Really good literature and music is a truly remarkable thing.  It makes us stop and reconsider things that we thought we knew, spurs new thoughts and helps us see past the trees to the forest itself.  I enjoy it immensly and appreciate those rare minds that can create at that level.  One of the best:  C.S. Lewis.  For any of you who don’t know, this passage is from The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.  The beavers are telling the children about Aslan, who represents Jesus.

“You’ll understand when you see him.”

“But shall we see him?” asked Susan

“Why, daughter of Eve, that’s what I brought you here for.  I’m to lead you to where you will meet him,” said Mr. Beaver.

“Is—is he a man?” asked Lucy.  “Aslan a man!” said Mr. Beaver sternly.  “Certainly not.  I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-Beyond-The-Sea.  Don’t you know who is the King of the Beasts?  Aslan is a lion - THE lion, the great lion.”

“Ooh!” said Susan, “I thought he was a man.  Is he—quite safe?  I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”

“That you will, dearie, and no mistake,” said Mrs. Beaver, “If there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just plain silly.”

“Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy.

“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver, “Don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you?  Who said anything about safe?  ‘Course he isn’t safe.  But he’s good.  He’s the King, I tell you.

“It makes us stop and reconsider things that we thought we knew…” When I first read the series I was amazed at the way he presented deep spiritual truths in ways that children could just soak it in. After a bit, I realized I was looking at those same truths with fresh eyes, soaking it in. It was humbling and yet exhilarating - I can’t think of any other way to explain it.

One of my favorite quotes comes in the second book when Lucy can see Aslan when no one else can, no one believes her and Susan is being very snippy.

“Lucy went first, biting her lip and trying not to say all the things she thought of saying to Susan. But she forgot them when she fixed her eyes on Aslan.”