# Five Children and It explained — Five Children and It

> Chapter companion for Five Children and It by E. Nesbit.

## What happens

The five children—Robert, Cyril, Anthea, Jane, and the Lamb—move to a new house in the countryside and discover a sand-fairy, the Psammead, who grants them one wish per day that lasts until sunset. Their first wish to be beautiful leads to comedic and troublesome consequences.

## Themes in this chapter

### Wish Fulfillment and Its Consequences

The children's first wish for beauty leads to unexpected and humorous problems, illustrating the theme that wishes can have unintended outcomes.

### The Magic of Everyday Life

The discovery of a magical sand-fairy in an ordinary gravel pit highlights the magic hidden in everyday surroundings.

## Character check-ins

### Robert

One of the five children who participates in the discovery and first wish.

### Cyril

One of the five children, described as crafty, who helps find the Psammead.

### Anthea

One of the five children, the upright one, who interacts with the Psammead.

### Jane

One of the five children, truthful Jane, who is part of the wish-making.

### The Lamb

The youngest child, present during the discovery and wish.

## Key lines

> The gravel-pit was very hot and dry, and the children were tired of playing in it.

The children grew bored with their usual play in the hot, dry gravel-pit.

_Sets the scene for their discovery of the Psammead._

> I wish we were all as beautiful as the day!

The children wish to be extraordinarily beautiful.

_This is the first wish made to the Psammead, leading to the chapter's central conflict._

## Links

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