Chapter 4
The White Rabbit was lost in thoughts. He was trudging slowly back to Alice. It seemed as if he had been searching for something. Alice who was standing at some distance from the White Rabbit heard him muttering to himself, ‘O my Duchess! Where are you? O my Duchess! Where are my dear paws? Oh my furs and whiskers! Oh my pony tail! Oh my black eyes! What has happened to me? I shall surely be put to death. There is no doubt about it. Where are my things? I don’t know where I dropped them. O God! Please help me out of this difficult position. Be my saviour. I seek refuge in you. As eggs are eggs, she will have me hanged to death.’
Hearing the words of the White Rabbit Alice said to herself, ‘I must help this little White Rabbit. He is in the lurch. I should extend a helping hand to him. But what things is he searching for, I wonder?’
Saying these words Alice lost in thoughts. She thought hard and hard with a cool mind.
All of a sudden, her eyes shone with a glimmer of hope. She realized that the White Rabbit must be looking for the fan and the pair of kid gloves. Alice was filled with joy. Now she had the opportunity of helping the little White Rabbit. She recollected where she had seen the fan and the pair of kid gloves. She tried her level best but all in vain. She searched every nook and corner of the hall but all her efforts proved an exercise in futility. The fan and the pair of kid gloves were nowhere to be seen.
While Alice was swimming in the pool, everything had undergone a tremendous change. In fact, everything present there had disappeared completely. There was no big hall. Even the glass table and the little door were nowhere to be seen. Alice was in a state of shock.
She wondered, ‘How can it be possible? What is happening here? I doubt some evil spirit is at work. I must be careful.’ By now the little White Rabbit’s eyes had fallen on Alice who was moving here, there and everywhere.
Seeing Alice the White Rabbit went red in rage. He spoke to Alice in an angry tone, “O Mary Ann! What the hell are you doing here? Why don’t you do your work? Where are the fan and the pair of kid gloves? I want them at once right here. Go home and bring me the two things. Remember to come back quickly or you will be punished.”
Hearing the words of the White Rabbit Alice had her heart in her mouth. She was completely scared of the angry tone of the White Rabbit. She was out of her wits. But she had no alternative but to do as was told. So, she ran in the direction where the White Rabbit had pointed to.
While running Alice said to herself, ‘The White Rabbit is a complete fool. He has mistaken me for his housemaid. It is very strange and absurd. He must be surprised when he comes to know of the reality. Then he will ask me for my forgiveness. He does not know who I am and what my name it. It is interesting to note that he is in dire need of his fan and kid gloves. If I am able to find them out, he will be very grateful to me. He will praise me highly. I had better try to look for his things which are very dear to his heart. O God! Please help me. With both palms joined in reverence I beseech you to co-operate with me. Show me the way.’
Walking on and on Alice arrived at a neat and clean house which was quite big in size. Reaching the door of the house she was about to knock at the door when her eyes fell on the bright brass name plate. The words ‘W. Rabbit’ were etched on it. She lost in thoughts, ‘Whether I should knock at the door or not. Should I yell at the top of my house? I had better go upstairs stealthily. I must be careful lest I should be caught.’
Thinking so Alice didn’t knock at the door. She did not yell either. She went upstairs in a tearing hurry. She was a bit afraid lest she should come across the real Mary Ann. In no time she reached upstairs. She said to herself, ‘It is very strange that I am doing work for the little White Rabbit. It seems that he is my master and I am his servant. So shameful! I suppose I must be searching for Dinah next time. Have mercy upon me, O Almighty God!’
Reaching upstairs Alice entered a little room which was neat and clean. Not a trace of dust was seen in the room. There was a table lying near the window. No sooner did Alice’s eyes fall upon the table than her eyes shone with a gleam of hope and happiness. What she saw on the table was most enjoyable. A fan and two or there pairs of kid gloves were there on the top of the table. Alice’s joy knew no bounds. She was on cloud nine. There were the things whom she had been looking for. She quickly caught hold of the things and put them in her pockets.
She was extremely happy in her heart of hearts. As she got ready to go from there, her eyes fell upon a little glass bottle which had been placed beside the mirror. Alice went near the mirror and looked at the bottle. After giving the bottle a long look she took it in her both hands. The bottle was unlabelled. Alice said to herself, ‘The bottle must contain some magic drink. I must consume its content. Maybe I would grow again and become taller again. I am fed up of being too small for such a long time. It is said that whatever takes place is for the best. I should not miss this opportunity.
