# Cyril — The Phoenix and the Carpet character guide > Cyril in The Phoenix and the Carpet by E. Nesbit. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Master Cyril, the sensible Cyril **First appearance:** 0002-i-the-egg ## Snapshot The eldest boy, sensible enough to buy oilcloth for a magic carpet and to open the window when a golden bird needs to fly, though never quite sensible enough to avoid the needle. ## Who they are Cyril is the practical one who votes for America, calculates what fourpence will buy, and tells his uncle exactly as much truth as an uncle can believe. He is brave in a pinch and useless with a needle, pricking his hand the moment he tries to help Anthea darn. His cautious, slightly bossy competence gives the children a leader when the carpet drops them somewhere strange, even as it keeps getting him into scrapes. ## Relationships ### [Anthea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/characters/anthea) _family_ Anthea and Cyril are siblings who frequently collaborate on adventures, with Anthea often acting as the more cautious and sensible counterpart to Cyril's boldness. ### [Robert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/characters/robert) _family_ Cyril and Robert are brothers who share a competitive and playful dynamic, often engaging in schemes and arguments during their adventures. ### [The Phoenix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/characters/the_phoenix) _friendship_ Cyril develops a close bond with the magical Phoenix, often treating it as a wise and amusing companion in their escapades. ### [Jane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/characters/jane) _family_ Cyril and Jane are siblings with a typical brother-sister dynamic, involving teasing and occasional disagreements. ### [Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/characters/mother) _family_ Cyril respects his mother but often tests her patience with his adventurous and mischievous nature. ### [Mrs. Biddle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/characters/mrs_biddle) _professional_ Cyril frequently challenges Mrs. Biddle's authority, leading to a rivalry marked by mutual irritation. ### [The Phoenix](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/characters/the_phoenix) _friendship_ Cyril develops a close bond with the magical Phoenix, often treating it as a wise and amusing companion in their escapades. ### [Anthea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/characters/anthea) _family_ Anthea and Cyril are siblings who frequently collaborate on adventures, with Anthea often acting as the more cautious and sensible counterpart to Cyril's boldness. ### [Robert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/characters/robert) _family_ Cyril and Robert are brothers who share a competitive and playful dynamic, often engaging in schemes and arguments during their adventures. ### [Mother](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/characters/mother) _family_ Cyril respects his mother but often tests her patience with his adventurous and mischievous nature. ### [Robert](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/characters/robert) _family_ Cyril and Robert are brothers who share a competitive and playful dynamic, often engaging in schemes and arguments during their adventures. ### [Jane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/characters/jane) _family_ Cyril and Jane are siblings with a typical brother-sister dynamic, involving teasing and occasional disagreements. ## In the story ### [The Phoenix and the Carpet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/chapters/the-phoenix-and-the-carpet) Helps examine the egg and participates in the first carpet journey. ### [The Egg](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/chapters/i-the-egg) Skeptical about the fireworks test; wishes himself to bed when father returns. ### [The Topless Tower](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/chapters/ii-the-topless-tower) Awakened by the Phoenix; helps with chores; tries to keep Jane from worrying. ### [The Queen Cook](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/chapters/iii-the-queen-cook) Skeptical of the Phoenix's translation but eventually accepts the situation; jokes about the cook becoming queen. ### [IV: Two Bazaars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/chapters/iv-two-bazaars) Tells the story of the Phoenix and the Carpet to the ranee, enjoying the attention. Advocates for a daring rescue of the carpet. ### [The Temple](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/chapters/v-the-temple) Suggests the Phoenix has left; argues for the North Pole; reads papers in vain for news of the visit. ### [VI: Doing Good](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/chapters/vi-doing-good) Leads the wish for an adventure; proposes taking the treasure to spend on benefits for the poor. ### [VII: Mews from Persia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/chapters/vii-mews-from-persia) Writes the wish on paper and leads the children into the room. ### [VIII: The Cats, the Cow, and the Burglar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/chapters/viii-the-cats-the-cow-and-the-burglar) Writes the paper for the carpet to bring milk, negotiates with the burglar. ### [IX: The Burglar's Bride](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/chapters/ix-the-burglar-s-bride) Reports the burglar's arrest and devises the rescue plan. ### [X: The Hole in the Carpet](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/chapters/x-the-hole-in-the-carpet) Accidentally tears the carpet; suggests going to the North Pole; comforts Anthea after the accident; encounters the Psammead. ### [XI: The Beginning of the End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/chapters/xi-the-beginning-of-the-end) Fetches the Tatcho; suggests sensible actions after the fire; speaks of the Sons of the Phoenix society. ### [The End of the End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/chapters/xii-the-end-of-the-end) Understands Anthea's veiled speech; suggests turning over a new leaf; stands sentinel outside the door while the Phoenix prepares for its departure. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/characters/cyril - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_phoenix_and_the_carpet_se/characters