# They Come to the Land of the Innocent Folk explained — The Well at the World’s End > Chapter companion for The Well at the World’s End by William Morris. ## What happens Ralph and Ursula journey from the Valley of Sweet-chestnuts through mountains and valleys, eventually arriving in a peaceful, fertile land inhabited by a simple, kind folk. They are welcomed with great reverence and hospitality, bathed, clothed in white, crowned with flowers, and feasted in the town's Mote-house, where they are treated as honored guests. ## Themes in this chapter ### Home and Wandering Ralph and Ursula leave their winter abode joyously, continuing their journey through unknown lands, finding temporary rest and welcome among a peaceful folk. ### Nature and the Supernatural The land is described as goodly and fertile, with fair valleys, little hills, and vineyards, evoking a near-idyllic natural world that borders on the supernatural in its perfection. ## Character check-ins ### Ralph of Upmeads Travels with Ursula through the mountains and into the land of the innocent folk, where he is welcomed as a revered guest. ### Ursula Travels with Ralph and is welcomed with him by the innocent folk, treated with great honor and reverence. ## Key lines > When it was morning they speedily gat them ready for the road, whereas they had little to take with them; so they departed joyously, howbeit both Ralph and Ursula felt rather love than loathing for their winter abode. In the morning, they quickly prepared to leave, having few belongings, and set off happily, though both Ralph and Ursula felt affection rather than dislike for their winter home. _Shows their attachment to the place they stayed during winter._ > Their horses and all their gear were a great wonder to the young men, for they had seen no such beasts before: but the elder said that once in his young days he had led a man to the Well who was riding a horse and was clad in knightly array. The young men were amazed by the horses and equipment, having never seen such animals before, but an older man recalled leading a knight on horseback to the Well in his youth. _Highlights the rarity of horses in this land._ > All the people of the town were come forth to meet them, for runners had gone before them, and they stood on either side of the way murmuring greetings, and with their heads bent low in reverence. All the townspeople came out to greet them, as messengers had announced their arrival, and they lined the path, bowing their heads and murmuring welcomes. _Illustrates the deep reverence the folk have for the travelers._ > There then were they feasted by that kind folk, and when meat was done certain youths and maidens fell to singing songs very sweetly; and the words of the songs were simple and harmless, and concerning the fairness of the earth and the happy loves of the creatures that dwell therein. The kind people feasted them, and after the meal, young men and women sang sweet songs with simple, innocent lyrics about the beauty of the earth and the joyful loves of its creatures. _Describes the innocent and harmonious culture of the folk._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters/xv-they-come-to-the-land-of-the-innocent-folk - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_well_at_the_world_s_end_se/chapters