# VI: The Lions in the Desert explained — The Magic City

> Chapter companion for The Magic City by E. Nesbit.

## What happens

Philip and Lucy, accompanied by Mr. Noah's camel, dogs Max and Brenda, and a talking parrot, set out on a journey to the land of the Dwellers by the Sea. They camp at oases, and on the second night are surrounded by lions. Lucy devises a plan to capture the lions with ropes without harming them, and they succeed. The chapter also includes a conversation with Mr. Noah about the nature of laws and beauty, and the assignment of the next deed: to slay the fear of the Dwellers by the Sea.

## Themes in this chapter

### Bravery and Selflessness

Philip and Lucy face the lions with courage, and Lucy insists on joining the dangerous journey despite Philip's initial objection, showing bravery and selflessness.

### Friendship and Cooperation

The group works together to capture the lions: Lucy devises the plan, Philip helps with the fire, and the dogs and parrot assist, demonstrating cooperation.

## Character check-ins

### Philip Haldane

Philip rides the camel, helps build the fire, and is bitten awake by the parrot to face the lions. He questions Mr. Noah about the factories and laws, and is assigned the next deed.

### Lucy

Lucy wears her fairy dress, devises the plan to capture the lions with ropes, and insists on accompanying Philip on the next deed. She also questions Mr. Noah about the empty dessert bowls.

### Noah

Mr. Noah organizes the expedition, explains the laws of the city, and assigns the next deed: to journey to the Dwellers by the Sea and slay their fear.

### Max

Max is one of the dogs accompanying the expedition; he faces the lions but shows no real love of sport.

### The Hippogriff

The parrot (referred to as Polly) recites poetry, warns of the lions, and helps coordinate the capture.

## Key lines

> “What have you got to start with?” the son asked, getting to business at once. “Two dogs, two children, and a camel,” said Mr. Noah. “Yes, I know it’s customary to have two of everything, but I assure you, my dear boy, that one camel is as much as Sir Philip can manage.”

Mr. Noah's son asks what supplies they have, and Mr. Noah lists two dogs, two children, and a camel, noting that one camel is enough for Philip.

_This sets up the expedition's composition and Mr. Noah's practical humor._

> “I know how you could kill Noah’s Ark lions if you could catch them,” Lucy said. “It’s easy enough to catch them,” said Polly; “an hour after dawn they go to sleep, but it’s unsportsmanlike to kill game when it’s asleep.”

Lucy claims she knows how to kill the lions, and the parrot says catching them is easy since they sleep after dawn, but killing sleeping game is unsportsmanlike.

_Lucy's cleverness and the parrot's sense of fair play are highlighted._

> “The next deed,” Mr. Noah answered, “will probably take some time. There’s no reason why you should not begin it today if you like. It is a deed peculiarly suited to a baronet.”

Mr. Noah tells Philip that the next deed, suited to a baronet, is to journey to the Dwellers by the Sea and slay their fear, and they can start immediately.

_This introduces the next major quest and Mr. Noah's ironic view of baronets._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_magic_city_se/chapters/vi-the-lions-in-the-desert
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_magic_city_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_magic_city_se/chapters