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The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

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"Aslan! Aslan! Have I made the first joke? Will everybody always be told how I made<br />

the first joke?"<br />

"No, little friend," said the Lion. "You have not made the first joke; you have only been<br />

the first joke." <strong>The</strong>n everyone laughed more than ever; but the Jackdaw didn't m<strong>in</strong>d and<br />

laughed just as loud till the horse shook its head and the Jackdaw lost its balance and fell<br />

<strong>of</strong>f, but remembered its w<strong>in</strong>gs (they were still new to it) before it reached the ground.<br />

"And now," said Aslan, "<strong>Narnia</strong> is established. We must next take thought for keep<strong>in</strong>g it<br />

safe. I will call some <strong>of</strong> you to my council. Come hither to me, you the chief Dwarf, and<br />

you the River-god, and you Oak and the Owl, and both the Ravens and the Bull-Elephant.<br />

We must talk together. For though the world is not five hours old an evil has already<br />

entered it."<br />

<strong>The</strong> creatures he had named came forward and he turned away eastward with them. <strong>The</strong><br />

others all began talk<strong>in</strong>g, say<strong>in</strong>g th<strong>in</strong>gs like "What did he say had entered the world? - A<br />

Neevil - What's a Neevil? - No, he didn't say a Neevil, he said a weevil - Well, what's<br />

that?"<br />

"Look here," said Digory to Polly, "I've got to go after him - Aslan, I mean, the Lion. I<br />

must speak to him."<br />

"Do you th<strong>in</strong>k we can?" said Polly. "I wouldn't dare."<br />

"I've got to," said Digory. "It's about Mother. If anyone could give me someth<strong>in</strong>g that<br />

would do her good, it would be him."<br />

"I'll come along with you," said the Cabby. "I liked the looks <strong>of</strong> 'im. And I don't reckon<br />

these other beasts will go for us. And I want a word with old Strawberry."<br />

So all three <strong>of</strong> them stepped out boldly - or as boldly as they could - towards the<br />

assembly <strong>of</strong> animals. <strong>The</strong> creatures were so busy talk<strong>in</strong>g to one another and mak<strong>in</strong>g<br />

friends that they didn't notice the three humans until they were very close; nor did they<br />

hear Uncle Andrew, who was stand<strong>in</strong>g trembl<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> his buttoned boots a good way <strong>of</strong>f<br />

and shout<strong>in</strong>g (but by no means at the top <strong>of</strong> his voice).<br />

"Digory! Come back! Come back at once when you're told. I forbid you to go a step<br />

further."<br />

When at last they were right <strong>in</strong> among the animals, the animals all stopped talk<strong>in</strong>g and<br />

stared at them.<br />

"Well?" said the He-Beaver at last, "what, <strong>in</strong> the name <strong>of</strong> Aslan, are these?"<br />

"Please," began Digory <strong>in</strong> rather a breathless voice, when a Rabbit said, "<strong>The</strong>y're a k<strong>in</strong>d<br />

<strong>of</strong> large lettuce, that's my belief."

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