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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)

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He had already obeyed the part about tak<strong>in</strong>g one "for others".<br />

While he was th<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> all this he happened to look up through the branches towards<br />

the top <strong>of</strong> the tree. <strong>The</strong>re, on a branch above his head, a wonderful bird was roost<strong>in</strong>g. I<br />

say "roost<strong>in</strong>g" because it seemed almost asleep; perhaps not quite. <strong>The</strong> t<strong>in</strong>iest slit <strong>of</strong> one<br />

eye was open. It was larger than an eagle, its breast saffron, its head crested with scarlet,<br />

and its tail purple.<br />

"And it just shows," said Digory afterwards when he was tell<strong>in</strong>g the story to the others,<br />

"that you can't be too careful <strong>in</strong> these magical places. You never know what may be<br />

watch<strong>in</strong>g you." But I th<strong>in</strong>k Digory would not have taken an apple for himself <strong>in</strong> any case.<br />

Th<strong>in</strong>gs like Do Not Steal were, I th<strong>in</strong>k, hammered <strong>in</strong>to boys' heads a good deal harder <strong>in</strong><br />

those days than they are now. Still, we can never be certa<strong>in</strong>.<br />

Digory was just turn<strong>in</strong>g to go back to the gates when he stopped to have one last look<br />

around. He got a terrible shock. He was not alone. <strong>The</strong>re, only a few yards away from<br />

him, stood the Witch. She was just throw<strong>in</strong>g away the core <strong>of</strong> an apple which she had<br />

eaten. <strong>The</strong> juice was darker than you would expect and had made a horrid sta<strong>in</strong> round her<br />

mouth. Digory guessed at once that she must have climbed <strong>in</strong> over the wall. And he<br />

began to see that there might be some sense <strong>in</strong> that last l<strong>in</strong>e about gett<strong>in</strong>g your heart's<br />

desire and gett<strong>in</strong>g despair along with it. For the Witch looked stronger and prouder than<br />

ever, and even, <strong>in</strong> a way, triumphant; but her face was deadly white, white as salt.<br />

All this flashed through Digory's m<strong>in</strong>d <strong>in</strong> a second; then he took to his heels and ran for<br />

the gates as hard as he could pelt; the Witch after him. As soon as he was out, the gates<br />

closed beh<strong>in</strong>d him <strong>of</strong> their own accord. That gave him the lead but not for long. By the<br />

time he had reached the others and was shout<strong>in</strong>g out "Quick, get on, Polly! Get up,<br />

Fledge", the Witch had climbed the wall, or vaulted over it, and was close beh<strong>in</strong>d him<br />

aga<strong>in</strong>.<br />

"Stay where you are," cried Digory, turn<strong>in</strong>g round to face her, "or we'll all vanish. Don't<br />

come an <strong>in</strong>ch nearer."<br />

"Foolish boy," said the Witch. "Why do you run from me? I mean you no harm. If you do<br />

not stop and listen to me now, you will miss some knowledge that would have made you<br />

happy all your life."<br />

"Well I don't want to hear it, thanks," said Digory. But he did.<br />

"I know what errand you have come on," cont<strong>in</strong>ued the Witch. "For it was I who was<br />

close beside you <strong>in</strong> the woods last night and heard all your counsels. You have plucked<br />

fruit <strong>in</strong> the garden yonder. You have it <strong>in</strong> your pocket now. And you are go<strong>in</strong>g to carry it<br />

back, untasted, to the Lion; for him to eat, for him to use. You simpleton! Do you know<br />

what that fruit is? I will tell you. It is the apple <strong>of</strong> youth, the apple <strong>of</strong> life. I know, for I<br />

have tasted it; and I feel already such changes <strong>in</strong> myself that I know I shall never grow

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