The novel opens with a poem in which Carroll describes the genesis of the story. He is with three small girls who are rowing a boat down the river and begging him to tell a story. He refers to them as the “cruel Three;” the first (“Prima”) importunes him to begin, the second (“Secunda”) hopes the story will contain nonsense, and the third (“Tertia”) constantly interrupts him (3).

He recalls how they are enrapt in the story and half-believe it. When the story is finished, they all sail home. He writes the story and presents it to Alice, who is one of the girls, hoping that she will keep it as a memento to her childhood.

Alice sits on the riverbank with her older sister, who is reading. Alice finds the book boring because it does not contain illustrations or dialogue. She thinks about making a daisy chain and is about to doze off, when she sees a white rabbit hurry past saying “I shall be too late!” (5). She does not think it strange until she realizes the rabbit is wearing a waistcoat and pocket watch. She gets up and runs after it, following it down a long, dark rabbit hole.