What is a Lion?

I’m pretty sure our kids have listened to the Chronicles of Narnia audio books at least 5 times through. Every time we take a road trip that is over an hour or two, they ask to pop in one of the discs and we are quickly swept back into the magical land of Narnia.

A few days ago we were driving back from a trip to my in-law’s farm where we spent Thanksgiving, and on that drive we listened to The Silver Chair. If you aren’t familiar with the story, here’s the gist: An evil witch kidnaps the King’s son and hides him away. Two children are pulled from our world into Narnia and tasked by Aslan, the great lion and creator of Narnia, to find and rescue him.

On this listen through, I noticed with particularity how the witch cunningly handled the rescuers and the prince once they were about the rescue. It is familiar.

She started by smiling, laughing gently, and projected general pleasantry. She quickly used some magic to put them into a hazy state of mind. Then she started simply posing questions – “What is this sun you speak of?” “What is a lion?” –and then uses their own words to confuse and convince them that they are making it all up, and should just simply chill out.

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“What is a lion?” asked the Witch.

“Oh, hang it all!” said Scrubb. “Don’t you know? How can we describe it to her? Have you ever seen a cat?”

“Surely,” said the Queen. “I love cats.”

“Well, a lion is a little bit–only a little bit, mind you–like a huge cat–with a mane. At least, it’s not like a horse’s mane. you know, it’s more like a judge’s wig. And it’s yellow. And terrifically strong.”

The Witch shook her head. “I see,” she said, “that we should do no better with your lion, as you call it, than we did with your sun. Well, ‘tis a pretty make-believe, though, to say truth, it would suit you all better if you were younger. And look how you can put nothing into your make-believe without coping it from the real world, this world of mine, which is the only world. But even you children are too old for such play. As for you, my lord Prince, that art a man full grown, fie upon you! Are you not ashamed of such toys? Come, all of you. Put away these childish tricks. I have work for you all in the real world. There is no Narnia, no Overworld, no sky, no sun, no Aslan. And now, to bed all. And let us begin a wiser life tomorrow. But, first, to bed; to sleep; deep sleep, soft pillows, sleep without foolish dreams.”

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Evil does this today, to you and I. We become imprisoned in our second stories – who we were told to be – as we are lulled into being convinced that our first stories – who we were made to be – are simple child-like dreams that should be set aside. Evil even takes scripture and twists it to do so: “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” — 1 Corinthians 13:11

Paul isn’t talking about setting aside our true identity, nor our desire to love, be loved, play and dance. Much the opposite in fact. He is talking about our naiveté around evil and truth.

Beautifully written by CS Lewis, the sage of the story is the true hero. Though awkward and pessimistic, the strangely loveable Puddleglum the Marshwiggle ultimately saves the day.

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“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 a small loss if the world’s as dull a place as you say.” -Puddleglum

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Sometimes, when we are in the fog, it is hard to remember what is real. Often it simply requires the faith of a child to move towards what we hope is true, even if our confidence has faltered. This is how evil is defeated, how men remember who they are, and how princes are rescued.

How has evil dulled your resolve?

How have you been caused to forget what is true?

How might you remember and reclaim it?

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Cody Buriff, Chief of Resources and Experiences