Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of The Indian in the Cupboard. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Omri realizes that the plastic toys he brings to life in his magic cupboard are real people taken from their own times, so he sends Little Bear, his wife Bright Stars and the cowboy Boone home. He gives the cupboard's key to his mother to hide, so no one can misuse its power again.
Quick facts
– Book: The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks
– First published: 1980
– Type: A children's fantasy novel
– Tone of the ending: Bittersweet
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
For his ninth birthday, Omri receives an old cupboard and a key. When he puts a plastic figure inside and turns the key, it becomes a real, tiny person: Little Bear, an Iroquois warrior from the 1700s. Omri's friend Patrick brings Boone, a cowboy, to life. The two men clash, and the boys learn the responsibility of caring for real people.
What Happens at the End of The Indian in the Cupboard
The figures get into dangerous adventures, including at school. Boone is wounded, and Omri brings a World War I medic to life to save him. Omri realizes he has no right to keep them. Little Bear marries Bright Stars. Omri sends them all back. He asks his mother to keep the key.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- The toys are real people.
- Omri sends them home.
- The key is hidden.
- Omri grows up.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Omri | Gives up the cupboard's power |
| Little Bear | Returns home with Bright Stars |
| Boone | Returns home |
| Patrick | Omri's friend |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows responsibility and respect for others.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
The book has been criticized for its stereotyped portrayal of Native Americans, and many teachers now pair it with books by Native authors. Others focus on how Omri learns that the 'toys' are people with their own lives.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Responsibility. Omri learns responsibility.
Friendship. Omri and Little Bear.
Power. The cupboard's power must be respected.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of The Indian in the Cupboard as bittersweet. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Lynne Reid Banks to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are bittersweet will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Lynne Reid Banks closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 1995 film follows the main ending.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading The Indian in the Cupboard with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about responsibility, and do you agree with Lynne Reid Banks's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as bittersweet, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces responsibility and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Lynne Reid Banks leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in The Indian in the Cupboard often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of The Indian in the Cupboard earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of The Indian in the Cupboard on Amazon
Books to Read After The Indian in the Cupboard
- The Return of the Indian by Lynne Reid Banks
- The Borrowers by Mary Norton
Related: The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like The Indian in the Cupboard You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of The Indian in the Cupboard?
Omri realizes that the plastic toys he brings to life in his magic cupboard are real people taken from their own times, so he sends Little Bear, his wife Bright Stars and the cowboy Boone home. He gives the cupboard's key to his mother to hide, so no one can misuse its power again.
Is the ending of The Indian in the Cupboard happy or sad?
Most readers call it bittersweet.
What does the ending of The Indian in the Cupboard mean?
The ending shows responsibility and respect for others.
Is the ending of The Indian in the Cupboard the same in the adaptation?
The 1995 film follows the main ending.
Who wrote The Indian in the Cupboard and when was it published?
The Indian in the Cupboard was written by Lynne Reid Banks and first published in 1980.
Is The Indian in the Cupboard worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy children's fantasy novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Lynne Reid Banks prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read The Indian in the Cupboard before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.