''It's all how you look at things." - Alec Bings talking to Milo. -The Phantom Tollbooth
Alec Bings"The boy who grows down"
'Alec Bings", is a boy that Milo met on his adventure.
About[]
While everyone grows from the ground up, Alec grows from up to the ground as he ages. He really wants to reach the ground, but he says that he must get very old first. His head is at the height he would be if he were an adult. Alec thought Milo must be really old since he is already touching the ground and then tells Milo that around there they all grow like that. However, he replies saying that he grows from the ground up (like all of us do). Alec thinks that system is funny. He takes them through the Forest of Sight and they meet Chroma, along with his orchestra (who play the colors). Alec can also see through what's in front of them, as all his family have some sort of power to do with sight. Alec has a very specific point of view and reminds Milo that there's more than one way of looking at the world. He also understands a very important distinction: the difference between illusions and reality. As he tells Milo, "For instance, if something is there, you can only see it with your eyes open, but if it isn't there, you can see it just as well with your eyes closed. That's why imaginary things are often easier to see than real ones".
Alec gives Milo a telescope as a parting gift. His ability was that he can see through the things. He is not a main character, but he is a significant one that is important to the story. He helped Milo between his journey and take him to illusions and told him about illusion he also take Milo to reality and drive into reality's history. He also gives Milo a brief description about everyone's point of view. Even though Alec is just a boy, not a powerful leader, his telescope lets Milo "see things as they really are, not just as they seem to be'". Because of the telescope, Milo is able to defeat the Demon of Insincerity.
Trivia[]
- Alec is the only non-ruler who gives Milo a gift that helps him on his quest. (The other three gift-givers are The Soundkeeper, King Azaz, and The Mathemagician)