“Please, Aslan,” said Lucy, “before we go, will you tell us when we can come back to Narnia again? Please. And oh, do, do, do, make it soon.”
“Dearest,” said Aslan very gently, “you and your brother will never come back to Narnia.”
“Oh, Aslan!!” said Edmund and Lucy both together in despairing voices.
“You are too old, children,” said Aslan, “and you must begin to come close to our own world now.”
“It isn’t Narnia, you know,” sobbed Lucy. “It’s you. We shan’t meet you there. And how can we live, never meeting you?”
“But you shall meet me, dear one,” said Aslan.
“Are – are you there too, Sir?” said Edmund.”
“I am,” said Aslan. “But there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there.”
Lucy, Edmund, and Eustace are at the end of their voyage on the Dawn Treader, and they are going home. Lucy asks Aslan when they will come back. Aslan gently tells them they are not coming back. They are too old, and must draw near to their own world. Weeping, Lucy asks how they can live without Aslan. Then Aslan says, “But you shall meet me, dear one.”
They are surprised to learn that He is there, but by a different name, and the reason why they have come to Narnia at all is so that they may know him better in their own country.
When you hand your child a book, you are not showing him how to escape. No, you are teaching him how to live. The purpose for the Pevensie children entering the wardrobe was not to escape “Spare Oom,” but for Peter to slay his first wolf, to taste of peace {which is joy at rest}, most of all to see Aslan, to hear his roar which shook all of Narnia, to smell his breath on their faces, and let their fingers trace the edges of the broken stone table. That they might know Aslan in their own country.
We do not enter the wardrobes of books to run away from our world. We enter them to learn how to the live the adventures right before us. Books are not hiding places from darkness, the grip of fear, dull days, hard knocks, and the cruel laughter of men. No, they are the training grounds of knights, heroes, and adventurers.
Read The Lord of the Rings not to leave the darkness of your world, but to go into your dark world and be the carrier of light, the last homely place, fight the Shadow, and defy the Balrog for others.
When the world feels suffocating, like inside the box at the fork factory, grinding you in a millstone, or trying to press all the magic out of you like the Dursleys, read books. Not to get away, but to help you face it. Read books that make you brave, that say, “Have courage and be kind.” Read books that teach you the wonderful art of laughter, that tell you that hope is a thing with feathers, which sweetest in the gale is heard.
But most of all, remember what Aslan said, “You must begin to come close to your own world now.” Would Aslan have told them to draw near to their land, if it were not worthy to draw near to? Our country has magic around each corner and plenty of room for mistakes. It has fields of battle, mountain peaks from which to watch the sun, Lothloriens to defend. It is vast and beautiful for the wandering and enjoyment of it.
The best things are not inside of books. They are only the beginning. The best thing is learning Aslan’s true name and going further up and further in, in our knowledge of Him.
- To Know Me There - June 14, 2021
MY sweet Carey! You made me cry today!
Interesting
Carey, thank you! This was beautiful and so true.
This is so true! I absolutely loved it! Thank you so much for writing this Carey!
Wonderful! Thank you.
Corey, your article is a breath of fresh air! You quoted or referred to many of our family’s favorite books. I can tell you have been deeply steeped in great stories. “Peace is joy at rest” aptly describes shalom. I also love the beginning of that quote from F.B. Meyer (which I only came across by reading your article): “Joy is peace dancing.” Thanks for sharing joy and peace!
Wow! Thank you so much for sharing! I agree with everything you just said! Books should be read to prepare us, make us stronger, give us hope! A story is never just a story, it’s a teacher, a tool, a weapon.