‘A real golden opportunity has come to knock at the door. I must grab it and benefit from it.’ It happened exactly as she had imagined. No sooner did Alice consume half of the bottle than the magic drink started to show its effect. Alice began to grow taller and taller. Her head touched even the ceiling. Soon it pressed against it. Had Alice not bent a little her neck would have been broken into pieces. She at once put the cork on the bottle and put it on one side.
Alice said to herself, ‘O God! You saved me today. Had I not stopped consuming the drink inside the bottle my head would have been badly crushed. I have grown much beyond my expectation. I would not like to grow any more. If I grow much, I won’t be able to get out of the door. I had better remain in the same position. O God! You are so great and beneficent. Fortune favours the brave, it is rightly said. Now I have grown taller as before. This magic drink has helped me a lot.’
But it was too late. The magic drink was bound to show its effect. As Alice had consumed half of the bottle in a rash, she was to bear its outcome. She kept on growing and growing. She bent and bent every time until she had to kneel down on the floor. It was a very pathetic sight. Alice had no alternative but to wait and watch. She was cursing her lot with every inch in the growth of her body. She kept on growing and growing. Now what Alice did to adjust herself that was amazing. She had to lie down with one elbow against the door, and the other arm curled around her head. It was a very awkward position for Alice. But she did not feel any respite from her height. She kept on growing and growing.
As a last ditch effort, she placed one arm out of the window and one foot up the chimney. She was feeling very frightened. She was completely out of her wits. She muttered to herself, ‘I have no idea of what is happening to me. My height is growing and growing. O God! Please help me. You are all high, benevolent and beneficient. I seek refuge in you. I have tried my level best to accommodate my height. But it is still increasing. Only God knows what will become of me.’
As luck would have it, God listened to her prayers. The effect of the drink was over. Her height stopped growing any more. She thanked God for His help. She thanked her stars as well. But there was one problem. She was still badly entangled in her own limbs. Her limbs were paining a lot. She didn’t know how to get relief from that position. It was really terrible and painful. Alice said to herself, ‘Would that I be able to get out of this room? It is a really bad experience.’
Alice remained in that posture for quite a long time. She was not able to move an inch from her awkward position. After much try, she felt very sad. She could not release herself from that position. She muttered to herself, ‘Is it quite pleasant to live at home with parents and siblings? There are no cats and dogs which order you to do their bidding. You love your parents and are loved in return. I curse the moment when I chased the little White Rabbit. Would that I had not entered the rabbit’s hole. This sort of life is quite adventurous. It is full of ups and downs. It is full of struggles. The cycle of time has put me to a phase of trials, troubles and tribulations. But one thing is sure. I have not been harmed as yet. I wonder anything could have happened to me. But there is one thing. I have read so many fairy tales. In those tales it is shown that the main character always faces crisis. It is absolutely true. In real life, I am in a state of peril right now. There should be someone who can write a book about me. My life at present has no less than a fairy-tale end. If I find nobody to write a book about me I shall write myself when I grow up. At present I have already grown up beyond expectation. I can’t bear any growth. There is no room for it.’
Alice was in a sorrowful state. She was trying her level best to get out of there. Her limbs were badly entangled. She was missing her home very much. There was nobody to give relief to her. She closed her eyes and took a short nap.
All of a sudden she was awakened by a stern voice. The voice called out loudly, “Mary Ann! Marry Ann! Where are you? I want my kid gloves and fan. Mary Ann! Where are you? Come here at once. Be quick. Your master is calling you.”
Alice could not know whose voice it was. She was hanging upside down. After some moments she heart the noise of footsteps at some distance. Lo and behold! He was none other than the little White Rabbit. He had come over there to search for Alice. He wanted to know whether Alice had searched for his kid gloves and fan. As the White Rabbit came near and nearer Alice began to tremble with fear. She was shaking badly. She shook herself so much that the entire house started shaking. Seeing the house shake the White Rabbit was in a state of shock.
Alice was getting afraid of the White Rabbit, unaware of the fact that she had grown a thousand times bigger than him. He looked a very little rabbit in front of Alice who had grown like a mamooth. The innocent Alice had no reason to be afraid of the little White Rabbit.
Loitering about the little White Rabbit arrived at the door and tried his level best to open it. However hard he tried, he could not succeed in unlocking the door as the door was locked from inside. The little White Rabbit pushed the door hard but to no avail. Alice’s elbow was pressed hard against it. Feeling tired and disappointed the little White Rabbit said to himself, ‘Why is the door not opening? I think it is locked from inside. I had better go round and enter the house by window.’
Hearing the words of the little White Mouse Alice from inside said to herself, ‘Dear Rabbit, you won’t be able to do it. What do you think of yourself? You have been pestering me for a long time. You always tend to remain on my nerves. I see how you get in, O Mr. Rabbit.’
