# Noah — The Magic City character guide

> Noah in The Magic City by E. Nesbit.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** old Noah, Mr. Noah, little Mr. Noah

**First appearance:** 0003-ii-deliverer-or-destroyer

## Snapshot

The shrewd, kindly patriarch of the Noah's Ark folk, who outfits Philip and Lucy for their journey with camels, dachshunds, and a talking parrot.

## Who they are

Mr. Noah presides over the living Ark animals—including the Hippogriff, who arrived not from the Ark but from one of the books Philip used to build the city. Practical and faintly amused, he supplies the children's expedition through his son's Universal Provider shop, insisting on two of everything while gently noting that one camel is quite enough for Sir Philip. His matter-of-fact generosity grounds the city's wildness, and his Hippogriff quietly reveals that Philip's reading has been shaping this world all along.

## In the story

### [Lost](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_city_se/chapters/iii-lost)

Comes to life from a wooden figure, explains the dual-world nature of the city, and guides Philip.

### [IV: The Dragon-Slayer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_city_se/chapters/iv-the-dragon-slayer)

Gives Philip instructions and Roman candles, later knights him and presents the princess as a reward.

### [On the Carpet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_city_se/chapters/v-on-the-carpet)

Oversees the unravelling, promotes Philip to baronet, and assigns the next labor: disentangling the Mazy Carpet.

### [VI: The Lions in the Desert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_city_se/chapters/vi-the-lions-in-the-desert)

Mr. Noah organizes the expedition, explains the laws of the city, and assigns the next deed: to journey to the Dwellers by the Sea and slay their fear.

### [VII: The Dwellers by the Sea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_city_se/chapters/vii-the-dwellers-by-the-sea)

The wise leader of the Dwellers by the Sea. He explains the islanders' fear, helps organize the ark building, and after Philip's kidnapping advises Lucy to rest and consult the oracle.

### [Ups and Downs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_city_se/chapters/viii-ups-and-downs)

Calms Lucy during the flood, oversees the embarkation of animals, and shows concern for the ark's readiness.

### [On the Lightning Loose](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_city_se/chapters/ix-on-the-lightning-loose)

Leads the ark's arrival and explains the remaining deeds to Philip.

### [XII: The End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_city_se/chapters/xii-the-end)

Mr. Noah arrives by elephant, crowns Philip king, and helps the children build the house to return home.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_city_se/characters/the_noah
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_city_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_magic_city_se/characters