# The Flight Into Egypt explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Selma Lagerlöf.

## What happens

A very old and tall palm tree in the Eastern desert observes a man, a woman, and a child fleeing into the wilderness. The palm reflects on their desperate situation, noting their lack of supplies and the dangers of the desert. The family collapses at a dry well, believing they will die. The child, however, commands the palm to bend down, and the tree obeys, allowing the mother to gather dates. The palm realizes the child is its superior and later withers, having seen a king greater than Solomon.

## Themes in this chapter

### Nature and the Supernatural

The palm tree, a natural element, is personified and obeys the divine child, blending the natural world with miraculous events.

### Suffering and Redemption

The Holy Family endures extreme suffering in the desert, but their faith and the child's miracle bring redemption and survival.

### Death and Mortality

The palm tree contemplates death and the family's imminent demise, yet the child's power overcomes mortality.

## Character check-ins

### Jesus

The child who commands the palm tree to bend, demonstrating divine authority.

### Mary

The mother who carries the child and cries out for dates in her despair.

### Joseph

The man who despairs in the desert, believing God cannot help them.

### Herod

Mentioned as the king who ordered the slaughter of male children, prompting the flight.

## Key lines

> Palm, bend thee! Palm, bend thee!

The child commands the palm tree to lower itself.

_The child's simple command causes the ancient palm to bow, showing his divine authority over nature._

> Now I know for whom they are playing the death melody... It is not for any of these people.

The palm realizes the death omen in its leaves is not for the family but for itself.

_The palm understands that its own death is imminent after serving the child._

> This palm was not to die before it had seen a King greater than Solomon.

The palm was destined to live until it witnessed a king surpassing Solomon.

_The travelers interpret the palm's withering as fulfillment of the prophecy that it would see the Messiah._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_50_se/chapters/the-flight-into-egypt
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_50_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_50_se/chapters