Esio Trot Summary by Roald Dahl

Name: Esio Trot
ISBN: 9780224064927

Synopsis

Covers the whole plot, including the ending.

Mr. Hoppy, a shy bachelor, secretly loves his downstairs neighbor, Mrs. Silver. However, Mrs. Silver loves her pet tortoise, Alfie, who isn't growing as quickly as she'd like. Seeing a chance to win her heart, Mr. Hoppy plans an elaborate trick. He tells Mrs. Silver about an ancient tortoise-growing spell and instructs her to recite a chant while he secretly 'helps' Alfie grow. Using a custom-made tortoise-hoisting device, Mr. Hoppy repeatedly swaps Alfie with slightly larger tortoises from his collection. Mrs. Silver believes the spell is working wonders. As Alfie (or rather, a series of progressively larger tortoises) appears to grow, Mrs. Silver is overjoyed and deeply impressed by Mr. Hoppy's 'magic.' Once the final, much larger tortoise is in place, Mr. Hoppy reveals his affection, and Mrs. Silver, grateful and charmed, accepts his marriage proposal. They live happily, and the original Alfie, now larger and sold to a new family, enjoys a new life.

Difficulty: Easy
Pacing: Moderate
Mood: Whimsical, Humorous, Heartwarming, Charming
Read it if: You enjoy whimsical, light-hearted children's stories with a touch of gentle romance and clever schemes.
Skip it if: You prefer complex plots, deep character studies, or stories without any deception, however well-intentioned.

Esio Trot Plot Summary

Covers the whole plot, including the ending.

Mr. Hoppy's Secret Love
Mr. Hoppy lives in a tall apartment building and spends his days caring for his balcony plants. His greatest joy, however, comes from watching his downstairs neighbor, Mrs. Silver, an attractive widow, tend to her own balcony. Mr. Hoppy loves her but is too shy to speak to her beyond a polite greeting. He often dreams of inviting her for tea or helping her, but he always loses his nerve. He spends hours watching her, especially when she interacts with her pet tortoise, Alfie.
Alfie's Slow Growth
One morning, Mrs. Silver talks to Alfie on her balcony. Mr. Hoppy, as usual, watches her discreetly. Mrs. Silver complains to Alfie about how small he is, wishing he would grow bigger. She explains she's had him for years, but he's barely gained weight. She tells Alfie that if he could only grow, she would be happier. Mr. Hoppy, overhearing this from his balcony directly above, sees this as his chance to impress Mrs. Silver and perhaps win her affection, if he can make Alfie grow.
The Brilliant Idea
Mr. Hoppy spends the entire day thinking about Mrs. Silver's wish. He knows that tortoises grow very slowly, if at all, once they reach a certain age, so simply feeding Alfie more will not work. After much thought, a 'most brilliant and fantastic idea' comes to him. His plan involves replacing Alfie with successively larger tortoises, making Mrs. Silver believe that Alfie is miraculously growing due to his help. He decides to pretend he knows a magical tortoise-growing spell.
The Tortoise Spell
The next day, Mr. Hoppy calls down to Mrs. Silver, offering help with Alfie. He tells her he knows a secret ancient spell that can make tortoises grow faster. Mrs. Silver is skeptical but interested. Mr. Hoppy, with great drama, recites a long, rhyming, nonsensical 'spell' using words like 'Esio Trot' (tortoise spelled backward) and 'skilly-willy.' He instructs her to repeat the spell to Alfie twice a day, and to also whisper into Alfie's ear, 'Esio Trot, Esio Trot, teena-weena, hobble-gobble, up with the gobbles, down with the wobbles, Esio Trot, Esio Trot, grow large, grow tall, grow quick, grow strong!'
The Hoist and the Hole
While Mrs. Silver diligently recites the spell, Mr. Hoppy secretly begins his preparations. He builds a special tortoise-hoisting device using a long pole, a small net, and some string. It is designed to safely lift Alfie from Mrs. Silver's balcony to his own. He also drills a small, hidden hole in his balcony floor, directly above Mrs. Silver's tortoise enclosure. Through this hole, he can lower and retrieve the tortoises without being seen. He hides the hole with a flowerpot.
The Tortoise Acquisition
Mr. Hoppy realizes he needs many tortoises. He visits every pet shop in nearby towns, explaining to the confused shopkeepers that he needs tortoises of many different sizes, each slightly larger than the last, but not too noticeably different. He eventually acquires 140 tortoises, each a bit heavier and larger than the last. He stores them in a custom-built enclosure on his balcony, carefully numbering them.
The First Swap
After a week of Mrs. Silver reciting the spell, Mr. Hoppy puts his plan into action. When Mrs. Silver is out, he carefully lowers his hoisting device, scoops up Alfie, and brings him to his balcony. He then selects a tortoise from his collection that is just slightly larger than Alfie and lowers it into Mrs. Silver's enclosure. The swap works, and when Mrs. Silver returns, she notices the tortoise seems a tiny bit bigger, crediting it to the spell.
The Growing Illusion
Over the following weeks, Mr. Hoppy continues his secret mission. Every few days, when Mrs. Silver is away, he uses his hoist to replace the current tortoise with a slightly larger one from his collection. Mrs. Silver is absolutely thrilled, believing her spell and Mr. Hoppy's advice are working wonders. She frequently calls up to Mr. Hoppy, exclaiming about Alfie's amazing growth, growing more fond of Mr. Hoppy for his 'magical' assistance. Her gratitude and admiration for him grow with each perceived increase in Alfie's size.
The Final Swap and the Proposal
Eventually, the tortoise in Mrs. Silver's enclosure is much larger than the original Alfie. One day, Mrs. Silver exclaims that Alfie is now so big he can barely fit in his house. Seeing his chance, Mr. Hoppy calls down and says, 'My dear Mrs. Silver, the spell has worked! And now that Alfie is so magnificent, perhaps you would consider something else?' He then boldly proposes marriage to her. Mrs. Silver, overjoyed and grateful for his 'magic' and kindness, accepts his proposal.
A New Life
Mr. Hoppy and Mrs. Silver get married and live happily. The original Alfie, who had been living comfortably on Mr. Hoppy's balcony with the other tortoises, is eventually given to a kind little girl who loves him. The many other tortoises Mr. Hoppy acquired are also given to loving homes. Mrs. Silver never discovers Mr. Hoppy's clever deception, and their love story, sparked by a tortoise and some ingenious trickery, blossoms beautifully.

