The Phoenix and the Carpet · Chapter
X: The Hole in the Carpet explained
Mother is coming home, and the children plan one last adventure on the wishing carpet to find a present for her.
What happens
Mother is coming home, and the children plan one last adventure on the wishing carpet to find a present for her. After debating how to obtain money honestly, they wish to be taken somewhere they can get money in a way Mother would believe. During the flight, the large, poorly-darned hole in the carpet gives way, and Robert and Jane fall through, landing on a rooftop in New Cross. The carpet flies on with Anthea, Cyril, and the Phoenix, who eventually land in Deptford Road and encounter the Psammead. The Psammead grants them a wish for a sovereign, which they use to buy Mother a present. They return home, patch the carpet, and welcome Mother, who believes their story about Uncle Reginald giving them the money.
Themes in this chapter
Family and Responsibility
The children's primary motivation is to get a present for Mother's homecoming, showing their love and sense of duty. Anthea feels responsible for the poor darning that caused the accident.
Deception and Secrecy
The children struggle with how to obtain money for Mother's present in a way she will believe, ultimately fabricating a story about Uncle Reginald. The Phoenix and Psammead's magical nature must be kept secret.
Imagination and Escape
The wishing carpet provides a means of escape and adventure, as the children fly over London. The chapter highlights the tension between imaginative wishes and practical consequences.
Characters to notice
- Anthea
Darns the carpet hastily, leading to the hole; feels guilty when Robert and Jane fall through; wishes for a way to get Mother a present she'll believe in.
- Cyril
Accidentally tears the carpet; suggests going to the North Pole; comforts Anthea after the accident; encounters the Psammead.
- Robert
Proposes finding a purse with money; falls through the carpet hole with Jane; lands on a rooftop in New Cross.
- Jane
Sings about Mother's return; falls through the carpet hole with Robert; lands on a rooftop in New Cross.
- The Phoenix
Sheds crystal tears of sympathy; warns about wishing on the carpet; advises on the purse dilemma; points out the danger of the hole; suggests getting the Psammead's help.
- The Psammead
Appears in Deptford Road; grants the children a wish for a sovereign; is thanked by the children.
Key passages
“I do wish we could go and get something nice for mother, only she'd want to know where we got it.”
Anthea wishes they could get a present for Mother but knows she would demand an explanation they couldn't give.
Highlights the central dilemma of the chapter: obtaining a gift in a believable way.
“It's the hole; it's not measles whatever that possession may be.”
The Phoenix clarifies that the strange sensation Jane and Robert feel is due to the hole in the carpet, not illness.
The Phoenix identifies the cause of the impending accident.
“I knew the proper way to darn, and I didn't do it. It's all my fault.”
Anthea blames herself for the poor darning that led to Robert and Jane falling through the carpet.
Shows Anthea's sense of responsibility and guilt.
“Good old Psammead.”
Robert expresses gratitude to the Psammead for granting their wish.
The children acknowledge the Psammead's help in solving their problem.
