A mythical land between the sun and the moon. Three ladies in the service of the Queen of the Night save Prince Tamino from a serpent. The Queen, appearing in a burst of thunder, tells Tamino about the abduction of her daughter, Pamina. Tamino, who has fallen in love with a portrait of Pamina, agrees to rescue her. The ladies give a magic flute to Tamino and silver bells to his friend Papageno, the birdcatcher, to ensure their safety on the journey and appoint three spirits to guide them. Led by the three spirits to the temple of Sarastro, Tamino learns from a high priest that it is, in fact, the Queen who is evil. Sarastro tells the priests that Tamino will undergo initiation rites, guided by the three spirits and protected by the magic flute. Papageno uses his magic bells to summon in his true love, Papagena. The Queen of the Night, her three ladies, and Monostatos, Sarastro�s slave, attack the temple but are defeated and banished. Sarastro blesses Pamina and Tamino as all join in hailing the triumph of courage, virtue, and wisdom.