Principal Figures

Mr. Hoppy

Protagonist

A shy, elderly bachelor who is secretly in love with his neighbor.

Mr. Hoppy is a kind-hearted, somewhat timid man who lives alone in an apartment building. He is meticulous, evident in his care for his balcony plants, and deeply observant, especially of Mrs. Silver. Despite his shyness, he possesses a quick wit and an imaginative mind, which he uses to devise an elaborate plan to win Mrs. Silver's affection. He is driven by his intense, albeit unspoken, love for her.

Relationships: Mrs. Silver (deeply in love with her, eventually becomes her husband); Alfie (the object of his elaborate scheme to win Mrs. Silver's heart)

Mrs. Silver

Love Interest

An attractive, kind widow who adores her pet tortoise, Alfie.

Mrs. Silver is a warm, pleasant woman who lives below Mr. Hoppy. She is a widow and her greatest affection is reserved for her small pet tortoise, Alfie. She is somewhat naive and easily impressed, especially when it comes to the well-being of her beloved pet. Her desire for Alfie to grow bigger is genuine, making her susceptible to Mr. Hoppy's 'magical' solution. She values kindness and is grateful for Mr. Hoppy's help.

Relationships: Mr. Hoppy (neighbor, object of his affection, eventually becomes his wife); Alfie (her beloved pet tortoise)

Alfie

Supporting

Mrs. Silver's small pet tortoise, the catalyst for Mr. Hoppy's plan.

Alfie is Mrs. Silver's cherished pet tortoise. He is small and has not grown much over the years, which prompts Mrs. Silver's wish for him to grow larger. Alfie himself is a silent character, a prop around which the entire plot revolves. He is the innocent subject of Mr. Hoppy's elaborate scheme, being secretly swapped out for larger tortoises. His perceived 'growth' is the key to Mr. Hoppy winning Mrs. Silver's heart.

Relationships: Mrs. Silver (her beloved pet); Mr. Hoppy (the subject of his manipulation, temporarily housed by him)

Themes & Insights

Love and Courtship

The main theme is Mr. Hoppy's elaborate courtship of Mrs. Silver. His shyness prevents direct talk, leading him to devise a complex plan to win her over. The story explores how far someone might go for love, even with a charming deception. This shows in Mr. Hoppy's careful planning and execution of the tortoise-swapping scheme, all motivated by his desire to be with Mrs. Silver, ending in his proposal after the 'spell' seems to work.

