Byron's Babbles

It is early morning here at The Kilns outside of Oxford England this morning as I write this post. The bright morning sun warms me as I sit in the rose garden for reflective time during this part of the day that has a crisp, almost bite, of coolness to it. My goal during my study time this week was to finish Prince Caspian. This was the second in the Chronicles of Narnia series and was published in 1951. The reason I wanted to read this chronicle was twofold; 1. I had not read it yet, and 2. Patti Callahan Henry refers to it in the book that inspired me to be here studying at The Kilns – Once Upon a Wardrobe. Her incredible historic novel was set in 1950 right after The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe had come out. In the book George Devonshire was trying to find out where Narnia came from. In Patti’s book George was excited to find out that C. S. Lewis was working on a second Narnia book, Prince Caspian, that would be published in 1951. I just needed to read Prince Caspian.

Glad I did. I am on page 118 of 127 in Prince Caspian and have found lots to reflect and ponder on, as you’ll find out in a moment. I’m glad I am old enough to read fairy tales again. In the dedication of The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe C. S. Lewis said to his goddaughter Lucy: “I wrote this story for you, but when I began it I had not realized that girls grow quicker than books. As a result you are already too old for fairy tales, and by the time it is printed and bound you will be older still. But some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again…” I’ve said before that right now I am at a point where many times learn more and think more deeply with fiction as my muse rather than nonfiction. Happy to discuss or debate that with anyone.

Now, here is the passage in Prince Caspian that caused me pause this morning:

“‘But what do you want with a tail?’ asked Aslan. ‘Sir,’ said the Mouse, ‘I can eat and sleep and die for my King without one. But a tail is the honor and glory of a Mouse.’ ‘I have sometimes wondered, friend,’ said Aslan, ‘whether you do not think too much about your honor.’ ‘Highest of all High Kings,’ said Reepicheep, ‘permit me to remind you that a very small size has been bestowed on us Mice, and if we did not guard our dignity, some (who weigh worth by inches) would allow themselves very unsuitable pleasantries at our expense.’” 🐁 From Prince Caspian, The Chronicles of Narnia (Publication Order #2)

I heard it said once that honor is giving voice to what we value. It is interesting then that Aslan is questioning the mouse about thinking too much about honor. It is important to give honor to others not just to ourselves. I love how Lewis worked this lesson in. There are a thousand ways to nuance words and bend illustrations so that honor flows our way. It is hard not to. Ever been telling a story to honor someone else and also manage to weave in some praise for yourself? Ever been making a comment or asking a question in a meeting and skillfully worked in details of your latest/greatest thing? Don’t worry, you are not alone. We all do it. But Aslan’s point is a valid one; we think too much about our own honor. In the mouse’s case, the tail had become a source of vanity, because all the other mice had one.

Through Aslan, C. S. Lewis may have been suggesting that the mouse, Reepicheep, was too focused on his own honor and reputation, rather than on more important values such as loyalty, kindness, and selflessness. This could be a lesson about humility and the true meaning of honor and selflessness. It’s important to remember that true honor comes from within, from doing the right thing even when no one is watching. Selflessness, kindness, and loyalty are the qualities that truly define a person’s character and worth.

It all circles back to being one’s authentic self. By honoring our true-self and true-path, we come face to face with who we are. When we have that authentic face to face with who we are, our true path is revealed and we become inspired.