Digory and Polly explore the study of Uncle Andrew – but they get more than they bargained for. Uncle Andrew is a magician, and by means of a magic ring he has opened a door to another world. Polly puts on a ring – before Digory can stop her – and is transported to another realm. Digory is left with no other choice but to take another ring and to go after her…in the hope of bringing her back.
They cross the vast gulf between worlds, and enter into a shadowy hall that is full of wax like images of people. In the center of the hall stand a golden bell – and a golden hammer to hit it with. Against better advice, Digory insists on ringing the bell, and thereby breaks the spell that had bound the images. The Queen Jadis (who is really a Witch) awakens, and though the children escape her grasp, she follows them home to Uncle Andrew.
Though the Witch discovers that her spells no longer work in this world, she is able to create some havoc, nonetheless. Unsurprisingly, her undignified behavior gets her into trouble with the local police. Before further damage can be done, Digory grabs hold of her ankle and (with the help of the magic ring) they are transported into another realm. Polly, Uncle Andrew, the Cabby and his horse (Strawberry) – all of whom were in the vicinity - are also transported along with them.
“Narnia, awake – be walking trees and talking beasts”, roars the Lion of Narnia. And he exhorts the talking beasts not to return to their dumb ways. The entire party is witness to the founding of Narnia – for that is the name of this strange land. The Witch flees, and is pursued by the Lion of Narnia. Meanwhile, Uncle Andrew is drawing up ambitious plans for the commercial exploitation of this new territory, but his plans find few takers among the members of the party!
In a minor digression, Uncle Andrew – who is too shocked to say anything – is mistaken for a dumb animal himself; and the talking beasts decide to keep him as their pet.
The Cabby and his wife (who has been summoned by the Lion of Narnia) are crowned as King and Queen of Narnia. And his steed – Strawberry – is transformed into a winged horse. Then they all take part in the planting of the Tree, whose fruit are meant for others, and that shall protect the land from evil. A fruit from that Tree is taken by Digory for his ill mother when he and Polly return to their home. (The core of the fruit, planted in his backyard, gives rise to another tree with some magical properties. It is from this tree that Digory makes the Wardrobe – that is to serve as a gateway between the worlds in the other adventures of Narnia.)