The Grand Tour of the Gardens
In the first chapter, the narrator describes Kensington Gardens through the eyes of a child giving every place in there a name which is reflected in the child’s imagination: Miss Mabel Grey’s gate, Broad Walk, Round Pond, Hump, St. Govor’s Well, Paths, the Serpentine, the Dog’s Cemetery.
This chapter reveals much about Peter Pan. He was a boy of seven days who did not understand yet that he was a child, as before becoming a child he was a bird. So still thinking that he was a bird he stepped into the window and flew to the island where he lived before when was yet a bird. When he was in the gardens there an alarm worked as it was already time when no people might be around, and here every bird and other magic creatures saw a little boy. Peter Pan did not know he was a boy so was very upset when everyone turned away from him. He then flew to the island and there Solomon Caw told him to look at himself, and only then Peter Pan comprehended who he really was. As soon as he understood he was a boy he lost the ability to fly and was forced to stay in the island forever. All his attempts to swim away turned into failures.
The Thrush’s nest
Living on the island made Peter Pan really bored as there was no much entertainment, and he was very eager to go to the gardens. Once a plan occurred in his head and he shared it with Solomon. The plan was to ask the thrushes to build a big nest that would fit Peter, and he might use it as a boat. Solomon did not want to help Peter at first, but when Peter gave him one pound (he had found a five-pounds note) the Caw changed his mind and a meeting was held. The thrush agreed, but only when were told that Peter would pay them as well. So the birds had built a nest that fitted Peter perfectly and soon Peter was able to leave the island for the gardens.
Lock-Out Time
The chapter reveals about the fairies, and their style of life. the Lock-Out Time is the time when people are not allowed in the gardens, and it is the time when fairies come out from their hidings and have the most incredible time. They very often hold the balls, Peter is always invited to the balls as he plays his pipe for the little creatures. Once he played so well that the Queen told him he could have a wish and they would make it come true. He wished to return to his mother. The fairies did not want to accomplish this wish since they did not want to lose such a good musician, but they had no choice. Fortunately for them Peter Pan did not return to his mother, as when he flew (the fairies taught him to fly) to the window of his former house, it had been barred, and Peter saw his mother hugging another boy. Peter Pan stayed in the gardens.
The Little House
Once there lived a girl called Maimie, and once she was destined to stay in the gardens after the lock-out time. She wished to see the fairies ball, and when she approached the place where it had been holding, she helped one little fairy to get out from the mud. The little fairy advised her not to show herself as the fairies do not like to be watched by humans and they would mischief her if found out she was there. But Maimie could not do this as soon as she saw the ball she was very impressed and forgot about the promise. The fairies were furious with her so Maimie had to run away. She hid under a bush and fell asleep. But it was winter, and the fairies knew she would freeze so decided not to do her any mischief but leave her alone. The little fairy asked them very eagerly to help the girl as she had helped her. So the fairies have built the house around Maimie and she did not freeze at night. Since then they every night built a house for the children who had lost in the gardens. When Maimie woke up in the morning she came out from the house and met Peter Pan.
Peter’s Goat
They two had a very pleasant conversation and Peter even asked Maimie to marry him, Maimie agreed. But then she found out that she would not be able to see her mother anymore, that’s why she changed her mind and returned home. After that she felt really sad for Peter and decided to make him a gift – to present him with a goat. So she did. Since then, Peter Pan was playing his pipe sitting on his goat.
