Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of The Twits. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Mr. and Mrs. Twit, a nasty couple who play cruel tricks and trap birds for pie, are tricked by the monkeys they mistreat, the Muggle-Wumps, and the Roly-Poly Bird. The animals glue all the Twits' furniture to the ceiling, so the Twits stand on their heads, get stuck with glue, and shrink away to nothing with “the Dreaded Shrinks.”
Quick facts
– Book: The Twits by Roald Dahl
– First published: 1980
– Type: A children's novel
– Tone of the ending: Funny and satisfying
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
The Twits play tricks on each other: a glass eye in a beer mug, worms in spaghetti and a “shrinking” trick with a stick. Mr. Twit spreads glue on a dead tree to catch birds. The Muggle-Wumps, monkeys forced to train upside down, want revenge.
What Happens at the End of The Twits
The Roly-Poly Bird warns the other birds about the glue tree, so Mr. Twit's bird pie plans fail. The Twits decide to shoot birds instead and leave for town to buy guns. While they are gone, the Muggle-Wumps escape their cage, and together with the birds they glue all the Twits' carpet, furniture and lamps to the ceiling, then smear glue on the floor. When the Twits come home, they believe they are upside down and stand on their heads to put themselves right. Their heads stick to the glued floor. Stuck there, they get the Dreaded Shrinks, their heads shrinking into their necks until, in a few days, there is nothing left but clothes. Nobody misses them. The Roly-Poly Bird carries the Muggle-Wumps home to Africa.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- The Twits are tricked.
- The Twits shrink away.
- The monkeys are free.
- Cruelty is punished.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Mr. Twit | Shrinks away |
| Mrs. Twit | Shrinks away |
| The Muggle-Wumps | Freed |
| The Roly-Poly Bird | Helps |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows cruel people getting their comeuppance.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Readers love the gross humour, from the food in Mr. Twit's beard to the 'wormy spaghetti.' Dahl said he wrote it because he wanted to do something against beards.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Cruelty. The Twits are cruel.
Justice. Cruelty is punished.
Teamwork. The animals unite.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of The Twits as funny and satisfying. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Roald Dahl 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 funny and satisfying will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Roald Dahl 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.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading The Twits 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 cruelty, and do you agree with Roald Dahl'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 funny and satisfying, 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 cruelty 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 Roald Dahl 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 Twits often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of The Twits 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?
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Books to Read After The Twits
- George's Marvellous Medicine by Roald Dahl
- Matilda by Roald Dahl
Related: The Twits by Roald Dahl: Summary and Key Takeaways · What Age Is The Twits Appropriate For? A Parent’s Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of The Twits?
Mr. and Mrs. Twit, a nasty couple who play cruel tricks and trap birds for pie, are tricked by the monkeys they mistreat, the Muggle-Wumps, and the Roly-Poly Bird. The animals glue all the Twits' furniture to the ceiling, so the Twits stand on their heads, get stuck with glue, and shrink away to nothing with “the Dreaded Shrinks.”
Is the ending of The Twits happy or sad?
Most readers call it funny and satisfying.
What does the ending of The Twits mean?
The ending shows cruel people getting their comeuppance.
Who wrote The Twits and when was it published?
The Twits was written by Roald Dahl and first published in 1980.
Is The Twits worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy children's novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Roald Dahl prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read The Twits before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.