The dwarf tells the children about Prince Caspian, an orphan who grew up in a castle in central Narnia with his uncle Miraz, the king, and his aunt.

As a child, Prince Caspian loves his nurse, who tells him the stories about Narnia’s “old days,” during which the Pevensie children, Aslan, and Narnia’s many good animals and peoples defeated the White Witch. However, King Miraz feels threatened by Prince Caspian’s interest in Narnian history, which Miraz calls “nonsense,” and sends Caspian’s nurse away.

Prince Caspian’s new tutor, Doctor Cornelius, helps Caspian understand more about his family’s heritage and Narnian history. Caspian learns that his distant ancestor, Caspian the First, came to conquer Narnia from the land of Telmar. Doctor Cornelius explains that in the old days there were talking creatures in Narnia but advises Caspian to be careful: They could both get into trouble for speaking about it.

One night, Doctor Cornelius brings Prince Caspian to the top of a tower, supposedly for an astronomy lesson. Once there, Doctor Cornelius tells Caspian that Narnia was once populated by nymphs, satyrs, centaurs, dwarfs, and other sentient creatures, many of whom Caspian the First killed in his conquest.