
the same time. And all these came in at the Door, in on Aslans right.
Page 154
So I went over much grass and many flowers and among all kinds of wholesome and delectable trees till lo! in a
narrow place between two rocks there came to meet me a great Lion. The speed of him was like the ostrich, and his size
was an elephants; his hair was like pure gold and the brightness of his eyes like gold that is liquid in the furnace. He
was more terrible than the Flaming Mountain of Lagour, and in beauty he surpassed all that is in the world even as the
rose in bloom surpasses the dust of the desert. Then I fell at his feet and thought, Surely this is the hour of death, for the
Lion (who is worthy of all honour) will know that I have served Tash all my days and not him. Nevertheless, it is better
to see the Lion and die than to be Tisroc of the world and live and not to have seen him. But the Glorious One bent
down his golden head and touched my forehead with his tongue and said, Son, thou art welcome. But I said, Alas, Lord,
I am no son of thine but the servant of Tash. He answered, Child, all the service thou hast done to Tash, I account as
service done to me. Then by reasons of my great desire for wisdom and understanding, I overcame my fear and
questioned the Glorious One and said, Lord, is it then true, as the Ape said, that thou and Tash are one? The Lion
growled so that the earth shook (but his wrath was not against me) and said, It is false. Not because he and I are one, but
because we are opposites, I take to me the services which thou hast done to him. For I and he are of such different kinds
that no service which is vile can be done to me, and none which is not vile can be done to him. Therefore if any man
swear by Tash and keep his oath for the oaths sake, it is by me that he has truly sworn, though he know it not, and it is I
who reward him. And if any man do a cruelty in my name, then, though he says the name Aslan, it is Tash whom he
serves and by Tash his deed is accepted. Dost thou understand, Child? I said, Lord, thou knowest how much I
understand. But I said also (for the truth constrained me), Yet I have been seeking Tash all my days. Beloved, said the
Glorious One, unless thy desire had been for me thou wouldst not have sought so long and so truly. For all find what
they truly seek.
Then he breathed upon me and took away the trembling from my limbs and caused me to stand upon my feet. And
after that, he said not much, but that we should meet again, and I must go further up and further in. Then he turned him
about in a storm and flurry of gold and was gone suddenly.
Page 171-172
Then Aslan turned to them and said:
You do not yet look so happy as I mean you to be.
Lucy said, Were so afraid of being sent away, Aslan. And you have sent us back into our own world so often.
No fear of that, said Aslan. Have you not guessed?
Their hearts leaped and a wild hope rose within them.
There was a real railway accident, said Aslan softly. Your father and mother and all of you are as you used to call
it in the Shadowlands dead. The term is over: the holidays have begun. The dream is ended: this is the morning.
And as He spoke He no longer looked to them like a lion; but the things that began to happen after that were so great
and beautiful that I cannot write them. And for us this is the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that they all
lived happily ever after. But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their
adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the
Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.