# VI: The Consequences explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by George MacDonald.

## What happens

Colin bargains with the Fairy Queen for the return of the little girl, but the queen tries to trick him by transforming the child into various animals. Colin holds fast, and when the queen opens the bottle of Carasoyn, its release causes her and her court to age and wither, forcing them to flee. Colin then finds a real little girl who had been left behind, and over the years she grows into a beautiful woman whom he eventually marries.

## Themes in this chapter

### Reality vs. Illusion

The Fairy Queen's transformations and the contrast between the magical events and the mundane explanations (e.g., gipsies) highlight the tension between perceived reality and illusion.

### Family and Sacrificial Love

Colin's persistent care for the little girl, his promise to keep her safe, and his eventual marriage to her illustrate themes of familial and sacrificial love.

## Character check-ins

### Colin

Bargains with the Fairy Queen, holds fast through transformations, and later marries the girl he rescued.

### Fairy

The little girl left behind after the queen's flight; she grows up and marries Colin.

### Colin's Father

Skeptical of Colin's story about the gipsies, but later supports Colin's marriage.

## Key lines

> If it's a snake, I'll choke it. If it's a girl, I'll keep her.

Colin resolves to hold onto the creature regardless of its form, determined to keep the child safe.

_Demonstrates Colin's unwavering commitment and courage in the face of magical deception._

> The queen stood shivering and sobbing beside the bottle, and all her court came about her and shivered and sobbed too, and their faces grew ancient and wrinkled.

The release of the Carasoyn causes the Fairy Queen and her court to age rapidly, showing the loss of their magical power.

_Illustrates the consequence of the queen's failed trick and the theme of reality vs. illusion._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters/vi-the-consequences
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_21_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_21_se/chapters