The Magician's Nephew

Aslan asks Digory if he’s ready to undo the wrong he did by bringing the Witch to Narnia. Digory says he doesn’t know how, but Aslan interrupts, asking only if he is ready, to which Digory says yes. However, as he thinks of his mother, Digory cannot help asking again if there is anything Aslan can do for her. He looks up for the first time and sees that Aslan’s face is close to his own and that there are tears in his eyes. Aslan says that he and Digory are the only beings in this world who understand grief and that they must be kind to one another.

Aslan says that he wants to plant a tree that the Witch will not dare approach and that Digory must retrieve the seed for this tree. Digory accepts the mission and Aslan licks his forehead, causing strength and courage to rush through Digory. Aslan tells him to travel to the edge of Narnia, into the “Western Wild,” through a valley with a lake surrounded by mountains, and up a steep hill to a garden. In the garden, he must pluck an apple and bring it back to Aslan.

Digory agrees but says that it will take him a very long time. Aslan tells him that he will have help and turns to Strawberry, asking if he would like to be a winged horse. Strawberry is very excited but only agrees if Aslan wills it. Aslan roars and calls Strawberry the “father” of winged horses, renaming him Fledge. Testing his new wings, Fledge flies in a few circles and agrees to take Digory.

Polly and Queen Helen have been whispering, and Queen Helen now tells Aslan that Polly would like to accompany Digory. Aslan agrees and warns Fledge not to fly above the mountains but to find his way through the valleys. He blesses the party of three and they take off.

From Fledge’s back, Polly and Digory can see all of Narnia and into the southern lands. Soon, the sun sets, and Polly is cold. Fledge is also tired, so they rest for the night in a valley. Fledge munches on the grass, and the children realize they have no food. Polly says Aslan should have thought of that without being asked, but Fledge remarks that Aslan probably likes being asked. Digory thinks of sending Polly home for food by her ring, but she refuses to leave him. She remembers that she has a bag of toffee in her pocket. The children eat four toffees each and plant the last one in hopes that it grows into a toffee tree. After eating, they snuggle up to Fledge. They discuss all the things they did that day and repeat all the signs they need to look for in their journey. Before falling asleep, Polly thinks she hears something, and they get to their feet to search. Polly swears she saw a tall figure moving west, but they see nothing and fall asleep.

The next morning, Polly wakes Digory and Fledge by telling them that the toffee indeed grew into a tree. Its fruit isn’t exactly like candy but tastes similar. Digory, Polly, and Fledge take turns bathing in a stream before starting the day’s journey. With the sun behind them, they can take in all the majesty of Narnia. Soon they begin to smell something sweet and delicious and see the steep hill with the garden. Fledge lands and they climb to the garden’s gates.

Though they believed they would enter the garden together, when they see the gates, they each realize that Digory must enter alone. The gates are golden and there is a silver inscription that reads,

Come in by the gold gates or not at all,

Take of my fruit for others or forbear,

For those who steal or those who climb my wall

Shall find their heart’s desire and find despair (175).

Digory puts his hand on the gates and they swing open. He enters the garden solemnly and immediately recognizes the tree he is looking for. It is in the center of the garden and has large silver apples that cast their own light. Digory pulls an apple from the tree but cannot help smelling it as he puts it in his pocket. He instantly regrets this, as he is overcome with longing for the apple. He questions how much one bite would hurt. As he does, he looks up and sees a colorful bird sitting in the tree’s branches. The bird is staring at Digory through slitted eyes. Grateful he didn’t take a bite, he turns to take one last look before leaving. He is shocked to see the Witch standing only a few yards from him.

The Witch throws away the core of an apple, the juice of which has darkly stained her mouth. She seems stronger and prouder, but she is deathly pale. Digory remembers the engraving and begins to run for the gates with the Witch behind him. The gold gates close behind him, but the Witch vaults over the wall. Before mounting Fledge, Digory turns to the Witch and threatens to disappear if she takes a step closer. The Witch says she means them no harm and tells Digory that the fruit in his pocket is the apple of youth and life. She urges Digory to take a bite, telling him that he could live forever and rule Narnia with her. Digory refuses, saying he would not want to live after everyone he knew had died.

The Witch then tells him to think of his mother and how the fruit could heal her. Digory hesitates, realizing what a “terrible choice” he must make. The Witch tells him that Aslan does not care about him and is only a selfish wild animal. Digory protests this and says that he promised to return with the fruit. Nevertheless, he is very tempted to touch his ring and bring the fruit to his mother. The Witch tells him that no one needs to know how he got the fruit because he can leave Polly behind. This clears Digory’s head, and he remembers how awful the witch is. He mounts Fledge, leaving the Witch behind. Polly encourages him as they travel back to Narnia, but Digory is discouraged about his mother. They make it back to Aslan and Digory gives him the apple.