“For Mr. Hoppy, who was a shy man, was very much in love with Mrs. Silver.”
Narrator

Deception and Illusion

A significant theme is clever deception and creating an illusion. Mr. Hoppy's entire plan relies on making Mrs. Silver believe in a magical spell and her tortoise's miraculous growth. In reality, he systematically replaces Alfie with larger ones. This deception is shown as harmless and even romantic, as it leads to a good outcome for everyone. The story shows how a well-crafted illusion can bring joy and build connections, as Mrs. Silver's happiness grows with each 'larger' Alfie.

“And Mr. Hoppy's secret, brilliant plan was now beginning to unfold.”
Narrator

Patience and Persistence

Mr. Hoppy's success depends on his extraordinary patience and persistence. He spends weeks watching Mrs. Silver, creating his plan, getting 140 tortoises, building a special hoist, and then carefully making the swaps over time. His dedication to the complex process, despite logistical challenges and time, shows that big rewards often require sustained effort and commitment. This is clear in the gradual, almost unnoticeable changes he makes to the tortoise, allowing Mrs. Silver to believe in slow, natural growth.

“He knew that tortoises grew very, very slowly. A tortoise that was, say, eight inches long today would not be more than eight and one-eighth inches long in a year's time.”
Narrator

The Power of Belief

The story subtly explores the power of belief. Mrs. Silver's strong faith in Mr. Hoppy's 'magic spell' and her own recitations greatly influence her view of Alfie's growth. Her belief lets her see the subtle changes in the tortoises as real magical development, bringing her great joy and strengthening her bond with Mr. Hoppy. The story suggests that sometimes, believing in something, even if it is an illusion, can have real positive effects on a person's happiness and relationships.

“Mrs. Silver was so thrilled she didn't know what to say. 'Oh, Mr. Hoppy! Oh, oh, oh!'”
Mrs. Silver

Plot Devices & Literary Techniques

MacGuffin

Alfie the tortoise serves as the central object driving the plot.

Alfie, Mrs. Silver's pet tortoise, functions as a MacGuffin. While he is central to the plot, his actual character or actions are not important; rather, it is Mrs. Silver's desire for him to grow that propels Mr. Hoppy into action. Alfie is the catalyst for Mr. Hoppy's ingenious plan and the object around which the entire deception revolves, ultimately leading to Mr. Hoppy's successful courtship of Mrs. Silver.

Deus ex Machina (Reverse)

A seemingly magical solution is revealed to be a clever, man-made trick.

While a Deus ex Machina typically refers to an unexpected, seemingly magical solution to a problem, Mr. Hoppy's 'magic spell' operates as a reverse of this. He presents a 'magical' solution to Mrs. Silver, but the reader is privy to the fact that it's an entirely man-made, meticulously planned deception. The 'magic' is not a divine intervention but a testament to human ingenuity and effort, creating the illusion of magic for Mrs. Silver.

Dramatic Irony

The audience knows Mr. Hoppy's plan, while Mrs. Silver remains oblivious.

The story extensively uses dramatic irony. From the moment Mr. Hoppy devises his plan, the reader is aware of his true intentions and the elaborate deception involving 140 tortoises and the hoisting device. Mrs. Silver, however, remains completely unaware, genuinely believing in the magic spell and Alfie's miraculous growth. This creates humor and suspense, as the reader anticipates how Mr. Hoppy will execute his plan and whether Mrs. Silver will ever discover the truth.

Symbolism (The Tortoise)

The tortoise symbolizes slow, patient, and enduring love.

The tortoise itself can be seen as a symbol within the narrative. Tortoises are known for their longevity and slow pace, which ironically mirrors the slow, patient, and enduring nature of Mr. Hoppy's love for Mrs. Silver. His plan, though quick in its execution of swaps, is built on the premise of slow, gradual growth, much like the development of a deep, lasting affection. The tortoise's growth, though artificial, represents the blossoming of their relationship.

Esio Trot Quotes

“My name is Mr Hoppy,’ he said. ‘And I live on the floor below you. In fact, I am directly underneath you.”

Mr. Hoppy introducing himself to Mrs. Silver from his balcony.

