When you use the Internet at home, the signal goes through a couple of boxes, which are probably shoved under a desk in your living room or den.
At the risk of getting too technical, I can say these boxes (Mary the modem and Reuben the router) are magical devices that enable the Cyberspace Elves to carry information through the worldwide series of tubes we call the Internet. If the boxes get unmagical, you would have trouble seeing that great video of two cats playing patty-cake, the latest e-mail jokes from grandpa and, worst of all, NashuaTelegraph.com.