The Indian in the Cupboard

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The Indian in the Cupboard is a 1980 children's book written by British author Lynne Reid Banks. In the story, a young boy discovers that when he locks a toy plastic Indian, named Little Bear and later known as Little Bull, in an old bathroom cupboard, the figure comes to life.

The boy, Omri, in connection discovers that the cupboard (a creation of his great-uncle Fredrick), if used in conjunction with a lead key (a creation of his great-great-aunt Jessica Charlotte, who was a clairvoyant and a Magician), brings the psyche of historical people forward in Time, where they are imposed within the plastic toys. This leads to more trouble, when his passionate friend Patrick brings a cowboy and Horse forward. Despite the fights and rivalries between the two tiny men, Patrick refuses to send them back, until it is too late. At that point, the key goes missing, and a tame rat escapes into the house from Omri's brother Gillion. Between them, Little Bear, Patrick, and Omri recover the key, at the risk of losing the little men to the rat's hunger.

Little Bear is a demanding character, and ultimately Omri must needs provide him with a bride, Bright Stars, with whom the tribal prince goes home to his own time.

Banks has since written four additional books featuring the animated Indian;

• The Return of the Indian (1985)

In this, Omri discovers that any container can be made magic by means of the leaden key. He and Patrick not only bring back Little Bear, the cowboy Billy Boone, Bright Stars, and the child which Bright Stars will give birth to, but also themselves travel in Time to see the history. When they discover that Little Bear's village is in danger, they mistakenly send a number of "now-guns" (twentieth-century weapons) back to the village in the hands of several warriors.

This becomes a disaster; in spite of gun-use training at the hands of the capable Seargent Fickits (another tiny traveler), the warriors destroy one another by the dozen. It requires very much help from yet another figure, a hospital Matron, to heal even a few.

To make matters worse, a band of thieves infiltrate the house. Omri summons a company of miniscule soldiers from Fickits' regiment to drive away the marauders, but the evidence for mysterious activity is written everywhere.

• The Secret of the Indian (1989)

The third book begins where the second left off. At the start, a police investigation takes place of the complicated situation, which reveals nothing save that a battle took place between ---- in fact, literally between ---- Omri and the robbers. The tiny time-travelers are mostly hurt or dead, causing the "big" people to send their bodies home. Among the living who go home are Fickits and Boone. Little Bear, Bright Stars, their newborn son Tall Bear, and Matron remain in the twentieth century. Matron is most annoyed and despairing that her patients are dying of weapons that should never have entered their time. She urges Omri to "bring" some of her hospital staff to the room. The only obstacle is that the only corresponding toys are possessions of Patrick's cousin Tamsin, who is something of a tease.

Yet there is a way. Tamsin has a sister, Emma, who is quite an open-minded person. She is let into the secret, in the hope of acquiring Tamsin's models (and, secretly, of bringing Boone's fiance forward in Time).

Patrick, meanwhile, has gone to visit Boone in the Texan's own time and place. Mistakenly, they pass in midflight. Boone is nearly stifled, but Omri and Matron resurrect him with a few simple techniques. Later, Omri and Emma strike a bargain with Tamsin to obtain the doctor-figures. They are brought, and Boone's horse is sent. Patrick hitches a lift on this horse, and finds his way to the residence of Ruby Lou, Boone's fiance. These, with Boone's horse and the Reverend "Tickle" Tickson, find Boone but cannot revive him.

Boone is revived in Omri's house, with much help. He is somewhat shocked at the idea of being suffocated. The tribal warriors are sent home, with the momentary exception of Little Bear.

Mr Johnson, headmaster of school, who has briefly seen Little Bear, decides that Omri's composition based on the facts is indeed based on facts. He interrogates his student, but has little success. Omri's parents and Patrick's family want the boys at home NOW.

Under duress, but thankfully out of sight, Omri brings Patrick forward in Time ---- and unwittingly, a tornado with him!

In the aftermath, Mr Johnson drops the affair behind him, disheartened at losing his prized Porsche. Ruby Lou and Billy Boone are married in the twentieth century, then subsequently sent back home. Little Bear, now a victorious chieftain, Fickits, now an officer in earnest, Matron in mufti, and Tickle to perform the service all join in.

Omri is worried. Playing around with Time has done more harm than good, so he has the cupboard and key entombed, having sent all his friends back home.

• The Mystery of the Cupboard (1992)

This is the most occult of the books. Omri and family move to the rural country, where they have inherited a house from the family of Jessica Charlotte. There, Omri and Patrick learn the origin of the magic key and its history of time travel. They learn about Jenny, Elsie, Bert, and numerous others who have been moved in Time, including Jessica Charlotte herself. Omri's interference with his own family history sets the stage for his first adventures.

• The Key to the Indian (1998)

The story was made into a movie in 1995, starring Hal Scardino, Litefoot, Lindsay Crouse, Richard Jenkins, Rishi Bhat, Steve Coogan and David Keith. The movie was distributed by Columbia Pictures and Paramount Pictures.

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