The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian opens in theaters on Friday, May 16. In order to whet your appetite, I am counting down the fifteen days to the movie by sharing a favorite selection from each of the fifteen chapters of C. S. Lewis’ masterful book, Prince Caspian. (Warning: Plot spoilers ahead! But if you haven’t read the book, you should really read it before going to see the movie anyways!) Here goes — let’s count down to Caspian!

From Chapter 10: The Return of the Lion

She never stopped to think whether he was a friendly lion or not. She rushed to him. She felt her heart would burst if she lost a moment. And the next thing she knew was that she was kissing him and putting her arms as far around his neck as she could and burying her face in the beautiful rich silkiness of his mane.

“Aslan, Aslan. Dear Aslan,” sobbed Lucy. “At last.”

The great beast rolled over on his side so that Lucy fell, half sitting and half lying between his front paws. He bent forward and just touched her nose with his tongue. His warm breath came all around her. She gazed up into the large wise face.

“Welcome, child,” he said.

“Aslan,” said Lucy, “you’re bigger.”

“That is because you are older, little one,” answered he.

“Not because you are?”

“I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.”

“You mean,” said Lucy rather faintly, “that it would have turned out all right — somehow? But how? Please, Aslan! Am I not to know?”

“To know what would have happened, child?” said Aslan. “No. Nobody is ever told that.”

“Oh dear,” said Lucy.

“But anyone can find out what will happen,” said Aslan.

Thoughts:  Our great hope as believers in Jesus Christ is to be united with our Lord when he returns (Titus 2:13; 1 John 3:2-3). Lewis captures some of the beauty of that moment in this scene where Lucy meets Aslan upon his return. The scene also gives us some helpful insight into Christian growth. Aslan seems bigger to Lucy not because he has aged but because she has. Although God never changes, we learn more of him as we grow older in our faith. Finally, Lucy learns that she made the wrong decision back at the gorge when she followed the others instead of Aslan. She asks Aslan what would have happened if she had obeyed, but Aslan will not tell her. How many times have we wanted to know what would have happened if we had made one decision rather than the other? No one can find out what would have happened, but as Aslan says, “Anyone can find out what will happen.” Don’t waste time on the might-have-beens. You can pick up right where you are now and follow Christ in obedience today. (Philippians 3:13-14) (Thoughts? Comments? Do you have a favorite scene or quote from chapter ten?)

All the Countdown Posts:  Day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

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