Peter's Search for Adele

The Magician's Elephant

Peter’s search follows his gradual conviction that Adele is alive, from the fortune-teller’s answer to their reunion in the snow.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The One Answer The One Answer from "The Magician's Elephant". The One Answer A costly question Peter Augustus Duchene spends his guardian’s coin to ask whether his missing sister lives.

The One Answer from "The Magician's Elephant". The One Answer A costly question Peter Augustus Duchene spends his guardian’s coin to ask whether his missing sister lives.

The One Answer A costly question Peter Augustus Duchene spends his guardian’s coin to ask whether his missing sister lives. The answer overturns the certainty he has been taught. A route forward The fortune-teller says that an elephant will lead him to her. Peter leaves frightened, but the words have given his longing a direction.

A Sister Might Live A Sister Might Live from "The Magician's Elephant". A Sister Might Live A startling report At the market, Peter hears that an elephant has appeared and been taken into police custody.

A Sister Might Live from "The Magician's Elephant". A Sister Might Live A startling report At the market, Peter hears that an elephant has appeared and been taken into police custody.

A Sister Might Live A startling report At the market, Peter hears that an elephant has appeared and been taken into police custody. The impossible event makes the fortune-teller’s answer newly plausible. Hope under pressure Vilna Lutz still insists that Adele was born dead. Peter must weigh the word of his guardian against the evidence that has suddenly entered the city.

Memory Against Denial Memory Against Denial from "The Magician's Elephant". Memory Against Denial The remembered child Peter dreams of entering his family’s old home and holding a crying baby.

Memory Against Denial from "The Magician's Elephant". Memory Against Denial The remembered child Peter dreams of entering his family’s old home and holding a crying baby.

Memory Against Denial The remembered child Peter dreams of entering his family’s old home and holding a crying baby. On waking, he recognizes the memory as more than a comforting invention. A promise reclaimed He remembers that Adele cried and that he held her. His belief becomes strong enough to challenge Vilna Lutz’s account and to renew his promise to find her.

A Name in the Crowd A Name in the Crowd from "The Magician's Elephant". A Name in the Crowd The promise returns While Peter waits to see the elephant, Tomas sings Adele’s name.

A Name in the Crowd from "The Magician's Elephant". A Name in the Crowd The promise returns While Peter waits to see the elephant, Tomas sings Adele’s name.

A Name in the Crowd The promise returns While Peter waits to see the elephant, Tomas sings Adele’s name. The sound unlocks Peter’s memory of his mother entrusting him with his sister. Duty made present Peter understands that finding Adele is not merely a hope offered by a fortune-teller. It is a promise he made to his dying mother and must now attempt to keep.

The Reunion in Snow The Reunion in Snow from "The Magician's Elephant". The Reunion in Snow The answer arrives Adele runs from the orphanage as Peter’s procession passes.

The Reunion in Snow from "The Magician's Elephant". The Reunion in Snow The answer arrives Adele runs from the orphanage as Peter’s procession passes.

The Reunion in Snow The answer arrives Adele runs from the orphanage as Peter’s procession passes. Peter recognizes her, lifts her from the snow, and tells her that he is her brother. A promise fulfilled Adele answers with trust and joy. Peter’s long search ends not in explanation but in the living presence of the sister he had promised to protect.

At the opening, in the market square

The day after the consultation

After Peter dreams of Adele

On the first Saturday of the month

Late on the snowy night of the elephant’s return