“But oh, Mrs Silver, if only you would marry me, I would make you the happiest woman in the world!”

Mr. Hoppy's internal monologue about his feelings for Mrs. Silver.

“My lovely little Alfie is not growing at all! He’s exactly the same size as he was last year! And he’s so tiny!”

Mrs. Silver lamenting about her tortoise, Alfie, to Mr. Hoppy.

“Ah-ha!’ thought Mr Hoppy. ‘At last! At last I have it!”

Mr. Hoppy conceiving his plan to help Alfie grow.

“Esio Trot, Esio Trot, Teg reggib, Teg reggib, Emoc no, Esio Trot, WorG worG, Emit on, Kcip pu, Gnirps gnilwof, Kcabward sdrawkcab, Od sdrawkcab, Rehgih gnirps, Rehgih gnirps.”

The magical-sounding spell Mr. Hoppy recites to Mrs. Silver for Alfie's growth.

“He chose another tortoise that was just a tiny bit bigger than Alfie.”

Mr. Hoppy's first step in his elaborate plan to swap tortoises.

“Every day for a whole week Mr Hoppy practised his amazing tortoise-catching technique.”

Mr. Hoppy perfecting his method for secretly swapping the tortoises.

“He loved her very much but he was a very shy man and he simply did not have the courage to tell her so.”

Narrator explaining Mr. Hoppy's reserved nature and feelings for Mrs. Silver.

“Oh, Mr Hoppy! Oh, Mr Hoppy! He’s grown! He’s really grown! My little Alfie has grown into a giant!”

Mrs. Silver's ecstatic reaction to seeing the slightly larger tortoise.

“You are a magician!’ cried Mrs Silver. ‘You are the greatest magician in the world!”

Mrs. Silver praising Mr. Hoppy after Alfie's apparent growth.

“And now that Alfie is so big and strong, there’s only one thing left for you to do, Mrs Silver.”

Mr. Hoppy setting up his marriage proposal to Mrs. Silver.

“Then will you, Mrs Silver, marry me?”

Mr. Hoppy finally proposing to Mrs. Silver.

“Mrs Silver threw her arms around Mr Hoppy’s neck and hugged him and kissed him and cried out, ‘Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes!’”

Mrs. Silver's overjoyed acceptance of Mr. Hoppy's proposal.

“And Mr Hoppy, as you can well imagine, was the happiest man in the whole world.”

Narrator describing Mr. Hoppy's contentment after Mrs. Silver accepts.

Quiz

10 questions on the plot and the characters. Each answer comes with a short explanation.