Saying these words Alice spread out her hand and made a snatch in the air. She failed to grab anything. All of a sudden she heard a loud shrill cry. It was the noise of somebody’s fall and a crash of broken glass. Hearing of the noise Alice was taken aback. She was thrilled to the bone. She was shivering with fright. Her whole body was shaking terribly. Still she kept her composure. All of a sudden, she heard an angry voice saying loudly. “Where are you, Mary Ann? I have been looking for you for quite some time. Where are my gloves and fan?”
It was the little White Rabbit’s voice who had come over there to ask Marry Ann about his kid gloves and fan. Alice changed her voice and remarked, “Your Highness! I am here digging for apples. I am doing this just for you.”
Hearing the words the White Rabbit got all the more furious. He roared loudly and said, “What are you saying? You are digging for apples. I am not sure. Anyhow, come here at once and get me out of this hell. I had a nasty fall. I have bruised my limbs.”
This time Alice kept mum. She remained so for some minutes. After a while the little White Rabbit again spoke out, “Tell me frankly what is there in the window? I am getting afraid of it.” Hearing these words Alice at once retorted, “Mr. Rabbit, it is an arm. Can’t you see?”
The White Rabbit reacted saying, “You goose! You are telling a lie. Have you seen such a big arm anywhere?”
Alice replied, “Sir! But it is an arm. It is big in size as well, Your Highness.”
The White Rabbit said, “What is the arm doing there in the window? It has nothing to do there. Go there at once and take it away. It is my order. It should be carried out at once.”
But Alice kept mum for another five minutes. There prevailed a pin drop silence.
For a few minutes she heard some whispers off and on. Thinking for a while she spread out her hand again and made another snatch in the air. Hardly had she made a snatch in the air when she heard two shrieks and sounds of broken glass. She was completely terrified of the shrieks and the sounds of broken glass.
She said to herself, ‘I think they have surely fallen into the cucumber frame. It is awfully terrible here being in this pasture. I am afraid what they would do next and how they would have pulled me out of the window. Alas! They are not here. O God! Please help me out. I am in awkward position. I have no intention of staying in here any longer. You are beneficent and benevolent. Why don’t you come to my rescue? Please do something.
For some time she did not hear anything more. She waited on and on but to no avail.
All of a sudden, she heard some sounds of little cartwheels. Several voices talking at the same time were also heard by her. She focused her ears on the voices coming from outside. Thus she was all ears. She heard them say, Bill where is the other ladder? I told you to bring it here. Go at once right now and bring the ladder here. Here is one more ladder. Do one thing, Bill. Place both the ladders near that corner. Tie them securely. But they don’t reach high enough yet. Oh no! They will serve the purpose. Bill, come here at once. Get hold of this rope. Is the roof strange enough to bear the weight of the ladders? Take care of that loose and weak slate. Oh my God! It is quite weak and it may hurt us. Beware of it. Protect your heads.
A loud crash has taken place. Who have been injured? Who is to blame for it? He is none other than Bill. Tell me who was supposed to go down. Undoubtedly, Bill had to go down the chimney. But he didn’t. That was why it all happened. Come here, Bill. Why didn’t you go down the chimney? The master says you were supposed to go down the chimney.”
Hearing the conversation Alice said to herself. ‘All of them are blaming Bill for everything. Why are they doing so? Did Bill go down the chimney or not? It is still a mystery. But they seemed to put everything upon Bill. Shame on them!’
She hit upon a trick. To understand the whole matter she drew her foot as far down the chimney as she could. Then she paused and waited for something to happen. She was all ears. She heard a little animal scratching and scrambling about in the chimney close above her. Thereupon she said to herself, ‘I think there is Bill. If I am not mistaken, Bill has arrived.’
Thinking so she gave a sharp hit with her right foot. Then she waited to see what would take place further. In the next moment she heard some voices in the chorus saying, “Bill has gone there! Bill has gone there!”
These voices were followed by the little White Rabbit’s voice saying, “Catch hold of Bill by the hedge, get hold of Bill. He is running.”
Soon a brief silence prevailed over there. After a minute or so some voices all in utter chaos and confusion were heard, “Catch him by the head. Brandy now—don’t strangulate him. O old fellow, how did you feel? Tell us what happened to you. Who did it to you? Tell us everything in detail.”
In the end, little a feeble voice like that of a mouse was heard saying, “I see. I hardly know. Thank you. I am well off now but I am a bit perplexed to tell you what happened. All I know is that something came to me like a bolt from the sky and I went up like a rocket.”
The other voices observed, “O old fellow, so you did.” In the middle of these voices, the little White Rabbit’s voice come saying, “The house needs to be burnt down.”
