Shift (Narnia) facts for kids

Shift is a talking ape and a main bad guy in The Last Battle. This book is the final story in The Chronicles of Narnia series by C. S. Lewis. Shift is known for causing a lot of trouble in Narnia.

He is described as a very old and clever ape. He lives near the Great Waterfall with his friend, Puzzle the donkey. Puzzle often helps Shift, even though Shift is not always kind to him.

What's in a Name?

The name "Shift" tells us a lot about this character. It suggests two main things. First, it means he is "shifty," which means he is tricky and tries to fool others. Second, it means he likes to "shift" or change things. He often changes the truth to get what he wants.

Shift's Story in Narnia

Before the Main Events

We don't know much about Shift's life before The Last Battle begins. The book says he was so old that no one remembered when he first came to live by the Great Waterfall. He was always there, watching and waiting.

How Shift Causes Trouble

Shift finds a lion skin and convinces Puzzle to wear it. He then tells everyone that Puzzle is Aslan, the great lion. Shift uses Puzzle to trick the Narnians. He makes them believe that Aslan is giving new, unfair rules. This causes a lot of confusion and sadness in Narnia. Shift's actions lead to the final, big battle.