Question 1
What is the name of Mrs. Silver's beloved pet tortoise?
1. Timothy
2. Alfie
3. Shelly
4. Herman
Show answer
B. Alfie Mrs. Silver's pet tortoise, the object of her affection and indirectly, Mr. Hoppy's rival, is named Alfie.
Question 2
What is Mr. Hoppy's initial problem that prevents him from approaching Mrs. Silver?
1. He is afraid of tortoises.
2. He is too shy.
3. He doesn't know what to say to her.
4. He thinks she already has a boyfriend.
Show answer
B. He is too shy. The story explicitly states that Mr. Hoppy is too shy to approach Mrs. Silver directly.
Question 3
What is Mrs. Silver's primary wish for Alfie, which Mr. Hoppy overhears?
1. She wishes Alfie would lay eggs.
2. She wishes Alfie would talk.
3. She wishes Alfie would grow bigger.
4. She wishes Alfie would live forever.
Show answer
C. She wishes Alfie would grow bigger. Mrs. Silver frequently expresses her desire for Alfie to grow bigger, which gives Mr. Hoppy the idea for his plan.
Question 4
What is the 'ancient spell' Mr. Hoppy claims will make Alfie grow?
1. A rhyme about sunshine and rain.
2. A backward incantation about tortoises.
3. A song sung to the moon.
4. A series of claps and stomps.
Show answer
B. A backward incantation about tortoises. Mr. Hoppy invents a backward spell, 'Esio Trot, Esio Trot, Teg Reggib Noos, Toor Toor Toor,' which is 'Tortoise, Tortoise, Get Bigger Soon, Root Root Root' spelled backwards.
Question 5
How does Mr. Hoppy manage to replace Alfie with different tortoises without Mrs. Silver noticing immediately?
1. He uses a magic wand to transform Alfie.
2. He uses a long mechanical grabber to swap tortoises from his balcony to hers.
3. He sneaks into her apartment while she's out.
4. He convinces her to bring Alfie to him for 'special treatment'.
Show answer
B. He uses a long mechanical grabber to swap tortoises from his balcony to hers. Mr. Hoppy invents a special grabber to lower and raise tortoises from his balcony to Mrs. Silver's, enabling the swap.
Question 6
What is the total number of tortoises Mr. Hoppy acquires to execute his plan?
1. One hundred and forty.
2. One hundred and twenty.
3. Seventy-five.
4. Two hundred.
Show answer
A. One hundred and forty. The story explicitly states that Mr. Hoppy's plan involves 'one hundred and forty tortoises'.
Question 7
What is the primary theme explored through Mr. Hoppy's elaborate scheme?
1. The dangers of deception.
2. The power of observation and ingenuity in pursuing love.
3. The importance of honesty in relationships.
4. The unpredictability of pets.
Show answer
B. The power of observation and ingenuity in pursuing love. Mr. Hoppy's plan, while deceptive, is born from his keen observation of Mrs. Silver's wish and his cleverness in devising a way to fulfill it to win her affection.
Question 8
What ultimately happens to the original Alfie after he is replaced?
1. Mr. Hoppy keeps him as his own pet.
2. He is eventually sold to a pet shop and finds a new home.
3. He escapes and is never seen again.
4. Mrs. Silver eventually realizes it's the original Alfie and takes him back.
Show answer
B. He is eventually sold to a pet shop and finds a new home. After the plan is complete, Mr. Hoppy takes the original Alfie to a pet shop where he is eventually bought by a little girl named Roberta.
Question 9
How does Mrs. Silver react when Mr. Hoppy finally proposes to her?
1. She immediately says yes, overjoyed.
2. She is hesitant and needs time to think.
3. She laughs at him and rejects his proposal.
4. She asks him to explain how Alfie grew first.
Show answer
A. She immediately says yes, overjoyed. After Alfie 'grows' to her satisfaction, Mrs. Silver is so grateful and impressed that she readily accepts Mr. Hoppy's marriage proposal.
Question 10
What is the primary reason Mr. Hoppy chose to use progressively larger tortoises instead of trying to actually make Alfie grow?
1. He genuinely believed the spell would only work if he swapped them.
2. He knew tortoises grow very slowly and he needed a quicker, visible result to impress Mrs. Silver.
3. He enjoyed the challenge of finding many different tortoises.
4. He thought Mrs. Silver would appreciate the variety.
Show answer
B. He knew tortoises grow very slowly and he needed a quicker, visible result to impress Mrs. Silver. Mr. Hoppy understood that tortoises grow incredibly slowly, making it impossible to satisfy Mrs. Silver's wish for a quickly growing pet. His elaborate swapping plan was a practical solution to achieve a visible 'growth'.

Esio Trot FAQ

What is the central conflict Mr. Hoppy faces at the beginning of the story?

Mr. Hoppy's central conflict is his unrequited love for Mrs. Silver, his downstairs neighbor. He is too shy to express his feelings directly, and her affections are entirely consumed by her beloved pet tortoise, Alfie, leaving no room for Mr. Hoppy.

How does Mr. Hoppy initially attempt to engage Mrs. Silver's attention?

Initially, Mr. Hoppy tries to engage Mrs. Silver by leaning over his balcony railing and making polite conversation about her tortoise, Alfie. He observes her daily routine and her interactions with Alfie, trying to find an opening to connect.

What 'brilliant idea' does Mr. Hoppy devise to win Mrs. Silver's affection?

Mr. Hoppy's brilliant idea is to trick Mrs. Silver into believing he has made Alfie grow larger using a magical spell. He plans to secretly replace Alfie with progressively larger tortoises over time, convincing her that his 'spell' is working wonders.

What specific problem does Mrs. Silver voice that gives Mr. Hoppy his opportunity?

Mrs. Silver expresses her desire for Alfie to grow larger, as he has remained small for many years. She wishes he would grow big enough for her to be proud of him, which sparks Mr. Hoppy's elaborate plan to seemingly grant her wish.

How many tortoises does Mr. Hoppy acquire for his plan, and where does he keep them?

