June 25, 2004

From The Silver Chair

"One word, Ma'am," he said, coming back from the fire; limping because of the pain. "One word. All you've been saying is quite right, I shouldn't wonder. I'm a chap who always liked to know the worst and then put the best face I can on it. So I won't deny any of what you said. But there's one thing more to be said, even so. Suppose we have only dreamed, or made up, all those things -- trees and grass and sun and moon and stars and Aslan himself. Suppose we have. Then all I can say is that, in that case, the made-up things seem a good deal more important than the real ones. Suppose this black pit of a kingdom of yours is the only world. Well, it strikes me as a pretty poor one. And that's a funny thing, when you come to think of it. We're just babies making up a game, if you're right. But four babies playing a game can make a play-world which licks your real world hollow. That's why I'm going to stand by the play world. I'm on Aslan's side even if there isn't any Aslan to lead it. I'm going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isn't any Narnia. So, thanking you kindly for our supper, if these two gentlemen and the young lady are ready, we're leaving your court at once and setting out in the dark to spend our lives looking for Overland. Not that our lives will be very long, I should think; but that's small loss if the world's as dull a place as you say."
--Puddleglum,
To the Lady of the Green Kirtle, the Queen of Underland;
in The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis

Immediately after reading this passage to the boys, I called Hubby in and read it to him. I was so moved by Puddleglum's staunch pronouncement of fealty to The Lion.

And while I believe Biblical Christianity to be objectively true and in line with the reality we can observe in this world, in my heart I would embrace the God of the Bible for His love, grace, holiness, and sovereignty--even if it were simply make-believe, because it is so full of richness compared to the hollowness of this world.

Jeff, of the Dawn Treader, seems to be reading the Chronicles of Narnia at about the same pace we are. He recently posted about this same chapter, but from the angle of faith and obedience.

Posted by TulipGirl | 11:07 PM| TrackBack (1) | Words

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» On Marshwiggles and Worldviews from The Dawn Treader
Puddleglum is a principled fellow whose worldview shines through in this pivotal part of the story. [Read More]

Tracked on June 26, 2004 03:21 AM

Comments

I LOVE this series. I'm waiting another year and trying again with my crew.

What an awesome passage and thought.

:-)
Posted by: Jess at June 26, 2004 02:10 AM

With listening to the Narnia and HP books, and seeing the LOTR movies, my kiddos have had ample fodder for imaginative play. It's so amusing to hear them mix the three together when making up stories.

I anticipate this will be a series we read and reread together. . .
Posted by: TulipGirl at June 26, 2004 09:47 AM

Christina (2) goes around saying (with such expression), "Oh, my Precious, Dobby." :-)
Posted by: Carol at June 26, 2004 12:55 PM

*L*

Posted by: TulipGirl at June 26, 2004 05:30 PM

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