The Magician's Nephew

Suddenly, Digory, Polly, the sleeping Uncle Andrew, and Aslan are standing in the Wood between the Worlds. Aslan tells them that they do not need to use rings when he is with them. There is an empty hollow where the pool to Charn once existed, but Aslan says that the world of Charn has ended and that humanity should view this as a warning. He tells Polly and Digory that soon tyrants will rule Earth’s nations and that humanity might find a power as destructive as the deplorable word. He also tells Polly and Digory to find all the rings Uncle Andrew made and bury them so they can never be used again. As Polly and Digory stare at Aslan’s face, it suddenly turns into a golden “sea” that surrounds them. They feel happier, more peaceful, and more alive than they ever have before, and they remember this moment for the rest of their lives.

Immediately afterward, the group is back on the steps of Digory’s house. Everything is exactly as they left it, and the crowd is searching for the Witch. No one notices the children and no one recognizes Uncle Andrew, who is now awake. The children hurry into Digory’s house. Uncle Andrew runs ahead of them and locks himself in his bedroom, thinking only of the bottle of brandy in his closet. Digory asks Polly to collect the rings while he goes directly to his mother. She is lying in bed, her face pale and thin. Digory takes the apple out of his pocket and it shines, casting light on the ceiling and walls. Digory asks his mother if she’ll eat it, and though she doesn’t think the doctor would approve, she agrees. Digory peels the apple and feeds it to her. Afterward, she falls into a deep, peaceful sleep without any medication. Digory leaves and buries the apple core in the back garden.

The next morning, Digory hears the doctor tell Aunt Letty that it seems like a miracle has taken place. Later that day, Polly and Digory bury the rings in a circle around the spot where Digory planted the apple core. A sprout is already growing there. In a week, it is obvious that Digory’s mother is improving. After two weeks, she can sit in the garden. In a month, she is up and about, singing, opening windows, and playing games with Digory. Soon after, Digory’s father writes from India and informs the family that he has inherited a fortune and will be returning. The family will move into a big house in the country.

Digory and Polly remain friends for the rest of their lives, and Polly spends her summer holidays with Digory’s family in the countryside. The tree that Digory planted does not bear magic apples, but it is connected to the original tree in Narnia. When Digory is middle-aged, a storm blows the tree down and Digory has the wood turned into a wardrobe that he keeps in the country house. Another child later discovers the magic properties of that wardrobe.

The lamppost that the Witch accidentally planted in Narnia continues to burn brightly and the area around it becomes known as Lamppost Waste; another child eventually enters Narnia for the first time nearby. Narnia is a peaceful and happy land. King Frank and Queen Helen rule prosperously for many years, and their children rule after them.

Digory’s father eventually invites Uncle Andrew to live with them in the country. Uncle Andrew never touches anything magical again and becomes a less selfish man in his old age. He sometimes entices a guest to sit in his study, where he tells them the story of a strikingly beautiful woman with an awful temper.