Hearing these words Alice turned red in the face. She said, “If you are bent upon doing this, I shall let Dinah my cat, charge at you.”
There was a pin-drop silence again. Alice wondered what they would next. She was hoping that the roof top would be removed.
All of a sudden, the little White Rabbit said, “To start with a barrowful will serve the purpose.”
Hearing the words of the White Rabbit Alice wondered, What he means saying a barrowful?’ The very next moment, a lot of pebbles rained rattling in at the glass window. Before Alice could understand anything some pebbles hit her right in the face. Alice yelled at the top of her voice and requested to stop it at once. Soon there ensued a dead silence.
All of a sudden, the tiny pebbles were turned into tiny cakes. Alice was dumbfounded. An idea ran across her mind, ‘I wish I could eat some cakes. Perhaps there would be some change in my size.’
Lo and behold! No sooner did she consume one of the tiny cakes than she began to shrink at once. In no time she became small enough to get through the door. She was beside herself with joy. She at once got out of the house and found herself among animals and birds waiting for her outside. Bill which was a pool little lizard was sitting in the middle. Two guinea pigs were feeding it off a bottle.
Seeing Alice all the animals and the birds rushed towards her. But Alice rushed into a thick forest for her safety. Sitting under a shady tree Alice said to herself, ‘I have to grow to my right size again. Moreover, I have to find my way into the lovely garden. I must sort out these problems of mine in no time.’
She wandered from one corner of the forest to the other. Suddenly, a little sharp bark of a tree hit her head. Alice lifted her head upwards. She saw a puppy which was looking down at her. It had large round eyes. It wanted to touch Alice. So, it stretched out its paw but all in vain.
Alice showed sympathy for the poor little creature but did not whistle to it lest it should eat her up, in case it was on an empty stomach. She hit upon a plan. She lifted a stick from the ground and stretched it out to the ittle puppy which jumped into the air with great delight. It at once tried to come down the stick. Alice removed the stick from its way. But the puppy was very alert and agile. It rushed down the stick and reached the ground.
Alice ran away from there with the puppy giving her a hot chase. The puppy ran with all its might but failed to catch up with Alice. In the end, it was completely huffing and puffing. Thus it sat down, exhausted and unhappy. Alice ran on and on till she reached the other side of the forest. By now the puppy’s bark sounded quite feeble in the distance. Sitting under a shady tree Alice heaved a sigh of relief. She was sweating profusely. She was terribly huffing and puffing.
After resting for some time she said to her, ‘This seems to be a safe place. I think the puppy has left behind. Oh my God! You are a great saviour.’
Soon she fell asleep. After an hour or so Alice opened her eyes. It was evening. The sun had set down the horizon. The birds had returned to their nests whereas the animals had gone back to their shelters.
Alice said to herself, ‘The puppy was very cute and alert. I would have taught it the tricks had I been of the right size? But how can I get back my right size. This is the question which haunts me, day in day out. I don’t know what I should eat or drink to regain my original size. O God! Please help me. I am in the lurch. Please sort out this problem of mine. I am out of my wits. Only You can come to my rescue.’
Sad and disappointed, Alice looked around. There were flowers, blades of grass, leaves, hedges and shrubs. But there were not fit for eating. What could she find to eat in that dense wood? She cursed her lot and hated the day when she chased the little White Rabbit. She wandered from one end of the forest to the other. But she didn’t find anything edible. Feeling exhausted and helpless, she sat under a shady tree.
All of a sudden, she chanced to see a large mushroom growing in the muddy water. The mushroom was her size. Seeing the mushroom Alice felt extremely happy and excited. She went near the mushroom and looked at it closely from all angles—under it, behind it and on its both sides. She saw something on its top she tiptoed over to the mushroom. To her utter surprise, she saw a large blue caterpillar. Its arms were folded and it was smoking a long hookah.
Alice stood there with her mouth wide open. She had never seen such a sight before. It was an extraordinary spectacle. She could not believe her eyes. It seemed like a fairy tale. Alice stared hard at the caterpillar which too stared at Alice without blinking its eyes.
The caterpillar did not budge an inch from its position. After staring at Alice for a few minutes, it said to Alice in a soft tone, “May I know who you are? Where have you come from” What brings you here?”
Hearing the series of question posed by the caterpillar Alice was dumbfounded. After thinking for a while she replied, “Dear Caterpillar! I myself don’t know who I am.”
Hearing of the reply of Alice the caterpillar looked somewhat confused and perplexed. It softly asked, “What do you mean to say? Please elaborate in detail. I have failed to understand what you want to convey.”
Now Alice told the caterpillar, “Dear! I knew very well who I was when I woke up this very morning. Since then
