The animals don’t realize that Uncle Andrew is a human because his clothes, which they assume are analogous to fur or feathers, are different than those of Digory, Polly, etc. When Uncle Andrew tries to speak, they don’t understand him. When they try to communicate with him, he faints. The animals debate whether Uncle Andrew is an animal or a plant, first trying to plant him and then examining him for a nose. They decide he is a tree and must need water, so the she-elephant fills her trunk and douses him, reviving him.

Digory is on Strawberry’s back, trotting toward Aslan. As they approach, Aslan tells the council to step aside, and Digory dismounts, face-to-face with Aslan. Stammering, Digory asks Aslan If there is any magical fruit that could heal his sick mother. Digory expects the Lion to say yes or no, but Aslan only tells his council that Digory is the boy responsible for bringing evil into Narnia. Aslan asks Digory why he brought the Witch to Narnia, and Digory stammers that he just wanted her out of his own world. Aslan asks him to tell the council what happened. Digory tries to say that he simply “met” the Witch, but Aslan nearly growls.