Mr. Hoppy acquires exactly one hundred and forty tortoises for his elaborate scheme. He meticulously keeps them hidden in his living room, arranging them on shelves and in various nooks, ensuring Mrs. Silver remains unaware of his growing collection.

What is the 'ancient spell' Mr. Hoppy recites, and what does it actually mean?

The 'ancient spell' Mr. Hoppy recites is 'Esio Trot, Esio Trot, Teg reggib, teg reggib! Trec-Trec-Trec-Trec!' This is 'Tortoise, Tortoise, Get bigger, get bigger!' spelled backward. It's a clever, playful ruse designed to sound magical while being entirely nonsensical in its original form.

How does Mr. Hoppy manage to swap Alfie with a larger tortoise without Mrs. Silver noticing?

Mr. Hoppy uses a long, special grabber tool, which he calls his 'tortoise-catcher', to reach down from his balcony. He carefully snatches Alfie from her balcony and replaces him with a slightly larger tortoise that he has pre-selected, all while Mrs. Silver is away or distracted.

What happens to the original Alfie after he is swapped out?

The original Alfie, along with all the other tortoises that are swapped out, is taken care of by Mr. Hoppy. He keeps them safe and well-fed in his apartment, ensuring they are not harmed and remain part of his growing collection of shell-dwelling friends.

What is the significance of the tortoises having numbers painted on their shells?

The numbers painted on the tortoises' shells are Mr. Hoppy's system for keeping track of their weight and size. This numbering allows him to select the next progressively larger tortoise for the swap, ensuring the illusion of growth is maintained for Mrs. Silver.

Describe Mr. Hoppy's psychological state before he enacts his plan.

Before enacting his plan, Mr. Hoppy is characterized by extreme shyness and a sense of longing. He is timid and insecure, unable to directly express his affections, leading to a feeling of helplessness and unfulfilled desire for Mrs. Silver's attention.

How does Mr. Hoppy's self-esteem evolve throughout the story?

Mr. Hoppy's self-esteem dramatically improves as his plan progresses and succeeds. Initially shy and hesitant, he gains confidence with each successful tortoise swap and Mrs. Silver's growing admiration, transforming him into a more assertive and happy individual.

What psychological need does Mrs. Silver's obsession with Alfie fulfill for her?

Mrs. Silver's obsession with Alfie appears to fulfill a need for companionship and nurturing. Alfie provides her with an outlet for affection and care, perhaps compensating for a lack of human connection or a desire for something to dote upon.

How does the 'magic' of the spell affect Mrs. Silver's perception and belief?

The 'magic' of the spell plays directly into Mrs. Silver's desire for Alfie to grow, making her highly susceptible to believing it. Her wishful thinking and emotional investment in Alfie's growth override any logical skepticism, allowing her to readily accept the illusion Mr. Hoppy creates.

Is Mr. Hoppy's deception morally justifiable given his intentions and the outcome?

This is debatable. While Mr. Hoppy's intentions are to win Mrs. Silver's heart, which is romantic, his method involves a significant, prolonged deception. However, the outcome brings happiness to both characters, suggesting that the 'ends justify the means' in this whimsical context, though it raises ethical questions about honesty in relationships.

Does Mrs. Silver truly fall in love with Mr. Hoppy, or is she more grateful for his 'magic'?

It's open to interpretation, but the story suggests a genuine affection blossoms. While her initial gratitude is tied to Alfie's 'growth', her subsequent acceptance of Mr. Hoppy's marriage proposal and their shared happiness indicates a deeper emotional connection beyond just the magic, likely fueled by his kindness and attention.

Could Mr. Hoppy have achieved his goal without the elaborate tortoise scheme?

It's unlikely, given his initial shyness and Mrs. Silver's singular focus on Alfie. The scheme provided a safe, indirect way for Mr. Hoppy to engage with her, demonstrate his 'abilities', and gradually build a connection without the pressure of direct romantic overtures, which he was incapable of at first.

What does the ending imply about the nature of love and happiness in the story?

The ending implies that love can be found through unconventional means and that sometimes a little 'magic' or cleverness is needed to overcome obstacles like shyness or obsession. It suggests that mutual happiness, even if built on an initial deception, is a valid and joyful outcome.

About the author

Roald Dahl

Roald Dahl was a British popular author of children's literature and short stories, a poet, and wartime fighter ace. His books have sold more than 300 million copies worldwide. Dahl has been called "one of the greatest storytellers for children of the 20th century".

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