Author's Notes: This letter was penned just after the events of the Magician's Nephew.


My Dear Denailion,

I can't tell you how disappointed I was to receive your latest letter. Do you know why? Because I'm not disappointed, you worthless fiend, I'm livid! And, of course, Of course, I don't mind telling you about that at all. I see here that you lost track of your little varmint while she was playing with Picquet's patient. How could you blow your assignment like that? Don't you understand the dangers in letting your patient hang around with someone like that little Male?

Now, of course, I'm not saying that this sort of thing is automatically bad. After all, we've brought down many a Human by inciting them to do what their friends are doing. It's called peer-pressure, but Picquet's patient isn't the type of Human that you'd really like your patient to follow. Of course, that's Picquet's fault, and he'll, no doubt, pay dearly for his lack of competence after he has failed.

Anyway, I'm writing to you so that you might avoid a similar fate. I really care about you, you know? I want what's best for you, you know that, right? Unfortunately, I think you're fighting a losing battle—but then again, that's what I expect from a loser like you.

I see here that you managed to recover your little varmint after just a moment, but that she seems to be much more adventurous than she was before. You write that she's now doing things like riding, swimming, and climbing and that she's learned to milk and bake. Yes, I can see it clearly, Denailion, you're headed for complete disaster.

See, when a Human has such a drastic change in their personality, or in the things that they enjoy doing, then it generally means that the Enemy has gotten a hold of them. And, of course, given Picquet's recent trouble, and the fact that his patient and yours seem to be very close friends, I wouldn't doubt that your little brat has gotten to know the Enemy too. It's peer-pressure at it's worst, I tell you. Of course, it's also a fine display of your incompetence.

But, since I care so much about you, I'm willing to help you fix this little mess you've made. What you need to do is infected your patient with a very delightful little thing called Fear.

From your previous letters, I see that your little varmint is generally concerned about her safety-oh sure, she's willing to do this or that with Picquet's patient, but only if she's sure things will work out. She doesn't seem interested in taking risks. That's why I think Fear will work so well. And actually, this tactic reminds me of a case my class studied while I was in school.

See, way back then there was a famine in the Enemy's chosen country, and a certain Female, her husband, and two sons moved to a place that's actually quite special to our side. Well, a good many years went by and the two sons married these two native Females and they all lived together as a family. Now, eventually, the three Males died off, leaving this old shrew and the two younger Females.

Well, the famine in the Enemy's chosen country finally lifted and the old bat decided to go home. The interesting part came when the two other Females wanted to come along with her. Now, I have good news and bad news, which would you like first? How about I give you the bad news first and get it out of the way. Then when I give you the good news, it'll wash the disgusting taste of Enemy victory out of your mouth.

The bad news is that one of the young Females could not be persuaded to return home where she belonged—she went off with the old bat and lived in the Enemy's chosen country. Worst of all, she became the great-grandmother of that king that the Enemy said was a man after His own heart. See, that's terrible news, isn't it?

But, relax, remember there's good news. Remember there were two young Females? And remember only one of themfollowed the old shrew back to the Enemy's chosen country? Yes, that's right Denailion, we were successful in keeping our hold on the other Female. And, of course, we infected her with Fear in order to do it.

This is how we did it. See, our boy that was assigned to her made her afraid of what would happen if she left her country. He suggested that her life would different from what she was used to, and probably harder than what it had been. He suggested that she wouldn't be able to handle the new life that was being offered to her, and that she was much better off returning to her familiar land, customs, and gods. Of course it worked and she didn't take the opportunity—and given what happened with that other Female that was quite a relief for us. Can you imagine how the Enemy would have used that little varmint if she'd gone to His chosen country?

Now, of course, you're bound to run into problems if you suggest that your little varmint should be afraid of something. Humans don't like to admit to being afraid, so you should use words like "cautious" or "prudent" or "reasonable" when you make suggestions. Humans don't seem to mind those words and, in fact, Humans are even applauded for being cautious or prudent or reasonable, even when when we know it's just a sham because they're really scared out of their minds. Just thinking about it makes me want to laugh.

Now, what makes Fear such a great thing is that it interferes with the Enemy's plans, and that's what we do, isn't it? See, we know that the Enemy's as plans for each little varmint and those plans are to make them prosper and give them hope and a future. The Enemy prefers that the vermin step out in faith and trust that He has their best interest at heart. Rotten stuff, isn't it? I'm getting sick just thinking about it. Well, anyway, in order to pull your little varmint away from the Enemy, you're going to have to make sure that she doesn't remember that.

Now, don't be slow to write back, if you need help, you worthless idiot. After all, isn't that why I'm here helping you young fools? Oh, and don't forget how much I care about you.

Your affectionate Uncle,

Screwtape


Author's Note: Denailion is also mentioned in "Screwtape on the Pevensies".

The story Screwtape tells comes from Ruth 1:1-22.