Alice asks the Queen how old she is, and the Queen responds that she is 101 years, five months, and a day old. Alice finds this hard to believe, expressing her skepticism. The Queen encourages Alice to try believing by taking a deep breath and closing her eyes, implying that belief is a matter of perception and willingness to accept the impossible.

The exchange highlights the whimsical and fantastical nature of Lewis Carroll's writing, where characters challenge and play with perceptions of reality. It also emphasizes the idea that sometimes belief requires an open mind, even when the facts seem unbelievable. The Queen's confident and playful attitude contrasts with Alice's innocent doubt, illustrating a theme of imagination versus reality.